There’s that old quote (or curse, depending on viewpoint) “May you live in interesting times”. As an elder Gen X-er I have already lived that and more. I honestly don’t KNOW of an un-interesting time. 53 years and the events just seem to be coming faster now.
I just wanted to do silly cartoons and occasionally do a nice “real” piece of art to satisfy my urge to create. And I’ve done that. But it doesn’t have that same “cultured and airy” feel about it anymore, does it? With all these interesting times flying around like bomb shrapnel, it seems like you should do SOMETHING with your talents that try and educate and turn opinion and maybe…help? Possibly? What can one person do? I just wanted to make jokes and draw aardvarks and other weird critters.
Well, that’s where the rest of this post title comes in. It comes from this…
“I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo.
“So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
So, what do we do with the time we are given? I could ignore and just blissfully keep on with silly little art of no consequences. That seems to help people some. It gives them an escape. That’s good.
But I am by nature and biology VERY easily enraged. Bullies in particular raise the hair on the back of my neck. Do I go at them exclusively with attack cartoons and artwork? Do I just give in to the Dark Side and spend all my time screaming at the forces which conspire to ruin life for the most people? That seems…not great for my mental well-being.
So, what do I do with the time I’m given? I think both. I do the art that makes me and others happy for general mental and physical well-being. But I am coming for those I see as the aggressors. I’ve written and illustrated an entire alphabet book about billionaires getting karmic desserts. (You’ll see it all soon!)
So welcome to Paintmonkey Studios! I hope you have fun (and maybe learn something? It could happen!)! I’m going to.
