Biography Name: .................................................. Petrus Henricus Boots Birth Date: ................................................ November 27, 1959 Birthplace: ................................................ Alkmaar, Holland Emigrated: ............................ May of 1966 to Ontario, Canada Mediums: Graphite Pencil on Artboard, Oil on Canvas, C.G.I. Style: ...................................................... Unconfined Realism Subject: ................................. The Human Form, Truth, Spirit, The Red Rocks… Artist: Art needs to serve a purpose greater than itself or the artist who created it. True art, as with a life lived in true honesty, serves more than itself. I see art and life as synonymous expressions of who we are, each imitating the other without distinction. At its best, art offers us a peek through the doorway of the divine truth in us all. At its worst, art is used to sell us something we don’t want or need. Good or bad, I judge art through intent of purpose and it may sound cliché... but I feel art must serve a higher purpose than mere adornment of corporate hallways or motel walls. I do not work towards any market, and in so doing have not received much in the form of financial recognition. Yet through this consciously guided choice the work remains... and for me personally, stands the test of time. Selling my soul was and will never be an option. In our present age and throughout history all too often the worth of a human life is measured fiscally. Today, even the Earth finds itself in the predicament where economic concern overrides environmental. Most times when I feel less than, this social estimate of worth is lurking somewhere in the shadows of habitual thought patterns and is the direct cause for my feelings of self doubt. Yet after 30 or so years of holding true, I would be lying if I didn't admit that I desire financial security, if only to allow me the privilege to produce the work with a clear conscience free from historically defined male breadwinner guilt. To quell or counter these feelings I do most of the chores, upkeep and household repairs myself. It's a rare event for us to hire out help, yet I recognize the ability to do so would free up time to produce more work during my finite passage upon our planet. There are times when I wish humanity's priorities were more aligned with reality, but wishing won't make it so. Living it, in spite of the lies cast... might. Drawing was something I could do from an early age. It got me through my school daze and was my friend when I had none. Later in life at age 24, I would find out what to do with this talent or gift. From that day on, and although at times I've stumbled on the path, I have devoted my work to honest self expression. No pretence and hopefully no pretentiousness, but humanity must aspire to a higher level of consciousness. We must question those in power who profess to be looking after the common good and our best interests. In the same respect and if it is to remain relevant, I feel art in whatever form must raise questions, make us think and ask questions of ourselves. Are we living up to humanity’s ideals of compassion, honesty and truth? Whether my subject is skin or stone, or whether my medium is paint, pencil, wood, stone or word, my method remains the same and is refined to seeing the simple truth in light and shadow. Losing myself in detail and focusing on the point where pencil meets board is a meditation. Through that process the circle is completed and through the expression of higher ideals a higher level of consciousness is experienced. One feeds the other. Writing is a discipline I picked up on the road... literally. Having kept a journal while living the gypsy life as I toured the Southwest for three years with fellow artist and partner in all respects Stefanie Clark, it was a natural progression that I do the same on the internet highway. Through my online journal I write without reservation and openly express my viewpoint on a variety of subjects and issues I would rather not put to canvas. At times, I have a tendency not to see the trees for the garbage thrown carelessly in the ditch. Other times, I see humanity beyond the petty ego needs and this is the quality I wish to foster and express through my visual art. Yet in spite of my attempts to be clearly understood some may question whether I tell the truth, or whether I'm (as my friend Clint was fond of saying), "just talking out the side of my neck". If so, if proof is needed and one can find the time, read my journal and you will see for yourself that I don't hold back, speaking my truth whether it shines bright or casts an ostensible shadow on my character. My fundamental aim in life is freedom. Not Bush 'land of the freedom', imposing upon another's freedom... but true freedom. Freedom from the tyranny of my own fear based self centered ego. Uncompromising truth is the road I travel to attain and maintain this freedom of spirit. ~ Family: Surprisingly, expressing myself and my experiences openly and uncensored has not gained me many lifelong friends along the way, but the one who remains by my side is true. My love, partner and primary model Stefanie and I have been through many challenges where truth led the way and saw us through the trials to form a stronger union in the end. We live a true open relationship where truth is put into practice through expression and acceptance. Despite obvious preconceptions this is my definition of an open relationship and when those closest see you for who you truly are in loving acceptance, outside opinions and misinterpretations of character hold less weight. Truth and freedom. No matter how hokey it may sound, it's true what they say, the truth will set you free. Through example we teach our children. Words dictated by hypocrisy are little comfort and through our example I can only hope that our daughter Samsara will have a step up in finding her own sense of self, and that she will not be too concerned with how the world outside views her. It took me fifty years to no longer see the point in setting myself and knowing aside while fucking around with lies or misplaced niceties. Hopefully Darwin was right and the evolution of the species will help save Samsara from some of the unnecessary and redundant quagmires I have had to pull myself out of. All three of us share in a desire to experience more of the world. Stefanie misses the ocean as I miss hiking the red rocks and Samsara has yet to experience either. I expect that one day the gypsy blood will rise once again. Until then, I'm discontentedly content living and working in the woods surrounding Jack's Lake with Stefanie, Samsara, our dogs Bodhi, Indi and Raven the cat. ~ Facebook: I admire people (recognized or not) who devote their lives to a cause greater than themselves and this is a quality I look for when befriending on Facebook. My primary reason for joining Facebook is to open a dialogue on relevant issues pertaining to living a conscious life. I prefer to friend those who are willing to fearlessly put themselves out there. Yet this is not a requirement for friendship and I realize that some like to play while others feel more comfortable watching. And that's fine, art needs to be viewed to be appreciated. As for me making a request, I will use what methods are available while keeping my conscience as guide. I genuinely would like to communicate with those open to sharing and question my own motives for offering out a hand constantly, often to my own detriment. I respect another's choice for privacy and personal boundaries while not worrying too much about my own. I just figure, if you have nothing to hide or be ashamed of why bother? And if another should happen to cross a personal boundary, tell them. Secondly. With the contemporary art world as it is, the internet and Facebook offer an alternative avenue to present my work to the greater world and with hope I might gain some desired recognition. Although we have opened our home as Art Unseen Studio & Gallery, we live in relative isolation just outside the small Southern Ontario town of Apsley. With no outside gallery representation, summer tourists who happen down our road are the only people who see our work. I make no apologies for working to change that situation and with common courtesy, will use whatever way is available to me to network and make connections. One last thing with regard to friend requests. I find it difficult to friend those who's pages are not open. If your page is closed to my eyes, don't be surprised or offended if you get a note asking why you would like to friend me. Whatever the reason, be it the art, a common interest or increasing your numbers, just tell me the truth and I will return the favor. I would like to hear from you. This biography turned out to be longer than I initially wanted. It's just that I find it hard to tweet my thoughts down to 144 characters and feel it is safe to say, I will most likely never twitter. Then again... you know what they say? For daily updates on what's happening visit: Petrus Boots on Facebook Petrus Boots
|
