The idea for this painting came about from a porcelain sculpture I did of a Merlin sitting asleep, but not having a chair under him for support, which I titled, "Power Nap". In the painting, I also wanted to portray the four races: Red, Yellow, Black and White; each with an element and particular animal that I felt would suit each one. As he sleeps, he sees a balance and peace in humanity and nature at the entrance of a gate from the point of view of a child, his younger self. Perhaps each individual soul which creates its own reality is the fifth element.
