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KJanuary — KoH: Weight of the World
Published: 2007-04-19 03:56:42 +0000 UTC; Views: 998; Favourites: 15; Downloads: 6
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April 16, 2007I'm pretty sure most people have heard about the massacre at Virginia Tech. Though everyone would agree that it was a terrible thing, it hits a little close to home... I'm from Virginia, after all, and I know people who went to Tech. I started drawing this Monday evening, a little after they announced the death toll was above 30.
It's not uncommon for me to use my art and characters to explore something I'm thinking or feeling, so this wasn't just me deciding to beat the snot out of Ter for art's sake or amusement. Life has been tough for a while, and every time I think I've regained my footing, another blow knocks me reeling and I'm just trying to keep from collapsing. The news from Virginia Tech was only the latest punch in the gut.
I was talking to a friend about this, though, and about how it feels to get knocked down over and over. How it feels to just get back up on your feet one more time and keep going, no matter how much it hurts, no matter whether or not you can see straight. Life has dealt us all hands we'd rather not play, it's true, but I'm not about to leave the game.
Ter is my poster child for rolling with the punches. You'll have to take my word for that, since I don't have the story on hand to prove it. He gets beat up and broken down time and time again, like me. Still, he doesn't give up. There comes a time when he'll be like "I am not taking this crap anymore. I'm not gonna surrender." So this painting, for me, is about all the wild blows Life sends that catch us off guard and break our hearts and leave us aching... but I also know that in a moment, he'll shake his head clear, stand up all five-feet-nine of him, and keep on. Like I'll try to do.
Well, that was long. For those of you who are just here for art: "LOOK! Anime! Blood! Boys with long hair!" *points*
Telion belongs to me.
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Comments: 11
I was living in Virgina at the time of the Vigini Tech incident. It was hard even for my rather young mind at the time. It was hard and I can understand getting knocked back down time and time again. I think that this peice of art supports that and reflects those feelings perfectly. Good job.
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I'm sorry to hear you were so close to the incident. It's been on my mind more as the news hits about the third (?) suicide on my own campus this calendar year. I think we are only beginning to realize how vulnerable our age group is.
I still like the painting, overall, and I'm glad you do too. I'ms still considering repainting it sometime.
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Agreed. On the same note however I wasn't too old when it occured. Therefore I don't remember much of the incident. What I do remember, however, is the sadness that it caused.
As for you're painting, I love it as it is. If you feel that you want to repaint it then I will surely look forward to the repainted peice.
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Thanks for dedicating your piece to Tech. It is a nice pic.
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Oh, KJ... This probably isn't what you want to hear right now, but you're so deep and so darn insightful and compassionate- For once, I wasn't looking at Telion and his battered beauty, I was looking at the text beneath.
When the news about Virginia Tech reached England, my first thoughts were for you- were you okay, were your friends okay, how were you taking the news and then I felt guilty for only worrying about things that may have affected you- and I'm sorry.
It's horrible. Not the picture, not the sentiment behind it, but the causes of the sentiment behind it.
As generic as this sounds, as unhelpful as it probably is in the frame of mind you're in... You're resilient, one of the strongest people I know, you've always managed to deal with the pain, and you can get through this, as horrifying as the attack was, as frightening as it must have been for you hearing that for the first time.
Deepest prayers and sympathy,
Ash
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wow!!
This is really powerful ,such a good seniment - it was terrible what happpened in virgina 
nice job
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My mom was incredibly upset when she heard about the shootings...we're not from Virginia, or even very close to it, but she's always been afraid for me, because I want to go off to college in a few years...it doesn't make sense, does it? Why? I mean...just...why? Why are we killing each other?
I don't know...I think making art, whether it's drawing, sculpting, writing, whatever, it's very therapuetic...
As for the purely fangirl/art fan side: ">; He's bleeding! *pets*"
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Frankly, it still seems very surreal to me... I still don't know how the people I know are doing.
I love this picture for many, many reasons. The coloring and the message are both beautiful, and it's hard not to appreciate a picture with such things. Lovely work, KJ.
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I think Balboa said it best to his kid in the new movie: It's not about how hard you hit, it's about how hard you can get hit and keep on moving.
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he looks like I mentally feel these days. sometimes art is the best way to convey your emotions. and even though I know how much of a blow the Virginia shooting was, I hope all the victims involved will get through OK in the end, even those how died I hope will rest in peace.....
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I'll have one up myself eventually...
Honestly, it makes me want to cry all over again.
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