<sub>Because I could not stop for Death,
He kindly stopped for me;
The carriage held but just ourselves
And Immortality.

We slowly drove, he knew no haste,
And I had put away
My labour, and my leisure too,
For his civility.

We passed the school where children played,
Their lessons scarcely done;
We passed the fields of gazing grain,
We passed the setting sun.

We paused before a house that seemed
A swelling of the ground;
The roof was scarcely visible,
The cornice but a mound.

Since then 'tis centuries; but each
Feels shorter than the day
I first surmised the horses' heads
Were toward eternity.

"Because I Could Not Stop for Death" by Emily Dickinson</sub>


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On August 9, 2009, the bassist named Jasmine You of the band, Versailles Philharmonic Quintet, passed away suddenly.

In dedication, tribute, and memory of him, I created this art piece.



It's probably been one of the most influential and emotional pieces that I have ever drawn and painted. I started sketching it....after a couple of hours of hearing the tragic news of his passing...through tears, I tried to draw it as how I will always remember him....I met Jasmine You through an autograph session at A-kon and shook his hand, exchanged a few words, and admired his grace and elegance. He wore his "NOBLE" era costume, draped of an array of purple, chains, rhinestones, and roses.

Roses....

He is a rose-no, a lovely Jasmine flower which always be full of bloom and kindness that we will always remember.

....So in this piece, I drew and painted him in all his aesthetics....beautiful, graceful, in happiness, and finally at peace among the bed of roses with his bass...I ended up not really eating or sleeping until I finished this, it was the only thing I could think about...the inking and painting process took the most out of me...but I will be alright.

....Even though my mind is still not accepting the news, I just will never forget him..I wake up everyday now wondering if it all was just a bad dream...but he is a descendant who had to join his ancestors because God had decided that his time has come.

May death bring you everlasting happiness.

Rest in peace, our lovely and always beautiful Jasmine You.


Also, my hearts and prayers goes out to his family and the band members of Versailles. May everyone find closure....



Mediums and Tools Used:
Staedler Inking Pens
Array of Watercolor and Acrylic Paint
Yellow Pen
Mechanical Pencil

PS Brush Credit:
"Shimmering Nights PS Brush" by *ainohanako

P.S. When I was drawing this piece, I thought of the first stanza of the poem above, so that's why I chose it, as well as the fact that it fits.

Also, the four butterflies on the right side of Jasmine were supposed to represent the members of Versailles...Red for Kamijo, Blue for Teru, Pink for Hizaki, and Black for Yuki....




_{Oh lovely Jasmine....where do we go from here?}