Wow! I love your artwork! I am the same with both my painting and my writing. Sometimes words just fall off my fingers and onto the page (and then I refine them) . Painting is even more that process. I start fiddling with colors or a line and I see where it takes me.
I hope you are enjoying Peru (or did enjoy it?). I spent some time in Colombia some years back.... interesting places, for sure!
Still trying to catch up on unread Substacks (getting there) and stay on top of my weekly column (not sure, we’ll see) so I’m quite late on commenting.
You may well be back home by the time you read this. If not, I hope you have an amazing trip! Tina and I visited in 2007, seeing all of the areas you’ll be seeing and then spending a few days in the Amazon. It was incredible. I’m sure you’ll love it and I look first to hearing about it.
One thing to look out for in the Peruvian art is the manner in which the indigenous population painted the Christian icons in their paintings. They were banned by the colonizers from worshipping their own gods like Pachamama, Mother Earth. But the artists paid homage nonetheless by transferring iconography from their own religious traditions into the European style colonial religious art. It’s fascinating. A common example includes painting the Virgin Mary in a triangular dress reminiscent of the shape of mountains thus directly honoring Pachamama while mimicking European religious art techniques and styles.
Your writing and painting process sounds a lot like mine. One of my abstracts is called "A Conversation Between Lovers". I've always wanted to go to Peru, especially Machu Picchu. Can't wait to hear what you write about your experiences there. As always I enjoyed what you shared about the Incas and the music selections. And I loved your painting! Safe travels, my friend.
Thank you, Deborah. I have spotty wifi here in Peru (loving it so far, btw). I also enjoyed the two poems you shared. While sitting on a bus, I did try to properly comment on your latest post but, alas, it was lost. I will try again!
Peru will be a phenomenal experience, I'm sure. I was just listening to BBC Radio 4's This Cultural Life, and interview with Simon McBurney. Towards the end of the show, he talked about his production 'The Encounter'; he talked about spending time with the nomadic Mayoruna and how he came to realise that they had a fundamentally different way of seeing the world. He described how, for them, there is a lack of frontier between the contents of the mind and the forest. I say so it is for us all, even if we've lost the deeper sense that all is connected. For most, there's a kind of perceptual frontier obscuring this sense. It made me think of your piece and the trip you're about to make. I suppose you won't be meeting any Mayoruna in the depths of the Amazon but I can't wait to read about your experiences there. During my very brief visits to Argentina and Chile, it was painfully obvious how conflicted these places are with the history of European invasion, occupation, opportunism exploitation, ongoing environmental distruction, dictatorships, mass kidnappings and disappearances. At the same time, the cities border some of the wildest and most extreme environments on earth and those that still live as part of them.
I've never been to Peru but I've heard fascinating stuff from friends and family who visited over the years (I grew up in Argentina, which is geographically not far, but miles away in many respects). Enjoy the adventure!
This sounds like a great way to set up what I'm sure will be a brilliant trip, Michael. I get that feeling of finding out where a piece of writing or visual art is going as you enter into conversation with it. And I also recognise the benefits of taking a break from such work rather than trying to cram too much in. When I started writing on Substack last November, I made a commitment to write at least one post a week. It worked for a while but I'm really glad I took time away when I needed space for other things (home life and work), particularly in April and June this year.
Chile and Peru are countries dear to my heart. I studied the literature of both when I was a student and spent time in both during my university year abroad. I always have an ear open for music from these countries, though I haven't followed them as closely in recent years. I do have LPs by La Hell Gang and Chicos de Nazca, so your post has inspired me to give them another spin (thanks!). I don't have that Analog Africa comp, but I'm tempted to pick it up. I have another one released by Tiger's Milk/Strut called Peru Maravilloso, which is indeed marvellous.
Well, I hope you have a wonderful trip and I look forward to reading any reflections you post on your return.
Thank you, Richard. We are super excited. There have been many years where we have said - "I'd love to go to Peru," and months spent planning it. Now, it finally happens.
What an amazing year abroad you spent. I studied the art of Native America, Africa, and Papua New Guinea and I would love to one day go to the Sepik River area of PNG.
I have a huge soft spot for Chicos de Nazca. Some of their early stuff reminds me of the English band SunDial, but 'Blowing Inside' and 'Rainbow See The Seal' are two albums close to my heart (unfortunately, the latter wasn't pressed on LP). That particular La Hell Gang album, where they begin to morph into Chicos, is also tremendous.
Analog Africa is such a killer label. I actually like some of their non-African releases even more than the African ones. I highly recommend the 'Peru Selvatico' comp. It is one of the best albums I have bought this year. I'll also check out the 'Peru Maravilloso' comp (I just tried to download it on Spotify, and it appears to have been pulled. I will definitely investigate when I return as I'm sure Mississippi Records will have it!).
Cheers also for sharing your insight into Peru and Chile and being gracious with oneself when finding space to take necessary breaks.
Loved your last piece, btw. There's so much there to keep going back to discover.
As soon as I saw "Peru", I had a good sense of where this was headed! You'll appreciate what I'm posting at the end of the week (when you get back anyway). Sounds like a really great trip, good for you getting to take it, and I'm sure there will be reflections for us to read about upon your return to the digisphere.
About meeting a painting, I like that idea. I understand that moment so well but have never been good at articulating it—funny, when it was that simple all along!
Thanks, Jamie. I always look forward to your posts. Depending on where I am in Peru, cell service, etc., I will enjoy reading your upcoming piece with a morning coffee. Cheers!
Wow! I love your artwork! I am the same with both my painting and my writing. Sometimes words just fall off my fingers and onto the page (and then I refine them) . Painting is even more that process. I start fiddling with colors or a line and I see where it takes me.
I hope you are enjoying Peru (or did enjoy it?). I spent some time in Colombia some years back.... interesting places, for sure!
Thank you! I have traveled a lot, and I will say that in so many ways, Peru was the most enriching and impactful place I have ever been to.
Colombia is definitely on our list. We had friends who lived in Bogota for three years, and they loved it.
Still trying to catch up on unread Substacks (getting there) and stay on top of my weekly column (not sure, we’ll see) so I’m quite late on commenting.
You may well be back home by the time you read this. If not, I hope you have an amazing trip! Tina and I visited in 2007, seeing all of the areas you’ll be seeing and then spending a few days in the Amazon. It was incredible. I’m sure you’ll love it and I look first to hearing about it.
One thing to look out for in the Peruvian art is the manner in which the indigenous population painted the Christian icons in their paintings. They were banned by the colonizers from worshipping their own gods like Pachamama, Mother Earth. But the artists paid homage nonetheless by transferring iconography from their own religious traditions into the European style colonial religious art. It’s fascinating. A common example includes painting the Virgin Mary in a triangular dress reminiscent of the shape of mountains thus directly honoring Pachamama while mimicking European religious art techniques and styles.
Your writing and painting process sounds a lot like mine. One of my abstracts is called "A Conversation Between Lovers". I've always wanted to go to Peru, especially Machu Picchu. Can't wait to hear what you write about your experiences there. As always I enjoyed what you shared about the Incas and the music selections. And I loved your painting! Safe travels, my friend.
Thank you, Deborah. I have spotty wifi here in Peru (loving it so far, btw). I also enjoyed the two poems you shared. While sitting on a bus, I did try to properly comment on your latest post but, alas, it was lost. I will try again!
Peru will be a phenomenal experience, I'm sure. I was just listening to BBC Radio 4's This Cultural Life, and interview with Simon McBurney. Towards the end of the show, he talked about his production 'The Encounter'; he talked about spending time with the nomadic Mayoruna and how he came to realise that they had a fundamentally different way of seeing the world. He described how, for them, there is a lack of frontier between the contents of the mind and the forest. I say so it is for us all, even if we've lost the deeper sense that all is connected. For most, there's a kind of perceptual frontier obscuring this sense. It made me think of your piece and the trip you're about to make. I suppose you won't be meeting any Mayoruna in the depths of the Amazon but I can't wait to read about your experiences there. During my very brief visits to Argentina and Chile, it was painfully obvious how conflicted these places are with the history of European invasion, occupation, opportunism exploitation, ongoing environmental distruction, dictatorships, mass kidnappings and disappearances. At the same time, the cities border some of the wildest and most extreme environments on earth and those that still live as part of them.
Safe travels - hope you have a fantastic trip!
Thank you, Matt!
I've never been to Peru but I've heard fascinating stuff from friends and family who visited over the years (I grew up in Argentina, which is geographically not far, but miles away in many respects). Enjoy the adventure!
Thank you, Andres!
This sounds like a great way to set up what I'm sure will be a brilliant trip, Michael. I get that feeling of finding out where a piece of writing or visual art is going as you enter into conversation with it. And I also recognise the benefits of taking a break from such work rather than trying to cram too much in. When I started writing on Substack last November, I made a commitment to write at least one post a week. It worked for a while but I'm really glad I took time away when I needed space for other things (home life and work), particularly in April and June this year.
Chile and Peru are countries dear to my heart. I studied the literature of both when I was a student and spent time in both during my university year abroad. I always have an ear open for music from these countries, though I haven't followed them as closely in recent years. I do have LPs by La Hell Gang and Chicos de Nazca, so your post has inspired me to give them another spin (thanks!). I don't have that Analog Africa comp, but I'm tempted to pick it up. I have another one released by Tiger's Milk/Strut called Peru Maravilloso, which is indeed marvellous.
Well, I hope you have a wonderful trip and I look forward to reading any reflections you post on your return.
Thank you, Richard. We are super excited. There have been many years where we have said - "I'd love to go to Peru," and months spent planning it. Now, it finally happens.
What an amazing year abroad you spent. I studied the art of Native America, Africa, and Papua New Guinea and I would love to one day go to the Sepik River area of PNG.
I have a huge soft spot for Chicos de Nazca. Some of their early stuff reminds me of the English band SunDial, but 'Blowing Inside' and 'Rainbow See The Seal' are two albums close to my heart (unfortunately, the latter wasn't pressed on LP). That particular La Hell Gang album, where they begin to morph into Chicos, is also tremendous.
Analog Africa is such a killer label. I actually like some of their non-African releases even more than the African ones. I highly recommend the 'Peru Selvatico' comp. It is one of the best albums I have bought this year. I'll also check out the 'Peru Maravilloso' comp (I just tried to download it on Spotify, and it appears to have been pulled. I will definitely investigate when I return as I'm sure Mississippi Records will have it!).
Cheers also for sharing your insight into Peru and Chile and being gracious with oneself when finding space to take necessary breaks.
Loved your last piece, btw. There's so much there to keep going back to discover.
As soon as I saw "Peru", I had a good sense of where this was headed! You'll appreciate what I'm posting at the end of the week (when you get back anyway). Sounds like a really great trip, good for you getting to take it, and I'm sure there will be reflections for us to read about upon your return to the digisphere.
About meeting a painting, I like that idea. I understand that moment so well but have never been good at articulating it—funny, when it was that simple all along!
Thanks, Jamie. I always look forward to your posts. Depending on where I am in Peru, cell service, etc., I will enjoy reading your upcoming piece with a morning coffee. Cheers!