Saturday 6 December 2008

The Man in the Baseball Cap

One of the highlight of coming to Bristol is undoubtedly meeting the man in the baseball cap.

Beyond and above the fact that he is quite a demigod in this arena, one who inherit so much directly from the Nine and bridges the gap to the new generation, there is something special about him.

I think he is hungry.

He is still hungry after more than 60 years and even now desires to keep his edge keen.
He truly loves what he does. For to desire 'to go into seclusion so that he can continue perusing his love' speaks much of this.

He seems to me to have a deep respect and liking for Katsushika Hokusai. And indeed, he much embodies that spirit.

At seventy-three I learned a little about the real structure of animals, plants, birds, fishes and insects. Consequently when I am eighty I'll have made more progress. At ninety I'll have penetrated the mystery of things. At a hundred I shall have reached something marvelous, but when I am a hundred and ten everything I do, the smallest dot, will be alive.

the road goes ever on...

Since the age of six I have had the habit of sketching forms of objects. Although from about fifty I have often published my pictorial works, before the seventieth year none is worthy.

to realize 'your worth', perhaps it is those who have seen the Earth like a sparkling sapphire pea who knows the worth of Everest.

How would I describe a successful artist? Nay, an artist at all?

If Heaven had only granted me five more years, I could have become a real painter.

That is what it is about, to be a true artist.

If I may ask,

for a heart that never satisfied and also never give up,
that I will love my first love more than I ever does in the last days of my life,
that I will still itch to conjure, so long as there is strength left in my hands,
and for the Undying Will.

I heartily wish the man in the baseball cap to find what he seeks and enjoy his years to come, doing what he is pleased with. May he live till a hundred and ten and five years more still, for I would certainly look forward to see more of his magics and wizardry yet.

What a privilege to meet you, in that humble yet all-too-important place.

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