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Creating Is Just the First Step

30/9/2019

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I realised the other day that as part of my creative endeavours, a lot of time is spent in processes. Sequential activities that in themselves do not require much inventiveness but are necessary to get the job done.

With my current book, for example, a reflection on growing up in Tokyo in the seventies, I was able to complete the first draft relatively steadily and smoothly, writing a an hour or two a day. I finished the first draft in five months. The writing flowed. I let it.

I wasn’t trying to impress anybody, do anything too challenging. I would just write whatever came naturally - thoughts, feelings, memories. It felt good not to pressure myself and I think that the easy, honest approach is reflected in the finished manuscript.

Once the first draft was done, the processes began. In order to print it out at the library at college, I had to save each chapter on my iPad to a PDF and then email it to my school account. Once I had sent off all eighty emails, I went into the library. There, they had to be opened, downloaded, printed, numbered and collated. A process.

Red pen next. Corrections on paper. Then re-inputting, with the amendments and improvements into the computer. Which then needed to be individually copied and pasted from eighty seperate chapters into four documents of twenty - to make it easier to eventually input it into inDesign - the software that will format it for professional printing in book form.

And on it goes. You get the idea.

In some ways the actual ‘creation’ part is easy!

Once the cover is conceived and designed and the book has been proof printed and corrected a few times, I will do a small digital run of a couple of hundred.

Then I will begin the process of attempting to find a publisher in Japan. A huge process itself, I am sure.


Does it sound like I am whinging? I’m not. I am lucky to be doing something I believe in. To be able to make efforts to manifest projects of my own devising. Things sparked from passion and inspiration, things that are personally relevant and meaningful.

I suppose I am more commenting on the awareness of how much time and focus is necessary to realise various projects - books, exhibitions, music releases.

It’s (almost) work!

The fun and games part - the experimentation, the invention, the playful creation is only the beginning of an extended journey towards completion.

It’s the same thing with my music. Getting a track down in it’s raw form - weaving all the sound strands in and out harmonically, throwing in splashes of accents, controlling and releasing the beat - can be euphoria inducing. But once it is all put together, each sound in it’s place the job is only sixty percent done. Editing, refinement, equalising, mixing and mastering. Processes that must be attended to with equal focus and diligence.

All this I-doting and T-crossing has it’s own feeling of accomplishment and reward, too. It requires more discipline, sure, but their is a payoff in satisfaction. Not only have you done justice to your initial creative impulses and creation, but you have pushed through the demands and met the requirements of the task before you. ​
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Book A Space In Time

21/5/2017

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     I just finished inputting the final pieces of my new book into InDesign last night. It's such a feeling of satisfaction to finally get it done. The cover, too, is mostly ready - with just the spine and the compilation of the back and front covers to finish on Photoshop remaining - a single session job.

It's a collection of writings (mostly humourous) that includes short stories, poems, haiku, lists, q&a's and a one act play. The writing was all done and ready to go over a year ago but - I don't know exactly why - it has taken up until now to lock it in. I had some kind of mental block. Other things took precedence. I felt hesitant to complete the project - even though all the 'hard part' (writing) was already done. Creating stuff comes easy. Commitment is harder.

I suspect, too, there's also a thing to do with success/failure. Each of them confronting in it's own way. Failure - meh! - that I can handle. I've done it often enough. Huge failures, relative failures, destined-to-fail failures, avoidable failures, interesting failures.... The list goes on. And it's not just me. We all know failure intimately. Failures are the Lego blocks with which we construct our make believe multi-coloured castles. No, I think it's more about fear of success. Failure of completion. Of having to move on. Of life's impermanence. Am I being too recondite?

Anyway, I've done it now. It will soon be off to the printers and after proofing, I'll do a run and have a launch. It's exciting. The best part is that it will free up some mental space to get on with my other projects. Funnily, over the last year I have completed enough new poems/lyrics to publish a whole other book. Which is something I plan to do. Plus I have another in the works - with much of the writing also done - a 'life of the artist' memoir. We'll see how long those ones takes to get released. (I hereby VOW they will be expedited quicker! LOL)

My first book was published in 2001. It was called All I've Ever Wanted Was What I Know I Can Never Have. It was similar to this one in some ways - a compilation of writings. I had an exciting and successful launch in Sydney at the Middle Bar. At the time I was right into the nightlife scene, so promoting it was easy. I had a lot of 'evening' friends. Add in my 'day' friends from over the years living in Sydney and I easily had 100 people attending. I knew the managers at Middle Bar and they kindly didn't charge me and also threw in free champagne. It was great - speeches, live music, give aways.

Soon after that I moved up to Byron Bay to live and wrote a second book. Sadly, I did not have enough money to get it published and it lingered inside my iMac (the coloured bulging ones) for a few years. Then the hard drive died. And the whole thing was lost. Content (ready for printing - I had taught myself Quark), and the cover; the lot - kaput! It was disappointing. But weirdly, I did not stress too much. For me the fun is in the writing. I had had my fun. Still, kind of a waste. I wasn't going to let it happen again this time. One word: backup. I learnt. Also, computers have improved.

Since then I have also finished and printed four volumes of comics. My first two, Weird Is Good and We're All Free* (*To Be Deluded) have been released. I had the launch of WIG at Mullum RSL. It wasn't as big as my Sydney release but it was a relative success, nonetheless. My second one, WAF* debuted at Rock&Roll Coffee Company cafe, also in Mullum. I failed to adequately promote it (not one of my strengths) and although the launch was satisfying and fun for those attending (myself included), even an impartial observer would have to call it a bit of a fizzer. Let's just say there was a case of champagne and a few hundred cucumber sandwiches left over. Plus a lot of cheese. And books. It was not a reflection on the quality of the book or it's contents, however, so I was not too worried. Frankly, I was just glad to have staged the evening (which included an exhibition of 20 or so works - framed prints from the book) and for all the arranging (food, beverages, lighting, music, staff, etc) to be over with. Like I said; for me the fun is in the creation. 

Not sure how I will approach the launch of this new one (which is called Capricorn King Decrees That Insouciance Must Prevail!')  I think I will just lower my expectations and do something low key that does not involve expensive outgoings and attention demanding arrangements. In some ways, the time between now and when I receive and open the boxes full of the freshly printed volumes is the most exciting time. Like giving birth, a bit. Raising the kid is a different skill. I'm just going to let this one grow organically. It's my sixth, after all. I still have yet to launch my third and fourth comic collections, too. Perhaps I need a manager. But can I be managed? I think not. Not now. It's way too late for that.
​
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Success At Doing Nothing

1/9/2016

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Once again, success at doing nothing
Relieved to still be getting nowhere
Having avoided all duties
Sidestepping outside scrutiny
Feeling like a fucking millionaire
Still broke, of course
But what do I care about money

Once again, success at doing nothing
Procrastination my master
Sneaking past social disaster
Living on the edge
Without rival or regret
Putting ambition out to pasture

Once again, success at doing nothing
Living to the fullest 
With the most minimal of efforts
Sort of like an earth-bound tourist
A sight-seeing plan purist
Full of curiosity and respect
Leaving things just the way I found them

Once again, success at doing nothing 
Letting each day unfold as it will
From simplicity - absorbing sweet thrills
No need to be assertive or destructive
More naturally nurturing and protective
I guess you could say somewhat passive
Yet undoubtably expressive

Once again, success at doing nothing
And there was nothing I had to do!
How delightful to cop another day full
Of maximum mellow
Limitless gratuitous riches
Like a povo pharaoh
Blissfully floating in a swimming pool
Of come what may
And daffodils

Aaaah, the sweet success of doing nothing
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    ART GETS ME HIGH

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    Author & Artist

    Lewie JPD 
    Blog Mission Statement: 

    "I am taking this opportunity to openly and freely express my simple truth in a relaxed, stream of consciousness manner, without self judgment or editing while transcribing and celebrating the process and practice of being an artist.

    My goal is that I will have some fun recording sentiments and thoughts as they come to me, coupled with my recent imagery. As well; to learn something of value and share something that may inspire/offer insight to other artists, creatives and sentient beings."


    Disclaimer: He's high!
    Er, obviously.

    Pass the paint brush!
    *no drugs required

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