Over the years, I have dabbled with creating abstract artwork based on my favourite movies and music.
Film sets are unique in their own right, insomuch that they create the illusion that takes the audience on a journey – whether it is fantasy, fiction or fact.
We escape by choice for ninety minutes or so – becoming totally embroiled in all that we see and hear.
Some of the biggest grossing movies to hit the cinemas, surprising though it may seem, are science fiction.
Blockbuster movies like, Blade Runner, The Matrix, Star Wars and Independence Day have all provided us with spectacular scenery, advanced special effects coupled with incredible set design.
For this piece of movie art, I chose the Roland Emmerich film, 'Stargate' - with Kurt Russell and James Spader as the leading actors.
On being made to realize Ra’s true intentions, the indigenous population rebelled against the self appointed Sun God, Ra, (Jay Davidson).
James Spader’s character, Daniel Jackson, as a result of being fatally wounded and placed into the Sarcophagus healing chamber by Ra and brought back to life, made an attempt to save his new girlfriend, Shauri’s (Mili Avital) life who had sadly been killed in the crossfire, by using the Sarcophagus healing chamber.
Using the set of transportation rings, he carried her lifeless body to the healing unit.
On his way to the Sarcophagus healing unit, he turned to Colonel Jack O’Neal (Kurt Russell) who was busy trying to deactivate a rigged explosive device engineered by Ra and said, “Wait for me”
There are millions who are part of a fraternity – united under powerful, solemn and binding words which could almost go back to the beginning of time.
Walk alone, but bearing the sign of the brotherhood, so to speak, you are never alone in thought as you are contented to display your shining status in life.
A mixture of emotions synonymous with the ceremony perpetuates the occasion and what it represents to us humans. It brings a sense of belonging coupled with a level of security which for most is paramount.
Then there are those who are outside the ‘fraternity’ – perhaps by design - bringing a balance and conveniently fitting into the scheme of things.
Does the fraternity work? Well, for the most part it does, but like all best laid plans, there will always be moments which offer up challenges – putting a strain on the integrity on the universally recognized symbol.
When I embarked on this project, I was slightly uncertain about where I wanted to go in terms of design and theme. Some would argue that without those elements there is no point in attempting the artwork.
I did have half a theme in my head, but wasn’t quite sure which direction to go. However, I finally managed to commit my tiny idea to canvas which I am now very pleased with.
So, what is Steel View you may ask? Well, if I had to sum up, without getting too complex, what Steel View is, I would describe it as how we see an object that is clean-cut, strong, cold and defined.
The object has no emotions, no conscience or thoughts that are confused by morality and remorse.
Its strength is derived from its appearance which, without any displaying effort, has the ability to state without talking. With almost a sense of arrogance, it projects a powerful image to all around and does not for one instant have to justify its existence.
It is powerful without being powerful.
It is the Steel View.
In this artwork I used two lots of Photoshop Tools – Paint Brush and Text Tool.
Each colour represents thought patterns we all have throughout our everyday lives – thought patterns which culminate in a response, reaction or decision based on what we see, hear and think.
I have placed in this artwork a collection of phrases we may hear or deliver during our daily life – some more familiar than others.
Regardless of whether you live alone or in a family environment, you will finish your day with a myriad of both positive and negative thoughts based on those phrases I mentioned earlier and which feature in this artwork.
They say that dreams are also based on what we have seen or heard, but not just limited to daily activities. Dreams can also reflect moments in our life, be them good or bad, which sometimes appear so vivid that the dream takes on a different complexion resulting in what we call a nightmare.
Some of us talk in our sleep – recalling phrases we’ve heard or conversations we may have had during the day perhaps.
However, there are some phrases we have difficulty trying to forget – not that I have included any in this artwork.
If you do find a phrase in this artwork that strikes a note with you or disturbs you in any way, then please accept my sincere apology...it may be something I said!
Once again the question is asked, 'What can you see?'
In this artwork I have given you the option to see what you want to see - to observe and take on-board the shapes and design of the artwork. Its complexity and simplicity which will, if you allow it, take you further than what you imagine.
Allow yourself the experience of reverse observation.
We see four images images strategically placed above four symmetrical objects - each of which has a connection to the overhead and what appears to be a more dominant image.
You might ask, why four images?
Four represents the corner stone; four sided from which we build and in which we house ourselves.
There is strength in four; reliability and sense of balance which engenders the feeling of being safe, putting our trust in what we have come to believe is a trusted format. Think of anything that ‘four’ is associated with.
Whilst we like to believe we move through life on our own steam at a pace that suits us, we may be following a road already established, but we are totally unaware of.
I believe we are guided by elements which are not entirely clear to us – insomuch there is a sense of balance that enables us to exist; elements that feed us pockets of information without us knowing, but we subconsciously take on board. Whilst we are educated in various capacities and to varying levels, I believe there is an underlying energy or force we inadvertently are connected to.
We all have a tolerance level for the information we will and will not accept. I believe the tolerance level is built in to us and something that cannot be changed - at least not by us.
Then there is the ‘number’ scenario. Can we go through life without numbers – without order and categorization? Do we stand up and be counted. Quite literally we do it would seem. Some say life begins at 15 – 3 parts of five put together – five digits on each hand and foot - for some, a gold ring on the third part of the five.
Assuming there is some truth that life begins at 15, we gather information to a capacity our tolerance will allow until we reach 27. Ok, what happens at 27?
The question is, do we ever get past 15; 2+7 = 9, 1+5 = 6, 9+6 = 15.
We live on a planet that is round – sustaining us for a given period. We have a relationship with numbers and a capacity to take onboard levels of information based on limited tolerances. The number four, which I explained earlier, has significant meaning.
Let us now examine the word ‘Reddifusion’
Reddifusion is an anagram of ‘If round dies’ (Our World)
Answer; Reddifusion is also an anagram of ‘In Four Sided'
Perhaps four is the parallax?
Let us for a moment entertain the possibility that our existence as humans is not confined to this planet we call earth and that our future is not predetermined by some omnipotent force or being, although, having said that, it would be quite feasible to accept.
It would be safe to assume our destiny, predetermined or otherwise, may also apply within a parallel destiny – albeit with varying differences and results, but played out much the same.
Let us also consider the possibility that all that we are is part of an elaborate game – well, elaborate by our standards and that we are one of many such ‘games’ – each with similarities, but each with different values and varying results.
The question is, and without wishing to offend any religious parties, who or what controls the controller?
OPPORTUNITY
Why do some people achieve greatness and others struggle all their lives?
In this artwork titled, “Opportunity”, we try
to address that dilemma or as some would describe it, an unfair imbalance.
Whilst there are those who, on recognizing an opportunity to better themselves, seize it with both hands without letting go – hopeful that it is the way forward with the possibility of life changing rewards.
However, on many occasions which I’m absolutely certain most of us can relate to, grabbing the bull by the horns only to discover later down the line the tenacity we displayed was misguided and we found ourselves back to square one!
There is evidence that, during the course of our lives, we are presented with at least three options or three opportunities to potentially change the direction of our lives – usually for the better.
For some, the opportunities go unnoticed – leaving a kind of blank or bleak existence, but do not feel pity for those who choose not to seize their moment as opportunities are missed for a number of reasons. Usually those reasons are mainly negative. How many times have you said, ‘If only I didn’t do that, I could have’...... ‘If only I wasn’t there, I would have’. Bad timing, poor choices and a collection of other factors lead to missed opportunities. Perhaps it is meant to be. One thing is for sure, you can’t go back and try again.
The three red circles represent three plates – three servings offering up a choice of delights. You have often heard the saying; “I have enough on my plate”. What you have on your plate is choices – opportunities. It is you who decides what you will eat and what you will discard. Don’t get confused by what you see as ‘enough’. Make the correct choice and the opportunity will present itself.
So, we know that we are given at least three opportunities in life - Three choices to perhaps change the outcome or course of our life. In all walks of life, there is always a narrow window of opportunity.
The question is; do you make the most of it?
NESTS
The two squares we see in the above artwork represent two moments, two days, two events or two thought
We go from day to day seemingly following what we believe is a routine or perhaps a regime we have become accustomed to.
If we accept the theory that life goes along on a pattern of waves – taking us up one minute and down the next, we should also accept that we never really know what will happen next.
Whilst it easy to accept that we go to bed at night and get up in the morning to a new day with whatever happens in-between as just part of our daily routine, then it is also acceptable that no two days are the same. No two thoughts, no two moments and so on ...
The second square represents the second day, the second moment, and the next thought with the link to the previous event shown as the thin line.
The link also represents the life-line or the human connection to the next unknown event.
The second square clearly shows us that, whilst a situation may appear to be identical, there is always that element of unknown which allows doubt, apprehension, and to a certain degree, intrigue to creep in which is shown as the circle leading us to?
When I think of space and the galaxy with its seemingly never ending array of stars set into the dark expanse of night sky like a giant pin cushion you could almost reach out and touch, I somehow am unable to imagine space with lots of different colours.
I often spent many a cold, crisp winters’ night staring up at the cloudless night sky with its stars twinkling like tiny diamonds set into a backdrop and looking down on the earth like guardians.
In this abstract artwork I have allowed myself to imagine space in full colour – with the large sphere eclipsing the sun and which represents earth.
Using the colours of the rainbow, I have projected a design which emerges from the centre of the sphere and coincides with the seven planets directly below.
This artwork was originally commissioned by a magazine that was looking for a space theme which incorporated a spectrum of colour for its front cover, but after much discussion it was eventually rejected and replaced with a design that had nothing to do with either space or colour.
From time to time, when I am not applying myself to creating contemporary or abstract artwork, I have produced pieces based on either a movie or, as in this piece, a well known song.
Within the last few decades, there have been songs with lyrics so powerful they leave an indelible mark in your mind and throughout your life. It has been known for songs with such powerful and emotional content to be made into movies.
Songs that paint a picture based on the lyrical content are normally songs we never forget.
We accept that some of the most memorable movies to hit the big screen initially started life as a book followed by a screen play and finally a movie. I dare say that every author’s ambition is to attain that level of success.
A song writer’s level of success is a publishing contract leading to a hit song. What it must feel like to have a song turned into a movie based on the lyric alone can only compare to possibly winning the lottery.
Two examples of songs from singer song writers who have had that level of success:
Simon & Garfunkel “Mrs Robinson” THE GRADUATE
ABBA “Mama Mia” MAMA MIA
The above movies were nominated for Oscars based on acting and music scores.
This artwork entitled, “LONELY” represents a song with very powerful lyrics and one that, although not made into a movie, could have certainly qualified.
It is an emotional song that paints a picture and also has a haunting melody. On first hearing it, you would struggle to get the melody out of your head and probably find yourself reciting the lyrics subconsciously throughout the day.
Do I tell you the song title? The answer to that question is NO!
My advice is, say what you see – the clues are there.
I have often asked myself; do we all make the same journey?
As bizarre as it may sound, I firmly believe we do make the same journey, but each with variable degrees of interaction. Some would argue that their own life is a million miles away from the next person; based mainly on materialistic and health criteria.
I cannot help thinking that as complex as we believe life is; the overall pattern is based on a simple matrix with hidden clues that we as humans are yet to discover. To be honest, I don’t think we are meant to discover anything at this early stage – other than what we are led to believe we are discovering.
How often have you been in a situation where you believe you have carried out the exact chain of events elsewhere, but not necessary within your own life – a sense of déjà vu if you like, but you probably knew I was going to say that? The saying and song title, “Walk a mile in my shoes” for me has a certain truism attached to it – insomuch, and this is where it gets a tad weird, we are actually walking our lives in shoes that have been on the journey countless times before, metaphorically speaking that is.
Some of us say we will never experience in our lives some of the things others have managed to achieve, but perhaps we already have and cannot remember, although I believe we may have been engineered not to remember. I’m guessing that’s why the déjà vu moments kick in for some of us – something I would advise not to give too much thought to as it will give rise to paranoia.
Without going down the biblical route, I suppose it could give strength to the ‘eternal life’ theory; having said that, I will probably be damned for referring to it as a ‘theory’.
In this artwork you see a road leading to an opening and beyond what appears to be a distant bright light. Across that opening I have put the word, ‘NOTHING’ as I believe when you eventually reach the end of the road, there has to be nothing otherwise your next journey would not begin. Try as you may, you will not remember your previous journey – unless you have a déjà vu moment!
My theory is; whoever or whatever you want to be, has either occurred or will occur during the course of your journey.
You’re old enough some people say
To read the signs and walk away
Only time will heal the pain
And makes the sun come out again
Only a few manage to read the signs.
Lyric credit: "It's Raining Again" Supertramp
In this artwork we see four circles which each represent a situation we could all easily find ourselves in.
Now let us analyse four key words, Confidence, Doubt, Paranoia and Despair
CONFIDENCE
There are those of us who go through life with an air of confidence – filled with self assurance based on a number of factors; background, education, personality, financial stability or being amongst others who are less confident.Irrespective of why some people are confident, let us now examine the affect one person’s confidence has in an isolation scenario as is depicted in circle 4.
Can the confidence of one individual instil self assurance in those within a limited area? Is it something that is infectious or something that is learnt, inherent or perhaps comes with financial stability.
Ask ten individuals about what they believe is confidence and I’m fairly confident you will get ten different answers.
Whatever the reason or reasons why some are confident and others are not is tested in a restricted area.
In circle 4, one person’s confidence is shared by three other individuals, but the self assurance has a limited affect. What that limit is, you decide!
DOUBT
In circle 3 we have the same isolation situation, but now there are only three individuals. Based on the saying, “Two’s company, three’s a crowd”, in this situation that does not apply. The triangle – three sides that we know form a strong base, a solid foundation where that extra strength makes a difference.
However, that third element, as has often been the case, is sufficient to weaken any rock-solid base by introducing a hint of doubt. It only takes a shred of doubt to create uncertainty - especially in an isolated environment.
Doubt will lead to paranoia, despair and inevitably destruction.
PARANOIA
It is said, if you put two perfectly rational human beings together in isolation, they will eventually find ways to destroy one another.
In circle 2 we are now at the junction where confidence has been replaced with doubt and paranoia. Two way conversation that will, after a given period, turn itself inside out in every way the human mind can imagine. Remember, this is an isolation scenario – a scenario many can not only relate to, but have experienced – in some cases, with devastating and sometimes tragic conclusions.
Delusions of grandeur coupled with intense fear can and often does lead to paranoia.
DESPAIR
Which now brings us to circle 1? In circle one confidence, doubt and paranoia have been overcome by a more potent and potentially destructive emotion.
Whilst there are those who can seemingly deal with isolation for long periods, for many of us, the thought of being totally alone with nothing but our own thoughts to sustain us can very quickly have many of us amplifying the negative thoughts housed in our subconscious.
It doesn’t take long in isolation before those negative thoughts give rise to despair – leaving us convinced there is absolutely no hope.
In this artwork I have used three primary colours, red, blue and green which represent the human desire. Red represents the human life force and the burning, overwhelming desire to survive. The green and blue represents all that we believe is perfect in our world. All that we see as a kind of utopia and freedom – green grass and blue skies signifies an ideal world – our earth, our freedom from isolation. In isolation our overwhelming desire to be free becomes paramount. We want our world back, our life and our sanity.
ISOLATION (In Solitude, Order Lives Alone Through Images of Normality)
Technology has moved on at an alarming pace – bringing with it a level of uncertainty which begs the question, are we as humans more advanced or have we regressed to a point we are simply unaware of?
We automatically take on board and accept the way our lives are now systematically logged, monitored and organized as if in a digital matrix.
Now, with our very existence controlled by a numerically, but well organized and seemingly advanced structure, has the fluent aspect of life been tampered with to point of no return?
This artwork titled, “CHANCES”, questions whether we are here for the first time or have we been here many times before, but arriving at the same junction – believing all that we see and experience throughout our existence is unique to us?
It is believed – especially by the Mayans, that some of us have the ability to see into the future, but not the future as most of us picture it. A future that not only addresses forthcoming events, but one that predicts the outcome based on what we know as historical events – a kind of contradiction in terms, but one that makes perfect sense.
Those gifted with the ability to accurately predict the future, trust me, we are talking about a very small number of people, have been given the gift of chances. They have chances to clear the unclear, to give a sense of understanding to what is not understood and to make adjustments, without benefitting, to the game.
The common denominator, regardless of what we believe, is that we are seemingly here for given periods, after which we are not here....or are we?
There is a notion that the earth secretes pain and we absorb that pain during our everyday lives – passing it on physically and by word of mouth, as bizarre as that may sound. Perhaps it is a way to control the population and fits into the pattern of evolution.
SECRETE PAIN (Rest in Peace)
We have now almost reached that junction where our lives are neatly categorized and systematically stored in various databases – numbered and logged to be accessed whenever needed.
What did we do before computer technology became a way of life – before emails, texting and blah, blah, blah.com?
Did the world get smaller? Has life become easier? Do we now live longer as a result of advanced technology or is that just what we believe we are achieving?
Some would say we are actually de-evolving –insomuch that we appear to be losing sight of human values. Human values which have given way to an electronic, digital future perhaps?
One cannot help thinking about the ominous message behind the James Cameron futuristic blockbuster, “Terminator” has a potential to become a reality ...if we are not careful.
The reality is; we are living in a computer based society where we are ALL on some database or register of some sort.
At the moment we are unable to do anything about it as we most of us believe it is the correct path to follow – not that anyone would believe anything to the contrary.
Who knows, perhaps in the future when and if the system fails, some appointed individual recalls the events of our computerized existence as the classical data era.
I can well imagine someone saying, “How could they live like that ...everyone knowing everything about everyone? ...no wonder there was a third world war”
Here is my second artwork based on a very well known song – more specifically the song’s lyrics.
I have previously mentioned about songs with powerful thought provoking lyrics which have made the transgression, based on the lyrics alone, to the big screen.
There are song writers who have the ability to write the kind of lyrics which are so emotionally charged, they inflict a wave of deep feelings into us – leaving us mentally stimulated whilst we take on board a mixture of memories carrying us on a journey for the mind.
How often have you heard a song which instantly catapults you to a place or time in your life? An event that unfolds vivid images in your mind - all generated from both the lyric and melody content of a song.
We love those moments when we periodically drift off on a mind/music trip – whether happy or sad, we commit ourselves to a memory so potent it conjures up a kind of pocket in time where we briefly allow ourselves to exist and savour the moment.
For the times I have ventured into memory heaven or hell – depending on the connection between me and the music/lyric, I have referred to it as, ‘Liquid Subconscious Dreams’. The reason behind that title is when we have those moments, the thoughts tend to flow like a stream – washing over and recalling snippets of our lives which have been momentarily reactivated by a song.
In this artwork titled, ‘Holes’, we see four circles on a white block-mounted panel, by the way, the panel is not significant to the lyric this artwork represents. As shown, each circle is numbered with a four digit number starting at 3997 to 4000 which is significant and forms the basis of the song this artwork reflects – as is the signature, Blackburn, Lancs 67 The rainbow back-plate gives support to the song – insomuch that it illustrates the composer’s state of mind.
If you want to know the song this artwork refers to, read the news!
Anyone who has had a dream, an ambition, a life long desire to realise a goal in life and then go on to achieve it, must have, at some stage, been faced with barriers which seemed at the time impossible to get passed.
Regardless of tenacity, there are challenges that are not only unachievable, but go way beyond unrealistic.
Almost every successful venture began as an idea and, as you are aware, without an idea there is not a tangible result.
Before you undertake what could be a monumental challenge, step back and first of all ask yourself, ‘am I seeing the correct picture or am I seeing what I want to see?’
Being confident and positive with the best intensions does not always combat unrealistic hope.
Are you seeing what you think you are seeing?
Where I live
Where you live
Where they live
Where no one lives.
We are familiar with our own environment
We exist and function as part of a community
Beyond the boundary of what we understand, lie the answers to what we don’t understand.
We readily accept what we see and hear because it fits quite neatly into our lives.
In this artwork, I ask you to go a step further than your limited life line and project your ability to understand.
Take on board the possibility that there may be a higher intelligence with answers to questions you have yet to ask.
Go beyond the surrounding area – to vicinity for the mind
Artwork that evokes a reaction should stay in the memory of the viewer.
It is believed that most of us see things in three dimensional, and that what we see stays subliminally in our minds. This artwork addresses what we have the ability to remember based on the number ‘3’.
What we see allows us to make judgement, to calculate what we want to remember and what we want to discard. The colours have been carefully chosen to enable the viewer to remember.
Black, grey, white and red are colours, when put together, have a psychotropic affect on the mind and create a pattern of thought believed to be relaxing.
Here we focus on the three white dots featured in the three black squares.
After a short period, you will begin to see something else.
At first, you will not be aware that each set of three whites dots within the black squares are arranged slightly differently. After a few minutes, you will be seeing something different.
Always remember, your eyes will only allow you to see things in three dimensions.
So don’t always believe what you are seeing
DESTINY –The road home.
How many times have you heard someone say, they were born to do that, they have a God-given talent/gift?
I cannot count how many times I’ve heard the above phrases – I believe I too may have uttered those words a few times in my life without once stopping to think that perhaps regardless of circumstances, self motivation and belief, our fate has been predetermined long before we came into existence.
However, thinking too much about my destiny does inculcate an element of apprehension in me which can at times border onto a degree of fear.
There have been times where I have imagined or dreamt about a scenario that has had less than favourable consequences - only to discover further down the line it had partly become a kind of reality. The good side to this, and there is one, the dream and the eventual reality experience is that far apart, I questioned myself whether it was a dream in the first place...Phew!!! Perhaps that’s why not many of us remember dreams!
Fortune, chance, outcome or luck – I am a strong believer in fate. I don’t believe for one minute if you were able to predict the future then you could control your own destiny. I do believe we are fated to do whatever we are meant to do – whatever the outcome.
We are gatherers of information – facts along the way as we survive to experience one situation after another – leading us to a point where I can only deduce the answers will lie.
It is inevitable that we will all reach the point of realisation.
FATE (Find All That Exists)
How many times have you been in a situation where you had to question your judgement on what you have seen or witnessed?
Indeed, there are times in life when all is not what it seems and we find ourselves in a state of perplexity – confused by what can only be described as a complex dilemma.
As complex as life seems, there is always a solution – a simpler way to look at things.
Sometimes it may be best to take a step back in order to get a clearer perspective when faced with an object which appears to challenge your observation position.
How often have you looked at something and had to look again in order to reassure yourself that what you are looking at or have looked at is what it claims to be?
At first glance, most things or situations appear to be obvious which gives support to our perception and judgement – given that most of us make judgement on what we initially see – albeit sometimes with a limited understanding which can and has throughout history led to devastating conclusions.
Hold your hand out in front of you - roughly about six to eight inches away from your face (palm facing towards you) and focus on it for a while until your hand appears to become out of focus or you can see one too many fingers; some may also experience a spell of dizziness during this exercise so I would suggest you be in the seated position before carrying out this exercise.
Now, imagine you have stepped out of your body and you are observing yourself performing the hand focussing and face exercise. It helps if, when you have managed to achieve the outer-body effect, you observe it from a distance.
Your perception from the outer-body observation point will be different than in reality.
Given that we all have a limited capacity to understand within the context of our living environment, it is conceivable that there are certain phenomenon we will always struggle to comprehend and simple values we have yet to not only identify with, but to appreciate and include as part of our extremely short visit here.
It would be easy for me to say that this artwork represents and gives foundation to the universal phrase, “Never judge a book by its cover” when, although that may be part of the message, it is merely about how we perceive things and how we make judgement based on initial perception.
Bad perception leads to wrong judgements which inevitably lead to wrong decisions.
The corollary of making the wrong decision can and often is beyond comprehension.
One day we will get there!
Do you have the ability to see beyond what is in front of you?
Can you project your vision to a further level and beyond?
Trust me, it is not that easy to achieve, although there are some of us who have what can only be described as a gift to see passed reality.
I often find myself adrift in a kind of daydream – contemplating what the next day will bring – what will be my next thought followed by numerous ‘what ifs’
Do dreams allow us to see further…to know more?
Do we have the ability to visualise an uncertain reality?
Can we extend our vision?
“All that we see or seem
Is but a dream within a dream” Edgar Allan Poe
This artwork is based on a sport - insomuch that all the colours featured in this piece represent the sport which is based on control.
The sport this abstract artwork refers to is Snooker.
Snooker is a sport I am particularly fond of and have followed for a number of years. Early masters of Snooker and Billiards include, Horace Lindrum, Joe Davis, Perry Manns and John Pullman to name but a few paved the way for the snooker sensations of the twentieth and twenty first century who have become household names today.
Names like, Dennis Taylor, John Higgins, Jimmy White, Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry and the genius that is Ronnie O’Sullivan have taken the game of snooker to new heights – putting the game on the global platform.
The Essence of Snooker:
When we see top players effortlessly potting balls, the game of snooker is made to look easy, but it is as far from ‘easy’ as you could possibly get.
What makes a good snooker player?
A number of things make playing snooker easy for some and nothing but frustration for others. One of the most important things that will stand you in good stead to becoming a good snooker player is being able to strike the cue ball directly in the centre – something that is easier said than done. Striking the cue ball dead centre and pushing the cue in a straight line through the cue ball is something most of the top players do consistently. Sports such as, Tennis, Golf and Cricket all require the same technique – being able to push through ball and follow through with a smooth controlled action – obviously there is a little more to it than that, but I have just outlined the basics.
What is really important?
Your stance as you address the cue ball – ideal stance is that of a boxer with most of your weight on your left leg.
You need a solid bridge hand with absolutely no movement from either your bridge hand or your head as you take the shot. Always make sure you have lined up the shot before you get down in your stance. Never just get down on a shot without first lining up the shot or as six times world champion, Steve Davis would do, stand over the shot for a period before committing your cue to the ball.
Never grip the cue too tightly as you will lose most of the feeling of the shot and probably end up imparting unwanted side on the cue ball – something that will more often than not cause you to miss the pot.
Deliver the cue in a smooth controlled way with a brief pause just before you actually strike the cue ball. The pause element was introduced by snooker guru, Frank Callan who has worked with many of the top players and helped them achieve significant results due to the pause. Trust me, the pause has become a very important factor in today’s game.
Remember, a good solid stance, a solid bridge hand, no movement on the shot, push straight through the cue ball in a straight line, centre striking (unless imparting side), light grip on the cue, lining up the shot before getting down on the table and pause just before striking the cue ball.
When you can do all of the above consistently, you will be on your way to doing the one most important thing in snooker – potting balls and being able to control the cue ball.
Control the cue ball and you will control and probably win the game!
We are born alone – into a world filled with lots of born-alones who each represent something that is part of a bigger picture if you will. What that ‘bigger picture’ is remains to be seen.
Ok, I’m sure there have been occasions when you have asked yourself, why am I here? What is my purpose in life? Those questions tend to arise when things are not going too well in our lve
We have all been in situations where, although encompassed in a mesh of born-alone activity, we are isolated and disconnected – in our own personal environment. It’s not that we choose this divided option. It would appear that the option has already been predetermined.
How many times have you been in a crowded elevator, supermarket or in the middle of a traffic jam and still felt totally alone? I suppose, without the need for deep analysis, it could be said that physically you are not alone and of course that would be true, but mentally, well, that’s another issue altogether and something which affects each of us differently.
As humans, we are not given to readily greeting a complete stranger while standing at the bus queue or waiting in a doctor’s surgery, but look for ways not to engage or interact with another born-alone, i.e.; read something, listen to something or simply look up at the sky until your neck experiences a level of discomfort.
In this artwork we see images of born-alones – each with a red mark which represents life-force (humanity).
Each image is an individual with values, purpose, concerns and a conscious, although limited, grasp of how big the ‘bigger picture’ really is. I must confess; I too fit into the same category.
Without wanting to sound obtuse, whilst I do understand why we mentally isolate ourselves, I also struggle to take on board why we are unable to become unhinged from a regime which inevitably leads to serious consequences.
Crisolation is a state of being alone in a crowd – Crisolation (Crowded Isolation).
In the time it takes for a ball to bounce once, what could you have done?
How far could you have walked?
How far could you have run?
How many decisions could you have made?
In the time it took for the ball to bounce once, did your decision make a difference?
Was there enough time?
Were you nervous?
In the time it took for the ball to bounce once, did your time stand still?
Where is that ball now?
Why did you walk away?
Were you scared?
This is not about a ball bouncing.
This is about the decision you make when it is time for you to make it.
As humans we most of us live our lives based on routines and regimes that bring a sense of balance to our existence.
We become creatures of habit – maintaining an equilibrium which enables us to function, thus getting through our daily activities in a regulated almost military fashion. The question is; could we survive without balance, without stability and without routine?
There are those who claim not to follow a routine or have a regulated lifestyle.
I believe that as soon as we are born we instantly become part of the big picture. We enter into the world of balance where all that we do is monitored, logged, stored and categorized until we leave the ‘big picture’. I suppose in a way we are all part of a conglomerate; a huge partnership where everything we do has an effect on the overall balance ...or does it?
In this artwork we see levels of balance as depicted by shapes that are seemingly fused into the background as a kind of optical illusion if you will.
The reason I have chosen to make the shapes visually challenging is because I believe balance is something we cannot see, although we instinctively know when there isn’t a sense of balance.
I have always subscribed to the saying, “everything happens for a reason” and firmly believe that without certain chain of events, irrespective of how bizarre they may seem at the time, we would cease to function. It doesn’t matter what we do in life, it won’t change the outcome and it won’t affect the balance.
If you believe for one moment you do not have a routine or regular pattern to your life then try and orchestrate a regime where there is no balance.
Trust me, you will more than struggle.