Character(s) © Laura Horobin

Title/Characters: Tallis
Date Completed: August 2004
Methods: Ink & Photohsop LE
Notes: A weekly exchange is where a group of 4-6 artists are assigned to draw for each other on a rotating basis (week one for artist #1, week two arist #2, ect). The artwork doesn't need to be a finished piece, but needs to take at least 30 minutes.

I was really happy to be drawing for Laura, I've been a fan of her artwork and characters for a long while. Tallis, in particular, is a storyteller, so I jumped at the opportunity to add words to the image worth a thousand. The complete text is below.

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Long ago in the lands of Ire, there lived a little girl who dreamed of Balhallah, the land of paradise where Gods and Heroes lived.

"Maman, maman," the girl would cry, tugging on her mother's skirts. "Where is the way to Balhallah?"

"Iie, iie," her Maman would reply. "The way is with patience and faith, my darling. If you learn those the way to Balhallah will be open to you." And the girl took her mother's word.

Years passed, the girl turning into a woman and still dreaming of Balhallah took a chance and travelled, her faith so strong she believed her feet would lead her to the destiny that called her in her sleep.

Hardship and joy, cold nights and warm laughter filled her journey, the kindness of strangers her salvation on many occasions as her kindness was the salvation of others during her adventures. And nary a moment would she have taken back if she had but the chance.

Eventually, the woman, now aged found Balhallah, but instead of being filled with Gods and Heroes, it was a field of beautiful flowers and a single maiden in it's center.

"Child!" she called out. "Where are the Gods? Where are the Heroes?"

"They have gone from here, Ghanna. But bare ghosts of memory in this realm."

"I have travelled so far..." the woman cried, near heartbroken.

"And how was your journey, Ghanna?" The maiden smiled. The woman's eyes widened, with realization.

"It was filled with wondrous sights and peoples, godly men and heroes of the masses, of things I'd never have experienced had I not dreamt..."

"Yes," the maiden said. "The journey, it is your Balhallah."