Domont - The Blog of an Artist

Journey India

2009-02-08T04:52:00.027+07:00

Soul of India

India has probably been described with as many words as there are souls there.

In the weeks that I was in Southern India, I feel I have a genuine taste of a vast and multi-layered, multi-ethnic, multi-textured world. It is a harsh and continous enviroment. India is loud and dirty, and the traffic non patterns are down right freaky. It is also a sublime and peaceful opportunity for learning and growth and self-examination.

Circle of Life

I wonder if the various approaches to surrender grew in India because that is all one can do there. The vastness, the multitudes, the onslaught of speed and noise and everyone just to survive, create an atmosphere where one can do little else but accept, surrender and allow.

These ideas of acceptance and surrender are deep within the Buddhist and Hindu cultures...they are shores of the river, banks of Siddahartha's wanderings to find the middle path.

Veiled Brahmins

Who Are You?

Timeless Pilgrim

I thought I would see India by motorcycle; so I rented a bike... got some bungee chords and practiced on the road a bit... it started to rain and it rained all day... I turned the bike in and traveled by bus and taxi. It was a good decision. Indian truck and bus drivers have no sensitivity other then pressing on. The middle line on the road is meaningless. Many times my car had to pull off the road into the dirt to avoid a mass of oncoming pounding metal. Then there are the cows and the water buffalo, the ox carts and the bicycles. There are people, more people and the rice drying on the road. There are potholes and motorcycles carrying more load than you put into your car. Motorcycles carry racks of pots and pans, and metal bars and plastic and rice and goats. It is the most fascinating place I have ever been.

Times Have Changed

The Inner Sanctum

I saw dozens of ancient temples and throngs of Indians at prayer and giving offerings. They are as serious about their religious ways as they are of making money and surviving. India's take on religion is like throwing a deck of cards into the air, eventually light falls onto each card. There appears to be great tolerance and devotion here.

The God and the Priest

I loved the sculpture in the temples. The relief carvings of the gods showed so much ancient history and mythology to me. The flying gods, the winged carriages are comfortable images for me. I have studied religion and religious history since I was a teenager. I see the elevating of mythology to the realm of the sacred to be half the reason the world is in the state it is in. The other and perhaps more underlying causes are greed and ego. We are so afraid to survive; we are so determined to vaue ourselves more than the experience of life itself. So we are in a state of global chaos, fuelled by sibling rivalry over who knows "daddy" best. It is a sad and insane result to the opportunity we have to know the ease and beauty of living. I was able to see the Dali Llama speak in India. He is a kind and bright man. When asked "are the world's troubles caused by ego?" he simply said "yes."

The Colors of India

Seeing Ganesh

Sleep Among Sales

Traveling is a great opportunity for meeting oneself, being tested and learning one's own tolerances. It is also a great opportunity for luck in the form of people that you meet along the way. I was lucky enough to spend a good deal of time with two Australians, the infamous Gerald Frape and Kathryn McGoldrick. They were truly gracious good friends from the get go. Sharing poetry that we had each written turned into exploring temples, ashrams, food and bookshops and marketplaces together.

Receiving A Blessing

Purified Blessings

I am glad to have survived India and miss it each day. It is a place that becomes your skin, it swallows you with no harm if you keep your wits about you. It then begins to strip down your outsides to your insides. It brings the essential to life, and that is life, the essential.

Pilgrims

Our Daily Bling

Looking For It

Indian Labor

Hypnotic Faith

Hunger

Ganesh Walking

Dancing to the Eye

Brahmins in the Temple

Dancing the Goddess

Listening hear her

Look she is showing herself

Listening hear her

Battered Soul

One Dancer Two Faces

Journey Myanmar

2009-01-05T05:08:00.021+07:00

Bangon Horizon

Bangon Dusk

I was a bit selfish to go there, with sanctions against their regime. I went to see the temples at Bangon; a site as old as Angkor Wat in Cambodia. I wanted to visit a site so rich in ancient cultural religious history. It is now said to be the largest producer of methamphetamine in the world.
So, for $100 I flew into Yangon and then down to Bangon. For $20 a day you can hire a horse and buggy to get around. There are about 40 sq. km of temples and ruins. There has been a great deal of reconstruction in a modern way, and sadly that detracts. I took a lot of images, did some writing and drawing.
Perhaps the best part of my journey here was the journaling I have been doing. It is a strange time to be out on the road. Our country is going through such turmoil, the international human crisis, and the art business lurching to a halt. All these add up to changes for everyone. Business is slow for everyone everywhere. People are afraid, as they say, "The United States sneezes and the whole world catches cold".

Illusion

In Myanmar, every stick counts for firewood or construction. There is a lot of poverty, there is threat to the Buddhist life, and the middle class are driving around in modified SUVs listening to hip-hop. I stayed in a hotel with an Xmas tree and a Fourth of July garland in the lobby, the music sound system was playing "We Are The World". I spent New Year's Day with a monk who watches over a meditation cave. We talked and I received some more instruction on meditation and had a righteous good time!

Day After Day

Gate Light

Hey Mister!

I don't know why I chase around the world with a camera, it is what I have always done. It doesn't seem so practical given the state of economic woes we all face. Yet my life has been about discovery. Looking for guidance in my own life, and looking for what we all share. The one truth we can agree on is "Life", the living moment. Not so complicated. I have struggled internally as a man with one foot in each world. The mystic experience came to me when I 14, it has not been easy sorting out myself, life and my role and work as an artist. It all seems better for me now. We are flesh and spirit and we long to find our way for food and balance. I have found contentment in experiencing the truth of both worlds inside of me. Life is the teacher of the gift, we learn what we can and inside and out, all the lessons are true together. There is no duality, only realms of learning.

Meditation Bliss

On The Way

Vision

Gate Light

Bangkok Market

2008-12-25T08:28:00.003+07:00

Luang Pra Bang

2008-12-21T02:27:00.008+07:00

Morning Fire Light

Basket Prayer

alone in alone
river current drift
moon music hours

Dream Flow Bangkok

2008-12-19T09:54:00.006+07:00

Night Monks on the River

Night Flow on the Chao Phraya River

Journey Laos

2008-12-17T09:47:00.013+07:00

Luang Pra Bang

Monk Walk

Life Boat

Mehkong Moment

Sunset Plain of Jars

Loation Full Moon
Birth Crucible Graveyard
Ancient Story Living

Ancient Story

Burmese Border

2008-12-14T01:12:00.006+07:00

I spent last weekend in the country near the Burmese border. The 5th of December is the King's birthday and my brother Rob's birthday. I went with some friends from Bangkok… it was a 6 hour drive, rice fields, mountain forests, streams, and orchid growers.

I went to an orphanage for border children. Soon it was, "Khun Lung"…Mr. Uncle…being an Uncle is one of my most favorite personal roles in life. There is truth, freedom, and love with my 4 nieces and nephews. It is wonderful the way it carries over to the other circumstances in the world for me.

So here is the start of some fun and more to come from these brave and natural children…

Bamboo Tiger Stream

Mountian path Pick-up

Orphans sing laughter.

Pnart is someone who has for the past 20 years lived on the Burmese border taking in refuge children. He is a master of singing bowl meditations and supports the orphanage by giving concerts. He as well has started a cottage industry in the town nearby. The locals make money sewing and he and his wife sell his fashions to tourists. It is one of the happier places on the planet I have ever been.

Postscript to the Program

2008-12-14T00:39:00.010+07:00

The program finished, and I have turned in my reports to Washington. I am proud to be a part of a selected group of American artists and Embassy workers around the world who developed this State Department program since 1964. I want to add to my blog, the review section of outstanding individuals that created my program for me, with me and for the people of Thailand as well as for the good will and sincere intentions of The United States.

John with Ambassador John and his wife Sofia

I want to acknowledge Ambassador John and his wife Sofia, for recognizing me to be a good candidate for this program. I love to talk and share ideas. My programs and the content of my work were a good bridge to and for the Thai People. I thank Ambassador John and his wife for their active insight and support of this program and my extended involvement.

The Ambassador, a native Hoosier and Sofia are the best of "Who We Are".

Elizabeth Ash, in Washington. She provided structure and schedule all along the way. Her step by step approach allowed for the discovery and sharing of ideas and information in a timely and well organized fashion as to allow for the natural and professional creation, structure and unfolding of the actual program.

Ann Casper

Ann Casper in Bangkok did very well in terms of program oversight in Bangkok. She helped the whole program roll-out.

Sam Werberg

Sam Werberg is one of the finest people I have ever had the privlege of working with. He is smart, and emotionally balanced. With his affable company I was able to walk into each venue, prepared and relaxed. He really helped me to land on the aircraft carrier. He is like x-generation meets Borscht Belt comedian.

Khun Kelly Kanchalee

Last but not least, Khun Kelly Kanchalee. She is a Thai dedicated to the love and service of her country. She is professional and well thought out. In the field she became an active participant and partner in the delivery and explanation of my program.

She looked after me and kept focus with me as we walked through our program. Kelly Kanchalee is the field person with the insight of day-to-day Thai life who was able to so effectively create this program. She is a tireless team player and creator for the good of her Country and the Embassy she loves and works for.

Sadly, I close the chapter on the "John and Kelly Road Show".

Day 12

2008-12-14T00:23:00.009+07:00

Day 12, Wednesday the 26th of November, was the last official day of my program. I had been sad for a few days already. I absolutely loved doing this work. This was such a rich experience of sharing and giving for me. Someday, if I make it to the ol' rockin chair, I will always have this… American Artist Abroad, a cultural diplomat for my country. A role given freely, supporting my humanistic ideas and art works. My country, my work, my life, the people of Thailand…it was the sweetest of opportunities and kismet for my life. I really did not want it to end.

Khon Kaen University Srinagarind group

So, the last day was spent at Srianagarind Hospital at Khon Kaen University. We worked with about 14 very ill children who were staying in the hospital. The director of their program was a kind and supportive man. Dr. Pope Kosalaraska.

John Domont with Dr. Kosalaraska of Khon Kaen University

Srinagarind Hospital coloring pages by the children

This was also a day when Ambassador John was in Khon Kaen on other business, but stopped by the hospital to lend his support as well.

Khon Kaen University Srinagarind with Ambassador John

Day 11

2008-12-14T00:09:00.005+07:00

Mahasarakham students watching painting demonstration

There were two lectures in Khon Kaen on Tuesday the 25th. The first was at Mahasarakham Rajabhat University. This was a fun lecture as they had a lovely banner for me, lots of energy and I did a painting demonstration. As Michael Turner from the Embassy said, "Got game?…so I did. A rough-in of the morning impressions from an hours van ride to the university. I got game!

After painting demonstration

Then after a wonderful round of gifts and a review of a landscape show… we had a swell lunch. The green chicken curry with tiny round eggplants seems to be my favorite. Then a round of celebratory pictures and we were off to Khon Kaen University. The lecture was my last on this program. I dug deep and worked a bit harder than normal to give what I had.

"it was a normal day, I lit a cigarette on a parkin meter and walked on down the road." (Dylan; Talkin World War 3 Blues)

Gifts from Mahasarakham University

Day 10

2008-12-13T23:30:00.012+07:00

We flew from Chiang Rai to Bangkok, landed at the old airport, slid around the Yellows and Reds. By the way, the people of Thailand love ad adore their King, the Father. Everything else they tolerate. The Yellows and Reds, fractions of power bases, egos and lots of money. It is put to rest now. Their action has cost money, job loss and hardship.

As Dylan says; "We live in a political world, Love don't have any place. We're living in times where men commit crimes And crime don't have a face."

That about wraps up the story of greed as I see it here in Thailand, corrupt politicians were ousted. They should have surrendered to ethics when caught, but then… we live in a political world. Perhaps Obama will give that idea new dignity.

Tha-it Islamic School smiles

Wants to be Miss Universe

So we arrived in Bangkok at mid-day and went to the Thai-It Islamic School. A little intimidating to me, but a very warm and open group of young students. In fact in certain wys more alive and alert than any other school group we taught. They were polite, attentive and fun.

I did my lecture, got interviewed for the morning television program in Bangkok, and then we flew to the Northeast; to Khon Kaen.

Day 9

2008-11-24T01:28:00.011+07:00

I arrived at Suan Kaeo Resort at about 8:30 Sunday morning the 23rd. This is like a small private catering park with a couple of dormitory buildings and a lake.

There are ostrich and peacock there. There were also 28 children interested in art...28 children born with HIV, for the most part, orphans. I have been in a situation like this 3 days earlier..what will I do? I felt so powerless and incompetent at the Agape Home. Now I was schedule for an all day workshop with the "We Understand group." A group that is all around Thailand.

I was scheduled now for a full day workshop...I knew we would do a slideshow, I was not sure what else. I was sinking into fear...confusion, inadequacy.

Then I met Krue Oui, the teacher and heart for this center. Thailand is an opportunity of the heart. The respect here is for the gift of being...the energy of the soul.

Oui is a psychologist by trade. Who has focused on the care, love, and nourishment of children born with HIV all over Thailand. She is a teacher of the heart, she is a guide of the spirit, she is will within the heart...the tantric union of heart, mind and spirit, and her face glows with the joy of life.

I met the children. This was different than Agape...there was no authority trip, the children were clean, there was a natural air of safety and encouragement for everyone. It was the infectiousness of life, life in the presence of great trauma and isolation.

Thailand lets one live closer to their heart, at least that is my feeling, people are receptive to energy given with care.

We had an all day workshop, by 5 in the afternoon I needed more time...I am going back to this place in December for a 2 day workshop.

What did we do? We looked at my pictures...I talked about isolation...we drew and colored..then I did some imagery work with the children. After Agape I was so sad, what have I got? What can I do? I found on this day what I can do: I can reach into them, I can bring them from total darkness to hope and movement. All of the children have the correct medications, they are healthy in their lives.

What they carry besides the virus is the isolation, doubt, pain, rage, and confusion of why them, where is Mother and Father? These children are true victims...yet they just want to live normal lives.

So, I took them into their darkness...see it, feel it..let the pain touch you...there were lots of tears and lots of staff and we all gave lots of hugs...the children felt relief....someone came into their empty isolated overwhelming darkness, someone came and helped pull out the shame, and cracked open the doors that trap them inside.

I have always admired those who can dedicate themselves to a life of service, or bookbinding, or Bonsai growing. How does one stick, anchor, lash down and feel good? At one point that day, I thought, I could do this for the rest of my life...a chance to love for me, a chance to give, and still there is the strong desire to feel at peace with self and life, that I was loved for who I was, what I am...who I became. And loving makes it possible to be loved in who one becomes.

Born HIV Positive

One of a Kind Oui

Day 8

2008-11-22T01:03:00.010+07:00

Saturday the 21st of November, Day 8 of my program was the only day in my 2 week program for 1/2 day schedule. In the morning I spoke with students and professors from Chiang Rai Rajabhat University. Chiang Rai in the north is relaxed...maybe like the Taos of Santa Fe in Chiang Mai, although on a much smaller scale (obviously). So I worked and we had a nice tour of the art department after the usual exchange of gifts. I have been giving 12" matted prints (Printed by Heartland Printworks, Shaw for the win!) of my work which seems to bring delight. I have been given scarves and Thai Pillows, an elephant clock, and lots of other handcrafts. It is a fun time to share gifts, a very polite and respectful way to acknowledge and show gratitude to one another, inherent in this ritual is some unspoken understanding that what there is to give, is one self, the gift says thank you and respect for one's giving of time and energy.

In the afternoon, Ann Casper of the Embassy in Bangkok and Khun Kelly and I had a nice lunch and then went to visit one of Thailand's most famous artists; Thawan Duchanee. He is a quite brooding fellow of 70 who surrounds himself with relics of nature, hundreds of long-horned cow skulls, hides, and shells. He is Kurtz i his own jungle.

Following a long visit to Thawan's estate, we had time for me to see some country-side and watch the tail end of the fall rice crop.

Chiang Rai Rajabhat University Exchange of Gifts.

Chiang Rai Rajabhat Lecture

Cookin

Thawan

Ann, Thawan & Kelly

Rice Field Home Dreaming

(Click on images for bigger view)

Day 7

2008-11-21T00:37:00.000+07:00

A day of 2 lectures, Chiang Mai Rajabhat University and Chiang Mai University. The talks went well and the students, always a bit shy, always polite, slowly opened up to questions and ideas. We had a fine time!

Then off on a spectacular flight in a twin engine commuter up to Chiang Rai by the Burmese border in the north.

Chiang Mai Mascot?

Chiang Mai University

Chiang Rai Flight

(Click on pictures for bigger images)

Day 6

2008-11-20T23:49:00.004+07:00

Checked out of Bangkok and headed for Chiang Mai in the North. Upon arrival we jumped into a van and headed off to Suan Park restaurant for a round table discussion with art professors and artists from the area. Michael Morrow, a most affable consulate general, met with us as well. He discussed the American Artist Abroad Program. I then talked my general theories of the poetry of imagination and the importance and difference of inspiration. My thoughts were well received and then we spoke about coalitions, networking, and money for artists...! TOUGH TIMES for artists globally are ahead, I am afraid.

In the afternoon after a studio visit with Dr. Wattana we headed to the Agape Home for Children. Nothing can prepare you, or me for this...children born with HIV, orphans.

Suffering...really alone, isolated...somethings don't wash off. These children are brave, child like, wounded, adult like, pained and damaged in a place that is an incomprehensible hell...My hell was my helplessness...

I showed pictures, we drew, sang and went on. The American Embassy brought gift bags for all.

Artists roundtable in Chiang Mai

Thailand - Teaching and Experiencing

2008-11-20T01:18:00.004+07:00

Today, Wednesday the 19th, another quality day. The human interactions grow deeper and wider with each passing day here.

Two lectures today: the morning at a private university, the afternoon at Bangkok University. A group of 35 or so students and professors. It was the most responsive class I have ever had the privilege to work with. I taught whole brain learning and receptivity to inspiration; the questions of vulnerability on the artists path were honest and rich - pushing me to share more and give the best I had. Then, we did critiques. There were several of the second and third year students, who will go far. They were unique: they wanted the freedom of a life of self trust and discovery beyond repetitious or surreal imaginative directions. They seek the genuine.

It was a heartwarming and richly rewarding, sharing, and learning experience for me.

Serious Students, art students at Chulalongkorn University

Professor Jirapat Pitpreecha and students Chulalongkorn University.

Struck and Humbled

2008-11-20T00:59:00.008+07:00

Tuesday - a day like I have never known or imagined. The morning: a long drive with Sam and Khun Kelly from the Embassy to the next province, just outside of Bangkok.

All morning with severely handicapped artists trying to make a living...trying to find their way to peace and livelihood through paint. Stuck in pain and difficulty to depths beyond imagination.

If you are an artist and have materials you are not using, please get them to my gallery this week. If you are a friend or patron, please feel free to donate monetarily for us to purchase items, or please drop off gently or unused art materials to the gallery. There are people here who would know great gratitude for your help, and use the materials to survive...especially: watercolor, brushes, watercolor blocks, colored pencils and paper...anything and everything you might not need anymore. Please...

Then in the afternoon, a reception with dignitaries from the Thai government, other Embassies, educators, some of the handicapped artists and other artisans and actors. It was a lovely time, and the exchange of gifts and hopes were expressed.

Following this, I had dinner with his Excellency the Ambassador and his wife Sophia. I saw in the formal dining room, enjoying two of the finest people I have ever come to know. Behind them, on the wall, larger then life..my painting Harvest Moon Rising.

We spoke of ideas and ways of helping of how to be of service in the world. I am so proud to have experienced this. I am so relieved with gratitude...one of the most humbling, and strengthening days of my life.

Tomorrow is another day in Thailand.

Below you shall find photographs from my experience with the handicapped artisans. It was an amazing experience, and I do hope that we can gather support from our friends in Indianapolis to support these talented people.

(Please contact my gallery director and assistant, Peeps/Sarah if you are interested in donating - gallerydirector@domontgallery.com)

Bravery.

Nakhonpathom Disabled artists.

National Gallery Opening

2008-11-20T00:05:00.004+07:00

Here are some photographs of the opening of my show "Unity Revealed" at the National Gallery in Thailand.

Myself with Ambassador John (to my left) and the Director of Cultural Fine Arts (foreground)

The show at the National Gallery, click here to see it bigger

Haiku

2008-11-18T01:34:00.000+07:00

Nestled in a lemongrass night

Koi break the pond surface

I yearn for nothing

Thailand - First Post

2008-11-16T04:53:00.004+07:00

The blur is beginning to soften after 24 hours of flying...It has been nice just to roll on with the feeling of being added to a tossed salad. The Thai people and culture are intertwined and yet separate. They are from a complex history and culture, yet the place is like 8 hands shuffling a deck of cards together and no one seems to get bumped or out of wack. There is always a smile of the heart and a courteous bow.

Weekend Market, John J Domont, 2008

Human Salad, John J Domont, 2008

Domont in Thailand

2008-11-16T04:43:00.004+07:00

Here is a fun shot John sent me from a store in Thailand. He says it reminded him of myself and our gallery assistant Mystica.

Domont In Thailand

2008-11-14T23:10:00.002+07:00

Greetings!

John has safely made it to Thailand, where he is an Artist Ambassador on behalf of the United States Embassy. John will be heading all over the country for work, as well as doing an artist residency in Delhi, India.

We've had great news that both MTV Thailand (of all things) wants to interview him, and that the Embassy in Laos wants to bring John there! Quite exciting!

Here is a photograph of John's banner announcing his show at the National Gallery! So exciting! I'm so proud of John (and myself too darnit!) for all the hard work that has went into this.

Keep your eyes peeled on our blog, I'll be sharing JOhn's thoughts and ideas, and photos on behalf of him.

Summer on the Wabash

2008-07-23T04:11:00.001+07:00

I met Sean Warrick at his father's house on the East shore of the Wabash near Perrysville, Indiana. We had arranged that Sean, a self-proclaimed "hillbilly," would take me out on his flat bottom skiff to navigate the scenery of the Wabash. A better time could not be had.

It was a 4-hour tour past the "74 bridge" and on into unknown territory for me. The shoreline remained familiar, like our Indiana sky, I look into it and I know where I am. The Wabash is pure Indiana. I saw deer and eagle, beer, beaver, blue herons and even an Asian carp jumped in the boat. I sat on the swivel chair in the middle of this small boat and watched the light change, the trees fade in and out of the shadows, and the snags rise and fall away. I sketched and took pictures.

There were stories about fish and game wardens, the flood of July 3 2003, which made this years rain seem only moderate. There were over 94 species of fish in the Wabash, and Sean, who fishes for income, says that "Flathead" are his favorite. Being the weekend the Game Warden came by to check out life vests and boat permit. When they left, Sean just growled to himself.

I watched The Buck Full Moon rise and reflect in the river. By then I had floated into the harmony of self with nature. The realm of renewal, the world, nature, humanity, all in scale together. Here is the kind of simple magic that lets me relax into the unfolding of moment followed by moment, the quarks of our lives and of existence. Relax, we have this time, these moments our place.

An Honest Effort

2008-06-06T01:48:00.002+07:00

The Contemporary View the Midwest Landscape opens Friday June 6 at my gallery downtown. This show was curated by my gallery director Sarah (The Peeps) Stierch. I am proud of this show.

It is a broad and rich view of our regional landscape. The majesty of place is proclaimed, discovered and mused -over in this body of work. I encourage you to see this show and hang with some folks who truly hang with the land and are not repetitious of traditional forms.