Ancient ArtiZen Blog

Crucifixion On Michigan Ave (monochromatic)

2010-10-18T09:36:00.001-06:00

Crucifixion On Michigan Ave (monochromatic)
Originally uploaded by ancientartizen

Crucifixion on Michigan Avenue (monochromatic version)
by Christopher Beikmann
2010
Digital photo collage from original photography

Made entirely from photos taken at the Chicago Art Institute on Michigan Ave.

Reflections

2010-09-07T18:05:00.001-06:00

Reflections
Originally uploaded by ancientartizen

I've been caught up in commissioned work for the last couple months - which I enjoy as it pushes my creative boundaries outside of my comfort zone and makes me a better artist for it.

But there is truth in the saying "there's no place like home" - I feel that creatively and with this piece I've returned home.

This piece of artwork brings back a lot of memories from 13 years ago when I lived in Malaysia. Subconciously I think it was no accident that I created a reflecting pool image that then lead to the resurgance of the memories, people, places and emotions from that time. I'm unclear as to why it all came out now - but I often feel that my artwork is a process of divination / channeling. I am just the "brush" so to speak.

"Reflections"
2010
digital photo collage from original photography
by artist Christopher Beikmann

Final medium TBD - giclee on canvas or cotton rag

Alpha & Omega Celtica

2010-06-22T14:29:00.001-06:00

Alpha & Omega Celtica
Originally uploaded by ancientartizen

Alpha & Omega Celtica
by Christopher Beikmann
Digital Photo Collage from original photography.

This is a dyptich design trying out a new digital art style that I'm playing with.

Hawaiian Highway

2010-03-14T17:38:00.001-06:00

Hawaiian Highway
Originally uploaded by ancientartizen

Digital photo collage from original photography
By Christopher Beikmann
2010

Had fun with this one. I dug into some of my older images from Hawaii. I can't believe I hadn't utilized this wonderful gecko shot yet. I remember photographing this little guy at Pu'uhonua o Honaunau (The place of refuge) on the big island of Hawaii. There were several gecko lizards criss crossing these wood branches, reminded me of a highway.

Divine Guidance

2010-02-19T21:46:00.006-07:00

by Christopher Beikmann
Digital Photo Collage from Original Photography - 2010
www.AncientArtiZen.com

Some of my latest digital collage art. I photographed a lot of new stuff over the past couple months. I was inspired by a recent trip to Chicago to begin integrating more decorative architectural elements into my collages.

View it large by clicking HERE

Let me know what you think!

Happy Imbolc / Candlemas / St. Brigids Day / Ground Hogs Day Y'all!

2010-02-02T07:03:00.005-07:00

Brigid's cross, celtic woven craft by Christopher Beikmann 2009

I haven't gotten around to any traditional intricate celtic crafts or vigorous feasting of dairy products yet. Perhaps it is the modern work week and lack of recognition of any of the above holidays. I will at least light some candles.

So where do these obscure holidays come from?

Here's a excerpt from a lengthy but well written explanation I found by David Beaulieu at About.com

In its earliest incarnation, Groundhog Day was Imbolc, a pagan celebration associated with fertility and weather divination. The word, Imbolc is Gaelic, the language of the Celts. There is a strong association between Imbolc and Brigid, a Celtic fertility goddess. When the pagan holidays were transformed into Catholic equivalents, two new holidays emerged from Imbolc. One, Saint Brigid's Day (a.k.a. Saint Bridget's Day), was celebrated on February 1. Saint Brigid's Day honored an Irish saint, named after the Celtic goddess, who was a contemporary of Saint Patrick's.

The second holiday deriving from Imbolc was Candlemas Day and was celebrated on February 2 (Groundhog Day). Candlemas was the feast of Mary's purification and was marked by a candle procession. The ties between purification rituals and the month of February also hark back to the pagan era. Indeed, our very word, "February," which derives from Latin, unmistakably designates the month as a time for purification (februa means "expiatory offerings"). The Lupercalia, a pagan Roman purification ritual, took place in February.

But how did a groundhog become the symbol for a holiday that was marked by a candle procession? Well, the Romans, for instance, had celebrated a rough equivalent to our Groundhog Day in early February -- only a hedgehog was in charge of the weather divination, not a groundhog. And such beliefs survived the Christianization of Europe (going "underground," if you will), attaching themselves to Candlemas Day as folklore. European settlers in North America kept the pagan tradition alive, but substituted the native groundhog for the European hedgehog. Clearly, Imbolc and the older traditions have won out: today in North America, almost everyone in the general public has heard of "Groundhog Day," while mention of "Candlemas Day" would generally draw expressions of puzzlement!

Most people have now distanced themselves from fertility rites, purification rituals and weather divination (well, except for meteorologists, perhaps!). Nonetheless, on some level, don't we still intuitively associate fertility and purification with spring? Nor can we help but spend our winters speculating on spring's arrival. If hope had a scent, it would be the smell in the air on a warm February day. On Page 5 we move from its origins in Imbolc, St. Brigid's Day and Candlemas Day to the modern significance of Groundhog Day...

Everyone knows the gist of our modern holiday on February 2, Groundhog Day, the origins of which were presented on Page 4. If the Groundhog comes out of his winter quarters and sees his shadow, then he will return to his burrow for another six weeks, i.e., on the spring equinox. This is how Groundhog Day turns out most years, namely, with a prediction that good weather will not arrive till the calendar says it's time for the spring equinox. But if Groundhog Day is cloudy, then the Groundhog will remain out, since cloud cover on Groundhog Day is supposed to be an indication of prematurely good weather (just how prematurely is not spelled out by the tradition).
At this juncture, perhaps you're in the scoffer's camp, shrugging your shoulders with a "so what?" regarding Groundhog Day and its vernal prognostications. Phil Connors, Bill Murray's character in the movie, "Groundhog Day," started out in this camp, before his transition (transition, as I argue below, is what the Groundhog Day holiday is all about). Indeed, when pressed for his own prediction on when winter will end, Connors sarcastically gives the date of the spring equinox -- March 21. It's rather arbitrary, after all, to choose a groundhog to play weather forecaster, rather than some other animal; nor should the weather on one day (February 2) weigh so heavily in a 6-week forecast. But such objections utterly miss the point behind Groundhog Day.

Groundhog Day is our only holiday that focuses squarely on weather. It occurs at a time when weather occupies Northerners' thoughts more thoroughly than at any other time of the year. We know we're still stuck in winter, but enough of the winter has elapsed that we feel we can now justifiably look ahead to the promise of the spring equinox. More than any other holiday, Groundhog Day is the "looking-ahead" holiday, a holiday of transition. We're not so much celebrating the day at hand, February 2, as we are a day that is on our horizon, the spring equinox. The spring equinox is simply being celebrated ahead of time, as Groundhog Day, on February 2. Asking us to bottle up our hopes until three weeks in March have passed would be unreasonable, don't you think?

This rationale accounts for all the talk about "forecasting" on Groundhog Day. For it isn't the Groundhog who's looking into the future on Groundhog Day, it is we. And whether it arrives early, late or on-time, this is one prediction that inevitably will prove true: good weather will arrive, one way or another. At least it always has. And on Groundhog Day we take solace in that fact.

If you conceive of Groundhog Day as the "looking-ahead" holiday, par excellence, suddenly you realize that its occurrence in early February is not so arbitrary, after all. Although we mark the passage of a year's time using calendars, I may be able to illustrate my point better by referring analogously to another means of measuring time: the clock. Here's what I mean...

Let's say we wanted to mark off the progress of the earth's annual revolution around the sun using the twelve divisions on the face of a clock, as if we were measuring, instead, the passage within a single day from dawn to dusk (6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.). In this analogy, the winter solstice corresponds to dawn and would be at 6:00 a.m., the summer solstice at 12:00 noon. By this logic, the spring equinox and autumnal equinox would occur at 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., respectively, working clockwise. At 6:00 p.m. we would have come full-circle: it would be dusk, and we'd have as little sunlight as we had started out with, at dawn.

The period that concerns us is that between the winter solstice and the spring equinox (that is, between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.), the time when good weather is so close, and yet so far away. If we looked for the midpoint between these two junctures, it would be 7:30 a.m. on our imaginary clock -- about February 2 (or a few days after), according to the calendar. It would be right around Groundhog Day, in other words.

Yes, Groundhog Day stands at one of the eight major junctures of the year's passing. By the time February 2 arrives, we've already completed the most difficult portion of our ascent out of the pit of winter's darkest days, standing half of the way to the longed-for spring equinox. The future looks bright as we survey it from our Groundhog Day burrows -- and nothing can overshadow our optimism

THEY DO EXIST!

2010-01-02T23:08:00.004-07:00

My first new artwork of 2010. I was inspired by a new book I got entitled "me write book - it Big foot Memoir." by Graham Roumieu. It's a hilarious cartoon book for adults., just feeling a bit silly and whimsical with the artwork today.

I like this one - it visually very pleasing to me as well as quirky.

A New Website Look For The New Year!

2009-12-31T16:36:00.003-07:00

Ok Ok.... So it's still under construction - but It'll always be a work in progress.

Check out the updated new look at feel - www.AncientArtiZen.com

Featured Artist - Mundo Nuevo Magazine - Santiago, Chile

2009-12-31T15:51:00.007-07:00

Great News!

My Artwork is currently featured on the website and February edition of the spanish language alternative healing and spiritual magazine Mundo Nuevo, of Santiago, Chile. Very exciting to have been selected by the publisher.

Thanks Mundo Nuevo!
www.mundonuevo.cl

A Yule Poem

2009-12-23T11:59:00.005-07:00

We had a wonderful Yule feast this year among a small gathering of friends. Below is a poem I wrote in honor of the winter solstice.

Thou Fire Return to sight
Make bright this darkest night

With thou rays we thrive
To live to love, survive

Solar wheel warmth receive
Prosperity unto us achieve

A new day, A New Year
That mark thou glow appear

With thy family and thy friends
We start anew and make amends

We celebrate thou warmth and light
Return to us and end this night.

by C. T. Beikmann

Kooking With Koi

2009-12-23T11:46:00.002-07:00

Here's some of my latest work. Trying out a new style. I love working with Koi fish and I have started gathering a large library of my own photography featuring Koi. I had trouble initially naming these - but had quite a bit of fun in the end when I decided on an abstract cooking theme.

KONA KURRY

SAGO SALAD

BAMBOO BISQUE

www.AncientArtiZen.com

Meditation Vegitation

2009-09-04T12:00:00.001-06:00

Meditation Vegitation
Originally uploaded by ancientartizen

One of my latest creations. Started this a while back, but was remotivated to work on it after the licensing company came searching for something similar for a client. I hope they likeit!

DRYAD

2009-08-25T20:57:00.001-06:00

DRYAD
Originally uploaded by ancientartizen

DEVA

2009-08-25T08:59:00.001-06:00

DEVA
Originally uploaded by ancientartizen

Just Finished this morning!

2009-06-25T10:20:00.002-06:00

LOS ANGELES, JUNE 24, 2009 – Breakthrough American artist Shepard Fairey has released a striking new image today, in support of the plight of Aung San Suu Kyi and the oppressed nation of Burma. Fairey, who drew international acclaim during the 2008 American presidential election for his stirring red, white, and blue “HOPE” portrait of Barack Obama, has applied his bold style to create an iconic piece in support of Suu Kyi, the rightful leader of Burma, who has been held under house arrest by a military junta for the past 13 years. Fairey’s illustration serves as a public support of the work of the Human Rights Action Center and the U.S. Campaign for Burma to engage the international community in the struggle to free Aung San Suu Kyi, and establish democracy in her nation. For more information, visit http://uscampaignforburma.org/take-action.

“This Human Rights cause is something I believe in strongly,” said Fairey. “I created this portrait of Aung San Suu Kyi to raise awareness of her on-going house arrest and the oppressive nature of the military regime ruling Burma.”

Utilizing the striking color palette of the Campaign, the image depicts Aung San Suu Kyi’s hopeful face, with dove imagery at her heart. With “FREEDOM TO LEAD” as her banner, the portrait incites a bold movement, to ensure that the world’s only imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize recipient will soon be released from prison and usher in an era of human rights and democracy that her people desire.

“Aung San Suu Kyi is the Nelson Mandela of Asia,” said Jack Healey, the head of the Human Rights Action Center. “Shepard’s tribute to her will remind the world she is the rightful leader of Burma in a powerful way. I always felt it was his image that galvanized the Obama movement, God willing, it will do the same for Aung San Suu Kyi and those fighting for human rights in her name.”

”In a world in which we all too often focus on differences, Aung San Suu Kyi is a unifying figure that people of all political persuasions can work to support. Shepard’s image encapsulates that very point beautifully,” said Jeremy Woodrum, director of the U.S. Campaign for Burma. “The Burmese people have appealed for our help – let’s give it to them.”

The Human Rights Action Center and the U.S. Campaign for Burma are stepping up their efforts to draw attention to human rights abuses being committed by Burma’s dictator Than Shwe, as well as the movement for democratic change in the country. The organizations are looking to stage a concert in Los Angeles in late fall to heighten awareness and support Burma’s movement for democracy. Renowned entertainment producer and financier, Ryan Kavanaugh, along with his companies Relativity Media and Rogue, are actively supporting The U.S. Campaign for Burma and the Human Rights Action Center and their efforts to bridge creative talent and the plight of the Burmese people.

The “Freedom To Lead” campaign has partnered with Causecast, an online global community and social action network; a leader for online cause marketing campaigns, for all social media development and offline grassroots building campaigns. In effort to get more people aware of Aung San Suu Kyi and the situation in Burma and keep people connected, Causecast will be providing easy to read daily updates on Causecast.org and through Twitter (@Causecast) about Aung San Suu Kyi by aggregating all related content. Causecast will be using the @Causecast to communicate the most up to date news feeds from all around the world. www.twitter.com/causecast

Causecast will build a website dedicated to being the single resource for all things Aung San Suu Kyi, which upon launch can be found at freedomtolead.causecast.org. The site will house information and facts, exclusive articles, graphical assets, and ideas for coalition members to show their support on Twitter, Facebook, Myspace, Bebo, and personal blogs, empowering anyone with a presence online to make a difference. In addition, Causecast will have guest contributors highlighting user generated blog posts, and releasing original op-ed articles from respected writers and influencers in the human rights space. Causecast is also directing people to www.uscampaignforburma.org to take additional actions including signing the petition to free Aung San Suu Kyi.

Causecast leader and activist Maggie Q who saw the Burmese refugee camps firsthand, will be writing about her travels over to the border of Thailand, had this to say,”The fight for Human Rights in Burma, and the struggle for democracy led by Aung San Suu Kyi, can no longer be ignored. I pray that this incredibly important image will create much needed awareness and inspire a whole generation to raise their voices in support of Burma’s rightful leader.” Maggie’s Causecast profile can be found at http://www.causecast.org/leader/maggie-q.

Aung San Suu Kyi, who turned 64 on June 19th, is not just a human rights leader. She led her political party, the National League for Democracy, to win 82% of parliamentary seats in Burma’s last nationwide election. The NLD’s elected members, including Aung San Suu Kyi, were never permitted to take their rightful position as l
eaders of the country, and 2,100 political prisoners – including members of parliament — remain locked up in prison.

Aung San Suu Kyi’s has been held under house arrest for 13 of the past 19 years, but her detention was set to expire in late May. However, she was removed from her home and placed in Burma’s notorious Insein prison (pronounced: Insane) in advance of that date after an American broke into her home. Even though she did nothing wrong, she was charged with breaking the terms of her house arrest. The charges, which Suu Kyi vehemently denies, have no merit. President Obama publicly condemned the recent arrest of Suu Kyi and has called for her release. Likewise, the Senate Women’s Caucus on Burma – which includes every single female member of the U.S. Senate and is chaired by senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), recently called for Than Shwe’s military junta to immediately release Aung San Suu Kyi, as well as all other political prisoners.

Aung San Suu Kyi has appealed to people throughout the world to support the struggle for human rights in Burma, stating “Please, use your liberty to promote ours.” Suu Kyi and the NLD have also appealed for countries around the world to impose sanctions on Burma until there is a transition to democracy, stating that business only benefits the military regime.

The Burmese military regime is among the world’s most brutal, destroying over 3,300 ethnic minority villages, forcing at least 1.5 million people to flee their homes as refugees and internally displaced, recruiting tens of thousands of child soldiers, and employing modern-day slave labor.

The country burst into international headlines in September 2007 when tens of thousands of Buddhist monks marched in the streets calling for an end to military dictatorship. Than Shwe’s regime crushed the uprising, killing scores of monks and civilians.

About Shepard Fairey

Shepard Fairey is the man behind OBEY GIANT, the graphics that have changed the way people see art and the urban landscape. What started with an absurd sticker he created in 1989 while a student at the Rhode Island School of Design has since evolved into a worldwide street art campaign, as well as an acclaimed body of fine art. In 2003, Shepard founded Studio Number One, a creative design firm dedicated to applying his ethos at the intersection of art and enterprise. Shepard’s art reached a new height of prominence in 2008, when his “HOPE” portrait of Barack Obama became the iconic image of the presidential campaign and helped inspire an unprecedented political movement. Shepard is currently the subject of a 20-year career survey at the ICA Boston. The show’s next stop is the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, PA and will continue to tour museums across the U.S. in 2010. For more information, visit www.obeygiant.com.

Aung San Suu Kyi - Moved to Burmese Prison

2009-05-14T16:54:00.002-06:00

Aung San Suu Kyi
Originally uploaded by chrisrobinson1945

LATEST UPDATE FROM US CAMPAIGN FOR BURMA

Dear Christopher,

This morning Nobel Peace Prize Recipient Aung San Suu Kyi was moved from her Rangoon home to Burma's notorious Insein Prison, where she will face trial on Monday for supposedly violating the terms of her house arrest by hosting an unauthorized visitor after an American man swam uninvited to her compound and refused to leave.

Aung San Suu Kyi has been under house arrest continuously since 2003 and for a total of over 13 of the past 19 years. According to the State Protection Law, under which she has been held, she can be detained for a maximum of six years. This period was due to expire in less than two weeks, on May 27th, 2009. Now, the military junta is using trumped up charges stemming from the incident of the American swimmer to extend her detention. Suu Kyi was the victim, not the perpetrator, of this crime. For more information, please read USCB's press release from earlier today.

The crime for which Aung San Suu Kyi is now being tried carries a minimum prison sentence of three years. This is a critical time for the military regime in Burma, which has faced great difficulty in gaining support for its plan to host elections based on a sham constitution in 2010. We must take action to ensure that the regime continues to feel pressure from the international community.

Take Action Now:

1.) Email UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and urge him to send his envoy to Burma and to take a stand for Aung San Suu Kyi's security and freedom. Click here to send an email to the Secretary General.

2.) Plan a Demonstration
Burma groups around the world have called for demonstrations in support of Aung San Suu Kyi to be held at Burmese embassies on Monday, May 18th.

US Campaign for Burma has organized a demonstration in Washington, DC at 12:30pm on Monday, May 18th, in front of the Burmese military attache (2300 California St. NW, near Dupont Circle). For more information contact Mike Haack at mike@uscampaignforburma.org. If you are interested in organizing one in your home town, email Mike with the details and he will notify Burma supporters in your area.

3.) "Arrest Yourself" for Aung San Suu Kyi and Host a House Arrest Party to Educate Your Friends
Participate in Arrest Yourself 2009 and show your solidarity with Aung San Suu Kyi: uscampaignforburma.org/arrestyourself2009.

Learn More:

The world is giving more and more attention to Aung San Suu Kyi's cause. You can learn more about the regime's detention of Aung San Suu Kyi on the news section of our website, or by reading these articles from CNN International, BBC, Al Jazeera, Agence France Presse, and Strait Times.

Thank you for taking action for Aung San Suu Kyi and Burma,

Jeremy Woodrum
Director
U.S. Campaign for Burma

Support 1991 Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi and the struggle for freedom and democracy in Burma:

Universal Flow

2009-03-29T09:28:00.001-06:00

Universal Flow
Originally uploaded by ancientartizen

Mystery to me no more
I have found your mystic shore

I close my eyes and my thought
I have found the place I sought

Black river shimmers of light
Sparkling diamonds in the night

The flow of knowledge I can see
Bless me universal energy

My flesh tingles with new sight
In my heart it feels so right

All this time I couldn’t see
With eternity I could be

Now I understand the grace
To know this universal face

With the rhythm I now live
Life, love and knowledge give

Thank you for this blessed life
I will learn through joy and strife

At my end I’ll fly away
To live on another day

Poem and artwork by C. Beikmann 3/28/2009

Fun Times at the Hapa Sushi Reception

2009-03-09T12:20:00.002-06:00

We have a winner!
Originally uploaded by ancientartizen

See link below for a slideshow of the work up at Hapa Sushi now through the first week of April as well as pictures from the Artist's Reception:

Slideshow - the artwork of Chris Beikmann at Hapa Sushi

Easter Vs. Ostara & how to make the original eggs

2009-03-08T14:50:00.005-06:00

Do you see any signs in your egg?
Originally uploaded by ancientartizen

We know it today as "Easter"

To many this is a consumer holiday of chocolate bunnies, plush toys, and artificially dyed eggs.

To Christians - they say the "real meaning" is the resurection of Jesus Christ. Celebrated with sunrise church services, family dinners and other religious ceremony.

So who's right - what was Easter 2,000 years ago?
Well, none of the above - but the consumer version is closer than the Christian.

Ostara - was the name of the holiday called "Eastre" in old anglo saxxon.

Ostara was held on the Spring Equinox (3/20/09). During this time the hours of daylight are equal to the hours of night.
The holiday honors the Goddess Ostara - who is the "bringer of morning light". Ostara was a fertility goddess, she brought with her the return of light, spring, birds, and plants. It is a celebration of natures rebirth and the abundance that it brings. Very little is know about this holiday - or the customs practiced. The only documented surviving tradition that we know of is "Ostara Eggs" or "Easter Eggs" as we know them today.

Needless to say - they didn't use artificial dyes, kits or barks and plants -even vinegar 2,000 years ago. The eggs were dyed with natural roots, just like the eggs above.

Learn to make the real "Ostara Egg" - I learned from Mystic Moon on Flickr. See link below for step by step photographic instructions

Click here to learn HOW TO MAKE OSTARA EGGS (the detailed instructions)

The Ostara Egg Boiling Begins

2009-03-08T14:49:00.002-06:00

The Ostara Egg Boiling Begins
Originally uploaded by ancientartizen

The raw eggs are surrounded by madder root, blood root and onion peels, then wrapped in a paper towel and tied with string or yarn. They boil for 12 minutes as natural dyes are released from the roots and skins into the shell as they become "hard boiled".

Unwrapping the Eggs - Can you see your future?

2009-03-08T14:48:00.005-06:00

Unwrapping the Eggs 1
Originally uploaded by ancientartizen

Unwrapping is the fun part - once the hard boiled egg cools a bit - it's time to see what you have. Every egg is a unique swirl of patterns from the roots and skins. I usually get pinks, reds, oranges and yellows. Depending on your roots - you could get deep purples and bluish hues too. Some believe you should looks for signs, or images in your egg to show you what the future may hold for you over the next year.

You can find the madder root and blood root online, at metaphyiscal shops, or botanicas.

Many

Ostara Eggs - all natural dye

2009-03-08T14:48:00.004-06:00

Ostara Eggs - all natural dye
Originally uploaded by ancientartizen

Crimson dye from the blood root is released in the water as the eggs boil making a gory looking stew. There is virtually no odor in the process since no vinegar is used.

Here's a shirt you won't find at Sears!

2009-02-27T21:36:00.001-07:00

Here's a shirt you won't find at Sears!
Originally uploaded by ancientartizen

Shirts, hoodies and bags - OH MY!

Ancient ArtiZen has finally opened a Cafe Press shop! For anyone interested, you can now purchase select artwork by yours truly on T-shirts, sweat shirts, tank tops, aprons, mugs, tote bags and much more.

www.cafepress.com/ancientartizen

I will still maintain my handmade gift shop at www.ancientartizen.etsy.com focusing only on hand signed prints, ACEOs and greeting cards.

For more information about my shops visit www.AncientArtiZen.com/giftshop

Ancient ArtiZen - Now At Cafe Press!

2009-02-27T21:35:00.001-07:00

Ancient ArtiZen - Now At Cafe Press!
Originally uploaded by ancientartizen

Creating Eden

2009-02-27T21:28:00.001-07:00

Creating Eden
Originally uploaded by ancientartizen

Spring Fever bit this week. That's the inspiration.

2009-02-05T10:29:00.001-07:00

What an exciting opportunity!

Hapa Sushi in the Cherry Creek district of Denver will be featuring my artwork throughout the restaraunt from 2/16 - 4/12. If you happen to be in Denver, go check it out - Hapa Sushi has wonderful sushi, saki and fusion cuisine. Very trendy atmosphere and very soon - My Photo collage work on canvas. All works are available for sale at the restaurant.

Join me for the artist reception of Sunday March 8th from 5-7pm if you can!

Brigit's Cross - Happy Imbolc / Candlemas / St. Brigid's day

2009-02-01T13:50:00.001-07:00

Brigit's Cross - Happy Imbolc / Candlemas / St. Brigid's day
Originally uploaded by ancientartizen

Happy Imbolc Everyone!

What is Imbolc?

Well - essentially it is a pre-christian festival celebrating lactating sheep and the increasing power of the Sun as the Winter season begins to change to Spring.

In ancient times Imbolc was especially important as it meant heard animals had just given birth their first offspring of the year or had just begun lactating providing milk to the people. From the earliest times, Imbolc has been associated with the goddess "Brigit" - a Celtic fire goddess. Imbolc celebrations often include large bonfires, or large quantities of candles light throughout the home. Meals served on this day are often heavy with cream.

Later as Roman Catholic control took over England, Ireland and Scotland - the church created St. Brigid's Day - so that they could more easily fit the Christian faith into the daily lives and traditions of the Pagan people. Some Catholics today have carried the pagan traditions of lighting numerous candles into what is called "Candlemas".

Celtic Pagans would create solar wheels out of rushes or straw by continually folding them around a single shaft in a counter clockwise fashion and then tieing the ends of the cross. It was done to honor the Goddess Brigit and the increasing power of the sun as Spring began. Later Christians associated the custom with S. Brigid of Kildare who is venerated as one of the patron saints of Ireland. It is said that she wove one of these crosses at the deathbed of her Pagan Lord and told him the story of Christ and the symbolism of the cross. Upon hearing of the meaning, he asked to be baptized and died shortly after.

Pagans believe the solar wheel or "Brigit's Cross" will provide protection if hung in their home. Neo-Pagans also use the cross to invoke the goddess brigit when calling upon her for help or honoring her in ceremony.

The modern day odd celebration of Groundhog's Day is also linked to Imbolc - as the groundhog supposedly determines the start of spring based on the appearance of his shadow or not.

The Mindset of Alabama?

2008-12-10T11:33:00.016-07:00

Senator Richard Shelby - Republican / Alabama.

...Just doesn't get it. This blog entry is not my normal, but the situation immediately effects my family and 3.5 million American Families. I understand his alliance is with Foreign automakes as Alabama is home to full or partially assembly for select vehicles made by Mercedes, Toyota, Honda and Hyundai. And like his alliances - his stance on the overall issue, in my opinion, is anything but American.

The US Automotive industry

- GM & Chrysler aren't on the verge of bankruptcy because of bad products. It is true that many of their products have a lower quality perception based on recent surveys, but that's not why they are in such financial trouble.
- Ford IS building many products that surpass Toyota and Honda in quality and dependability. This has been indicated several recent surveys including JD Power. They also received more top safety picks by the IIHS than any other manufacturer.
- All Automakers, US & Foreign have been dealt a terrible blow by the economic woes.
- People aren't buying cars right now PERIOD.
- Why? - because we are all scared. Our economy is a mess.
- Financing for cars isn't as easy as it use to be either.
- Why - partly because Senator Shelby and many of his fellow senators voted irresponsibly on legislation in the past that deregulated much of the banking industry allowing the housing/mortgage industry to run-amuck which created the economic collapse.
- Senator Shelby also supported big oil, big oil profits and has been less than supportive with alternative fuels.
- It is true that the big three have lost significant market share leading up to the economic crisis that left them less financially able to deal with it as most foreign auto brands.
- The other key problem is the legacy costs demanded by the UAW forcing the big three to pay for far more benefits, down time, and other labor perks that the foreign brands do not.

The collapse of the US Auto industry is due to the creation of a perfect storm.
Rising oil costs lowered demand for products that American typically wanted. This created instant demand for foreign ultra compact and fuel efficient models that the majority of Americans previously shunned. The big three started retooling factories to build more small cars which sucked up lots of their cash. Then the economy tanked reducing demand for all new cars and creating financing problems for those who did still want to buy.

Hmmm.... seems like this problem is less the fault of the automakers and more the fault of the lawmakers that enabled an irresponsible banking industry and big oil profits in the first place. Yet the banks that approved subprime mortages by the millions and the insurance companies that backed those transactions get bailed out to the tune of $700 BILLION DOLLARS.

But the domestic auto industry that is now at it's knees as a result has trouble to even get a $33 Billion government backed LOAN to stay in business and save 3.5 million American jobs. I don't know how many people those smaller foreign Alabama plants employ - but it certainly isn't 3.5 million people.

I'm curious whether or not the people of Alabama really agree with this guy. I've always thought of Alabama as being a very pro-American, red, white and blue state. Yet Senator Shelby is perfectly fine allowing 3.5 million Americans that work for American companies go collect their American unemployment checks only benefiting foreign brands. Maybe he's hoping with less competition, Hyundai or Toyota will then need to build more plants in his state. Or maybe he and our less than amazing President Bush are hoping that the $25 Billion that was supposed to go for alternative fuel technology get re purposed and forces the US companies to keep building gas guzzlers for a few more years while they attempt to recover so that they can protect their oil interests.

He's done way more talking than listening on this issue.
Allowing one company to fail could create a domino effect with the remaining two if shared suppliers go under.

With 3.5 million jobs at stake in an already fragile economy - Our Economy would certainly go into a tailspin if any of the big three fell.

Is this the kind of leadership that Alabama wants. Does Senator Richard Shelby really represent the people here?

Alabama - this guy isn't helping your image one bit. I'd write to him and let him know it. Better yet... get him out of office as soon as you can. Focus on "Sweet Home Alabama" before we all sing "Sweet home South Korea". (sorry - no offense S. Korea, but we need jobs too)

Americans - if we think the sky is falling. It will. If we think the sky is sunny and beautiful - our economy will recover. Be proud, be positive, but be doubtful of people like Senator Shelby and we'll get through this.

Environmental Compassion I

2008-11-16T17:43:00.001-07:00

Environmental Compassion 1
Originally uploaded by ancientartizen

Environmental Compassion 1

"The actions of each of us, human or nonhuman, have contributed to the world in which we live. We all have a common responsibility for our world and are connected with everything in it"

- His Holiness The Dalai Lama

Uploaded by ancientartizen on 28 Oct 08, 9.01PM MST

Environmental Compassion II

2008-11-16T17:41:00.001-07:00

Environmental Compassion II
Originally uploaded by ancientartizen

"Peace and the survival of life on earth as we know it are threatened by human activities that lack a commitment to humanitarian values. Destruction of nature and natural resources results from ignorance, greed and lack of respect for the earth´s living things."

- His Holiness The Dalai Lama

Digital photography and photo collage by Christopher Beikmann
www.ancientartizen.etsy.com

Autumn Winds

2008-11-08T08:16:00.001-07:00

Autumn Winds
Originally uploaded by ancientartizen

The vicarious autumn winds
Shook leaves of brilliant hues
From the trees to take them
Whirling into solitude.
"Why?" I pleaded,staring up at the sky,
"Why must the winter come?"
But there was no reply,
Only silence in the sun.
"Where is the warmth that drove
The passion now stranding me, hounded
By memories inclined to grope
At a heart that once resounded
Of a living dream?"
Not a whisper, no reply
But in a tree's
Twist into sky...
A beauty's brilliance stoked
By the winds that stripped away
A canopy that cloaked
Its branching out to reach the day

Poem by Nicholas Allen Tillemans
"The winds of Autumn"

The World Has Been Waiting....

2008-11-05T08:18:00.008-07:00

Last night was a monumental victory for not just the United States of America, but for the world. Many Americans, like myself have taken to blogging, social network sites and discussions with friends and strangers alike to spread the message how important this election is OUTSIDE of the United States.

Last night was not just a historic milestone in overcoming the long dark history of US race relations. Last night we elected a man, not based on color, economic status, political affiliation or special interests. We elected a man based on his vision for our country and our world.

Just as Barack Obama said in his speech - "there is a lot of work to be done". There are still skeptics, there are party lines that must be erased, there are wars to end and relationships to mend.

The election of Barack Obama alone has already begun to change the opionion of many across the world of what America stands for and what it means to be an American. Below are comments from across the world that I have pulled from BBC News online for people to see how this is already taking place. This was truly as much of a global election as it was a national one.

I've never been more proud of my country than I am now.

Chris

Shujaat Ameer - Karachi, Pakistan

For 8 years, my hatred towards USA had grown with every passing day due to the government policies.

But I am amazed myself how One Night has transformed my feelings from that of extreme dislike to Utmost Admiration and Respect for the American people. I am not an American but Obama’s election made me emotional.

It is too early to say how Obama"s policies would be different from Bush"s but never the less Its a historic moment for the US and for the whole world.

WELL DONE USA!

Mohan Daddikar - Pune, India

All right thinking people in the world cannot but rejoice at the unprecedented victory of Obama as the significance of this victory is not limited to the success in the election but will prove to be turning point in the march of the civilisation towards breaking of the barriers existing between different racial groups. At long last the white people have shown their magnanimity in shedding their historical sense of superiority complex towards other coloured races.This is really great!

Artem Anoshkin – Perm, Russia

It"s great to see Obama notching a victory, I expect him to change not just America but the world.

We need US leadership in global climate and environment actions, international institutions (UN, NATO, WTO etc.) reform. Hopefully, America"s global impact will now be positive.

Russians"ve been doubtful of americans choosing a coloured president, these elections will change russian"s opinion on the USA

Reshma Tayeb - Dhaka

I congratulate Mr. Obama for winning the historic US presidential election. I hope the war in Iraq will finally come to an end now. I also hope that Mr. Obama will follow the path of peaceful diplomatic negotiations rather than the path of war and confrontation.

Tatiana Sharapa, Saint Petersburg, Russia

Good news! Obama"s presidency gives us hope that changes ARE possible.

Bev - Japan

Obama has the won and it feels as though the world has discovered the power of love and fire again for the 1st time!

Luqman Bharadia – Mombasa, Kenya

Although we are thousands of miles away from the US, yet we are very happy Obama has won. And why shouldn"t we be happy, after all he is a Kenyan product. Our President has declared tomorrow as a public holiday to celebrate his victory. Maber Obama maber!

Aturjong Abraham Aturjong – Nairobi, Kenya

Bravo Barack,
the victory of our beloving African American son will absolutely show courage to us we people of Africa and our brothers there in the ground. And this victory is the most excited i ever had the man was really the man of people and the people president as well. Americann has completely made right decsion because Barack is the grand son of theirs own daughter. to will not be danger to the people around the world. long live Obama! long live American and long live the whole world.....

Maria - Dubai

Congratulations to Mr. Obama
I have all my faith in you Sir. Make the first step to an Indispensable change of the world.

Hekmatt Semaan – Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia

As I watched the election results this morning I was struck by the graceful speech of Mr. McCain conceding defeat and the tears of Rev Jackson. The dream of the late Rev Martin Luther King has been realized. The perceptions were of peace, compassion and eloquence against a backdrop of scandals, misery and destruction and hatred on the international theater caused by president Bush and his entourage. I hope the US under this new leadership will come to its senses and engage the world DECENTLY.

Ivan – Kazanlak, Bulgaria

This is the most exciting presidential figure for more than 40 years and Obama is often associated with John Kennedy. After 8 years of George Bush presidency, people are really tired of that conservative, arrogant and ignorant type of policy.
I hope that Obama will approach in a new way the most important issues that lie ahead: economy, global warming, constructive foregin relations with other countries and a new approach to the muslim world. His speech as president-elect was breathtaking.

Richard – Paris, France

This result is momentous, not only for the US but also for the rest of the world. A nation has voted on the poetry and the symbolism of an idealist and while the results remain to be measured I believe that here lies a sentiment that is echoed in all nations across the globe. Cosmopolitanism and fraternity should be embraced and voices heard to push our peoples to take responsibility for their global citizenship and the future of humanity.

Martin – Alton England

At last the USA has rid itself of a hopeless leader that brought nothing to his country but misery. Lets hope that the UK and other nations will do the same with their leaders.

I hope Mr Obama"s actions are as loud as his words. The eyes of the world will be watching him closely, for this is a tough job in a tough financial and economic climate.

Well done on a great victory.

John Simon – Abuja, Nigeria

i admire the whole elctoral process of the U.S. and i wish other infant politicians would learn from the Mccain examplary acceptance of defeat. this is worth commending and i must urge every body all over the world to see this election as "no victor, no vanquished" contest, and not victory for a particular segment of the American socio-political entity. mutual collaboration between the two parties is what should be of paramount proirity for the development of the US and the world at large

Robert McKinlay – Balgownie, Australia

Australians have died fighting allongside the US in Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq. The alliance is strong and important to us. Our country went to war in Iraq a second time based on US testimony of WMDs and an imminent threat to peace. Australians and countless Iraqis have died in this war. Many of us feel that George Bush and Dick Cheney abused our trust and betrayed the alliance. President Obama can be a healing figure, to repair our trust in the US and end this crimminal war.

To read more comments by geographical location, or to leave one of your own - visit BBC News Online / Have your say

Dia De Los Muertos

2008-11-01T15:35:00.001-06:00

Dia De Los Muertos
Originally uploaded by ancientartizen

The Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico can be traced back to the indigenous peoples such as the Olmec, Zapotec, Mixtec, Mexican, Aztec, Maya, P'urhépecha, and Totonac. Rituals celebrating the deaths of ancestors have been observed by these civilizations perhaps for as long as 2500–3000 years. In the pre-Hispanic era, it was common to keep skulls as trophies and display them during the rituals to symbolize death and rebirth

The Roman Catholic Church created "All Saints Day" and "All Souls" day in Europe on November 1st and 2nd as a necessity to convert pagans celebrating Samhain (pronounced Saw-When) - a pagan holiday which celebrates the harvest and start of the New Year in the Celtic Calendar which occurred on November 1st. These holidays merged and spread across the globe with Catholic Missionaries merging yet again with the customs of many other cultures including the indigenous people of Mexico - this created what we know today as Dia De Los Muertos - (Day of the Dead).

Many people believe that during the Day of the Dead, it is easier for the souls of the departed to visit the living. People will go to cemeteries to communicate with the souls of the departed, and will build private altars, containing the favorite foods and beverages, and photos and memorabilia, of the departed. The intent is to encourage visits by the souls, so that the souls will hear the prayers and the comments of the living directed to them. Celebrations can take a humorous tone, as celebrants remember funny events and anecdotes about the departed

Remember we're voting for Global Change!

2008-10-31T11:30:00.004-06:00

We can no longer support isolationist policies, ignore our enemies, and think our economic policies only effect us. This is a global economy. When we vote - we vote for the world. Vote for change, vote for peace, vote for tolerance, Vote OBAMA.

Celtic Inspirations in Wood

2008-10-11T17:46:00.003-06:00

Some of my latest creations.

MC Yogi Rocks!

2008-10-10T07:47:00.001-06:00

Embrace change for the good of America & The World.

Obama '08 - Vote For Hope from MC Yogi on Vimeo.

Full Moon Lakshmi

2008-09-17T00:08:00.002-06:00

Inspiration from the full moon on 9/14/2008

*A special thanks to my beautiful wife for lending her face to my artwork.

FULL MOON LAKSHMI

According to Hindu legend, Lakshmi was created at the same time as the moon during the great churning of the milky ocean. Lakshmi is considered a central goddess in Hinduism and is celebrated on Diwali - "The festival of lights".

Lakshmi is the goddess of beauty, fortune, luck and success.

In Bengal, Lakshmi is worshiped during a night in Autumn when the moon is full, the brightest night of the year. It is believed that she showers wealth on this night

Of Body & Spirit - Slide Show

2008-08-26T16:34:00.004-06:00

For those that couldn't make it to the "Of Body & Spirit Show, I've posted the Flickr slide show at the link below. We had hundreds of people through on opening night. A special thanks to those who came out to see it.

VIEW SLIDE SHOW HERE

A Priori ~ Ab Aeterno

2008-08-26T16:29:00.005-06:00

"From What Comes Before ~ Since The Beginning of Time"

VIEW LARGER IMAGE HERE
farm4.static.flickr.com/3226/2701667319_1252125092_b.jpg

This is the finished version of the piece that I posted earlier. There's a very deep historical symbolism in this art.

I don't want to rock anyones world with this information or shake anyones personal faith - the history is true, but not commonly known.

About 1,800 years ago in the 2nd century AD - Christianity was spreading through the Roman empire as a forced common religion to unite the Kingdom under one belief and one political agenda. People from Egypt to England all worshipped a different pantheon of Gods and Goddesses. Many changes were made to the beliefs of the early Christian cult during this time in order to get such a diversity of religions to accept the faith under Roman rule. Since Christianity revolved strongly around a male deity (Jesus as the son of God) - Much of the kingdom continued to worship their pagan Goddesses along with Jesus.

The church then found it easier to "deify" the virgin mary as the central "Goddess figure" of Christianity. The worship of the Goddesses then continued through the Holy Virgin Mary. Regional names were applied to her "Our lady of ....." or similar to represent the regional Goddess of the people. The Roman Catholic church officially gave Mary "Mother of God" or "Goddess" status in the 5th century at a meeting in Ephesus, Turkey.

The Catholic church today does not acknowledge her as a Goddess, but regionally you'll find significant differences in her emphasis. You may have also noted that protestant Christians don't really have any emphasis on "Mother Mary" within their worship or prayer in comparison to the Catholic church. This occurred. as a result of Martin Luthers reformation in the early 1500s. He essentially accused the church itself of herasy in their doctrine and teachings. He lead a religious revolt and gone were the priests, nuns, confession booths and emphasis on Mary as a Goddess in what became the various protestant demoninations.

The old Goddess lives on today in the image and even some worship practices of the Virgin Mary.

Of Body & Spirit ~ Show Opens August 1st

2008-07-01T15:42:00.003-06:00

Finally - A First Friday in the Sante Fe Arts District!

Of Body & Spirit

Friday August 1st, 2008
Opening Reception 6-9pm
Show runs 8/1 - 8/17
refreshments will be served

Digital photo collage & Fine Art Photography by Christopher Beikmann
http://www.AncientArtiZen.com

Abstract and Figure Sculpture by Don Campbell
http://www.doncampbellart.com

Core New Art Space / Annex Gallery
900 Sante Fe Dr., Denver CO
http://www.corenewartspace.com

Pagans, Scissors & Feathers - OH MY!

2008-03-18T17:18:00.006-06:00

So I've just completed four new digital collages based on traditional Pagan beliefs. In traditional Pagan faith the "Four Quarters" - or directions each represent elements, seasons, colors, and energies that impact our lives and surroundings. In Pagan rituals the "Four Quarters" are often called. Each quarter has their own master spirit often referred to as "The Guardian of the Watchtower".

Here's the first in the series

"Watchtower of the North"

NORTH represents the element of Earth. It is a feminine element associated with the colors of green & brown. Earth symbolizes the mother goddess and abundance. The North quarter and earth element control the health, fertility of all animals and plants. This quarter is also associated with the astrological signs of Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn

Here's the second in the series

"Watchtower of the East"

EAST represents the element of Air. It is a masculine element associated with the color Yellow. Air symbolizes our mind or thought. The East quarter and Air element control creativity, communication, intelligence, travel, and physical location. This quarter is also associated with the astrological signs of Gemini, Libra and Aquarius.

Here's the third in the series

"Watchtower of the South"

SOUTH represents the element of fire. It is a masculine element associated with the colors of red & orange. Fire symbolizes our spirit. The South quarter and fire element control our energy, strength, character, courage, anger and protection. This quarter is also associated with the astrological signs of Aries, Leo and Saggitarius.

And the final installment

"Watchtower of the West"

WEST represents the element of water. It is a Feminine element associated with the colors of blue and green. Water symbolizes life power. The North quarter and water element control our emotions and relationships with others. This quarter is also responsible for clairity of mind and divination powers. It is associated with the astrological signs of Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces.

DID YOU THINK I WAS DONE? Oh no no.

I decided to experiment with "Deconstruction" or literally taking apart the digital layers of the collage, printing them separately, cutting them out with SCISSORS and the reconstructing them in shadow box frames using layers of foam core supports behind them to give a 3D effect and then incorporating with mixed media that corresponds to each of the elemental influences of each collage.

These pictures don't do the finished work any justice as you can't see the real depth - but all have at least 2" of depth.

AVAAZ Org - Helping the Burmese People

2008-02-14T09:37:00.002-07:00

I just received a letter via email from the Avaaz org. which has been instrumental in helping the Burmese people fight for democracy. See below for an update on the current situation in Burma, the fight for democracy and how funds raised are being spent. I have deleted links to some information to protect the resistance organizations within Burma and surrounding countries. I encourage everyone to become involved, Join Avaaz org., donate funds if possible and stand as one with the Burmese people.

...............................................................

Dear Friends,

3 months ago, thousands of Avaaz members donated over $325,000 (225,000 Euros, in just 4 days!) to support the Burmese people's efforts to peacefully protest against their brutal military rulers, and tell the world about their struggle.

This email is a quick report on where that money is going, and what the outlook is for Burma. It is based on a visit I made to the region after our fundraiser, where I met with Burmese movement leaders to discuss strategy and the best use of our community's donations. Click below to read this report and more on our website along with pictures and videos:

Burma Report

Situation Report

The overall situation in Burma has deteriorated significantly since the protests last fall. 80% of the leadership of the monk and student networks that led the protests have been caught and jailed. The remaining 20% are on the run, hiding in safe houses and constantly at risk. The Burmese generals have used torture extensively to work their way through these networks. They have also immediately and viciously cracked down on any street protests. One of our original hopes was to break the media and internet blackout that the Burmese generals had imposed on the country. But now, even if we did, there are no significant protests to cover. The public protests have been smothered, for now.

There is hope, and with all of our support, Avaaz is helping it grow. No dictatorship was ever overthrown without much sacrifice and long struggle. The Burmese have struggled for 20 years, they are fighting a long fight, and we are committed to stay with them.

Here are the main reasons for hope:

The protests last fall brought a whole new generation of nonviolent activists into politics. Hundreds of thousands of new people are eager to take up the cause.
The brutality against monks, revered by all Burmese, was the last straw for the Burmese generals. They have now lost all legitimacy whatsoever with the people -- they are holed up in a jungle capital and rule by force of terror alone.
There are signs of dissension within the Burmese military, as some senior officers refused to crack down on the protesters.
International pressure remains steady. The Junta has been pressured, by the UN Security Council and by China, into fast tracking their (flawed) plan for democratization, and have announced a constitutional referendum to be held in May.
2008 is going to be a big year for the Burmese democracy movement. Plans are being made, the movement is thinking big and planning its return.
Funding Report

In channeling your donations, we were most concerned to make sure the money made a difference.

Avaaz made its first transfers of money, almost $60,000, immediately after the online fundraiser, all of it going to technology that would help break the blackout on media that the junta had imposed. However, as we raised 3 times more than requested, we had more than necessary for urgent needs, and took time to consult widely with the community and make sure the money was going to the most crucial needs and the best organizations to meet them. I travelled to the region and met with leaders of the resistance movement for 2 weeks. I listened, asked questions, and learned. I have several years of experience working in countries in conflict with international organizations, so I had some expertise to understand the dynamics involved.

From the start, we recognized that granting money well, monitoring its expenditure, and following up is a demanding activity that requires professional support. Avaaz is a campaigning organization and not in this business. So we chose a foundation partner with long experience supporting the Burmese people to advise and administer our community's donation. That group is the Open Society Institute, one of the largest and most respected foundations in the world. OSI is taking no overhead on the funds we are granting to Burmese groups, and has also increased its own support to this cause in 2008. The priorities and grants that emerged from discussions with Burmese groups and other experts were:

Technology--$92,000--Burmese groups need to be able to communicate with each other effectively both to coordinate their activities and keep links with the rest of the world.
Organizing--$150,000--engaging a new generation of activists, training them in non-violent grass roots organizing and communications, and maintaining organizing links between Burmese activists inside and outside the country was the most important priority identified.
Humanitarian--$20,000--many families and activists have been devastated by arrest, torture, and disappearance. The lack of support to these families is a disincentive for future activists. We allocated $20,000 for support to victims and victims' families, including helping them to get their story out to the world. (Note the smaller size of this grant is due to this area being the most popular among other funders – we wanted to focus where the greatest need was)
International Advocacy--$40,000--many Burmese groups are doing outstanding work pressing foreign governments and organizing Burmese diaspora communities. This is a key piece of the puzzle to keep up international pressure.
Reserve--$25,869--we kept a reserve for upcoming projects and needs that we haven't yet identified. Many plans are being developed for 2008, and this money will help kick-start the best one or two of them.

The specific groups receiving our financial support have asked not to be publicized in this email. Many of them operate quietly in countries where governments are afraid to offend the Burmese generals by housing them, and so they would prefer that we don't draw too much attention to them. However you can visit XXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXX XXXXXX XXXX (deleted) and see a list of all of all their grantees here.

This money goes a long way in a region where the average income is just $2000 a year or less. Our donations have helped give a massive boost in support to the Burmese people-- in some cases we are doubling the amount of money available for a certain purpose. This is a serious demonstration of how people power--thousands of us from every country pooling our time and money--can change the world. I made a promise the Burmese groups on behalf of our community that I hope you agree with--I said 'we are with you, as long as it takes'. With a little luck, it may not take that long--2008 will be a big year for Burma. Let's get ready.

With hope and determination,

Ricken Patel

Executive Director, Avaaz

PS--here are some messages from veteran Burmese activists on the importance and impact of our support for the Burmese cause:

"Our spirit and commitment to strive for freedom, equality and justice is stronger and reassured by the solidarity from the international community. The capability enhanced by the support of Avaaz.org will endure the long awaited victory of our people power movement--the unfinished struggle. We, the people of Burma, feel proud and honored for being a member of the international family who always strive for the freedom of the oppressed. Thank you indeed from friends in need."--Dr. Naing Aung, Secretary General, Forum for Democracy in Burma

"The Burma democracy movement is severely under-funded compared to successful political oppositions in Eastern Europe, South Africa and elsewhere. Grassroots Burmese groups working inside and in exile are completely overextended, but they are committed to keep their struggle on the world's human rights agenda, and their success in 2008 is dependent on support from individuals like Avaaz.org members."--Maureen Aung Thwin, Burma Project Director, Open Society Institute

"As Monks, we should protect Burmese society but the military dictatorship has total disregard for the welfare of our people. Because of the SPDC's rule, the Sangha can no longer perform our Buddhist duties and practices. We will continue our peaceful movement with the support of groups like yours . It is our call for change."--U Pamaukkha (Monk leader inside Burma – not his real name)

----------------------------

ABOUT AVAAZ
Avaaz.org is an independent, not-for-profit global campaigning organization that works to ensure that the views and values of the world's people inform global decision-making. (Avaaz means "voice" in many languages.) Avaaz receives no money from governments or corporations, and is staffed by a global team based in London, Rio de Janeiro, New York, Paris, Washington DC, and Geneva.

Learn more about Avaaz.org & Join Avaaz.org today

Burma - Announced Referendum & Election A Charade

2008-02-13T15:41:00.003-07:00

It's beeen a while since I've posted updates on Burma. It is easy to go back to our daily lives and forget that this country just a few months ago was in a state of crisis as the military government cracked down on peaceful protestors, killing many, arresting and beating thousands of monks and citizens because they marched for democratic reforms. Below is an update on the current situation and latest move by the oppressive government. This press release was issued by

The US Campaign For Burma

We released a press release today condemning Burma's military junta for their announcement to legalize the new constitution. This new constitution is a ploy to formally legalize the military's hold on power. Some may see the military's announcement for a referendum and then elections as progress, but it is actually a gross step backwards.

"The promised vote continues the military regime's process of consolidating its grip on power. It is not a real referendum, it is a charade," said Aung Din, executive director of the US Campaign for Burma.

The announcement by the regime comes one week after the leader of Burma's democracy movement, imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi, said that democracy activists should "prepare for the worst." The regime's move also comes four months after a massive crackdown on Buddhist monks, student activists, and members of Aung San Suu Kyi's political party, the National League for Democracy.

"How can the regime hold a vote when the entire opposition is locked up behind bars?" added Aung Din, who was imprisoned for four years as a political activist in Burma.

Burma's regime also announced it would hold a multi-party election in 2010 to follow this year's planned referendum. The new constitution would grant supreme power to the commander in chief of the Burmese military, effectively forestalling any progress toward democracy. The underground coalition of Buddhist monks and students that organized nationwide demonstrations in September 2007 have already criticized the plan, calling it an effort to legalize military rule and sideline the legitimately elected leaders of Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy. The NLD won 82% of the seats in parliament in Burma's last election, a landslide victory that the regime has blocked from governing. Human rights activists see the upcoming votes as a way for the regime to erase the NLD's electoral victory while cementing its own grip on power.

The referendum process stands in stark contrast to a call by the United Nations Security Council on October 11th, 2007 for the regime to participate in meaningful negotiations with Aung San Suu Kyi, the NLD and the ethnic representatives. Additionally, 29 consecutive resolutions by the United Nations General Assembly, Commission on Human Rights, and Human Rights Council have called for "tri-partite" talks between the regime, NLD, and Burma's ethnic minorities. Instead of heeding the UN, the regime appears to be taking a one-sided approach and refusing to participate in genuine talks.

Observers expect the military will mobilize the "Union Solidarity and Development Association" and "Swan Arr Shin" to force the people to vote for its constitution. The two organizations have led brutal attacks on Aung San Suu Kyi, members of the NLD, and Buddhist monks that have left hundreds of activists dead and thousands imprisoned.

Burma's regime is among the worlds most brutal. The regime has locked up over 2,000 political prisoners including hundreds of students, Buddhist monks, and the world's only imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi. The regime has also recruited up to 70,000 child soldiers, more than any other country in the world, and destroyed 3,200 villages in eastern Burma, forcing 1.5 million people to flee their homes as refugees.

The Golden Compass - As I See It.

2008-01-25T21:19:00.000-07:00

First let me say - despite the rather "to be continued" ending, underdeveloped characters and other movie critique deficiencies, THIS MOVIE ROCKED.

Why is this an awesome movie? - of course being the overly detailed person that I am, I will give you the long story.

I consider myself a rather spiritual person, one with a very open mind (as if you all couldn't tell by my artwork). I probably would have never gone to see this movie had there not been so much of a controversy about it. I just knew the church - mostly the Catholic church was extremely upset about this being billed as a "Children's Movie" and that the message was supposedly anti-church. After seeing this movie tonight, I not only think the Vatican had right to be concerned about the message but that the message this movie has is a positive one for both kids & adults.

Here's my interpretation: (PS I have not read the book - this is purely my take after seeing the film with no prior knowledge)

MOVIE
The "Majesterium" in the movie is a political controlling entity modeled much after the Vatican - even down to the costumes. They make and uphold the law. They destroy what they consider to be "dangerous" (The Golden Compasses that shows the truth) to the common people. They twist the laws of science and cover up what they can through destruction, punishment, gospel and lies. Now keep in mind - religion is never brought up in the movie - this is purely government vs. people.

REPRESENTATION
It is known the early church (Constantine the Great) burned sacred texts written about Jesus Christ, destroyed many gospels to control the information spread by the common people or "pick & choose" the teachings if you will as a means of greater control. They used spirituality to create a powerful political empire controlling Kings, lands and people across the globe for centuries (crusades, empires, etc). This became the "Catholic Church" and "Vatican". They destroyed sacred texts of the lands they conquered such as the Mayan Codices - calling them heretical. They deemed other religions, philosophies and spiritual concepts as being evil, satanic, idol worship or false but never offer to dissect each faith in their teachings as to why they are evil. To this day the Vatican and many other conservative Christian religious organizations will not accept the scientific proof of evolution.

MOVIE
A group of people have discovered the long hidden truth that something they call "dust" flows from the universe into every life form including "demons"(the animal pet/totem/soul that follows every person) The Majesterium denies dust exists, and has also begun stealing children that have learned of dust, question authority or are deemed too curious in hopes of brainwashing them, separating them from their "demon" and thus eliminating an entire generation of "free thinking". It is also interesting to note that in the movie when a persons "demon" is attacked, the human feels it too.

REPRESENTATION
Many religions and philosophies that have more of a "metaphysical" approach to life believe that everything in the universe is connected to each other by energy. When our physical bodies cease to function, our energy is released into the universe. It is believed that we can use purely our own connection to the energy within us to communicate across great distances, manipulate and influence all things around us (including animals, plants, rocks etc.) without physical contact. The "demon" represents not just the metaphysical spiritual human/animal connection - but using the "demon" or animal to represent the curious soul of a human also challenges the belief I was taught early in church that "animals have no souls". Anyone who has lived closely with a pet of reasonable intelligence realize that they have distinct personalities, likes, dislikes, good days, bad days, they cry if they're hungry, they hang their head or tuck their tail in shame, they seek comfort and warmth, they show affection or aggression. To say that humans are different than animals by having a "soul" - is very arrogant of mankind and the church. It's also ironic that the rather negative term "demon" in the movie represents something very positive. Historically the church has twisted the images of Pagan horned mythological beasts, gods or goddesses to represent evil characters including the horned Satan himself

MOVIE
A few groups of people including a tribe called "Gyptians", and flying good witches rebel against the Majesterium. They want to stop them from brainwashing the children, and seek the truth about "dust".

REPRESENTATION
These people represent the "Pagans", or traditional beliefs that were mostly wiped out by the church during the middle ages. These people hold more of a metaphysical belief toward life respecting nature and the power or energy that surrounds them that can be released from all things.

There's tons more to compare and contrast - but you get the point. This movie is fun for kids to watch with great special effects. The religious representations in general are too high-brow for most kids to pick up on immediately. Only adults with a serious religious, anthropology or comparative religions interest will really capture it all. But the overall message - "The Law or Gospel Is Not Always Truth" - is good for everyone.

The Winteress

2007-12-26T08:32:00.000-07:00

Digital Photo Collage by Christopher Beikmann
as shown 12x18 digital print

11x14 limited edition prints on 100% cotton rag archival paper with UV spray sealant are now available at http://www.ancientartizent.etsy.com

Snow falls, frosted lace
Pure and white, angelic grace,
Diamonds from the sky.

Cold fills the air,
Magickal patterns left where,
The Winter Queen rides bye

Death covers the Earth
Though the promise of Spring’s birth
Is there in her eyes

By H. Falls

A special thanks to my lovely wife Jacqueline for posing for me & to Sylvana for sharing this wonderful poem.

Ancient ArtiZen on You Tube

2007-12-09T22:12:00.000-07:00

So I'm just getting my feet wet in video editing. I've spent many years doing Power Point presentations in my day job - but discovered a simple slide show of my art set to music in a format that could be posted to You Tube was a little more complicated. Today I succeeded in creating one. This is no masterpiece or anything - but at least I figured out the very basics.

What's This Etsy thing I'm all into?

2007-12-05T15:07:00.000-07:00

Many of you may have already heard about Etsy - many of you haven't. I've got lots of friends who know I have a shop on etsy - but have no idea of what makes etsy so unique. I've posted a video below which is a "wallstrip" interview with Etsy founder Robert Kalin. He explains it much better than I ever could!

Check out my Etsy shop AncientArtiZen.etsy.com

RAMP - My Day Job

2007-12-04T15:16:00.000-07:00

Somethin outside my usual art posts...

This isn't my artwork - but it is one of the latest TV spots we've put out at my day job at Young & Rubicam advertising. I love this spot! The All Wheel Drive Lincoln MKZ is a really beautifully refined vehicle. This isn't just smoke and mirrors - we actually had to have engineers and technicians on hand to verify the vehicle actually made it to the top of the ramp during filming so that an afidavit could be created to support the claim Lincoln is making in this TV spot.

Oracle I

2007-11-28T16:57:00.000-07:00

This is the first in the new "Oracle" series I'm working. All the works will revolve around divination, prediction, soothe sayers, astrology mixed with some most interesting iconography. There's a prize for the first person to correctly identify the four major images creating this collage (this one is easy!)place your guesses in the comments section and an email address where you can be contacted if I don't already know you.

CONTEST NOW CLOSED. CONGRATULATIONS MYSTIC MOON!

Winter Peace

2007-11-28T16:18:00.000-07:00

18x18" giclee on canvas
second installment to my "Four Seasons" series.

Cards, prints and other items featuring my artwork now available at www.ancientartizen.etsy.com

"Goddess of Mercy & Compassion"

2007-11-20T06:51:00.000-07:00

"Goddess of Mercy & Compassion"
Digital Photo Collage - Giclee on canvas

Guan Yin is the Chinese Bodhisattva of Compassion and often known in the west as the "Goddess of Mercy". Guan Yin is immensely popular among Chinese Buddhists, especially those from devotional schools. She is generally seen as a source of unconditional love and more importantly as a savior. In her bodhisattva vows, Guan Yin promises to answer the cries and pleas of all beings and to liberate all beings from their own karmic woes. Based upon the Lotus Sutra and the Shurangama sutra, She is generally seen as a savior, both spiritually and physically. The sutras state that through her saving grace even those who have no chance of being Enlightened can be Enlightened, and those deep in negative karma can still find salvation through her compassion.

A limited edition of this work will soon be available on canvas at www.AncientArtiZen.com

Note Cards featuring this and other artwork are now available at www.AncientArtiZen.etsy.com

New Collage Work - Just Back From Hawaii!

2007-11-05T16:17:00.000-07:00

So I just got back from Hawaii yesterday. This was my third time to Hawaii but my first since I've gone completely digital with my photography. Most of my previous textures from Hawaii (which can be found in the majority of my collage work) were 35mm film that was digitally scanned. Wow - what a difference, no worries about running out of film or developing. I took hundreds of exposures every day and just uploaded to my new graphics laptop. I also took time to just relax with a beautiful view and work on four collage pieces. One of which I consider finished at this point - and based on the tremendous response on Flickr - I'll probably have this one printed before my next show.

"Autumn Wisdom"

This will be part of a four part series - each 18x18 giclee on canvas. Each one in the series will be themed to correspond with one of the four seasons.

Video out of Burma - The Violent Crackdown

2007-10-13T08:22:00.000-06:00

This video footage is what the military government was trying to stop when they shut off the cell phone, internet and closed their borders during the violent crack down on the peaceful Burmese pro-democracy uprising. Some of this footage is disturbing and graphic in content. Kudos to Al Jazeera's Tony Birtley who risked his life to film this and get it out of the country.

Anatomy of a Failed Revolution

2007-10-13T07:19:00.000-06:00

I'm posting this amazing article courtesy of Time Magazine and written by Andrew Marshall, a writer and frequent traveler to Burma that was on the streets among the monks and people of Burma during the most recent uprising for democratic reform. His story is haunting, beautifully written and really gives the world a rare first hand look - day by day into the recent and continuing violent crackdown on innocent, peaceful monks and civilians.

Anatomy Of a Failed Revolution By ANDREW MARSHALL / RANGOON
Fri Oct 12, 5:55 PM ET

You should get closer," says the young woman in the crowd behind me. "If foreigners are here, they won't shoot." It's about 1 p.m. on Sept. 27, and I am wedged among thousands of pro-democracy protesters near the gold-domed Sule Pagoda in downtown Rangoon. Facing us are hundreds of soldiers and riot police, who look on edge as they finger their assault rifles. The woman behind me is hoping that they won't want to create an international incident by firing on a scruffy-looking Brit, and that my presence will protect the protesters. She will soon be proved terribly wrong. But for the moment, the protesters appear undaunted, even jubilant. They are chanting a Buddhist mantra whose melody will haunt me for days to come:

Let everyone be free from harm.

Let everyone be free from anger.

Let everyone be free from hardship.

It was the Buddhist monks who first sang this mantra. For a week now, they have been marching through these streets, calling peacefully for change in a country that has been ruled for almost a half-century by a barbaric military junta. Burma's monkhood and military are roughly the same size--each has 300,000 to 400,000 men--but there the similarities end. With the monks preaching tolerance and peace and the military demanding obedience at gunpoint, these protests pit Burma's most beloved institution against its most reviled.

"Get closer," the young woman urges. The troops are a hundred yards away, and I think that's close enough. I'm mindful of reports that just last night the military raided more than a dozen monasteries, beating and arresting hundreds of monks. And I know that soldiers like these snuffed out Burma's last great pro-democracy uprising in 1988, killing and injuring thousands. I know they will not hesitate to shoot, whether or not there's a foreigner present. Sure enough, seconds later they open fire. From that moment on, the world's most unlikely uprising--with its vivid images of marching monks and exuberant students, of golden pagodas and rain-drenched streets--feels doomed.

I fell in love with this country a decade ago, bewitched by its rich culture, breathtaking landscapes and hospitable people. Despite their isolation and the ever present fear of arrest, I found the Burmese worldly and eager to talk, and I quickly formed lasting friendships. I returned perhaps a dozen times, witnessing changes that were usually for the worse. People grew poorer and were stalked by disease and malnutrition. Schools and hospitals crumbled from neglect. Insurgencies raged along the rugged borders. The only real constant has been the junta, which seized power in 1962 and has run a promising nation into the ground. But there have been some positive changes too. A 2004 internal purge dealt a blow to a once fearsome spy network. A year later, the regime moved to a remote new capital it called Naypyidaw, or "the Abode of Kings." Suddenly people in Rangoon seemed to talk a little more freely. Mobile phones and the Internet arrived and, despite being costly and state-controlled, were embraced by thousands. Student activists jailed after the 1988 protests were released and quietly began regrouping. Then, two months ago, members of this self-styled '88 Generation hit the streets to protest the government's fuel-price hikes.

Their protests were quickly snuffed out--or so the junta believed. Three weeks later, I arrived in Rangoon to witness what now seems like a dream: my first vision of the marching monks.

Sunday, Sept. 23

They pour out of the Shwedagon, an immense golden pagoda that is Burma's most revered Buddhist monument, two miles north of downtown Rangoon. The monks form an unbroken, mile-long column--barefoot, chanting their haunting mantras, clutching pictures of the Buddha, their robes drenched with the late-monsoon rains. They walk briskly, stopping briefly to pray when they reach Sule Pagoda. Then they're off again, coursing through the city streets in a solid stream of red and orange, like blood vessels giving life to an oxygen-starved body. Their effect on Rangoon's residents is electrifying. At first, only a few brave onlookers applaud. Others clasp their hands together in respectful prayer or quietly weep. Then, as people grow bolder, the monks are joined by tens of thousands of Burmese, some chanting their own mantra, in English: "Democracy! Democracy!"

I learn that just yesterday, a group of protesters walked past the crumbling lakeside home of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, who has spent 12 of the past 18 years under house arrest. Standing behind barricades manned by riot police, Suu Kyi prayed with the crowd for 15 minutes before tearfully urging them to march on.

Monday, Sept. 24

At a Pagoda in the Shwedagon's shadow, Aung Way, a poet and '88 stalwart jailed three times for his political views, presses into my hand a poem, which I shove into my pocket. Some of the monks chew betel nut, which makes their mouths froth alarmingly with bloodred saliva. The oldest monk, who is 49 and holds a Burmese translation of Francis Fukuyama's The Great Disruption, says the monks have three demands: "Release Aung San Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners; begin a process of national reconciliation; lower the prices of daily commodities."

The junta's response comes in the evening, when Brigadier General Thura Myint Maung, Minister of Religious Affairs, is quoted on state television as promising action against the monks. Within hours, trucks with loudspeakers are cruising Rangoon's dimly lit streets, announcing a curfew and threatening to arrest anyone who marches with the monks.

Tuesday, Sept. 25

The crackdown starts slowly. Several well-known democracy activists are arrested overnight. Aung Way goes into hiding. Guiltily, I retrieve his poem. "We want freedom," it reads. "We want friendship between our army and our people." The New Light of Myanmar, a junta newspaper, blames the violence on "hot-blooded monks" who "are jealous of national development and stability."

Still, the monks march. The demonstrations are so large that downtown Rangoon has a carnival atmosphere. Students have now joined the march, waving red flags bearing their emblem, the fighting peacock. At the rear of the column is a group of shaven-headed Buddhist nuns in their bubble-gum-pink robes.

Wednesday, Sept. 26

The Shwedagon's eastern gate is locked and guarded by soldiers and riot police, who are confronted by hundreds of angry monks and students. It is around noon, and the battle for the Shwedagon is about to begin. There are explosions--of smoke bombs, meant to shock and disorient--and the riot police charge, striking the protesters with canes. The monks and students fight back, and soon there is the unmistakable crackle of live ammunition; the soldiers are shooting above our heads. "They are not Buddhists," rages Thurein, 24, a student, who is clutching half a brick and running from the smoke. "They are not humans. Tell the world. We were praying peacefully, and they beat us."

The monks dress their wounds and begin their march downtown. They are pursued by trucks full of soldiers, who are jeered and pelted with rocks as they approach the Sule Pagoda. Again the soldiers fire over the protesters' heads. As dusk approaches, the crowds disperse. Nighttime Rangoon is usually a vibrant place, its sidewalks crowded with tea shops. Now nobody wants to be out after dark.

Thursday, Sept. 27

Overnight, troops surge into monasteries across the city, beating and arresting monks. At Ngwe Kyar Yan monastery, the floors are puddled with blood, the thin dormitory walls perforated with holes from rubber bullets. The raids enrage the people. The lives of Burmese Buddhists are intertwined with the lives of the monks. Monks preside over marriages, chant over the dead; they shelter orphans, care for HIV patients and help schoolchildren cram for their exams. A devout Buddhist will not even step on the shadow of a monk. With soldiers and police still inside Ngwe Kyar Yan, hundreds of local people surround it. "We had no weapons," a neighbor tells me. "Everyone just wanted to protect the monks." Eventually, with night approaching, the security forces fight their way out with live rounds, killing two people.

Only a handful of monks escape the junta's dragnet to join that day's demonstration near the Sule Pagoda. But there are thousands of protesters when I arrive. More military trucks pull up at the intersection, and the troops inside noisily cock their rifles. The crowd tenses as one. Seconds later, there are more smoke bombs, and we are running for our lives.

We run along the streets, keeping low, chased by the sound of gunfire. Not far from where I was standing lies the body of Japanese photographer Kenji Nagai, shot dead by a soldier at point-blank range.

Riot police are marching north up Sule Pagoda Road, banging truncheons against shields. Behind them is an even more menacing sight: hundreds of troops marching in formation. Between the two groups is a truck with loudspeakers that announce the street is to be cleared. Miraculously, despite the bloodshed, people are still protesting, still chanting their defiant mantra: Let everyone be free from harm ...

Friday, Sept. 28

The New Light of Myanmar gives its version of yesterday's events: "Groups of demonstrators mobbed security forces, throwing stones and sticks at them, using catapults and swords," it reads. "The security forces had to fire warning shots as the protesters turned a blind [eye] to their repeated requests." The official death toll is 10, but everyone thinks it is actually much higher. A United Nations official tells me 40 were killed and 3,000 arrested, including 1,000 monks. Another diplomat hazards "hundreds" of deaths.

The crackdown has worked. There are small, sporadic protests but no marches. The sacred rallying points, the Shwedagon and Sule pagodas, are locked and guarded. Everywhere there are troops arresting and beating people.

As I leave Rangoon for Bangkok, the 2007 democracy uprising feels over. Even the monsoon rains--such a feature of these once joyous protests, with the monks marching shin-deep through flooded streets--have petered out. The sun returns, and a cheerless rainbow arcs across the city. "Peace and stability restored, traveling and marketing back to normal in Yangon," trumpets The New Light of Myanmar.

But I have a sense that the junta's victory may yet prove Pyrrhic. The brutal crackdown has shattered the relationship between the generals and the monks. The regime spent years building new pagodas and donating alms to cultivate its image as protector of the faith. It can hardly claim that role now. The assault on a revered institution may yet cause divisions in the army's ranks. "Soldiers are humans," says a Burmese analyst with close ties to the military. "They have families. They have monks among their relatives." Already stories are being told of monks damning to hell the soldiers who beat them--and the soldiers breaking down in tears, believing they have been condemned.

The prospect of eternal damnation is not the army's only problem. It is crippled by low recruitment and high desertion rates. Money is scarce, even for the regime's enforcers. I saw many troops carrying only rusting rifles. The soldier who killed Nagai was wearing flip-flops.

The economic misery that sparked the protests remains. Burma has a grave and worsening humanitarian crisis. Half of Asia's malaria deaths occur here; a third of the children under 5 years old are malnourished; most of its people live on less than a dollar a day. "People have been successfully intimidated into keeping their heads down--maybe," says Shari Villarosa, chargÃ© d'affaires at the U.S. embassy in Rangoon. "But it's still a struggle for them to survive--to feed and educate their families, to get health care. So there could be another eruption."

If that happens, what can the world do? There is already unprecedented international pressure on Burma, although its impact on this isolated and xenophobic regime is questionable. While I was in Rangoon, U.N. Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari met with both Suu Kyi (twice) and junta chief Than Shwe, but Gambari's efforts look unlikely to kick-start a dialogue between the two. Similarly, China's influence over Burma--and its willingness to use it--is probably exaggerated. Its U.N. Ambassador, Wang Guangya, has characterized Burma's troubles as "basically internal."

But the Burmese aren't giving up. Before leaving Rangoon, I met a former political prisoner who was delighted that so many young students had joined the protests. "Some were carrying fighting peacock flags, just like in '88," he said. "The message has clearly got through to the next generation." The '07 Generation--monks and laypeople alike--may yet rise again.

The Emergence of Tane Mahuta

2007-10-07T16:49:00.000-06:00

Tane Mahuta - literally means "Lord of the Forest" and is the name used for the Maori deity that rules over the forest, and who is responsible for creating man. Tane Mahuta is also the name bestowed upon the largest rainforest tree in the world located in New Zealand - it is believed this tree is over 2,000 years old.

In the traditional Maori view, all creatures and natural resources are descendents of Tane Mahuta and Tangaroa, gods born of Ranginui and Papatuanuku, the Sky Father and Earth Mother. Tane Mahuta created forests and birds, and humans are descended from him, while the children of Tangaroa are the fish and other sea creatures.

United Nations - A Global Joke.

2007-10-01T06:29:00.000-06:00

UN: Knock Knock
Myanmar Junta: Who's There?
UN: It's the United Nations!
Myanmar Junta: Who?
UN: This is Ibrahim Gambari of the United Nations - Open up, we need to talk!
Myanmar Junta: Oh yea - you're the guy who tried to sell us democracy and human rights last year - I'm sorry we don't accept soliciters on a Monday.

The UN seems content to sit back and wait while bodies of bruised monks float down the river. Perhaps the Dinosaurs had a United Nations and this is why they went extinct. Angelina Jolie can probably open more doors than Ibrahim Gambari. What a joke!

Ibrahim Gambari - "Special" Advisor to the UN Secretary General

Associated Press
YANGON, Myanmar - Myanmar's junta leader stalled a U.N. envoy for yet another day Monday, delaying his chance to present international demands for an end to the crackdown on the largest protests in two decades. In Yangon, troops removed roadblocks and shifted to the city outskirts, apparently easing their stranglehold on the city that was the center for the demonstrations to end 45 years of military dictatorship.

Ibrahim Gambari, the U.N.'s special envoy to Myanmar who has been in Myanmar since Saturday, was given an appointment to meet with Senior Gen. Than Shwe on Tuesday in the junta's remote capital, Naypyitaw, an Asian diplomat said.

Instead of the meeting Monday that he had hoped for, Gambari was taken on a government-sponsored trip to attend a seminar in the far northern Shan state on EU's relations with Southeast Asia, said other diplomats. The diplomats spoke on condition of anonymity, citing protocol.

Gambari is expected to return to Yangon on Tuesday to catch a flight out of the country, the diplomats said.

"Government-Sponsored trip to attend a seminar"?!! Is this a peace mission or did Gambari win a free trip for sitting in on a pitch for Junta sponsored Time Shares complete with Burmese slaves.???

Why we ALL should care about Burma (Myanmar)

2007-09-27T16:33:00.000-06:00

Many people in the US do not know or understand or maybe even care about what is happening there - BUT WE ALL SHOULD! Remember - no one in the US thought twice about Afghanistan, it's people or government. Terrible things happened to the people there and no one in the US cared. It eventually became a hotbed for terrorists breeding hatred toward the US government, it's arrogance and unfortunately it's people. Most of us had no idea until 9/11. Burma has more than 50 million people and is the largest mainland Southeast Asian nation - it is also one of the poorest. The people of Burma have been ruled by military dictators for 43 years. The overwhelming majority of the population of this country wants democracy. They even held an election in 1991 electing a democratic leader - only to have the elections nullified by the military dictatorship and their democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi arrested.

Being a predominately Buddhist nation - the people do not accept violence as an appropriate way to fight - yet their government does not hesitate to use violence to keep them quiet. Historically they have held peaceful protests and anti-government demonstrations bringing hundreds of thousands of people into the streets only to be ignored and then eventually gunned down in mass bloodbaths, beaten or imprisoned by their own government as a means of squelching any thoughts of freedom as seen during the riots of 1988.

THIS IS HAPPENING AGAIN TODAY!
All Internet and cellular phone connectivity in and out of Burma has been cut by the government as of 9/28/2007 to keep the world from witnessing their brutal acts against their people. This comes after two weeks of peaceful daily protests for democratic reform followed by three days of shooting, beating and arresting monks, civilians, journalists and any foreigners. Below are some of the images that left the country via the Internet or cell phone prior to the government cutting communication.

This image shows Japanese Journalist Kenji Nagai after he was gunned down in the street still trying to take pictures just before he was killed. His death has been confirmed by his family in Japan.

Below is another image showing the blood stained concreted after a monastery was raided and monks were beaten and arrested for leading the anti-government demonstrations.

The bloody aftermath on the streets of Rangoon (AKA Yangon)

The world has turned its head too many times. Rwanda. Cambodia. Darfur. Now Burma.
The word coming out of Burma is that they believe America will send troops to save them just as we did in Iraq. The unfortunate truth is that we went into Iraq far too late for the wrong reasons and the vast majority of our troops are stuck there because of the mess that we made. It is not America's responsibility alone to help Burma - but the responsibility of the World. I can only pray the United Nations not just get involved, but that they grow some balls - Rally the world and remove the military government and place Aung San Suu Kyi - the elected democratic leader in power! We cannot ignore what is happening here.

I beg you America - START CARING ABOUT THE REST OF THE WORLD!
I beg the world - DON'T LEAVE IT UP TO AMERICA!
WE ALL NEED TO END THE VIOLENCE.

Don't wait for the movie to come out to feel bad for them (Ex. Hotel Rwanda) - it already has!
"Beyond Rangoon" - starring Patricia Arquette. Rent it on NetFlicks and start caring today.

Indra's Courtesan

2007-09-24T08:42:00.000-06:00

Just finished this last night!

Digital Photo Collage
by Christopher Beikmann
Giclee Print on Canvas
20" x 30"

Apsaras, the dancing girls of Indra's court live in Amarvati, the capital of gods and goddesses located on Mount Meru. They display their dancing excellence before gods on the occasion of festivities and victories. They are physically very attractive and captivating and follow their master Kama Deva. They are also called "the daughters of delight" because they were produced incidentally at the churning of the milk-ocean. Their beauty not withstanding, nor gods nor demons accepted them as their wives, and so they were made the wives of all and celestial courtesans. As skilled dancers and musicians, they symbolize delights and joys of heaven. They alone of the heaven are capable of falling in love with mortals on the earth, and are sent by Indra for this transgression. They are sent by their King Indra to entice, seduce and cause the fall of the great rishis and ascetics.

www.AncientArtiZen.com

New Ancient ArtiZen Online Gallery Launched!

2007-09-18T21:31:00.000-06:00

Nine months after I launched my art website - AncientArtiZen.com I have finally put together a functioning gallery for my limited edition artwork. I know, I know - those of you who are very savvy with HTML are laughing at me - but it's a lot of work! I have new respect for all you programmers and code junkies.

The slide show function is still there for those of you that still like to view the art that way. But now you can see all the collage work at once, enlarge the image and purchase from the same page. If you're a Flickr junkie like me - you can click any image to see a larger version on flickr in another window and read the art background, Flickr comments or even leave a comment if you're registered on Flickr. My fine art travel photography is currently offline - but a second gallery on the site to feature just travel photography is coming soon.

Hope you like it!

Check out the new Ancient ArtiZen Gallery

Feel free to post any feedback or ideas to this blog.

Chris

"Requiem For A Tree"

2007-08-20T17:29:00.000-06:00

I don't have any special mythology or history to go with this one. The name "Requiem For A Tree" says it all. Sad and beautiful all at once. A friend on Flickr shared a poem with me that I will also pass on in this blog as I believe it fits the artwork quite well.

"My mind is with the leaves as they float down to the ground.
My pain has all gone without but a sound.
Who can tell me better than the trees?
How to live life, like the birds and the bees?
Knowing always that everything comes in three's,
The words, the wisdom, and The Lord of the Trees."
- Author unknown

Open Rapture

2007-08-17T08:26:00.000-06:00

Open Rapture

Digital photo collage - giclee print on canvas 30" x 45"

I've been working on this one for about a week as part of a Heaven & Hell competition in a Flickr photo group. This piece may come across controversial. It is not my intention for it to be offensive, but it does reflect my views on spirituality and religious tolerance. Nearly every major religion establishes a moral code among their followers, belief in a higher power or life giving energy, and condemn violence and war. Many people are often surprised to find that Christianity, Islam and Jewish faiths share many of the same scriptures and origins as do Buddhism and Hinduism. We may all be surprised one day to find that heaven is an open rapture.

The Three Jewels

2007-08-16T20:07:00.000-06:00

Ok - as promised here's some of the new stuff I said I'd post. These have been posted to Flickr for about a week, so I'm a little slow getting them onto the blog.

Giclee on Canvas - Each one 30x45" museum wrap
Global Fine Art Photography & Photo Collage

The Divine Sacred - "Topaz" is part of a series of three similar photo collage pieces on canvas representing the "Three Sacred Jewels of Buddhism". Each of the three is unique representing a jewel in color - Sapphire, Topaz and Emerald. Each color is also limited to an edition of three.

The "Three Sacred Jewels of Buddhism" are symbolic throughout Buddhist art and philosophy and not actually gem stones - they represent guidance and refuge for Buddhist followers:

I go for refuge in the Buddha. (The Buddha nature or ideal within all beings)
I go for refuge in the Dharma. (The teachings of the Buddha)
I go for refuge in the Sangha. (The community of those who have obtained Enlightenment)

Below are thumbnails of all "three jewels"

www.AncientArtiZen.com

A thousand miles a minute

2007-08-12T09:24:00.000-06:00

Have you ever had the problem where you brain is moving faster than your body? I'm not talking about some crazy drug induced state or anything, but caffein has definately been necessary to help my body keep up with my brain. Most people sleep in on the weekends - but not me! I've been on a 48 hour marathon of artwork, research and graphic file prepping. You'd think I have a show coming up or something. I've cranked out 6 pieces in the last 72 hours, 5 in just the last 48.

I think I'm just inspired as I have had a good response to my artwork since I started showing early this summer. I also just collected nearly 2 gigabytes worth of photos while in Michigan visiting family last week. From churches, universities, antique malls, cemetaries, raku firings, vinyards, gardens, Asian imports, and even some fun long exposures under the moonlight - I photographed like a man on a mission.

I've also done extensive online reading in the last 48 hours on the following topics - Wikipedia is truly awesome.

Tesla (The electrical engineer/genius)
Tesla Motors (Electric sports car copany)
The Coral Castle
Hinduism & the Vendanta
Hinduism & the Vedas
Hinduism & the Garduda
Buddhist Philosophies - The four noble truths, the three sacred jewels, the eightfold path etc.
PS - did anyone else see the "UFO over Haiti" on YouTube? That video is just to real to be real.
And I've been researching purchasing a new computer - (I'm filling up my hard drive fast, my processing power and RAM can barely keep up with my large graphic files)

I'll get some of this new art posted on here when my body catches up to my brain. In the meantime - you can check some of it out on my Flickr photo stream. Here's a sample - This one took 6 hours and five photographs (two of which are used for color tone effects only).

Garuda Rising

Digital Photo Collage - Giclee on Canvas - 24x36" museum wrapped with UV spray sealant. Artist - Christopher Beikmann

The Garuda is a large mythical bird or bird-like creature that appears in both Hindu and Buddhist mythology.

The Garuda is invoked as a symbol of impetuous violent force, of speed, and of martial prowess. Powerful warriors advancing rapidly on doomed foes are likened to Garuda swooping down on a serpent. Defeated warriors are like snakes beaten down by Garuda. The hindu god Krishna is said to even carry the image of Garuda on his banner. Both Thailand and Indonesia consider the Garuda a national symbol.

www.AncientArtiZen.com
Global Fine Art Photography & Photo Collage

Green Man

2007-07-22T21:36:00.000-06:00

25x25" giclee on canvas

The Green Man motif has many different faces and variations. Found in many cultures around the world, the Green Man is often related to natural vegetative deities springing up in different cultures throughout the ages. Primarily it is interpreted as a symbol of rebirth, or "renaissance", representing the cycle of growth being reborn anew each spring. Some speculate that the mythology of the Green Man developed independently in the traditions of separate ancient cultures and evolved into the wide variety of examples found throughout history.

Night Watcher

2007-07-22T21:21:00.000-06:00

From the collage series "The Curious Antiquities of Dr. Moreau"

Giclee on canvas 24x36" museum wrapped

I first got the idea for my series "The Curious Antiquities of Dr. Moreau" while cruising through an antique mall with my family in Michigan. I was lucky enough to have my camera with me and began photographing many of the random treasures as they sat in their booths. I think I was approached at least three times by vendors and shop staff excitedly asking if I was from the local newspaper.

I decided to call my series "The Curious Antiquities of Dr. Moreau". An inspired title from one of my favorite stories by HG Wells - "The Island of Dr. Moreau". If the fictional mad scientiest could fuse the genes, instincts and behaviors of people and animals... what else would he do? What kind of things would he collect? What objects would one find hidden in the mysterious island home of a man who liked to play God?

So here is the second of the objects we've uncovered - The Night Watcher

He illuminates the path of entry. Doubting all that pass, he casts a light that shines through to the soul. None escape the judging eyes of the Night Watcher.

Prints now available at www.ancientartizen.com

Thank You! - Mynt Show

2007-07-14T09:33:00.001-06:00

Thank you everyone who came out on Friday, July 13th to support me at the artist reception at the Mynt Mojito Lounge in downtown Denver. This was my first solo show and it really meant the world to me to have such a wonderful turnout. It was a lot of fun to see everyone, try out some great mojitos and show off my artwork - much of it for the very first time.

A Special thanks to the Mynt Mojito Lounge for being such gracious hosts for my artwork during the month of July. If you missed it - the show will hang through July 31st. Below are some pictures taken of the show before everyone arrived.

"Karma Clock"

2007-06-25T10:22:00.000-06:00

From the series "The Curious Antiquities of Dr. Moreau"

I first got the idea for my series "The Curious Antiquities of Dr. Moreau" while cruising through an antique mall with my family in Michigan. I was lucky enough to have my camera with me and began photographing many of the random treasures as they sat in their booths. I think I was approached at least three times by vendors and shop staff excitedly asking if I was from the local newspaper.

I decided to call my series "The Curious Antiquities of Dr. Moreau". An inspired title from one of my favorite stories by HG Wells - "The Island of Dr. Moreau". If the fictional mad scientiest could fuse the genes, instincts and behaviors of people and animals... what else would he do? What kind of things would he collect? What objects would one find hidden in the mysterious island home of a man who liked to play god?

So here is the first of the objects we've uncovered - The Karma clock.

We all have a limited time of existance. As the clock moves forward, so do our lives and actions. Yet, with every swing of the pendulum we are caught in a continual count down. A count down for the return of our actions.

Condemned

2007-06-04T19:24:00.000-06:00

This is my latest collage work based on the conquest of the Mayan civilization by the Spanish.

Shortly after their first expeditions to the Yucatan, the Spanish explorers initiated a number of attempts to conquer the Maya and establish a colonial presence in the Maya territories of the Yucatán Peninsula and the Guatemalan highlands. This campaign, sometimes termed "The Spanish Conquest of Yucatán," would prove to be a lengthy and dangerous exercise for the conquistadores. It took 170 years of war, disease and forced religion before the Spanish established total control over all Maya territory.

The Spanish priests ordered the burning of all the Maya books. While many stone inscriptions survive - mostly from cities already abandoned when the Spanish arrived - only 3 books and a few pages of a fourth survive from the ancient libraries today.

Mandala Inspiration

2007-05-28T06:44:00.000-06:00

It's funny where one receives inspiration. I spent yesterday visiting a small touristy mountain town and happened upon an art show. There were some nice artisans there, but one stuck out to me. It was a photographer that did gigantic (3ft x5ft) giclee prints of travel photography from Spain, Italy and Greece. The images were so large and colorful that you couldn't help but take notice.

Later, as I wondered through the gift shops I found a Himalayan import store with clothing masks, tapestries and various Tibetan and Nepalese crafts. They had gorgeous Buddhist Mandala tapestries made from silk and a combination of other natural fabrics woven together with hangers. The detail, color and imagination used in the Mandalas were very inspirational.

Suddenly - the two just seemed to fit together in my mind like a puzzle piece. I won't give any more away in case you haven't figured out what I'm doing next. This is going to be the largest undertaking in art/photography that I've ever done. I'm setting a goal to have the first piece done in less than 6 months. I just hope my computer survives - I suspect I will have to upgrade my RAM half way through this project.

Wish me luck!

Escape From Heaven

2007-05-13T16:04:00.000-06:00

Escape From Heaven is based on the Legend of the Hindu Apsara (angel) Urvashi.

Urvashi found the atmosphere among the Gods stifling. Everything in heaven seemed too perfect. The colors were too bright, the flowers smelled too sweet. Nothing seemed real to Urvashi. Wanting a taste of reality, Uvarshi often snuck away to the Earth at night with her fellow Apsaras to feel the wet dew under her feet and the soft breeze against her body. It was during one of these many earthly excursions that she met King Pururava.

King Pururava envied the Gods. He was a regular invitee to Indra's court and dreamed at night of the grandeur he saw there. He would often take his chariot above the clouds and hurtle through the skies at break-neck speed. It was on such an occasion that the two met.

Urvashi was returning to heaven just before dawn with the other apsaras, when she was abducted by a demon . Pururava saw the abduction and chased the demon on his chariot and freed Urvashi from his clutches. The brief period their bodies touched changed their lives forever. For the first time Urvashi experienced the warm flesh of a mortal, for the first time she heard blood pounding in veins and for the first time she heard the inhalation and exhalation of breath. Pururavas had seen Urvashi in Indra’s court before and to actually be close to the most beautiful woman in heaven exhilarated him. Pururava left Urvashi with her friends but when they parted each was madly in love with the other.

Eventually the Urvashi became the wife of King Pururava and remained on earth with him for the rest of his life. The two had many sons.

TOSA 2nd Annual Asian Art Show

2007-05-05T15:02:00.000-06:00

I jumped in on this last minute - it will be my first show. This show is in conjunction with the East Side Art Walk and the Aurora Asian Film Festival. There will be lots going on! visit www.auroragov.org/artwalk for more information. I will be showing select Asian themed photo collage work. Large imited edition giclee prints on canvas will be shown and available for purchase. More Information on my artwork and upcoming shows can be found at: www.AncientArtiZen.com/News

The Winds of Change

2007-05-01T15:56:00.000-06:00

Is it just me, or are the winds of change blowing? Perhaps I am just very in tune with my own life plan.... last fall I kept feeling as if I were on the verge of something. Sort of like when you have a name on the tip of your tongue but can't spit it out. I kept feeling all fall that I was so close to something happening. As fall went into Christmas and then into winter I knew the winds of change were beginning to blow. My wife and I had decided we would sell our rental condo, I finally decided to start focusing on my artwork/photography and take the steps to begin showing and selling. Then the winds picked up speed in February and soon, our condo was finished being remodeled and sold, my wife left her job, my day job began changing and we lost one of our favorite pets. The wind has continued blowing since.

I do not yet feel that the winds are slowing. More change is on the horizon, I can feel it. It is true that much of this change occurs from my concious decisions, but the domino effect is incredible. Combine that with the changes that I cannot control or influence, followed by the decisions made by my wife and family - ladies and gentlemen, we have a hurricane.

The good news is that I am relatively at ease compaired to three months ago. So many of the decisions I made recently, I can see already were for the best. I have a good feeling about the upcoming changes. I don't know what they are, but I am not worried. I think there are big plans in store for us - now I just wait for the surprises.

Enough ramblish for today.
Live life to the fullest.

Chris

Sandman

2007-04-15T00:05:00.000-06:00

Photo Collage / Self Portrait

The myth of the "Sandman" comes from old European folklore. In most stories, the Sandman's activities revolve around sleep and dreams and he is known to throw sand in the eyes of children that won't go to sleep. Hans Christian Andersen was first to write of the Sandman in an obscure 19th century tale called "Ole-Lukøie". In this story the Sandman bestowed amazing dreams to good children and stole the dreams of the bad children. Another 19th century writer from Germany, E.T.A. Hoffman, included mention of "Der Sandmann" in his short story "Die Nachtstücke" (The Night Pieces). In Hoffman's version the Sandman not only threw sand in the eyes of children, but would steal their eyes and take them to feed his own offspring.

Third Show of 2007!

2007-04-14T07:16:00.000-06:00

For more information & current updates, go to Ancient ArtiZen News

Second Show of 2007!

2007-03-29T07:31:00.000-06:00

It's not a big venue or a fine art gallery - but a great low-key fun place for my second show (first solo show). Anyone who knows me and my obsession with the tasty "Mojito" will agree it's a great place for me. Please mark the evening of Friday, July 13th off of your calendars for the artist's reception of my first show. Limited edition giclee prints and photography will be shown and available to purchase. See details below.

For more information & current updates, go to Ancient ArtiZen News

Digging Through Archives.

2007-03-27T12:58:00.000-06:00

So - I've been inspired to dig through over 10 years of photographs and negatives of nature, friends, portraits, and travels. I have so many good pictures (or at least I think so) that haven't seen the light of day in a long time. I was inspired after selling five prints in one week on Etsy. So below is a sampling of some of my favorites that I just posted after getting high res negative scans. Hope you like them.

Chris

"Clouds over Machu Picchu" Peru - 2003

"Arches of Merida" Mexico - 2001

"Halls of Uxmal" Mexico - 2001

"Patterns of Faith" South Korea - 1995

The Arrival of "The Tiki Leaf"

2007-03-19T19:15:00.000-06:00

The Tiki Leaf appears every year at the start of spring. But there is only one Tiki Leaf in the entire world. To witness it's appearance is a rare thing indeed as the one Tiki Leaf only appears on one small island in the vast Pacific Ocean. For the people of this small island, the appearance of the Tiki Leaf signals good luck, fertile land and prosperity. One may photograph it's appearance - but to pick the leaf is "Kapu" and certainly would cause a complete reversal of fortune that it's sighting is supposed to bring.

Thought this would be a fun light hearted new image to start spring. Hopefully the Tiki Leaf will mark a great year for all. Hope you all enjoy my latest creation.

JUSTICE

2007-03-15T11:51:00.000-06:00

I've always been a firm believer in Karma. What you dish out comes back - so make sure it's good. Recently I've felt like there has been a constant theme in my life it seems to revolve around Karma - and justice, doing what's right. I never thought it could be so stressful to just "do the right thing". No one likes confrontation, unnecessary or undeserved confrontation would be bad Karma, but confronting those that do wrong, or making sure that another cannot do wrong to others, or is punished for the wrongs done is justice - and I hope... Good Karma.

Why are there so many complacent, incompetent and narrow minded people out there? And why do they all have to be involved in my life. It's funny - everywhere I turn I hit another wall being built by one of these people - in my job, my art, even the management company that handles repairs on the condo I'm trying to sell. I can't file an expense report at work or shop online without running into these people. I have recognized the pattern that keeps coming up over and over again in the last year... and have taken the bull by the horns to expose these individuals and make sure Justice is done. It's just stressful! .... And why do I have to be the one to do it over and over again. Probably because I feel not doing anything doesn't help me or anyone else - which would be Bad Karma. This " Simplifying my life" thing - not happening as fast as I'd like. I just hope all of these individuals making life so difficult learn their lesson and get out.

Time to get with it.

2007-03-14T19:44:00.000-06:00

To blog or not to blog? I guess you now know the answer to my question

So today I've created my first blog. I have read many blogs, posted to many forums and now, finally, I have created my own. I'm hoping this will become a good outlet for my creativity and sharing my thoughts on this beautiful, frustrating, amazing journey through life on this planet we call earth.

I'm in the process of trying to simplify my life - I'm not quite sure how a blogspot fits into this plan, but it seemed like a good idea three minutes ago when I was trying to figure out how to generate more exposure for my artwork. Yes, it's true - I'm one of those wannabe full time artist creatures. I must emphasize "wannabe" at this point.

The allure of $$$ in the world of corporate advertising was too attractive for me to finish my degree in art those many years ago. I took the marketing degree, the art minor and ran to the first job I could get with a big agency. I don't regret it, hell I made it out of college in three years, but I'm finding that I need to express my creativity more and more. I'm also realizing I can't keep doing what I do in a cube farm forever. If I can't turn my art into a career, then I'll need to find something that lets me travel the world (which would likely force me to generate more art whether I ever show it or not). Traveling, by the way, is my other passion (or addiction, depending on how you look at it). Anyways - enough ramblish for my first blog (ooh - that's a cool new word... RAMBLISH - I'm trade marking that one 3/14/07 - don't steal it!)