Sunday 12 June 2016

LIFE, DYING, And DEATH

Life, and living, are acceptible topics for discussion, but dying and death are more-or-less taboo subjects for dinner table discussion, much like religion and politics. Canada recently changed its law to allow assisted death for those terminally ill, yet despite the practice being unanimously accepted, death and dying remain taboo topics for discussion.

When I was young, very young, my experience, not unlike other children, was that only old people died. My grandmother’s death was my first experience with dying and death. Her skin turned yellow, and one day the family gathered, I was told to say goodbye to grandma. We children were sent to the cinema, and when we came home grandma was gone. The last that we saw of her was when she was laid out in a coffin in the front livingroom of her home, all nicely made up with makeup and her hair neatly combed.

As I grew older I became familiar with animals being hunted and killed, and with adults and the odd child being killed by accident. However, I still held tight to the belief that it was only old people that died. War was the exception. Everyone was vulnerable in times of war, young and old, at least that’s what my history books taught me.

In my early adult years I realized that death was not the sole possession of the old, and accident victims. Friends and family in their thirties and forties were getting sick, and dying. I began to think seriously about the finality of death, and wondered about what came after. Friends and family members “believed” in the existence of a place called heaven, believing that if you were good then you’d go to heaven, and if you were bad then you’d go to hell. My studies suggested that the idea of a place called heaven although comforting, was a bit unbelievable as there was no proof of the existence of such a place, and the very roots of religion were proving too mythical for my acceptance. I came to understand that dying was painful and death was quite final.

I’m now what many would refer to as not only getting old, but old itself, and my beliefs have changed very little, yet I still seek answers to the concept of living, dying, and death. Recently, I came across an article on the topic in the Huffington Post written by Ali A. Rizvi Pakistani-Canadian writer, physician and musician. I found it to be quite interesting. The following is a portion of his article. I encourage you to follow the attached link to read the entire article:-


"It’s often said that religion was created by humans as a means to cope with their own mortality — a powerful defense mechanism that arose from an irresolvable conflict almost unique to humans: having the same instinct of self-preservation that insects have when they run for their lives sensing they are about to be stomped upon, yet simultaneously harboring a central nervous system advanced enough to comprehend the reality that we will all die one day. This is not an easy conundrum to grapple with, and I can understand why the faithful exist, even if I don’t understand the faith.
But even if you believe in a god or gods that created the universe, why go to a messiah or book from thousands of years ago to get closer to him? Why not study the creation that’s all around you? This “creation” is called nature, and the study of it is called science. The language of science isn’t Hebrew, Aramaic, or Arabic. It’s mathematics, which stays the same whether you’re in Israel, the West Bank, or on the moon. Why rely on faith without evidence when the evidence is so much more breathtaking? To me, the beauty lies in real questions, not false answers.
(You asked me) what (I think) is the next step
Well, no one has reported back from the other side, none of us who are alive have been to the other side, and we don’t have any factual evidence supporting a life (as we know it) after we die. (To me,) believing what I want to be true can be very comforting……"

My experience, thus far into my journey, is that life, the act of living, can be very wonderful filled with excitement and discovery. And, then there’s the moment when you begin to slip-slide away, when health issues begin to show up, and excitement and discovery take a backseat to wonderful memories of way back when. As I continue to slip-slide away, fade away as artists are said to do, my adjustment, some might say reaction, to growing old  is continuing to evolve….

After.

If you should avoid life’s pitfalls, 
and succeed in growing old and grey,
don’t expect to enjoy a peaceful end, 
and simply fade away.
No,
be prepared!
Life after toiling the long bumpy road has few pleasures.
Pain and sorrow replace most pleasures.
Liesure hours expected
are spent in dingy rooms,
on hard back chairs,
joined by pain etched faces,
awaiting news from tests non ending.
Future moments
spent wondering,
about life,      
after.

Never wish that you had lived life better. No, live every day in every possible way!



Study- Dead Chickadee    Graphite Drawing


In the wild few creatures live to what we refer to as "old age". Almost everything is food for something else. Some years ago I discovered a dead chickadee lying on the ground outside my studio window. No doubt it had flown into the window, and had suffered a fatal injury. Chickadees are tiny birds found from coast to coast in Canada. I've often thought that they should be adopted as Canada's bird. Friendly, to the point that they can be coaxed to take seed from your hand.  The dead chickadee appeared as if sleeping. I decided to make a painting to remind me that life with all of its pleasures and mysteries is fleeting,  and that death with its finality cannot be avoided.




Dead Black-capped Chickadee    Watercolour Painting

Thursday 2 June 2016

LET NATURE BE YOUR GUIDE

I’ve never been a fan of organizations whose tactics seem, at least to me, to be based upon the sowing of misinformation, and civil disobedience. As someone who believes that the natural balance of the world has been so altered that management of what remains is essential, I can hardly support environmental actions accompanied by few if any solutions, as well as personal profit. 

I’ve personally attempted to promote and protect our natural heritage be it in Canada, or abroad, through my art, and by doing so I can assure everyone that my only profit has been, satisfaction that I’ve increased awareness.

Understanding and management of our natural resources is the only solution. Wreaking havoc and damaging economies is hardly a solution. Cooperation by everyone is the only way that we will succeed in saving what is left of Nature. 

Greenpeace, and various others that border on being reffered to as eco-terrorists, it would seem will soon have to defend their actions in court. No doubt the pending action will send shivers throughout the eco based anti establishment community.


If, as an individual, you wish to do something worthwhile to save what’s left of our natural world join with those who work quietly such as, Ducks Unlimited, the Audubon Society, or a local naturalist group. Wreaking havoc has never solved anything, but to deflect the good being done by those who work quietly, as well as make a few persons wealthy.

As we pass through this world let nature be your guide.


Mallard Duck      Pencil Studies


Drake Mallards     Watercolour Painting


Drake Wood Duck   Watercolour Painting


White-breasted Nuthatch   Pencil Drawing