As I worked on this painting, the theme of contemplation, and a deep awake attentiveness to God's work in us (Ta'q'uah) in Islamic faith– resurfaced in this image, based on a photograph of a Muslim man; Mut'taq'uan. In the words of Rumi, You must set fire to have light….Now consider what the prophets have done. Abraham wore fire for an anklet. Moses spoke to the sea. David molded iron. Solomon rode the wind. Work in the invisible world at least as hard as do in the visible. Be companions With the prophets even though no one here will know that you are, not even the helper of the quth, the abdals.