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The Character of a Warrior?  - Part 1.

10/26/2014

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A warrior begin's to emerge!
This week, we saw a warrior at work. When our parliament was invaded by a "shooter" (Zehaf-Bibeau) on Wednesday morning the sergeant-at-arms Kevin Vickers hearing the gunfire just outside his office, grabbed his pistol and without hesitation moved out into the hallway to see what was happening. In seconds he saw the barrel of a long gun protruding from the other side of the very pillar he was also hiding behind. He immediately realized that it was the "shooter" and in seconds, made a decision.  All his years of training kicked in and without a second thought, this warrior Kevin Vickers, dove out onto the floor in front of the shooter onto his back, firing his weapon up at him, eliminating the threat of any other lives being lost. He is now a hero for just doing the work expected of a warrior.

Kevin Vickers used the floor as his technique to overcome an enemy. In this new clay project my two warriors will begin their 
existence also so to speak, on the floor. With the clay being so wet the figures cannot be made standing upright in their fighting positions. Hence, I must compensate and begin with them in a position they can hold while the clay is still damp, and that is prone on the floor. 

Of course, I will have to be clear about what their fighting positions will be before I begin. Then create each figure horizontally with props that will hold them in these positions as I continue building them into the vaunted amazing physical specimens they must be. Ha!

As I work, I'm thinking about the sargent-at-arms Mr. Vicker's and his conduct and wonder, what is it that makes a warrior a warrior? I think about the millions of soldiers who have fought around the world over the years. There are many examples of failures and successes and heroes, but the question remains, what makes a person a warrior? 

Yes, it is true warriors do these things to protect the community, politicians (our leaders), the children, the women, those who cannot defend themselves etc. They do it to preserve certain ideals and even just to be able to defend a border, a source of food, keep the peace etc.

But, that is what we see them do. What is it that makes normal men or woman make that decision to become that warrior? . After all, one can expect to die, and that changes everything. That means fear has to be faced and controlled. His very faith is also challenged and he has to deal with that on a personal level. Plus, he needs to be one hundred percent committed to go out there and put himself in harms way. He needs to be good with the cause of the fight. Once the bullets are flying he cannot hide somewhere and decide this is not for him. His buddies, family, tribe and nation are depending on his commitment and word to do this. That failure to go through with it on the battlefield has dire consequences in itself and usually is considered treasonous. That means he has to think about the cause he's fighting for and be totally committed. 

Another thing the warrior has to think about is the fact that he will be able to legally kill fellow human beings. In fact, he will be trained for that purpose and expected to do that. He has to come to accept that reality. And, finally he or she has to be disciplined. They must be in good physical shape. They must learn their weaponry and be comfortable with them. All of this takes time, practice and a disciplined approach to be the "best you can be." Each soldier knows others will be depending on that when that time comes. Like for Kevin Vickers, it came on Wednesday morning and of all places, the parliament buildings, and he was ready.

So what is it that makes a solder a solder? Obviously he has to be more than a mercenary, or a thug. He who is in it for glory or money is not a true solder. They are not defending an ideal, or a piece of ground. They are in it for themselves and will disappear if things begin to look bad. 

True soldiers are humans with real feelings and ideals. They are self aware having to come to terms with the challenges and decisions of being a warrior. They must have the kind of character that lives on principles of lasting value. We will talk more about this in the next blog. 

Meanwhile, I must know about this, explore it and become familiar with it. I want to know the character of a man like our sargent-at-arms Kevin Vickers because I must honor him and all warriors in my art with the kind of body language, even in battle, that reflects who they really are on the inside. 
“Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, 
victory however long and hard the road may be; 
for without victory, there is no survival.”
 — Winston Churchill

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UTube Sword & Shield Battle Techniques.

10/20/2014

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“Your battles inspired me - not the obvious material battles 
but those that were fought and won 
behind your forehead.” 
― James Joyce
Now for the fun stuff! I've done a few sculptures of my hero but now it's time to go where no pacifist I'm sure has ever gone before! My dream is to do some sculptures of muscle bound fighting men, fighting with sword and shield in fact. Man to man fighting to the death duels. No referees, no time-outs, no replays to check if anyone cheated. It's for all the marbles, one lives and one dies.

Actually, it's also all about a very special person in my life, my hero.

Not sure if you are aware but my all-time hero is the King David of early Hebrew history. The reasons are many but some include his being a humble shepherd boy who becomes both an amazing sensitive artist, a warrior, a king, plus a real "man's-man" kind of a person. His area of the arts was his music skills, including playing the harp and writing songs. You can find a lot of his lyrics in the book of the Bible called the Psalms. 

Many of you will know how it all began, how he came to be "discovered" when he showed remarkable courage and skill in eliminating that giant of a man named Goliath while still a young man/shepherd boy, of only 16 or 17 years of age. This act alone creating a crucial victory for the nation.

When I was a boy I loved all things of a military nature. I devoured books like the "Leather Stocking Tales", Danial Boon and his exploits etc. My poor parents had no idea what was going on in my head! When I went to get the cows for milking in the morning, I imagined I was an Indian (sorry) scout skilled in all matters of native warfare. I imagined the cows were the enemy and would circle downwind from them, slither through the grass for a sneak attack, jumping up when I was a few feet away scaring the very milk right out of them. These heavy cows with their full udders would jump in fear and begin their way home running, I mean lumbering along in abject fear. Now when I think of this I'm sure I affected the amount of milk our farm could have produced!

My poor pacifistic parents had no idea of my passion for the military. I did give myself away with my drawings and sketches but they never imagined the passion I actually had. Ever since I began with clay, I have wanted to create pieces having to do with battle. The "one on one" scene of two skilled fighters going at it with sword and shield. This I believe is the time.

Now you of course realize I did not grow up in any kind of military context, except of my own reading and imagination. So what's a pacifist doing making sculptures of men fighting to the death? I don't know! Maybe that is why I'm fascinated with it. Sometimes the very things you were not supposed to know about, make you fascinated with it! So it is not surprising a "military" man of the Bible like David would become a hero for me. A man very spiritual plus gifted as a warrior and leader of men, who was literally made for the complicated role he had to play in the history of the Hebrews as a nation, their faith and legacy. 

It is clear to me that our very life is a battle. We need to be ready, disciplined and trained to succeed in building our own faith, leadership and legacy. David's story covers all that ground in one persons experience. 

So, I'm beginning from scratch. I have no knowledge of battle techniques! I cannot make any of these sculptures and pretend I know what I'm dong. It could be very embarrassing to place these dueling gladiators in an embarrassing possibly even shaming fighting stance. So I'm indulging this latent desire. I'm having way to much fun doing my research! The memories of all my many boyhood military exploits in our pasture of ponds, willows, bush, rocks, riding that lazy work horse (pretending it's an amazing spirited war horse) bareback, sneaking up on the cows, are all coming back with a rush.

Above is a video of fighting techniques having to do with the vikings. I have come to understand that with David living 3000 years ago, it seems right that his equipment and techniques would have been very similar to those of the vikings. Other than the slingshot of course!

Like David, they were very skilled with these basic military tools. I believe that in representing David as a fighting man, it's worth seeking to make the work as true as possible in the context of a one on one battlefield duel to the finish. 
"As a man sow, shall he reap. 
and I know that talk is cheap. 
But the heat of the battle 
    is as sweet as the victory."    
Bob Marley
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Evil Eye 3 The Suspicion Abyss!

10/11/2014

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This is a work in progress. A work speaking to the reality of false accusations and suspicions that can happen in our lives. This piece alludes to the "eye" in the Lord of the Rings". The eye of suspicion roaming over the land, suspecting anyone it saw. 

Real life includes just such unfortunate things. I myself experienced suspicion from the justice system when there was no "real or confirmed" evidence available to support the crimes I was supposed to have done. Even "professionals" for whatever reasons can be swayed by motivations other than fact and context. In my case the informal suspicions created by such a low standard of un-confirmed reasons and facts, had both obvious and not so obvious affects on my life. 

The only appeal I had was to tell the truth of where I had been and what I had been doing. There were also lots of opportunity to talk to people who had been with me to confirm my actual ware-a-bouts. I know that any kind of even not so rigorous investigation would have easily confirmed my innocence. 

The thing is that false accusations can stick in many people minds just because they happen. Even if and when one is exonerated. 
Such was the case in my situation. I was told by the police that if I took a lie detector test and passed that would take me off the suspect list. I was relieved to hear this and immediately agreed to do it. I was rather excited to see if the police's methods were like those I'd seen in the movies.  

Well, to my surprise this little "test" took many hours and had to do with my whole life history. In a very little while I realized this was not a game and that my future life now lay in the hands of a machine. A machine I was not experienced with and had to now trust with my very future quality of life.

I did pass, apparently with flying colors, thankfully. What a relief! Unfortunately, the suspicions had been public and many people as we all know, do not trust that machine. So, even if the police felt I was innocent (at least that's what they tell you.) many in the public were still not convinced.

But no one is talking. When people don't relate to you anymore, they don't tell you it's because they think you did it! Why would a business contract be suddenly ended? Why would negotiations suddenly be abandoned? Sure we can all make up reasons and some or many of them my be true. But how many were because they still suspected me despite the results of the lie detector test, results that were to clear me for life? No one knows that for sure.

That's the killer. It affects your confidence, your mental state of mind, your resentment, anger and your sense of shame. It changes who you are, the very how and why you do the things you do. It almost makes you actually begin to look guilty! That hurts. You begin to see suspicion where their probably is none. Or not? Body language, words, simple acts of omission can become huge. Your thoughts begin to cycle downward. There is a  bitter, revenge filled dark abyss there, no one wants to ever go.
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What do you really see when you peek
through the keyhole,
suspecting and judging?
Let me just conclude this by saying this. I was fortunate. I came to a point in my life where I realized that this downward spiral would not end well. The potential loss of important relationships in my life could have been imminent and It was important to stop the progress of this evil into more areas of my family life if at all possible.

With the help of my family, my church and my God I was able to make a decision and begin my journey towards the forgiving attitude I had promised myself I'd pursue from the beginning.

That is why today I am very sensitive and compassionate towards anyone experiencing suspicion of any kind. Secondly, I needed clear confirmation from the 5 week trial as to the guilt of the accused in our case. Both of these things happened and were confirmed with the jury decision of guilt at the conclusion of the trial.

On this Thanksgiving weekend I must say I am truly thankful for the delivery from a life of negativity, blame, bitterness and unforgiveness that could have destroyed a life of joy and productivity.

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Leaves: Their Beauty & Sacrifice.

10/9/2014

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I Wrote about leaves in my "Art Class Blog" and realized the intricacy and value of leaves for not only beauty but our very existence.

So, this morning I could not help myself. I grabbed my camera, rummaged through the bag of leaves I'd taken to class for the kids to draw and set up a photo shoot of a few of these for our inspiration and appreciation. Appreciation of a creator who in one motion of creativity created leaves for beauty, it's complex mystery and for our very survival. What a wise, creative and amazing God we have!

I hope you enjoy this short photo essay on leaves.
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Autumn is a second spring
when every leaf
is a flower.

Albert Camus
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When is a Painting Finished?

10/4/2014

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”Beginning with audacity
is a very great part of the art of painting.”

-- Winston Churchill.
My wife Wilma's paintings have been finished and are as you can see above, installed. This was taken at the Grand Opening of the new church building on September 21, '14.

When is a painting finished? When they are this large, is it when they are large enough? Is it when you run out of product to put on the panels? Or possibly when you run out of energy? Or, when you are sure they are to big for you to hang them on the wall!

Leonardo Da Vinci said that, "Art is never finished, only abandoned."

We have a lot of people to thank for their help, for without them this would never have happened. Especially Ralph, who did a lot of things, gave us advice, reinforced the panels, and worked out how to install them on the wall. We also appreciated the many folk who found us working, would come over, chat, and make amazing comments on our work. Also, a huge thank you to the two basketall rental teams, one of which moved that large 7.5 ft. wide and 17 ft. high panel to the location at the wall where it would rest till later when the second basketball team on another day helped lift it upright so it could be winched up into place. Thank you all.

Wilma had not yet seen the pictures installed. She had to be in Victoria BC for an appointment on the Sunday of the opening. So, we stopped in on our way to the airport on Saturday to see them up for the first time. There we stood, all alone in the middle of the foyer area gazing up at our work. I do have to say it was a bit of an emotional moment.

Just a minute...where is the lift...I see something right there...you mean we have to get a license to use that? Oh man...a ladder... What...nothing we have will reach that? ....really?
"The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark."         Michelangelo
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    Cliff's Creations...

    Hi, my name is Cliff, welcome to my website where I share my life as an art teacher, ceramic artist, photographer, father, businessman, leader and disciple. Basically I'm just trying to keep up with an exciting creative life. Thank you for coming along for the ride. You know, that your reading my blogs will make me a better artist so thank you in advance.
    Later, Cliff

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