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'Nada es Mas Seguro' translates into,
'Nothing is But Safe', or 'Nothing is More Certain' (the intended meaning : 'Certain').
As every language has several meanings and deviations of 'same' words, the title could very well
be 'Nada es Mas Cierto'(CERTAIN). But the truth behind both translations is the same, in essence.
That which is certain, is not always safe. Nada es Mas Seguro is a work that is intended to
reflect priority and loyalty to ones purpose in life. In this case, we see a musician who is playing a
guitar and who appears to be singing a soulful manner.
He is sitting behind a small restaurant, the kind familiar to most 'American' small towns.
The kind that serves a purpose in the ways of surviving, but hardly seems to catch the eye or
propel individuals into any glory other then to give them a keen awareness of a future without it.
The restaurant isn't necessarily meant to represent anything bad.
What it represents from the point of view of the musician is a distraction, a fact of life that
must be dealt with in order to survive...a means of living. The musician himself represents
purpose. Despite the fact he is tied into to giving his time and efforts to the 'restaurant' in order to live,
he also is devoted to his purpose, his music. At every chance, in every free moment
to call his own, he sings or plays his guitar. Thus, in actions he is holding onto what it is yet to come....
something MORE CERTAIN. Nothing is more certain to him than that he is a musician, that he is in
a way outcast...yet, somehow, connected to the world around him in order to be who he is.
So, he sits - playing his instrument in the hot desert sun during his only free time at work.
He sits in his work 'smock', underneath dressed in white, alike all the other waiters and bus boys at 'Mi Casa'.
Yet, he wears an old pair of black and white 'wing tips' - something to make him stand out in his
own way, even when he must blend into the 'norm' of survival. He sits there alone in the back of a
small restaurant (in the back to represent his current status as a musician).
He is relatively nothing, unknown. But inside, he is everything- true to his purpose here on earth.
Above him, on the outside wall, stands a small light casting a daytime shadow.
The light is off during this hour of day. This represents the simple beginnings of 'trying' ,
of pursuing greater heights. Perhaps at night, when this light is lit, he sits after work and soaks
in this humble 'spot-light' - knowing someday....nothing is more certain than that his struggles will be
worth going through. For now, he has hope. His hope is not without pain or rejection, but it is hope in the future.
Next to him on his bench is a small glass of water that reflects onto the restaurant wall. While he sings he
occasionally sips it to sooth his throat, in such heat. As the water reflects on the wall nearby,
it represents those quiet occurrences in life that are often very soft and beautiful, but also often
over looked. So to is the musician (on this occasion), shining bright in his element, but alone.
As we see him at this moment, he is content to sing for the pure joy of singing itself.
As we gaze over to the fencepost that protects the back side of the restaurant, we also see a missing
post ( in the image above it is difficult to see, but it is the fifth post in). Down toward the end corner
of the building toward the skyline (near the second back door) we can see the small missing
post, broken. It leans against a restaurant disposal box. This one small post represents the
treatment of individualism and the way in which it is perhaps , all too often, disposable in
'American' society. That even though we also say we cherish it and were founded on it, it is all too
often easy to 'sacrifice'. Though, the post isn't about ''America''. The painting isn't about
''America" either. 'Nada es Mas Seguro' is about anybody who has a purpose greater
than one's self(and we all do). It is about embracing it, rather then fearing it or trading it in on
being less than we should. As far as the open door near the
musician-he sits near a sink with mops, and brooms. These items represent the ever
close reminder of the duties he must preform in order to simply eat, live, and survive -
that he might 'afford' to create - (also knowing, he can't afford to give up on himself).
They represent a creative distraction, but a necessary means.
The old truck, and car in the background show just what a climb this musician has ahead if he is to make anything of his craft - to bring it to ears that will listen.
He lives in a town in which survival takes precedence, and creating is considered almost
frivolous. People have little time or money to share with a musician here. Our musician has
no grudge, if anything he has an understanding of these ways. Therefore, his understanding
makes his cause all the more a responsibility to himself and others to remain loyal
to his purpose. In the end, nothing is more certain. The reasoning behind the 'southwestern' feel
of the work is to utilize the climate as difficult, hot, tough. Yet, I also wish to show the fabulous
beauty of the sky as contrast - a symbol of hope in a harsh
environ. Lastly, as an artist I have never had the chance/opportunity to travel to such lands,
but have always been drawn to the open spaces, and variety of colors, pure lighting. I chose the surrounding
to exemplify the magnificence of that feeling one has when they embrace their purpose.
This graphic image does not fully show the bluest blues or that sandiest hues of the sky and grounds...
but I do hope it gives you a glimpse into the meanings behind them. On a personal note-when
working on this peace, my original concept was to come up with a way to reflect my feelings
about how truly difficult it is to be in two worlds at once. While working a non art related job during the day and trying to
create 'fine' art a night - one faces many facets of personal struggle.
I was driving home one evening from the luxury of what was once a nearly affordable 'drive'
and thinking to myself, how to portray these feeling to everyone. As my belief is that we all have talents and
parts of our souls that need encouraging, I wished to make this work something that one
could understand even if your only experience with art is finger paints. After all, we all have personal
inner struggles(some more serious than others). As I drove past the back side of a local 'Chinese'
take out (some of you may know it as 'Hot Wok') [free plug-maybe I can get discounts?] This particular
'take out' has an exposed side (though it is attached to several other businesses).
Against the exposed wall, I noticed a lone bench. Looking at that bench, it hit me suddenly that somebody may
sit on it from time to time, during breaks.
And indeed I recalled employees talking near and on this bench. So I thought, what dreams do people have?
What dreams do they sacrifice? What dreams or talents do they never realize they have?
This was not a personal judgement on anyone, but rather a key to depicting that 'lone' feeling of
being 'somebody' when others see you as 'nobody'. At any rate, I still pay full price at Hot Wok
(when i can afford it) and I am still painting. Go figure:) I hope you enjoy the art & thank you for reading.
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