Blog Archives - Lewie JPD

pay to see

15/7/2013

Whatever wisdom you get in life, you pay for it. We make choices, we make mistakes, we learn. We grow wiser and move on. Whatever you circumstances are, it's the same for everyone. Life is a series of struggles and triumphs, big and small (and size is relative and subjective).

I was playing poker at Harbord last night across the table from a group of 20 year olds. It was fun. They were full of beans, joking around, almost jittery. Like pups. And there I sat, an ex-twenty year old. One who has travelled long and far and seen and done many things they are yet to know. I really felt it last night for some reason. The boys were polite and reverential and not bad players. It was a prolonged final table, with two of them versus me at the end. I kept steady and watchful, used my experience to guide me to victory. It was satisfying and felt fitting. The real joy I got was not in winning, though, it was in the interaction. The poker table is a great place for character to be revealed.

I re-watched Mel Gibson's 'Apocalypto' the other night for the third time. I do believe it is a masterpiece of sorts. It's a dynamic, thrilling film about the eventual demise of the Mayan tribes in the rain forests. Made me think about tribal living, the basics of family, community, friendship, honour. How fragmented we are in this modern society. No big campfires with elders espousing their wisdom, no man vs nature trials of initiation, etc. Of course, there are plenty of great things about living in this present civilisation, but when watching this film, one can't help but to long for deeper, truer connections with nature and fellow beings.

the heureux

14/7/2013

Good morning.
And good morning to you.
How was your sleep?
Good. Yours?
Good, but, er... but I did have a funny dream.
Oh? What was it?
I dreamt that I was somewhere on an island....
Yes..?
There was some kind of ceremony happening...
Go on...
It was weird...
What? Details...
I was wearing...
What?
A pastel yellow sports jacket.
OMG! That is disgusting. You poor thing!
>sob<
You'll be OK. It was just a dream.

you got a brand new key

13/7/2013

These are six new ones I did yesteday. Two of them I did at cafe Tapeo, then two at Deus cafe where I sat and looked at my artwork (like watching your kids play while you have a coffee - but I was actually also busy making some new kids! lol). One I did in my car parked on the side of the street while eating a take away kebab. And the final one I completed at the poker table, waiting for the game to start at Redfern RSL.

On a different subject altogether, I just remembered this morning that on select weekends, my brothers and I used to sneak in to the carpark at the Azabu Tax Office in Tokyo when we were kids and roller skate to our hearts content. Mine had red wheels and I loved them. Never got into roller blading or ice skating but really had some fun on the old skates.

There was an excellent, full sized rink at Fuji Q Highland, near Mount Fuji that we went to a few times as well. Had plans to roller skate down Fuji one day but shelved them because Space Invaders was invented (mid 70's).

highs

12/7/2013

I watched Stefan Sagmeister talk on TED just now - a discorse entitled 'Happiness by Design'. He does some pretty cool work I learnt subsequently by searching him. But the thing that got me thinking during his talk is that he made a list of ten or so things that really made him happy in his life so far. One of them was travelling, one was an orgasm, etc. The one that he singled out though was riding his brother's motorcycle with a walkman on in the mountains in Europe.

I thought about my own happiest moments and realise that some of my happiest moments were riding my motorbikes (had 4 different ones over 8 years) in the streets, expressways and tunnels through, in and around Tokyo where I grew up. There is really something powerful, liberating, dangerous, exhilarating about flying through the air, feet above the ground, power in the wrist... I have done scuba since and there is a other-end-of-the-spectrum connection between the two. You are alone in a busy world, in your head but outside it, as well. You can hear your own breathing. The surroundings are so engaging there is little room for petty thoughts. You're alive to the max.

Had a surprise happy moment yesterday. I was in Newtown on King St, down the St Peters end, when three teens approached me in an alley. They wanted me to buy something for them. Booze? Ciggies? I would have said no. But it wasn't that. It was spray paint! 'You're in luck, fellas!' I told them. I'm an artist, too. We went in to the shop, they had a list and handed the cash off to me. I paid for it and carried out the box, gave it to them

after midnight

12/7/2013

They said it would happen but, to be honest, I didn't believe it. I mean I was like a princess! Cavorting around, drunk on my own beauty, getting praised and envied and lusted after! It was more that just a night to be remembered - it was a night I will never forget. And I knew I was gonna get laid. It was in the bag. I had choices! Rich guys, good looking guys, rich good looking guys, sexy scientists (only one, but still), exotic billionaires from countries I hadn't ever heard of...! The list goes on. I would write it all down. Except I don't HAVE ANY FUCKING HANDS!

I was supposed to be in ecstasy right now! Maybe even married to a prince or a sultan or something. Yeah they told me about this - warned me that after the clock strikes 12 - if I wasn't home - but come on! - scare mongering, stupid superstitions, jealous lies... by 10pm and six champagnes I had completely forgotten about it all together. By 11pm I had danced with my dream partners, pashed a barman, had lines in the toilet with an Armanian rapper while being fondled by his girlfriend.... the list goes on. Who had brain space to remember some dumb fairy tale caution...?? I was living the life, baby!

But midnight did come. And suddenly. And now here I am. Can you believe it? And I'm not the only one. Some of the others have been here forever. One old lady told me that I should pray to be taken and eaten by a peasant or a passing family. At least that way I won't be left to rot! How could this happen??? OMG.

And then they told about a time, once a year, when some of us get picked out and taken and carved up. I didn't believe things could get any worse. But I was wrong! They're going to completely gut me and carve my face?! I was a world class beauty! Famous! A princess! What the hell happened to my dress by the way? I can't move. Why do I get the feeling it's lying in the dirt behind me or somewhere? And my boobs? They were pert and perky. Primetime nipples. Oh, oh, oh. What a waste of perfection. I hate fucking fairy tales. Curse the motherfuckers who thought this one up. Couldn't they just leave me alone. I was having the night of my life. Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!

I don't even like orange! It sucks! Couldn't I be pink at least?! Shit. And I'm fat! Go, go. Leave me... boo hoo...! - sob -

you are so beautiful

10/7/2013

Yes, you are. This is not you, of course. It is a collage/composite/painting/drawing I did yesterday of a pretty girl. But it represents all of us. It represents the glorious nature of sentient beings. That is one thing that art is good at. It elevates us. It encourages us to use our minds and imaginations to transcend the ordinary. Draws us closer to how we wish the world could be - full of beauty, purity and love.

Actually, looking at the girls face she does seem a little concerned about something in the distance. Don't worry sweet being I conjured up - you have a lovely hair piece and criss-cross necklace! One day I will draw you a prince you can marry - or at least date and see how it goes. (Relationships are challenging in any realm.)

ping to your pong

9/7/2013

It's funny. Just thinking post post. Only an hour or so ago, I wrote my last post and after I write something, I sometimes consider it, mull over it in my head. What have I written? Why have I said it? As I have mentioned before, my M.O with this blog is quite simple and straightforward; to select an image I have created in the last 24 hours, post it - then write something. Whatever spontaneously comes to mind.

I am at times surprised, delighted, perplexed by what comes out. The guidelines are honesty, brevity, humour and creativity. Sometimes there is a message that appears.

I do have a certain innate desire not to waste time - mine or anyone elses and also a kind of quality control. I want it to be worthwhile to read, to have some good.

Oh, the other thing I should mention is that I also tend to keep things simple. Not ornate or convoluted. One day I hope to travel around schools and inspire school kids to get into art with an audio/visual presentation - and some of it will be based around these posts - so in the back of my mind I kind of am writing to a youngish audience. That being said - I definitely don't water things down or avoid adult topics if they come up. I guess, overall, I want the posts to be some kind of insight into an artist's mind. This artist in particular.

So --- I was thinking about the last post. A little worried that it was a bit flat, obvious. But it's what came out, so I posted it anyway. Then, as I was thinking this, I got a 'like' on facebook. A single acknowledgement. Someone had read it and responded. It had meant something to them. I don't need to know what or why. I stopped being concerned. It had meant something to someone. That is enough. A connection. All I need. All any of us need.

Ping.

ascension

9/7/2013

I used to play the guitar everyday when I was in my twenties and thirties. I wrote a few decent songs and even recorded a few. Was briefly in a band - playing bass - in Tokyo called KKR and we performed live at a Yamaha festival in Shibuya. I also played an original song, 'Dicky Doesn't Know the Difference' in from of 400 people at Van Gogh's Other Ear - a concert in the 90's. It was a great thrill. Adrenalin city.

I haven't played properly for but do plan to pick it up again soon (he says!). That is just how life goes - things fall away. As much as I loved singing and playing and making up songs, I knew I would never be great at it - my natural aptitude was limited and despite plenty of dedicated practice I hit a ceiling. From comparing myself to friends who were really good and had natural musical ability I knew my skills were limited. By comparison - I have never felt this with art or writing. I have felt it with sports and motorbike riding - proficient at both but knew I would never be a champion.

It's good to know what you can and can't do and the limits of each skill. With the ones that you have natural ability for you find that 'sweet spot', you get into the zone, you are able to tap into a higher power of sorts and just allow yourself to be a conduit. Everyone has something. Find it and get there. Nothing like a natural high. It's the best.

don't ask

7/7/2013

Yesterday, I met my friend Nicki for a coffee and catchup at Deus Cafe where my show is hanging. Twenty eight works framed - up on the wall and on the monitor an additional five hundred or so - changing every 5 seconds or so.

After Nicki left, I watched the monitor for a while. Of course I knew most of the images quite well, but some of them I had completely forgotten about. A few I hardly recognised at all. This was funny to me. I have created so many, in a creative flow over the last year - 2,000 and counting - that it is hard for me to mental keep track of them all. Some of them are like wild beasts and they escape the pen in the night. Only to pop up unexpected and surprise me later.

The image above I did today in a cafe in the QVB before heading off to a poker game in the city. I enjoyed making it. They are all my friends, really. Each picture a new game, a fresh discovery, an experiment, visual play.

Visitors on opening night asked me ' 'How do you think them all up?' Well, of course, there really is no thinking involved. It's just about looking and playing around with pictures, shapes, colours and concepts. I'm a conduit. Good job if you can get it. I'd do it for free! Hey wait on - I pretty much do!

fragments of universe

6/7/2013

Little bits of lots of things
In plain sight and obscure
Molecules and intentions
Pristine or impure
Beyond the realm
Of impossible
Deep within
Sweet or sour
We are formed
And formless
Integers
Counting down
The hours

inlook outlook

5/7/2013

Was thinking the other day about movies and about how they are all so full of action and violence and generally mindless behaviour. Made up people parading around acting most un-humanlike.

They started out being like this as a brief escape but they have become such a massive and influential part of the culture and have continued along a misguided trajectory for so long that it is accepted as normal.

What we could be watching is films that actually explore the unlimited potential of wonderful sentient beings. Films that make us feel awe and wonder and joy in our very being. Films that celebrate love and compassion, kindness, service. That still have drama and drive but do not include graphic images of people hurting and killing each other.

Movies that celebrate peace and ingenuity, braveness, exploration, grace and creativity. We need more movies like this, ones that will ELEVATE humanity. Assist in our spiritual evolution. In some ways, despite all the advances, we still live in very dark ages. Things are changing for the better, slowly, slowly but I think it is good to take a good look at the way things are and what can be changed to shift the outlook. Our time here is precious. We are precious. We need to acknowledge this truth and celebrated it appropriately.

Clean our bodies, clean our minds, liberate our spirits. Focus on what is good and admirable, what is worthy of our true attention. A shift in the paradigm is coming - let's help it along however and whenever we can.

in our hands

4/7/2013

The cycle of life. Little kids we were once. Now we are grown. What a surprise life continues to be. Life continues to be and we go along with it. Everything changing, little by little. We hardly notice. Until we look back and see just how far we have come. Those two little kids. You and me. And now the honour is ours, the responsibility to nurture kids of our own. To teach them to love and to live with open hearts and open minds. And they in return bring us joy unsurpassed. They fill our heart and our lives with the essence of life. For they are us and we are them. Loving and loved. How lucky we are.

zing

3/7/2013

I believe that as an artist it is important to try and find joy wherever and whenever you can. For some reason, most artists tend to be prone to bouts of melancholia. They seem unavoidable. When these come, I ride them out as best I can by doing things I know will bring some degree of relief - walking, swimming in the ocean, reading, watching a movie (or these days; TV series).

But when in just regular existence mode, I really try and enjoy the simple fact of being alive. I look around, I am curious, I especially try and see/find things that are weird and funny, ironic and beautiful. And why not? Every moment is a chance to be shaped - if you can - you may as well take the initiative and zestfully inject a positivity hit into it. This helps balance the sobering, periodic afflictions of depression.

It's all one long, wild fucking ride. A crazy dream. A breathtaking story written by a genius of nonsense and grandeur. So, do it, I say. Dance, dance, dance.

glass half full

2/7/2013

Some wisdom here, from Ira from NPR's 'This American Life'. What he says about the creative process and the initial gap between your vision and your ability is accurate and resonating.

I remember distinctly when I was in second and third year of art school - painting and drawing non-stop - thinking 'this is fine, I am loving it but these images have very little to do with what is really in my head...' and wondering, 'when will there be a synchronisation between where I am in my headspace and what is coming out in the images I am making.

It took a long time. I would say, although, there were times when the two met, they were sporadic. Really, it has only been in the last few years that I can confidently state that the pictures I make are purely me - I don't have to strive for a style, struggle as much, be frustrated because I am not creating what I envision. What I see is what you get.

Having said that, I am also a writer - and the struggle continues. Even though, I have spent countless hours honing my skills - much of the time - there is still a gap. I can write short pieces and be completely satisfied - they are pure me. But longer ones - a novel, say, or a screenplay - yet to be cracked. Time and effort is what it will take.

The joy of course with doing something like this blog or my comics for example is that I can merge the two - images and writing. Makes it easier for both. They can work together, boost each other, help each other along.

Anyway, one of the important things in the Ira's talk is that you should never give up in trying to diminish that gap. Deep down you know what it is you want to share and through devotion to your craft, perspicacity and passion - you will find a way to bring it to fruition. And is it worth it? All the time, sweat and sacrifice?

Oh. Yes. So. Worth. It.