Garden Distrikt

If you're the first one reading this (and, chances are, you are - so popular are we!), then you're only the third person, other than myself, to see it, ever. It's only just dried. This was another attempt to call mostly on the subconscious, and that typically means it's a fiery picture of me ... or is it? I sincerely believe it is also what you perceive. So, do me a solid (a favour), and post a comment telling me what you "got", if anything. And I hope you're not in as much trouble as me! Oh, and while you're at it - make me an offer; no reasonables refused. "Dandelion Eyes"   - 2018 Martin Lomas 8" x 10", Acrylic & Watercolor & Flowers Two-stage process; (1) 'blind' background until satisfied (subject unknown), (1b) rough unknown outlines, (2) face' the music. Excuse the laptop camera.

Martin here. So, what'm I on about this time? Well, as an experienced audio fiend, I want to pass on some nuggets that are simple, but not necessarily obvious .... a series, perhaps. Okay. Essentials? Trimmings? The way I see it, when you really like, and listen intently to, any piece of music you enjoy, there are always one, two or three or four key things (essentials) that you are 'glomming' on to. And in other cases, there may not be any particular essentials that are key - it may indeed be the little extras , the attention to detail, the recording quality - stuff like that. Examples: When I hear Frank Sinatra sing, there's a few essentials I'm enjoying. They are, in order of importance: That wonderful voice ! FYI - people have said that Frank didn't really sing all that well. They may be right. But, and it's a big but, it's the sheer quality (as in properties, not skill) of his voice that is key. Simply put: Frank Sinatra had a voice that almos...

It is with regret ... that I must out myself for even making this post ... the sickness is all mine, but the news couldn't be better. This is Martin, and yes, this is a very personal and, again, risky post. But I have nothing to hide, I love who I am, and I'm into radical honesty. Later, I'll talk about this insanely great, yet insanely difficult idea. Now, allow me to explain this cryptic mess .... The first sickness, of MINE, is that I am making this post mainly in order to boost my temporarily flagging self-esteem, and show you that "I could have been something". Ugh. Oh, well. Okay, I started playing guitar 42 years ago when I was 16. Before long I was hanging with a good friend from high school, who also played. It happens we were both, let's say, "soft", "innocent", and "loving". We got along fine, always loved each other and our growing cast of musical friends. This became "the first band"; the one that was pr...

( Note:  Be aware that the following was completely ad hoc, and as I write this sentence [in chunks], I am also editing this post in three other places, and creating two other new posts. I have an interesting brain. ) I'm going to take a big risk here. I am absolutely determined to reveal the truth about myself. When I put the truth on display to strangers, they are typically interested and engaged, and eventually, left behind. When do I the exact same with anyone that knows me, they almost always assume that I am merely having a mental health moment. I have indeed been diagnosed a couple of times in the past (different things), yet I always feel that I'm the sanest person in the room. The previous sentence isn't strictly true - I have met saner people. But those that know me are not saner people, that I know of. This bit may be more "radical honesty" than love. The truth is probably in my own words. Look - who am I to being "doing" anything to mysel...

Another ad hoc post. Okay, I don't trust Google . At all. And I also believe them when they say that nothing malevolent is going on. Huh? Yup. Here's why ... To put it succinctly: Just the mere fact that Google is happily enabling us, digitally, to burst into pastures new (technologies unknown), is absolutely reckless. Google have either not thought this through, or something else. Think.  "Think" is a necessary imperative, these days. The irony being, that in the end, there's no reason to think. At all. Sorry, but the closer to reality you get, the more surreal it is. That's how this all works. Please don't ask me what "this" is. I do not presume to know, yet. See? Even I don't know if I'll actually arrive anywhere. However, if the nature of "this" is indeed timeless and infinite, then we'd best get comfortable, nay? Or, as paraphrased by Elvis Costello: "Whats so funny 'bout peace, love and understanding?...

Well, "DAMN" . That's the latest record from Kendrick Lamar . I've mentioned him before. It's worth mentioning him again (and again and again). Listen, even if you don't like rap; even if you think it's money-seeking angry black men (what rock have been hiding under?); you OUGHT to give this a listen. In fact listen many times - you'll need to, in order to get it all. His messages are DENSE, to say the least. Is this just my opinion? NO. The Pulitzer Prize was given to Kendrick this year, and no wonder why. THIS MAN IS A TRUE GENIUS. So are many rappers - check out Jay-Z's TRIPLE ENTENDRE . Jay-Z ended that passage with "Don't Ask Me How" - indeed! Look, I have tried, hard, to come up with a triple entendre (and I'm very smart), but no luck yet. Oh, and Jay-Z's is particularly clever, since it includes street-talk. 😒 ______________________   An Aside ... A well-known, very clever triple entendre: A ranch is named b...

BEFORE You Read This ... You might like to play the game I played ... Think of your own best definition of "art" - not easy, I know.  Then, compare the various definitions I've gathered below, and see what works.  Chances are, it'll be your own definition you like best.  The good news is, there really couldn't be a wrong definition - art is what you feel it is, nay? If you want to see what Stanford University thinks - check this (it's long!). First, my own quick definition: Art by Martin Art is anything created with the intent of conveying a message or a feeling, and eliciting a response in the beholder.  It is a universal language that nobody quite knows how to speak - because, it nearly always involves the subconscious.  We tend not to value art greatly, yet somehow we cannot be without it.  If someone asks you "What does this piece of art mean to you", a valid response might be "Its personal".  Because surely no two people...

Bits & pieces I found interesting today ... Margot Kidder (Lois Lane) died yesterday.   😞 Marvel is making a Muslim superhero movie.   👍 ( I vote for an LGBTQ2 superhero next ) Rita Ora 'sorry' for song accused of exploiting bisexuality.   ¿? A Lifetime of Carla Bley.   ♬ The Trouble with Elon Musk and Grimes.   💗 'Astonishing' teenage pianist Lauren Zhang wins BBC Young Musician.   ♫   Netta Barzilai of Israel Wins Eurovision With a Chicken Dance.

We're back. I know you didn't know we were away, but we were. Away, we were. Far away. Like, disconnected . Yeah, we lost  our fragile Internet access (we're all dirt-poor). But we got it back. Maybe. Anyway, - Hi!

1997 Cassette Album Cover 2018 Album Cover Angel From Montgomery Art Therapist Card Art Therapy - FRONT Art Therapy - BACK Art Therapy - FULL Bhatt Man David Desktop 01 Desktop 02 Desktop 03 Ecuhome Memo Fierce Jamaican Lady In Which Jesus' Head Margaret's Table Meat Makes You Police Move In Sabrina 01 Sabrina 02 Sabrina B&W Sabrina Remix Self-Portrait Slacker's Bible Stacks Ad01 Stacks Var2 Stacks Var3 Stacks Var4 YOUR_TITLE_HERE

Since I've gathered stacks of notes, I'l put up two at a time. (1) Yeah, Buddhism. It goes roughly like this ... I had for years been a "seeker", but mostly not in a spiritual way. I had a science education background, and it was science that was going to have all the answers. And of course, science is very good at answering certain questions. But as my thinking broadened, it was clear that what science really didn't do was even ask the big questions. I think part of the reason Douglas Adams was able to riff on the idea of "Life, the universe, and everything", is that while science has gone to amazing places, it can seem further away from tackling such a big question. Really, the answer truly may as well be 42. While Buddhists don't proselytize, what does reach public ears reached mine, and to me was really curious. Somebody told me the Buddha was an ordinary guy who figured out how to get relief from suffering. I'm ever skeptical, but it wa...

Here is some RAW video.  Eventually, there might be music to go with it.  I doubt I would try this on stage (but I might - sorry, there's a lot of mights in the arts).  I had Jeremy's camera, and was shooting everything - some I really couldn't post here (wait - there are NO couldn'ts in the arts). So, never mind free-styling, this is free-singing.  I had to go and shoot me going down the stairs, apparently, but this improvised melody and wordage was the result.  How is this done?  Simple, but not easy ... just let your subconscious take over.  Tip: Lots of meditation really helps.  How?  Well, if you meditate enough, and in a certain way, you will learn to stop thinking altogether, and THAT is the place to be.  Don't by it?  You should - the Buddha said just this - in so many words.  I'll tell you more about that later - if you want . - Martin "Stairs to my Home"   by  Martin Hmm, I Didn't Realize That...

I met Hunter Tura years ago at some conference, and I've always admired his work - and certainly the company/person he work(s)ed for ...  Bruce Mau may still be in Chicago , but I'm sure he's a good mentor.  I believe Hunter is now CEO & President @ BMD . A recent post finds Hunter "excited" to be part of the team who will design Hong Kong airport's new mega-terminal . Nice! Who IS Bruce Mau ?  Many Canadians may well ask.  Because, many Canadians do not realize that one of this world's finest designers is, in fact, Canadian.  THAT's Bruce Mau .  As to who Hunter is, well, he's the next rising star, and amply filling Bruce's shoes, it would seem.  Good job all round, people, and keep it up - you make this Canadian very proud.  If YOU want to feel equally proud, do follow the above links, and especially, gaze at BMD's work here . Extra!!  I forgot; the reason I became interested in Bruce Mau was my stumbling on his brilliant ...

Dammit, I can't begin to describe Bowie and his immense influence.  Let's hear some music instead.  R.I.P., David. I chose this because (a) Its beautiful, and shows his range, and (b) I want you to GUESS WHICH OF BOWIE'S "PERSONAS" RECORDED THIS? A clue ...

As soon as I heard " To Pimp a Butterfly ", I felt that Kendrick Lamar was one of the best rappers, writers and performers I'd encountered.  To give you context, I tend to like old school, and conscious - I like Talib Kweli , Mos Def , Common , The Roots , etc..  But then again, I love The Wu-Tang Clan too. Anyway, Kendrick was awarded the Pulitzer prize .  I have no problem with that.  But some are fussing over it .  Pfft.

http://storm-animal.blogspot.ca/

I'm not one for resting on my laurels ... except when I am. This here is a nice tune I wrote about the plight of the whales, and what they're up against ... namely, US . HOOKED 1997 music & words: Martin Lomas