'Stroke of Madness'

A stroke of madness can perhaps lead us to the perfect storm.

Discarded and destined for landfill, there is very minor scuff marks on the corners of the canvas; not visible unless closely inspected; not even a consideration if mounted in a floating frame. There is also a 2x2cm '7' shape tear on the top-left corner that I have chosen to leave and incorporate into the work rather than repair.

For me, these small 'imperfections' add to the story and spark curiosity - what made this mark? how did it happen? is this slight imperfection cause enough to discard it completely? define it as unusable?
How is it that we each perceive what is 'perfect' and what is not, so differently, and therefore by default, measure it in value as rubbish?

So then I wonder how often we see our own or others 'imperfections' - either obvious or non-apparent such as disease or injury to the brain - as reason enough to turn our backs & walk away. Too often.

** 'Stroke of Madness' had the input & collaboration of Gaylene Roggeveen for the initial session and her childlike enthusiasm, naivety, laughter, love & survival have been a continual influence on the overall concept of the piece. Painting together was easy. We weaved in and out of each other's marks, dancing around the canvas, trying to read & combine what we could each see in our heads, devoid of ego or ownership. My mad kiwi Hehita.

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' There is no story unless you've written it. ' -
Hunter S. Thompson (2012). “Ancient Gonzo Wisdom”,

I've told stories as a singer, an actress & as a (would be) poet;
I've told stories to people I didn't know in unfamiliar places,
and around dinner tables to very familiar faces.
embellishing scenarios with every glass
I've written stories to make sense of heartbreak
and added chapters of make believe
As a teacher,
I can revel in the captive audience of children.
Listening intently, their minds open to all possibilities; hungry for what's going to happen next.
Just like me.

Written it; or told it; or sung it; or painted it. A storyteller - whether I like it or not.

When I paint, I create a narrative as I go. I write it's story on-the-fly.
Some come easily & present themselves clearly, early on, and are easy to convey;
Others, I have to wait a little longer for.
I have to listen a little harder
to hear the story my imagination wants to tell.

A few I don't recognise or understand at all -
until they have lived in the world for a time.
Then I know and it makes complete sense where they fit in.

The biggest challenge is to not overthink the marks I put on the page but to just let go.

Of what?
of my pre-conceived ideas of perfection.

Let my choices be guided by instinct and colour.
Try to eliminate any hesitation to do something or not try something because it might not work.
So what if it doesn't work? Try something else.
Blast a different song on the stereo.
Go with the new feelings it conjures up ... then grab that old cardboard box from the recycling bin and paint that feeling on the back of it.!

I'm a lawless artist not guilty of breaking any rules because I don't know what the rules are.
I'm a little kid with not enough hours in the day to keep on creating whatever I want.
I'm welcoming my 'muse' because I am the only one in charge.

The stories in my head won't be the same stories that you see and that's the beauty of 'art' ; whatever art is.

painting, creating, singing, talking, writing, loving, existing, doing the day by day,
sleeping, dreaming - the true articulation of our sleeping dreams, always seems futile and frustratingly just out of reach!
Yet we continue to try; try to strengthen our connection to each other and to recognise ourselves
It makes us feel like we belong somewhere, even if we don't understand why.
The answer isn't really that important.

We all need moments of fun, snippets of the absurd to keep us on our toes with laughter in our bellies
If you get as much joy from looking at my pictures as I get from drawing them,
(with a whisper of desire to look a little closer...)
I'll be happy.

© June2024