"I love to have an unfinished painting in my life."

This month I am creating a special work of art. A work of art that, for the first time in a while, will not walk away once it's complete. I'll be creating this one on canvas, not on skin. I have an ambitious plan to create an epic painting inspired by a powerful story, and I'm going to share the creative process in much greater depth than I've ever done before. I'm deeply excited. being ready for a new work of art isn't just a practical or emotional matter, it's also a matter of serendipity and alignment. For many reasons, I feel ready, and the time is right. I know this because I've been itching to create this painting for many months. First, I wanted to finish producing and releasing The Art of Presence. this is now out in the world, in the hands of like-minded people. I've also been moving around, creating art and telling people's stories. After the last few months moving between Germany and Portugal, we'll be setting up a temporary camp in London. For a few months i'll be back living in the city which has been a welcoming creative home for me. One of the cities which I have grown to love. I'm fully booked with tattooing, but as planned, I gave myself 3 days off each week where i will create this painting. The painting will emerge alongside my tattoos this month. my aim is to have the painting complete by the end of January, ready for my next adventure in February. but let's see, I'm open to see where things lead naturally. I'm excited to start this painting for many reasons...

The physical sensations of painting is a big part of this. The texture of canvas. watching ink spread on paper. It feels calming for the body, good for the nervous system perhaps. Don't need to know why or how. It just feels good. And i feel good when I'm doing it. I love to have an unfinished painting in my life.

In the evenings, when you want to do something chill, there's always the option to dive back into the painting. Cosy nights spent listening to good music, feeling inspired, creating art. It's kind of like a tv series that has you hooked.

Sometimes it takes a couple episodes to understand the characters, and start caring. But quickly, you're feeling it and slipping into a new world. Each time you come back to it, the story expands outwards and becomes clearer, yes there's always a mystery because it isn't pre-written. It's happening in real time, before your eyes. But, you're not just watching this happen. You're the one choosing one colour over another, and defining the connections between characters. It's your story, after all. A story you simultaneously create and witness.

it's an amazing feeling to create something beautiful. having it out. a canvas on an easel, or just propped up against the wall. Artwork visible to see through all its stages of creation. you bond with it. you go through stages of the relationship. excitement. doubt. frustration. breakthroughs. breakups. pauses. new starts. discovery and exploration. fun, laughter, and understanding. And then eventually, you notice how much love you have for this thing you have made. Connected, like it is an extension of you. With time, you feel an excitement to share this thing with the outer world. A thing of beauty which says so much, and without words can take your hand and silently guide you through the boundaries of your defined world. Art can be magic, like this. It holds special powers, of sorts. An enchantment.

As i create this painting, I will practice the spell that I shall cast. A warm wave of wonder, truth and liberation. For me, art has its own free will. A wild animal that cannot be tamed. Weather that can be tracked and forecasted, but never truly known. As it roams free, the stars must align for your paths to cross. There's a role of serendipity in the story. You must let go. So it feels even more special when, after much work, preparation and patience, I can glimpse the faint words of a new chapter through the pages. i fold the corner and pause. Taking rest, in faith and patience for what lays ahead.