Strike Three 

David Michael Bowers created this intriguing painting, "Strike Three", a scene brimming with symbols of love, loss, and transformation. The fallen bride, adorned in white, is a potent figure. White, a color traditionally symbolizing purity and a new beginning, is here juxtaposed with wilted roses and a lifeless dove. The rose, often associated with Aphrodite and Venus, embodies beauty and passion, while the dove, a symbol of peace, lies still— suggesting a disruption of harmony. We see echoes of Ophelia, floating in water surrounded by flowers in Millais's famous painting, likewise embodying a woman's tragic fate. Here, however, the modern addition of a cell phone adds a contemporary twist to this age-old narrative, perhaps commenting on the cold detachment of modern relationships. These symbols transcend time, their meanings evolving yet rooted in our collective memory, engaging us in a subconscious dialogue about love, betrayal, and the fragility of dreams.