Right now, the big news is war in Georgia, or for those with skewed priorities, who’s won what at the Bejing Olympics. I’ll leave these issues to the pros and focus on a different contest. This one’s not for land or gold, but the hearts and minds of the local populace. The much-maligned Church of Scientology, which was founded by the science-fiction author L.Ron Hubbard in 1952, has come under sustained attack from the internet-based group Anonymous, whose members have taken the war to the streets.
My boss is a Polish expatriate who grew up under Soviet rule, and despite our obvious differences, we usually get along well. We have similar views on the Western world, which we feel has entered a state of decline that may be irreversible. Here’s an account of a brief exchange with far-reaching implications.
I haven’t been online for a while, but regular visitors need not panic - no-one’s managed to silence me. A few things have conspired against me - I’m working full-time again, and it’s been flat out for the last few weeks. The internet’s been playing up and my site’s had a couple of technical issues (I haven’t been able to add new work). The experts are currently on the case.
The upside of all this is I’m richer, which means I can get back to spoiling some friends and helping others out of trouble. I’ve also rediscovered the pleasures of old-fashioned, unplugged art. Any angst incurred on the job is vented on the page at night, and sleep deprivation aside, my work continues to improve.
I’ve also discovered a neat trick in Photoshop that lets me create high-quality digital pictures in one third to one half the time. The original drawings need to be more polished, but I’ve never been adverse to such work. I’ve also been reworking the cartoons in “Misanthropist Camera.” The new versions, which are drawn in ink, may one day feature in a compilation titled “Culture Wars.”
Anyway, I’d better go. Every bad girl needs good shoes, and it seems I’m the man to ask.
Expect more nightmares,
JF.
Nearly all of my close friends have been to university. This weekend I gave some thought to signing up for a course myself. One of my brothers is a doctor, and he earns twice as much as I do. If I went to university, I would probably end up studying art, creative writing, or even religion. All these topics fascinate me, but so far my interest in them has hardly earned me anything. I’m not sure if a course would help - but I’d like the qualifications.
This allegorical story deals with beauty, truth and honesty, three values that are hard to find in a superficial world. If you care about such things, you might find it interesting, though if you want an adrenaline rush, watch a DVD instead.
This is an expanded version of a story I wrote in 1999. The writing is a lot less subtle, but I thought this was necessary as few people understood it the first time. There’s also a little more characterisation. Readers are advised that this story is approximately 9,000 words long.
Given my thoughts on religion, some people wrongly assume that I am a socialist. The political left has an active presence in Sydney’s Inner West, and its members frequently accost me, trying to get me to sign petitions or join them in demonstrations. Like the worst evangelists, they think they are the sole possessors of a high and mighty truth, which humanity will have to embrace if it is going to be saved. I met one on Australia Day, and after the usual ear-bashing, I politely declined to sign her petition. I was in a good mood at the time - but in retrospect I should have stayed and given her a piece of my mind.
Don’t worry - I’m not apologising for offensive imagery. It’s just assumed a different form. Regular viewers are probably wondering why I haven’t added much lately. It’s got nothing to do with holidays, girlfriends, personal problems, etc. None of these should limit our work - if anything they should inspire it!
This probably seems self-indulgent, but I feel the need to vent. If anyone out there is paying attention, don’t feel obliged to bear with me. Tune out if I’m boring you.
Tonight I was at a friend’s place. I won’t mention any names for reasons that will soon become clear. Until now, we have got along well - she’s intelligent and open-minded, and pretty damned attractive too. I’ll admit I was a little upset when I learned she was using drugs, but she’s not alone on this count. I’ve known many others like her, and I had no problem with them at first - if they respected my lifestyle choices, I didn’t interfere with theirs.
My site has been on line for approximately six weeks. Thanks in part to its designers, it has received almost four thousand hits. I would like to thank both them and the visitors who have liked what they have seen. Showing my work at a gallery is less convenient, more expensive, and generates less interest.
Regular viewers will notice that I have resized my images. If there are any other ways you feel this site could be improved, feel free to let me know. I would also be interested to hear what pictures/themes you like the best (and for that matter, hate the most). If you have any work on line, please feel free to send me links. Likewise, if you know of any other artists I may like, send their site details my way.
Here are some of my personal favourites. In some cases they have influenced me; in others I simply appreciate them for their imagination, technical ability, and thematic brilliance.
Hieronymous Bosh, Pieter Breugel, Francisco Goya, Salvador Dali, Max Ernst, Ernst Fuchs, H.R. Giger, Mark Ryden, Keith Thompson, Michael Hussar, and R.S. Connet are well worth a look. Check their work out if you haven’t already.
Good luck with your own projects, and thanks again for you time!
Sincerely,
JF