First off. This is a wonderful piece and I appreciate all of the time and work you obviously put into it. And, while I agree with most of the good things the other critics said about your work, I'd like to go into a few things that, in my humble opinion, may take it to the next level - or at least give you something to think about for future projects.

Flow: Your transitions are beautiful. From the blending of the elements to the smooth arc of the text placement, you've really done well with giving everything purpose. The blending helps to lead the eye to the next element while the text not only leads but visually defines the meaning of the words - negative statements low and positive statements high. Very well done. The only setback I have here is the tear-eye stock image, but I'll talk about that more in the next section.

Stock: For the most part, you chose images that accurately and effectively support the message you were trying to depict. However, I believe you could have found a better image for the tear-eye. This is not to say that the current image doesn't work, because it does. My note is small and nitpicking, so take it with a grain of salt. With that said, I'd like to see an eye that conveys the emotion at hand - when I read the text, my emotional state was contemplative and melancholy, whereas the eye looks rather passive and stoic. In other words, I found myself wanting the eye to feel like I felt, and I wasn't getting that. Also, in regards to the flow, because the eye is looking up and towards the left, it disrupted and halted the flow of the picture. If it had been looking down and to the right, or even straight on, it would have allowed my eyes to travel along the beautiful path you laid out through the rest of the work.
The only other image I'm not in love with is the first image after the yin-yang symbol. While I think you were trying to go for a dark emotion, being that the stock image was a "postmortem" image, it didn't come across that way for me. Until I clicked on the original stock, I had no idea it was supposed to be a dead girl - though I'm not entirely sure that was your purpose for that image. But again, the way it came across was stoic, emotionless, and almost aloof - and I think you were trying to convey real, deep emotions through your work.
I realize that sometimes it is hard to sift through the mountains of stock images to find something that suits your work. It really can be exhausting. I found that if I challenge myself to pick at least 3 images that could work, I end up much happier with the end result than I would have been if I had gone with the first image I found.

Message: One of the hardest things in art is making sure the message you are painting into your work is the message that is received by the intended audience. You have accomplished this nicely - your message is very clear. Good job. My only note here would be to go back over your written script. I think you could find a few different ways to word some of the segments that would better suit your purpose. For instance, when you used the word "you", you directly involved me in the work. You called me out. That - by default - took me out of the piece when I had been so absorbed in it before. It made me step away from it and think about it. For some works of art, this is the purpose - however, I feel that this particular piece would have done better without that. In other words, I would try to find a way to continue the message in an ambiguous fashion. Provoke though without directly calling the audience out with the word "you". Again, nitpicking here.

Now, on to the ratings:

Vision (4.5): This work was very well thought-out and brilliantly executed. Some of your choices, however, are a bit expected. I would have loved to see some slightly more abstract visuals to get that last .5. But still, excellent work.

Originality (3.5): The overall concept has been around a while, yes, but the way you implemented it and the quality of the work earn you some major brownie points here. Still, I'd like to see you push the envelope a bit more. I've seen other works of yours and know you have the talent. Perhaps you just need someone to poke you with a stick to encourage you to make the jump. 8)

Technique (5): No complaints here. The way you placed your elements and the text is inspired, and your blending work between them is seamless. I applaud you. Excellent work.

Impact (4): For the most part, this image is effective at conveying your message. For me, though - coming from a theatre background - there are a few things that I look for to really "sell" an idea. Most of these things were addressed in the above comments. Overall, though, I still love your work and commend you on a job well done.

There's just one more choice you made that I want to finish with, because this choice alone made me want to perform a happy dance for you. There was one "image" that you chose not to depict with an actual image... the "dark". I absolutely love this choice. Because, where you could have filled the space with some creepy night-picture or something, you left negative space, and I love you for it. Not only that, but you carefully worked the rest of the picture to make sure that the "dark" area was the darkest spot in the entire image. The main reason why I love this, though, is because the space is empty - and emptiness is, to me, the most accurate definition of darkness. It is lonely, obscure, unknown, and utterly void of anything. I can't express enough why this makes me happy. Again, brilliant work.

I hope you'll take everything I've said for what it is. This is simply my humble opinion. I am by no means a professional, but I have a director's heart, and I love to see artists get better and grow from new experiences.

I wish you the best on your future endeavors.
Kayla

I hope this rings true for more people than myself. An amazing representation of thoughts that many people come to face; and the ones that don't reach this epiphany, wish they could. You picture are so beautifully blended in a great style that not many can accomplish.

I can say that I don't make a lot of critiques and rarely give out such scores, but your craftsmanship really deserves the ratings you achieved.

Congrats on an outstanding, emotional, peace that many will find comfort in. Please continue your amazing work with great messages, just as this one.

Peace out,
D.P.13. =^..^=