When a tragedy like this happens, there are no words that can adequately express the sorrow and loss that it brings. This figure was the hardest figure I have ever made – ever. Not because of the amount of work that went into it (over 3 months worth) but mainly because of the sadness I felt every time I picked it up to work on it. I was literally depressed for days at a time in the beginning of the project.

To sculpt a person’s face, I can spend weeks and months researching every photo I can find – every angle, every expression. I surround myself & my studio with pictures so that is all I see for the duration of making the figure. I use halogen lamps and magnifying glasses to see everything I can.

There were many times in which I saw photos of Dimebag with fans. He seemed to be having a really good time with his fans – like he was hanging out with them, just one of the guys. Some pictures showed him looking intently at the fan as they were talking to him and it looked like he was really listening to them, and smiling! I think he must have really enjoyed the fans and appreciated them – at least that’s what I picked up from his expressions. Maybe I’m crazy, but what the f**k – there are so many ‘stars’ out there that barely look up at you, signing a photo and pushing it toward you while grabbing the next to sign as you get pushed aside after waiting hours to see them – never really looking into your eyes even if for a moment.

So like I said, maybe I’m crazy - but I choose to believe that the impression I got from studying all these photos of Dime – the impression that he was a genuine guy, a fun-lovin’ hellhound that liked to laugh & loved his fans – was indeed on the mark. And that’s the way I choose to remember him.

Well, that and the awesome guitarist he was…

Your music will forever play in our hearts...RIP brother.