TELLOS - A Tribute...

As you probably know, the great Mike Wieringo passed away last Monday at the age of 44, leaving the whole comics community in shock.
I'll always remember this last 13th of August as a bittersweet day, because while I was getting a huge recognition from the whole of deviantART through my DD, one of my biggest influences was going away.
The news hit me like a cold chill on my back and through the rest of the day I remembered the first time I picked up Tellos and what a great time I had reading it and dicovering this wonderful artist! I also remembered what a great read he was whenever he gave advice or addressed the fans and the community; his pleaseantness and how he made you go 'I want to be like that guy!'. Mike was going to be there with us all... forever, it seemed. And, in a sense, despite him being physically gone, he is going to be here with us all.
You see, i believe that Mike's strength and all the talent and passion he had contained in his heart didn't die, but was set free and finally given to the whole world; to every kid who picks up one of his books and is inspired to draw, or to every professional that remembers his advice or his encouragement. We're all made of something special that cannot die by any means. And I'm not a religious person at all! But that's something I know. 'How?' you may ask; well, because even with the workload I'm having lately, my anxiety issues and fragile health, I felt more inspired than ever when doing this illustration. This piece, this TRIBUTE to that great man I did in seconds; and I coloured even faster. That's why I'm certain Mike was at the tip of my pencil yesterday... and will be until I too inspire other pencils through my strength and talent when I pass away.

This image is joyful and colour filled. And that's how I will always remember Mike's art.
I hope you enjoy it, Mike! This was something i owed you for too long!

Nicolás.-