I’ve always been drawn to the look of eroded, ruined stone structures, especially when they appear in science fiction and fantasy. That fascination definitely shaped this piece. While the architecture may not be historically accurate, I focused on capturing the spirit of ancient design: the use of classical columns, heavy stone, and large, open interior spaces. This imagined ruin became a kind of tribute to both historical beauty and speculative worlds. One of my favorite details is the gaping hole in the stone floor, revealing the natural world behind the structure. It creates a direct contrast between the built and the organic, reminding me how nature always finds its way back, reclaiming what was once shaped by human hands.
The darker values toward the focal point, where the viewer's gaze fades into shadow, add to the atmosphere of mystery. To me, it reflects how we may know the history of places like ancient Rome exists, but we don’t truly grasp the lived experience of that time. There’s something unknowable about it, something that makes it feel timeless and distant, yet emotionally resonant. I actually hadn’t planned to include this piece in the collection, but a close friend encouraged me to frame it. He loved the perspective and the intricate detail. Now, I’m glad I listened. I visited Rome last year with my cousin, and we spent time exploring ancient ruins together. This drawing brings back those moments, walking through broken columns and sunlit stones, imagining the lives once lived there. Finally, the waterfall in the background reflects something I believe deeply: that humanity should live in harmony with nature, as we once did. I’ve always loved seeing how nature reclaims man-made spaces, it reminds me that the two are not separate, but intertwined. This piece is both a memory and a vision of how the past, present, and future might continue to blend.