Quest – Natural Health Show

This week 2nd-5th July I will be at the Quest – Natural Health show at Newton Abbot Racecourse, Devon. I have never been to Devon with my work before so I’m really looking forward to it. This is also the first time i have done a show that has music, Exhibitions, workshops and camping all at one event.
You can find me on Stand 43 in the Exhibitions hall and i will have all my usual prints on show plus my 4 new images:- Nondulism, Crucifying the Ego, Waiting for you to Arrive and Summer Solstice . I’d love it if you would drop by and say hi as i sadly don’t get to this part of England very often (well it’s a long walk from clacton lol) it would be great to meet you. I’m always very happy to talk about my work should you have any questions, I always find it is much easier for me to talk about what i do that write about it.

I will be sneaking away from my stand so i can attend the Tim Freke (the stand up Philosopher) Workshop I also thinking about doing one on poi(poi is originally from New Zealand and was a tribial Maori Art (see video below. I’m glad to see that some people i know from previous show will also be at quest Tim Wheater, Steve Judd and Barbara Meiklejohn-Free. Hope to see you there.

view the informative website for details for more details:-
http://www.questuk.co.uk/

Below is a You tube video which has a few images from previous quest shows

2 Short poi videos

The Art that changed a World (back to basics)

Lost? Lost (some online definitions):

No longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered…
Having gone astray or missed the way; bewildered as to place, direction, etc…
Not used to good purpose, as opportunities, time, or labour; wasted…
Spiritually or physically doomed or destroyed…
Distracted; distraught; desperate; hopeless…
Unable to function; without help…

The feeling of being lost is all around us. You can see it in people’s eyes, in what they say, in the way they walk, and by the way they live: consuming everything that moves in the hope that something will take the feeling away.

Life, it would appear, simply hasn’t lived up to the TV billing. Fortune, fame and success has not brought happiness to those that have it, in fact they are often more lost than the rest of us.

We are given clues everyday that life is not really the way we perceive it, but the weight of conformity presses us to keep living in an out of balance and dis-empowering manner.

For most of us, it is our simple perception that cuts us off from each other and a world of profound wonders, beauty and the chance to be found. We need to return our lives to a point of balance and we need to do it fast.

So this it would appear is now my fundamental purpose in life and the reason for my art. This is not one of those – ‘your life solved in one hour’ kind of teachings. My work and views of it I guarantee will give you as it has me, far more questions than answers. My life is simply another among many, that has the best of intentions, that offers a host of possibilities and asks you to explore yourself on every level.

My teaching via this art is not a cure all, I have found that such things are as rare as original thought, which my view points don’t claim to be either. The only claim I can make is I personally feel better for changing my perception of the world and for waking up and asking the important questions again.

You will have seen this blog is called ‘the art that change a world’. This is not some arrogant statement about my work despite those that will misread it that way. I did not say ‘the art that change the world’ as that would be not only misleading but totally incorrect. Sure to some the difference may seem finite, but in truth it simply goes to show how quickly people jump to the wrong conclusions. My art has changed a world, it has changed my world and so that being the case the title stands perfectly justified.

The title suggests we all live in our own different worlds. This idea is not me just trying to be clever, it is a simple and I believe correct observation of how many people do view their lives.
For example the homeless person that lives under a railway bridge does not see themselves as living in the same world as a top flight executive. A mother of three in a welfare apartment does not see that she lives in the same world as a playboy model. Sadly it is the perception of most that we are all basically different. I maintain that if it was not the case the world would be in a state of balance, many social problems we face would be radically reduced and all my work would be pointless.

Until the creations of the art and my search for their meanings, I have to say I had never really analyzed how distorted my view on the world was. In fact I have to be perfectly honest and say I never really thought on such things on any deep level. I preferred to just go with what I now see as the dis-empowering flow.

My aim is not to prove or disprove theories. You can take or leave the concepts I have drawn from my work and replace them with your own.
In the writing of my blogs, I have tried to avoid excessive explanation in full knowledge that each topic raised has been written in great depth by others. These blogs avoided over complication on theories so as to be accessible to all and writeable by me. If you wish to discover more on anything I have written the bookshelves of the world lie waiting ……

How to view my Art

I am first and foremost a visionary artist. As an artist I see nowadays the emotional level of static art is lost on many, after all are we not in a constant state of sensory overload – full of colour and movement. To that end I say to you as I often do myself: – stop, close your eyes, breathe and look, now what do you see and feel.

What you see is right for you and that is all that matters. I have been told often that some of the works resonate more from angles other than the one I have presented them. These works have been created for you to view as much as me. They are like a mirror to your soul; different people see different things in them depending on their state of mind and visual perception.

I know many people who use the works for colour healing, meditation, hypnotherapy aides even psychic reading. If you have an interest in any of these areas you may like to see how they work for you in that way. Personally I have little experience in any of these subjects but I know those that find them hugely beneficial. I have been told many wonderful things about my work and how it has come to me. I am simply happy to be able to produce something that affects people so deeply. It is my hope that my artwork will give you joy for many years.

Namaste Tony

www.tonypinfold.com (Main website)
www.tonypinfold.biz (online gallery and shop)

A man who only ever stands watching nature will know no more or less than those who spend a whole life time in search of the truth. As to which one truly lives, is all a matter of perspective. Tony Pinfold 07

Eckhart Tolle on YouTube

It’s been a while since i posted any Eckhart Tolle videos, so I thought as I’m working on a blog about the Ego which is really not flowing for me, I would side step that for a few days and just post some videos which you may enjoy as I have.

 

www.eckharttolle.com

Hanging Man Art Work

Some time ago I was asked if I could produce some graphics for a video to go along with my very good friend Peter Ulrich’s new track which was in production called the "Hanging Man". This haunting ‘gothic’ folk single of love, murder and eternal retribution, from City Canyons Records combined the music of Peter (formerly of "Dead Can Dance") with the voice of City Canyons’ artist Sara Wendt and instrumental contributions of New York indie super group, The Jayne Canyons Band.

The finished Track proves that an ocean in this UK/US project is no longer a obstacle to producing great music, one more reason to thank the internet and broadband.

I’m pleased to say the track is now out to buy at CD baby
http://cdbaby.com/cd/ulrichwendt (you can listen to a snippet of it here also)

This special enhanced release of "Hanging Man," has my for mentioned video on it which shows a return to the darker visuals of the past. I think it complements the track well, thankfully my original graphic concepts seemed to resonate with everyone so I didn’t have to do much tweaking to what i gave city Canyon http://www.citycanyons.com/.

This was a good thing as I’m not much for tweaking, what comes to me is often all there is and then I like to move on. Hence why i don’t normally take on projects any more and could never bare to be a conventional commercial artist/photographer with all that ‘well we like it ……BUT… could you change….’ (you know the kind of thing).

If You are not aware of the music of Peter Ulrich (why not ? lol) I recommend you check out his MySpace page http://www.myspace.com/peterulrich
or his website http://www.themysterium.info/

Below is my photograph ‘Natures Scream’ just one of the graphics which features in the video ‘Hanging Man’

Voting , politics and spirituality

Today I will be voting in the euro elections, why? what’s the point I hear people say across UK. Sadly apathy runs very deep when it come to voting and I can understand why, many people still watch the news and despair at politicians and what they get up to. They seem to always be manipulating the truth, feathering their own nests and at worst breaking the law. People say oh they don’t know what it’s like to be me, they don’t care about me, I only see my MP when it’s time to vote or they want something. Personally I don’t think as politicians as some kind of divine being. I don’t think they have evolved some morally superior gene to everyone else, what I’m trying to say is they are just people and people do what people do. I know no one that has walked the path of life bathed by truth, love and perfection everyday. In truth most people who appear nice, friendly even saintly given a position of power would make the goings on in parliaments look like a day at the Kindergarten. So expect no more from Politian’s then you do yourself, friends or neighbours.

So given what I have just said I hear many people say once again – Why Vote?

Here are my reason why I believe not voting is not cool, helpful or making some deep moral statement.

We in the UK and luckily we have a relative amount of freedom, most of the time. We get to go, do and see what we like. No we don’t have total freedom, but let face it on an earthy plane total freedom is not an option especially with most of our brains still transfixed with fear and gain. We have this relatively free country not by accident but by blood sweat and tears, our forefathers/mothers (if they lived in the country) striked, marched and even fought and died to give us the right to vote. People in the past did things we would think twice about doing just so we can complain about our leaders and not face beatings, hangings, beheadings or slavery. Given that, is getting off our arse and placing a vote once every few years such a chore?

Not voting or defacing your voting slip is simply a act of, betral and insult to all those who still don’t have the right to vote across the world, who will still have to face harm even death to gain what we see as a basic right or in many cases a pointless act.

Many spiritual and non spiritual people make that sweeping statement I have no interest in politics, what they are truly saying is that they have no interest in life or the lives of others. For politics prevails every action in life, In fact almost  every decision we make is political. In fact it could be said those of us who see ourselves as spiritual are more political than we know. We want peace (a political act) we want the right to worship as we wish (a political act), we want the right to walk in nature or save it or even hug a tree (a political act) even the right to write this blog is a a political act. So while you may not be able to relate to men and women that wear suits your right to look like an Indian  yogi or wear what you like, read what you want, think what you want depends on them.

While many would not like to think as Jesus, Buddha, Mohamed  as Politian’s they where political, their words that speak of action or non action are all political and without the right politicians in power you would not even know of these great avatars. Most teenagers just 20 years on in China are unaware of Tiananmen Square demonstrations simply because of the power of politicians to shape the thinking and knowledge of people.

So Vote today even if you really don’t fully understand why your voting because today just by placing an x on a piece of paper you have the ability to shape you world just a little bit. Voting is as spiritual of an act as anything else in life. If you love life and nature even the air you breath you must vote today even if it’s just to say ‘I’m alive and I do care’.

Never forget there are those that will vote today for parties who’s underlining aim will be to increase separation, hate and fear. Trust me they will not display apathy in their misguided but understandable views and actions.

see this link it may help understand the whole euro thing a bit  http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7819889.stm

Here are just some links to party websites

green party http://www.greenparty.org.uk/ 

Liberal http://www.liberal.org.uk/policies/index.htm

Conservative http://www.conservatives.com/Policy.aspx

green party http://www.greenparty.org.uk/ 

UK party http://www.ukip.org

Finally just in case you were wondering I will be breaking from a life time of voting liberal to vote for the green party. Many people will say this is a wasted vote but this is once again a misguided view that will only keep the same parties in power. Voting for the party you believe in that most stands for you views of how the country and world should be run should never be seen as a waste.

I am happy for you to know I will be voting for the green party this time. You can read their manifesto pdf below, I believe that we must change our outlook radically not just because I fear global warming (I don’t) just because I think all life should be respected and that we are here to care for the planet among other things during our time on earth. Anyway have a great day celebrating your freedom. 

http://www.greenparty.org.uk/assets/files/EU_Manifesto_2009.pdf

Fame is not the answer

As you will know I don’t make a habit of watching reality TV programs for two reasons they are not ‘real’ and they are not my idea of TV. But I do not live under a rock (as far as I know) so I am aware of Susan Boyle the Britain’s got talent ‘Star’. I am also aware that from the outset she was the ultimate living metaphor to my favourite topic ‘challenging perceptions’. To look at, no one would give this woman the time of day in fact most people would give her a wide birth if they saw her coming towards them at best, and at worst they would mock her with a look or a word. So how sweet it is that when Susan opened her mouth and sung, egos across the land lay gobsmacked and confused, the stability of the world was lost for a few minutes even Simon Cowell appeared to be speechless, sadly (most would say) an effect that only lasted for a few seconds.

Ego’s across the land questioned to themselves this couldn’t be right surely only beautiful people had a right to sing like this. In a world where every person on TV has to be caked in makeup so we don’t have to be repulsed by the reality of  a spot or pimple, here was a living embodiment of a character from a Victor Hugo novel before the mass public on Saturday night TV …HD TV’S were not created for this ego’s ranted across the land as they  grabbed for another can of lager to dull to pain of another unfulfilled Saturday night.

But despite this Susan Boyle was permitted by the beautiful people to play the game of fame. With the blessing of Simon the patron saint of false dreams, Susan Boyle became the new face on the nations tabloids first in a positive ‘If Susan can do it we all have hope’ kind of way but soon it turned into a woman hunt and the pound of flesh all celebrities in the modern world must pay. Paparazzi routing through gutters and bins to discover what dark secrets Boyle may have…Was she a really a man, a lesbian, a figment of Simon Cowell’s money making imagination who knew but as bastions of the ‘truth?’ they would find out.

To cut a story sort the media delighted in discovering that this lady was flawed in more ways than her looks (which of course we all are) she was less than stable (aren’t we all) and prone to fits of out rage (still most people I know) and just more than a little bit weird (there’s none so queer as folk). Basically the media clapped for joy (behind a guise of needing to bring us the ‘facts’) for they could now put a nations ego’s at rest Susan was not as our ego’s had first thought ‘one of us’ she was just a freak!

Of course nothing could be further from the truth. We are all freaks under layers of failed attempts to fit in and play the game called life. Some people like the models I use to shoot as a photographer, to look the way we would want all people to look but scratch the surface and the flaws are just busting to escape. I’m honest enough to say that if I have to look at a image of a woman I would rather look at Pamela Anderson than Susan Boyle as I would a rose over a nettle but I know that both are as perfect as they are flawed. We are all unique yet the same. We all want love, to be appreciated, adored. Some have a head start because they are wrapped in a thin package of beauty, but the reason we are all so unhappy is because we know the ugliness of our own minds – the ranting of our egos.

Susan Boyle is now in care at an exclusive clinic after an ‘emotional breakdown’. I would say that her minds or bodies reactions was perfectly normal when you consider what it has had to endure over the past weeks. I can not say what will become of this play thing of a media that doesn’t’ care. I hope that just as she stood for a few seconds all of us that don’t fit in but would like to , she will stand as a warning to us that if that is ‘fitting in’ or ‘making it’ ..you can keep it .

As those women that meet the medias physical grade (the pussycat dolls) said with great wisdom in one of there song’

‘be careful of what you wish for you might just get …you might just get it.’

Fame that is offered by today’s TV is far uglier than the most twisted mind could imagine. It offers nothing more to it’s victor than a poisoned chalice .

There are no better lives, only different ones.