(Designed and painted, spring 2020)

Ive always said the only way for 2 people to stop fighting is if they come upon a problem bigger then both of them. This was the first time in my life time to wake up in a world where something so vicious effected us all and didn't care who we were or where we come from, unprejudiced and merciless.  For the first time i thought it was super clear we are all gunna be stuck in this burning building...together. People where dying as such a horrifying rate of speed. When watching all the this unfold and how the people reacting to it, the shear panic, the looks everyone gave each other thinking they had..the Rona,the emptiness of the toilet paper idle, it was clear that Fear had become king. As i sat there and let all this sink in a quote came to me which lead to the idea for this piece. Plato (429?–347 B.C.E.) the Athenian philosopher of all people had a saying that resonates with me all the time,

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."  with all that was happening it was all to easy to stop realizing that it wasn't just about you and your safety and your survival. The truth is that we were all in this one together and some of use where loosing. Even though we had to be at least 6 feet apart we still need to help each other make it. Not just for our survival but it is an incredible leap forward to the idea that helping each other, helps us understand each other, which brings friendship, and that brings us closer to peace.  I know thats a little cheesy but honesty people...in these harsh times, this is an opportunity to be better as people.

Keep it Vintage,

- Count V.