Two comments:

1) The painting brings to mind the style of some classic Dutch Master.

2) One fellow gear-tinkering enthusiast that I met a couple of years ago suggested sewing large stuff sacks so that they open/cinch at BOTH ends. This allows access from the top and bottom and any rain that might sneak in to easily drain. Of course, knowing Murphy to be an optimist, we can expect our gear that usually finds its way to the bottom of any bag will now migrate to the center of this bag.

CM