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The key to drawing realistically is to draw
what you see... not what you 'think' you see. That simple truth, in its essence, is what
"Veil
of Perception" represents to me, others are free to view it and even read
this writing about it through their own prism. Whether we want to admit it or not we all wear veils of
preconceived notions which color what is real or even true. This core
truth is at the heart of this piece. With all the recent hoopla over headdresses and all things
Muslim, some will instinctively
and with prejudice see a Muslim woman adhering to male dominated traditions,
derived and driven by the fear of a woman's power of seduction. Some of which may be true, with
one exception, she's not Muslim. Unless of course you want her to be. Just
know... wanting doesn't make it so, true or reality.
The title also reflects the process in which I
produced this drawing through daily updates on Facebook.
www.facebook.com/ArtUnseen As I added images to this album I
wondered (despite listing the dimensions) if those following the progress
realized the larger than life aspect. During the process I speculated that some
would have their predetermined mindset of facial and human proportions fully
engaged, and not grasp the true scale of the drawing. So for the final album image, I've
included myself for perspective. One eye is about a head, or to be exact, nine
inches in width. I've never drawn anyone to this scale and the gaze which follows you around the room can be
overwhelming.
In much the same way that I draw, when I
write, I have to move past thinking about it and how others may read it and just
tell the tale as it is. It's a recognizable shift of consciousness when I throw
the switch in my head, like putting the car into drive. The drawing becomes clear and I
see the shades of light without effort. Likewise, with writing, words flow and seem to
appear out of nowhere. It's the sweet spot that is always one sour thought away
from being quashed. Financial concern, which seems almost petty when you
contemplate the vastness of the universe is at the top of list of thoughts which
derails this process of creation.
In all my years of producing
artwork I have never compromised the art for a buck. Is this my problem?
Is this my fault? If it is, then what is it all about? Contemplating
my fate, I watch hope in the form of Obama's presidency negotiate and compromise, cutting a deal with insanity,
turning my hope for change into an insane act. In the end, adding to the
number of homeless whose only hope for change are the coins thrown at them in disgust. The veil of the rich
man sees a lazy bum, without caring to know the full story, and the only people
who ever say, "there is someone out there who has it worse than I", are the ones
who are either financially embarrassed themselves or who still recall their own past
struggles. Perception predicated on experience and who we 'think' we are is who
and what we see. The truth of my story is, I may not have money, but that
doesn't mean that I am worth less. I may look like a bum most of the time,
but I am anything but lazy. My parents recognize this quality in me which I acquired
through watching them work hard all of their lives. I suppose that's one of the
reasons they are there to help. Without our families' financial support there is
no way "Veil" or any number of other works would have seen the light of day. But
the price you pay for such help is pride in self, because we live in a world
where a polar bear's relevance is measured in economic terms. No disrespect, but
in my day I have swallowed more pride than a gay parade. I'm full, and with my
pride as a side dish, I have adopted a measure of worth dictated solely by the
successful execution and completion of each piece in itself. In this place
which I've had to embrace, a smidgen of peace still exists, allowing the work to
continue.
Veil of Perception
Twenty-seven days to finish this piece, during
which my total fiscal intake was less than zero. I cost more than I brought in. By the laws that rule the human jungle, where the economy is king of all and
self worth is measured in dollars, euros and loonies, I should have quit doing this 'making
pictures thing' long ago. At the risk of sounding like a whiner, complaining
about a life where I doodle in the comfort of my own home, this financial flat line of fate
has been mine for a long time. Forgive me my apparent self-pity but something doesn't seem
right here. As a comparative example (one of a number that could be
made): I should quit creating works of art which
seem to enhance people's lives because the market
doesn't support it, while someone like Sarah Palin gets a high income tax
break for doing whatever the fuck it is she does. What is she doing?
Recently, a photo-op with suffering Haitian earthquake victims to enhance her
Presidential resume? What's wrong with this picture? Do we live in a
world turned upside down where abstract concepts of mind are worshiped to the point where shit is an art form
and the scum on top use drowning victims as props?
Sure looks that way to me, or is that just the way I perceive it to be through
my cynical viewpoint? The
well-to-do need more, while the poor need to pull
up their broken boot straps, if they are lucky to have any at all... boots
that is. "Everyone has to sacrifice during these times of austerity measures." Sacrifice what, if all you have left is your tenuous sense of right and
wrong? Sacrifice your life I guess. Which, sad to say, is becoming an evolving
trend as a growing number of desperate people get the dwindling end of the
stick. Recently I watched as some guy on the News painted the V for
Vendetta symbol on a wall before he pulled out a gun, took aim and shot at
members of a school board. It was a disturbing sight which if he had
actually hit anyone before he took his own life, I would not have seen. I
guess that's what's meant by the phrase popularized through the latest US
election, "second amendment remedies".
Someone did a recent study and found that 78% of Americans doubt evolution.
I read this, glanced over at my funny looking dog and wondered... where did you
come from if you didn't evolve from the wolf? In other words, proof of
evolution is sitting there right in front of me begging to be acknowledged.
Perception, veils, rose colored glasses, belief, a trick of the mind or
political ploy does not reality make. We as a species need to evolve past
our flat earth illusions of reality and cut through the dark precepts of history
to see what's right in front of us. Then and only then will we as an
evolved species see the truth. And just maybe... maybe... we might
leave something left of this earth to (what was once a Native American seven
generational principle for conscious action and has now been turned into a meaningless political
cliché) our children and their children's grandchildren's children.
This is starting to turn into one of my journal
rants and I better stop. For what it's worth, those are some of the
thoughts that ran round my brain while I drew "Veil of Perception". I'll
end with this... all those who support what I do through their
energies exchanged in compliment or cash, I sincerely thank you and hope you
have a good 2011. And if you happen upon a bum on the street, don't think about
it, drop him or her a coin. For it's the end of the line for the so called
'trickle down' train and people are not always who you perceive them to be.
Petrus Boots December 22. 2010
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