Always making
Describe one habit that brings you joy.
I have had a wild week so it has been a labor to get back in the right mindset. I try to do a few things to enjoy my time but the big one is journaling. Something it drops off for a bit but I always come back to it. I use sticky notes and draw things as I write plans. Most of the time I’m playing music and getting lost in the pages and making a mess. It’s relaxing.
The chaos is fun in a way.
What are you most excited about for the future?
What a loaded question. Silly.
I imagine my future as legendary. Impossible would be fun. Being fearless 100ft in the air painting mountain sized paintings on buildings. Remaking old towns into new destinations. The future has wings and shoes to travel anywhere. I see it more as a what if rather then a will be.
Deep untethered remade worlds.
I see my self like Ms Birdy. Untamed and wild.
Or Osgemeos. They are a heartbeat of paint and emotion.
I love it but want it made in my way.
If you were forced to wear one outfit over and over again, what would it be?
Funny answer, I do this all the time. I’m very much a Dickies and a t shirt guy. So I’m basically do this by accident. They are just comfortable and easy to wear. I rip my jeans all the time so I can’t wear them outside with holes in the crotch. I do sometimes but it can be awkward on a ladder. It might look like a uniform in a way but I made it.
It works for being a mechanic and a painter.
She gets me.
Which food, when you eat it, instantly transports you to childhood?
There is this dish called Roti. It’s a beautiful West Indian burrito like food. It’s filled with curry and if you like it has meat, fish or veggies. It it one of the great loves of my life. My Abuela used to make it for me. One of the fond memories of growing up. It’s very different but the concept is tangible.
The thought of it brings me joy.
How do you want to retire?
I’m not sure what retirement looks like. I see a few retired people around me now and they look busy. I don’t think I could retire from painting but yes from a day job. I think of the place I would move too and how I would try to relax.
Something something a boat in a lake.
I imagine cool cold water to relax and moving away from all the nonessential things and people I deal with weekly. I imagine traveling to do shows and museums. Something simple.
But also spooky.
So my answer is, yes.
What’s the oldest thing you own that you still use daily?
I found myself laughing about this question. It’s just very silly.
So there is this wooden donkey I have had since I was a tiny kiddo. I think my mom gave it to me from a trip to Mexico in the 70s. I used to have my toys play on his back. Everything I owned became a wrestling toy. Pepé won a few world championship belts I’m sure. It’s just who I was at the time.
I miss having simple pleasures without computers or electronic” big boy toys. “😂
I sit and meditate with him on a stand with a few wooden figures I own every morning.
All in a day we are old friends .
What notable things happened today?
This is one of those questions I’m never sure how to answer.
I woke up and hugged my wife and sat with my cats and nothing bad happened. Always a nice thing. Just a nice morning. No loud noises or energy cutoffs. I just feel good. Took my old man vitamins and stretching out my back and shoulders.
It is simple but very peaceful. A zen moment.
It’s all I ask for in a morning.
I wish you the same in your journey.
Painter out,
Jaws
If you had to change your name, what would your new name be?
This is a funny question because I had a hard time with my name as a kid. You want to blend as a kid and not stand out. I stood out. At that point I wanted a name like Michael Jackson or later Sabertooth. I didn’t get the concept. Now I don’t think I dream of that anymore. I learned to love little Michael Jackson Sabertooth/ Jãwara Blake.
I still want to name my kids cool names like Geronimo. I think it would be nice to have a powerful name. I would help them love that name.
What does “having it all” mean to you? Is it attainable?
The fast answer is no. One because I change my mind about things as I grow and two because I don’t think it is healthy to have all the things. I look at rich people and they seem awful.
Maybe the real idea is to want happiness and be simple in your wants. It shouldn’t be about things, I guess. I’m not that enlightened, I still want crap I have no use for but I can imagine a time when I let all that go. It feels sane.
How do you balance work and home life?
I just kind of have too. Is the simple answer. I have no other choice to stay creative. I try to always make a list of the important things and keep open spaces for them. I got back into journaling and that helps me keep focus.
With my big art business and having a family, I just have to do my best to stay on it. I fall behind sometimes but I try to make up for it.
It’s a big beach and the waves are infinite but in a great way. I love to swim.
jaws_blake 