CODE OF CREATION: September 2008

Thursday, September 18, 2008

ARTISTS WANTED

Oh Heck Yeah!
Hello,
I was sun burnt to a peeling corpse after my San Blas Islands trip 2 weeks ago.
NASTY!
I have been staying inside in the shade and painting. And NO... I don't go get burnt often just to make myself productive.

Here is what I have done in the last 2 weeks. The first two are done with nothing more than earth...DIRT. The next two are my trademark style (if I ever dare pigeon-hole myself to say that...OUCH!).
I think one can see all are heavily tribal influenced after my Kuna Yala tribe excursion.

"I RELY ON FREEDOM"- 32" x 48" - Dirt on wood panel SOLD

"NO FOOT BEHIND" - 32" x 48" - Dirt on wood panel SOLD

"NEW TRIBE 1" - 36" x 48" - Acrylic/ spray paint on wood panel SOLD

"NEW TRIBE 2" - 36" x 48" - Acrylic/ spray paint on wood panel SOLD

"HERMIT GECKO vs THE CRAB MAN DANCING - 36"x48" - Acrylic on wood panel SOLD

"THE PROPHETIC HERMIT" - 36" x 48" - Acrylic on wood panel SOLD

"THE PROPHETIC GECKO" - 36" x 48" - Acrylic on wood panel SOLD

PLEASE...this is an informal invitation/ inspiration to all you that are artists and work your ass off and never seem to get anywhere. I know how it is....

PLEASE READ ON! (non-artists too)
This may be something you want to consider trying or keep tabs on until you feel comfortable enough to take a risk and throw yourself into something wacky.
The area of Panama City I am creating my artwork in is called Casco Viejo, which is the San Felipe district. It was declared a UNESCO Heritage Site in 1997. The blue and green house in this picture are my neighbours and yet, across the street is a pristine mansion covering an entire block.

In the last 3 years, Casco Viejo has begun rejuvenation and renovating the entire area into upscale restaurants, open patio cafes, creative art galleries and french/ spanish style veranda buildings. This area is beginning to take on the looks of any great city in the world. There is a long ways to go until completion, however when walking around and analyzing the number of labourers, painters, construction workers and tradesmen, one can not help but see through the walls of the finished properties to the bare ones on the inside...BEGGING FOR ART!

Here is the link to a short NY Times article published September 14, 2008 about this area.
http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/travel/14surfacing.html?ref=travel

Panama has funky, off the wall art too. I mean the city paid for a competition to have any and all graffiti artists as possible paint gigantic pieces that now line the entire main road, Avenida Balboa. And there was a cash prize for the best ones. As well, this picture shows the interior of the Ministry of Culture with freaked out surrealistic, graffiti work

on the walls and ceiling.
You won't see this shiz in the Ministry building Canada kids!
That's right.
This project is so large-scale in the fastest growing city in the Americas, which is also an International banking city, I don't think I can downplay the potential here.
So if you want to come down, where food is $2.00 a meal, accommodation is $12.00 a night at Luna's Castle, beer is a $1.00, and art supplies are available, bring your business cards and stay a while. I'm sure there's plenty of contact aside from my project.

PEACE and thank you again for the continued support. I hope you enjoy the new art.

Regards,
Daniel Poisson
Castillo Calabozo Studios- Panama
Code of Creation- Canada

Saturday, September 6, 2008

PANAMA LOVE

Hello!

My world has been turned upside down. I can feel my feet on the ground harder than ever. I never thought I would see the day as an artist where every piece I produce is already sold, but here it is!
Damn it! I worked hard for this!

I was thinking last night about the life I lived for soooo many years and soon realized I will never be the same. I stepped outside the box. It took a while since the last time. The inspiration I have drawn from the variety of places I have visited is outstanding. Until this Panama adventure, I spent the last few years traveling no further than my own back yard, so to speak. I feel I have seen a great deal in my life and this last couple weeks has been revolutionary.

Among other things:
While walking in the jungle I was attacked by flies. Nasty Bastards. These were no ordinary flies. They don't sting or bite, but they landed all over me and buzzed real loud. I ran, freaked out, and ripped my shirt, hat and backpack off while flailing my arms everywhere. These buggers have staying power.

For the first time I witnessed the Jesus Lizard. I forget what they call them here in Panama, but they run across water....FAST! Yes Lizards....running on water. Just like on the Discovery Channel.

This big bug (whatever it's called) vibrates so hard it creates a massive sound. There are thousands of them in the jungle and it's loud. You never see them, but I managed to find one. I touched it's ass with a 12" stick and it actually made my hand vibrate that's how powerful these 2" buggers are.

I was also stalked in the city while taking some pictures alone down a quiet street. The guy had a gun. A big handgun. He wanted my Nikon. It's kind of an odd feeling staring at a guy who wants something you have and he has a gun. I still have my camera but he still has the gun too...Bless his Soul!

For my 32nd birthday, I visited one of the last remaining true tribes on Earth. The Kuna Yala in San Blas Archipeligo. Aside from water containers, tin roofs, outboard motors, a few small essentials and money, these wonderful people live in the most wonderful place the same way they have forever.

The Kuna have nearly 400 islands they "own" independent of Panama or any other nation. They are self governing, hospitable, and amazing. We stayed in palm/ bamboo huts on our own private, palm tree lined, white sand islands with no one else or at most, 1 Kuna family.

We spent 4 days visiting Carti, Diablo Island, Perro Island and Holland Cayes area; suntanning, snorkeling, joking, loving and drinking coconut water. My birthday party was incredible with 15 of my best friends I just met, a bonfire on the beach and James on guitar. Thanks everyone!

I wish I could explain this place properly, however let's just say I have met people on the road for months and years, traveling hard and many have said it is by far, the best place they have ever experienced. I now know why.

This is one of the islands we stayed on. It was 100' across, with 2 huts and nothing else. Nothing. No bathroom. Nothing. All 400 islands are like this aside from the 4 central hub islands.

Here is the work I have completed in the last 2 weeks.