My uncle once told me that a sigh is the equivalent of the wistful sentiment: “If only…” I’ve thought about that a lot lately, because I have a great idea for an Aret-related design, but it will never come to fruition, because I cannot draw. (Truly, my attempts at drawing are nothing short of absurd. Most recently, I tried to draw a leaping stick figure, but after I made its legs the length of arms and put its feet on backwards, it just looked like a jumbled pile of insanity.)

If only I could draw, however, I would create a fabulous 2016 election poster featuring Aret’s protagonist, the Red Matriarch. [She would be a great president, by the way. She has hundreds of years of governing experience, and is (not always, but in general) diplomatic, level-headed, and thoughtful. As a bonus feature, she happens to be a totally badass dragon.]

Here is what I would draw, if only such a thing were possible:

PICTURE THIS:  A tremendous, blood red dragon with giant, curving black horns protruding from her gargantuan head, blasting a ferocious stream of fire onto the word HATE. Printed above her are the words: Red Matriarch 2016; and below: Feel the Burn.

If only…

In lieu of all that, I’ll share a couple of images from Studio BE (an exhibit in New Orleans by the artist Brandan ‘BMike’ Odums), which was perhaps the most stunning and powerful art installation I’ve ever seen.

#StudioBE

I was so grateful for this reminder that there is beauty in the world. Sometimes a bilious fog of fury and hatred can obscure that truth. It’s a blessing to have it blown away.

[For more on the artist, visit: http://www.brandanodums.com and http://www.exhibitbe.com]