Back in the Dojo

Today has been a great day because I’ve made progress on my drawing  and the flow of the day has been superb. When I manage to start my morning routine without any kinks the day usually goes smoothly. Agreeable surprises and pleasant discoveries add to the “good day” vibes.”
My surprise of the day was the article Carol Dunham wrote about Picasso’s Late Musketeer Paintings in September’s Artforum. All days should be like this one!

I woke up to the silence of the early morning hours. Instead of hopping straight to business, the morning was spent lounging around and reading  “A Book of Five Rings” by Miyamoto Musashi, a famous Japanese Samurai. This is part of my research for the next drawing I am working on. I became interested in Musashi when his name was mentioned In Samurai Champloo. The fictional character Jin, who is usually calm and stoic, became anxious, almost frightened at the mention of Musashi’s name in the animation. Right then and there I knew Musashi had to be a real bad ass.

It turns out ,Musashi wrote this book concerning strategy which focuses on what Musashi calls  “The Way”. Martial Arts has always been an interest of mine. I studied Martial Arts for ten years as a child and always enjoyed sparring matches and tournaments. I’ve never backed away from a good scuffle. My dream in the beginning was to start a clan of ninjas and run around at night with a big ass swords.I think Karate Kid gave me too much hope and spirti. In a lot a ways I feel the world would have been better off if guns were never invented and we all walked around with big ass swords- May the best warrior win.

There were a few passages in the book that gave me ideas for new imagery. The text is written in such a way were the reader has to gleam knowledge by searching his own thoughts. I can appreciate this almost Zen quality in the writing. So far my favorite passage is , “ Today is victory over yourself of yesterday; tomorrow is your victory over lesser men. Next, in order to beat more skillful men, train according to this book, not allowing your heart to be swayed along a side- track.”

Those words can be applied to any aspect of life. We often fail because we can’t achieve victory over the things we know cause us to be unsuccessful. When people suffer from this affliction I say they can’t get out of their own way. I’ve been training hard for years as an artist, Going to the studio is the dojo and  isolation and focus helps you to keep from being sidetracked. Overall I think some art will come from this quick read. For many years I am sure i will reach for it when I need focus.Now it is time to get back to work.

”Pen and Sword in Accord.”
Your Pal Al