Sunday, June 29, 2014
Listening To The Sphinx
Came across a very neat painting the other day, 'Listening To The Sphinx' by Elihu Vedder. It was said years ago the sand was piled high enough around the Sphinx of Giza that people could approach the mouth and listen for 'whispered answers' to their question, just as it is shown in the painting. What kind of questions would you ask a sphinx, what answers would you receive?
Saturday, June 7, 2014
Star Wars Death Star Repair Manual
Today I saw something kinda funny. You know those Haynes repair manuals for cars and trucks etc?
There was one for the Death Star and one for the Millennium Falcon. It's not like inside they are strictly like real Haynes books though. There are some blueprint diagrams yes, but also just Star Wars pix and trivia and articles and such. Ha..
There was one for the Death Star and one for the Millennium Falcon. It's not like inside they are strictly like real Haynes books though. There are some blueprint diagrams yes, but also just Star Wars pix and trivia and articles and such. Ha..
Long Drought
Shyit it's been quite awhile since I posted in here. That's not necessarily a bad thing. Sure, I've been 'busy' like everyone else. That's one big reason. Did you ever wonder why everybody these days is so busy? It's partly easy surface answers like more choices in society, more complexity, more material production, more technology and so forth. I have a theory for the deep down level though that a big reason many are so busy is that they can't stand stillness because it will make them face all the atrocities committed. Atrocities?? What atrocities?
Crimes against ourselves, our fellow men and women, our planet and all of nature. If it's not a definable crime under some criminal code (ie so and so mugged someone the other day) then there are definitely large scale crimes still happening that we have not outlawed (ie clearcutting a forest or stealing the land bases of the indigenous to exploit them and their resources). Just by EXISTING in this society we are all thieves, murderers, rapists- if not in the literal sense at least in the poetic sense.
Or is it really so poetic? Is raping a rainforest ok but a female jogger not? I say they're both bad. We all have many sins to answer for. Why do we not face this darkness we create? A few reasons at least. When everyone else is living a certain way we are culturally inculcated to think if we live that way too it should be 'normal' or 'ok'. Another thing is the distance effect. If you are on some nice golf course or in flower gardens with fountains sipping a fruit smoothie, you are harming no one in your enjoyed idyllic moment. Right? If you yank someone's head back and slit their throat, that is more concretely definable harm to our culture, and if you are not psychopathic or used to killing or something along those lines you would be horrified to do such a deed. Yet the golf course and flower gardens were all paved with blood of innocents (and to be fair not so innocents). So because we are shielded from ground zero so to speak it's easier to keep on doing what we do.The cup you drink from, the canvas golf bag, all these material things are fucking up the planet from the processes that create and transport them. It takes advantage of other people too, like sweatshop workers or poor foreign farmers for instance. The land you stand on is not only stolen but being misused and abused. Then in turn we misuse and abuse ourselves and each other. The least we could do after stealing land is look after it.
Even for the most selfish preservation instinct standards we are being stupid because we are poisoning ourselves and destroying all we should hold dear. We may pause and reflect on how wrong things may seem (as I am right now) but just not know where to start and feel helpless to do anything. We might be like zoo animals that became so used to domestication that we would easily die in the wild, so we do not go towards a sustainable lifestyle living off the land. It is all very likely past the tipping point. And some of us just plainly are ignorant or don't give a fuck. On that note, maybe I should go back to making silly fun posts again after that sober moment, and maybe hope the next sober moment comes soon and I can somehow glean revelation for what the hell to do next in this big bad world. Maybe I should worry more about real droughts than my drought of blog posting...
Sunday, March 2, 2014
23727274237247
You are here because you either have been to this blog before, or you have typed in this number into a search engine as an 'access code' of sorts. More on this later.
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Another Great Artist: Sean Chappell
I attended my first comic convention the other day (aka NerdFest) and one thing I noticed is that conventions are great places to meet independent artists. My favorite artist of the whole slew was Sean Chappell. In fact, as it stands currently, he is one of my favorite artists period! Check out his website at http://www.seanchappell.com/
I managed to do a interview of sorts with Sean, and here it is interspersed with impressive samples of his work!
Q: Ever been to the UK? Or... other interesting places around the world?
A: I've been back several times. I've visited England more than any other country in the world, even the U.S. I think. My entire extended family lives in old blighty. There are currently only 3 original members of my family residing in Canada but we have added many peripherals since 1975.
Q: You have illusionist abilities..what is the importance of illusion or symbol and using it in art and life?
A: I think there is a lot of illusion in Art and life. Not only do we use illusions on a personal level to interact with and protect ourselves while roaming the wilds of the outside world, but there are innumerable ones sold to us on a daily basis from all directions. Radio. Television. Other people. I believe that if all the illusions were to be made transparent over night, we'd see a radical shift in the structure and functionality of our society. Is illusion important? That's a matter of personal opinion. I suppose so, if you like things the way they are. If not, start on a personal level and tear down your own illusions. As Gandhi said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world."
Q: When you were a circus dog or on the mean streets life was tough. What held you through?
A: Knowing that someday I would get my revenge. Ever received a hug and a kiss at a family gathering from someone who's been drinking out of the toilet? That's me baby. That's me. Revenge is sweet.
Q: What type of gin was it when you dove into a thimble full of it? I hope it was Bombay Sapphire at least.
A: The gypsies told me it was gin and I could delude myself that they could actually afford Bombay Sapphire or any gin for that matter, but in the long run I'm pretty sure it was just ordinary tap water I was diving into. After all, they only had Dickens to trade for me; certainly not what a rich trader would bring to the table (Dickens is so common). What about my alcoholism you ask? Brought on psychosomatically I believe in a vain attempt to escape reality.
Q: You are a horror buff no? Aside from obvious stuff everyone is supposed to know about (Freddy, Jason, Pinhead, blah blah) are there some more obscure and awesome films you'd recommend?
A: I am a horror fanatic. I've been obsessed with the subject since forever. I'm really interested in the movies that take surrealism to a whole new level or are creative way beyond their time. I'd recommend "The Phantom of the Paradise", "The Dark Crystal", "Dead Alive", "Legend" and "Driving Miss Daisy". That last one... spooky! Everyone always goes on about the big wigs in horror (Dracula, Leatherface) but it's a lot of the smaller productions that have the more interesting character designs and darker more intelligent themes. Clever and effective horror doesn't rely on buckets of blood or sassy teenagers to sell the story. The story sells itself.
Q: Do you think drugs can enhance art or are they usually just a crutch?
A: Definitely a crutch. If you need drugs to create anything then you're not up to the task of creation. While I believe there are certain aspects of drug use that can bring clarity to the self or at the very least cause a decent amount of relaxation, if you need them to create (to paint, to make music etc.) then you should find something else to do with your time. Maybe you could do drugs?
As for part two of the question, sure we assist each other in our creative endeavours but ultimately, all we can do is make suggestions. We're both so steadfastly stubborn In our practices that we take advice from each other and then promptly throw it out. Now, that's not entirely true but we each have such well defined visions of where we want to go with our prospective creative streams that direction from others is rarely acted upon. I help to edit her writing. She helps to dial down my harsh approach to my production methods, make my work more appealing to a broader audience. It's a win-win as far as I'm concerned.
I managed to do a interview of sorts with Sean, and here it is interspersed with impressive samples of his work!
Q: Your family clearly had no sense of your value when they
auctioned you off to the circus in exchange for Branston pickle,
Ty-Phoo tea, figgy pudding and a Dickens novel. Would it have been more
worth it if they did it for Devonshire clotted cream, a Yorkie bar,
Schweppes Bitter
Lemon, Hob Nobs, and a Wm. Blake text?
A:
Absolutely, but I think at the time the language barrier between the
gypsies and my family made negotiations of this type difficult. I mean,
what is the Romanian equivalent of "Sod off! I said William Blake not
Dickens ya cloth-eared git!" Quite frankly I'm glad they got shafted for
lesser goods. Seems we all made out poorly that day.
Q: Ever been to the UK? Or... other interesting places around the world?
A: I've been back several times. I've visited England more than any other country in the world, even the U.S. I think. My entire extended family lives in old blighty. There are currently only 3 original members of my family residing in Canada but we have added many peripherals since 1975.
Q: You have illusionist abilities..what is the importance of illusion or symbol and using it in art and life?
A: I think there is a lot of illusion in Art and life. Not only do we use illusions on a personal level to interact with and protect ourselves while roaming the wilds of the outside world, but there are innumerable ones sold to us on a daily basis from all directions. Radio. Television. Other people. I believe that if all the illusions were to be made transparent over night, we'd see a radical shift in the structure and functionality of our society. Is illusion important? That's a matter of personal opinion. I suppose so, if you like things the way they are. If not, start on a personal level and tear down your own illusions. As Gandhi said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world."
Q: When you were a circus dog or on the mean streets life was tough. What held you through?
A: Knowing that someday I would get my revenge. Ever received a hug and a kiss at a family gathering from someone who's been drinking out of the toilet? That's me baby. That's me. Revenge is sweet.
Q: What type of gin was it when you dove into a thimble full of it? I hope it was Bombay Sapphire at least.
A: The gypsies told me it was gin and I could delude myself that they could actually afford Bombay Sapphire or any gin for that matter, but in the long run I'm pretty sure it was just ordinary tap water I was diving into. After all, they only had Dickens to trade for me; certainly not what a rich trader would bring to the table (Dickens is so common). What about my alcoholism you ask? Brought on psychosomatically I believe in a vain attempt to escape reality.
Q: Any favorite alcoholic (or non alcoholic) drinks?
A: I'm actually quite partial to Bombay Sapphire. Maybe a little too partial? Next time you're in the mood for a tasty alcoholic treat, try Bombay with a shot of cranberry juice, some tonic water and a squeeze of lime on the rocks. It's awesome :) I solemnly swear this is not a product placement but if I forwarded this response to the makers of Bombay Sapphire, do you think they'd give me an endorsement? Or at least a cease and desist letter written on original Bombay Sapphire letterhead? That'd be frameable.
A: I'm actually quite partial to Bombay Sapphire. Maybe a little too partial? Next time you're in the mood for a tasty alcoholic treat, try Bombay with a shot of cranberry juice, some tonic water and a squeeze of lime on the rocks. It's awesome :) I solemnly swear this is not a product placement but if I forwarded this response to the makers of Bombay Sapphire, do you think they'd give me an endorsement? Or at least a cease and desist letter written on original Bombay Sapphire letterhead? That'd be frameable.
Q: You are a horror buff no? Aside from obvious stuff everyone is supposed to know about (Freddy, Jason, Pinhead, blah blah) are there some more obscure and awesome films you'd recommend?
A: I am a horror fanatic. I've been obsessed with the subject since forever. I'm really interested in the movies that take surrealism to a whole new level or are creative way beyond their time. I'd recommend "The Phantom of the Paradise", "The Dark Crystal", "Dead Alive", "Legend" and "Driving Miss Daisy". That last one... spooky! Everyone always goes on about the big wigs in horror (Dracula, Leatherface) but it's a lot of the smaller productions that have the more interesting character designs and darker more intelligent themes. Clever and effective horror doesn't rely on buckets of blood or sassy teenagers to sell the story. The story sells itself.
Q: Do you think drugs can enhance art or are they usually just a crutch?
A: Definitely a crutch. If you need drugs to create anything then you're not up to the task of creation. While I believe there are certain aspects of drug use that can bring clarity to the self or at the very least cause a decent amount of relaxation, if you need them to create (to paint, to make music etc.) then you should find something else to do with your time. Maybe you could do drugs?
Q: How did you meet your writer wife? Do you help give each other ideas for your work?
A: Believe it or not we met up at an Art show. I was part of a 'Day of the Dead' show over Halloween in 2004. One of her friends, a gentleman I had just completed a course with at Sheridan College, was also in the show. She had come to support him but ended up talking to me all night about painting and Art. When the show was over we discovered that not only were we both from Toronto, but we were about a five minute walk apart. After that day I couldn't shake her and it's been a downhill, slippery slope ever since. Love you sweetie!
A: Believe it or not we met up at an Art show. I was part of a 'Day of the Dead' show over Halloween in 2004. One of her friends, a gentleman I had just completed a course with at Sheridan College, was also in the show. She had come to support him but ended up talking to me all night about painting and Art. When the show was over we discovered that not only were we both from Toronto, but we were about a five minute walk apart. After that day I couldn't shake her and it's been a downhill, slippery slope ever since. Love you sweetie!
As for part two of the question, sure we assist each other in our creative endeavours but ultimately, all we can do is make suggestions. We're both so steadfastly stubborn In our practices that we take advice from each other and then promptly throw it out. Now, that's not entirely true but we each have such well defined visions of where we want to go with our prospective creative streams that direction from others is rarely acted upon. I help to edit her writing. She helps to dial down my harsh approach to my production methods, make my work more appealing to a broader audience. It's a win-win as far as I'm concerned.
Q: If you had a super power what would you choose?
A: I have two that I think would be of immense use. The first would be the ability to reshape the molecules in objects. With a power like that you could conceivably turn a tree into planks for a house or simply morph the tree into a house or anything for that matter. You could walk through walls, turn a person into a million cubes of bloody flesh or stick two people together, shatter bullets, heal yourself or others instantly, maybe even fly. Imagine how quick surgery would be? I think that would be fun.
A: I have two that I think would be of immense use. The first would be the ability to reshape the molecules in objects. With a power like that you could conceivably turn a tree into planks for a house or simply morph the tree into a house or anything for that matter. You could walk through walls, turn a person into a million cubes of bloody flesh or stick two people together, shatter bullets, heal yourself or others instantly, maybe even fly. Imagine how quick surgery would be? I think that would be fun.
The second
would be the ability to find things. Lost your car keys? I know where
they are. Need help finding a missing loved one? Got it covered. Osama
Bin Laden? Gimme a hard one. He's over there. Can you imagine the line
up of people waiting to utilize your services in finding... whatever!?
It'd be awesome. Just don't ask me to find your lost innocence.
According to the Judeo-Christian mythos, you ain't got any.
Q: Can I have your autograph?
A: Absolutely. Maximillian Speedpants.
Friday, January 10, 2014
Friday, January 3, 2014
LAZY BLOGGER
Every January it is a tradition on this blog to sort of do a 'year in review' for the previous year and transplant or 'reincarnate' certain posts, one new one being highlighted each day in January. Because I was a lazy blogger last year, I don't really have a lot of material to post for a review. Therefore, the tradition is broken this time around. I will just post random new posts this month instead.
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