Unfinished/Untitled, Acrylic on canvas, 16"W x 20"H (nfs)

This unfinished piece is included because I found it particularly moving. If Rick had completed it, I believe it would have been his "Stairway to Heaven". Faith was a constant companion during his illness and Rick referred to many of his special caregivers as his angels on earth. On February 20, 2001, Rick admitted that he was scared ... scared of dying. A wonderful hospice chaplain suggested I tell Rick the following, which I did.

Imagine that you have one final painting to complete - your masterpiece. Only this masterpiece you are going to paint in your mind. Imagine that you are creating a painting of heaven. And when your painting has everything in it that you envision heaven to be, paint yourself into that heaven.

Rick went within himself and began work on his final painting. The next day he was no longer responsive to the external world; and on February 24, 2001, he passed from this earth.