Prayer/Jesus, Acrylic on canvas, 16"W x 20"H (nfs)

In what would ultimately prove to be an incredible journey of life over the next five and one-half years, I don't believe it was accidental that the first painting Rick completed after being discharged from the hospital was this one, Prayer/Jesus.

While it would still be several weeks before Rick would have his first appointment with an HIV specialist to begin treatment for AIDS, he was heavily medicated with psychotropic drugs to treat his mania. They affected his vision and made him dizzy, as is reflected in the painting's lines.

Still, it would be his daily conversations with God that would enable Rick to get up each day and live with AIDS for the next 5-1/2 years.