"LOST SOUL" by Jade N. Bengco

Halloween or Samhain--it's the night when the veil between our world and the supernatural world is at it's thinnest. Souls, ghosts, spirits come and go between worlds to visit their loved ones, do mischief, or question their circumstance. My pale ghost revisits the place where she took her last breath. The desolate scene shows the last of the leaves and acorns  being whisked away by the cold wind from the gnarly oak tree. Only 11 years old--no one knew she was sick--and she didn't have anyone to care whether she is or not. Abandoned at a very early age she took care of herself, luckily finding a small uninhabited hovel in the woods. She eked out a living by gathering edible wild fruits and mushrooms to sell in the nearby village. Her one joy is to sit for hours under the old oak tree daydreaming about being a much-loved daughter of doting parents. Her body was discovered by a kindhearted woodcutter who had ventured into that part of the woods, carried her to his home and had his wife prepare her for burial. Now, on this magical mysterious night--as she drifts softly, Jack-O-Lantern pumpkin in hand to light her way-- barely touching the ground--her tattered shroud trailing along--she looks around and wonders--'Is this the same place that I loved so much?'.........

Original was done on Arches acid-free watercolor paper with watercolor and ink media.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN 2010, EVERYONE!!