$25

Based off the famous hokku by Kobayashi Issa:

O snail,
Climb Mt.Fuji,
But slowly, slowly!

"According to my idea, this character is a traveler. A snail shell represents a backpack while their outfit is suitable for a long journey. The journey itself can be both literal and metaphorical - along the road of life.
In the literal sense, the snail selflessly climbs to the top of the volcano, where only the fiery mouth awaits for it. In a metaphorical sense, at the end of the life path there is also only death.
That's why I decided to use the theme of the skeleton, because our bones is all that remains of us after death.
Nevertheless, the glitter of life still shines in their eyes. The circle under the jacket symbolizes both deadly mouth of the volcano and the soul of the character: it's not only bones yet, but also a living beating heart."

-Story by the artist