This was done in memory of a dear friend and brother. He was taken from us at only 22 years old, about to turn 23. What took his life was a disease known as Duchennes Muscular Dystrophy, which caused his heart and lungs to weaken.
We met when I was 6 years old through a camp for children with Muscular Dystrophy and our friendship grew. He was recently married to a women he loved with all his heart, which is wonderful as many people with DMD don't even live to see their 20's let alone find love and get married.
I drew this for his memory, I always saw him as a lion. He was strong and proud and never let his disease get the better of him. Now he can run and walk again and I know he is watching over all of use.
I normally have to line my pictures with the line tool because I too have a form of MD. It causes my hands to shake horribly, and if I use them too long, makes my muscles ache.
However, I pushed through that pain for this picture, I was inspired by my brother to not let it affect me. All of this was drawn without use of the pen tool.
This isn't the first time I have said goodbye to one of my best friends because of this disease and I know it won't be the last.
I would like to ask you, all of you. If you see a shamrock at your local stores, please buy one...for my friend Josh, for me, for all the children who have to suffer through this and look at those shamrocks for hope..
RIP Josh, Your spirit will live one in our hearts forever... March 9th 1988 - March 3rd 2011
Wow. I'm so sorry about your friend, Josh If I see a shamrock, I'll buy one for him. This picture is awesome and I'm sure Josh is really proud of it. Very, very nice art, Tru.