Where Have You Been?

Originally posted December 26, 2018 
I suppose I owe an explanation for the long delay between posts.

This blog was created originally to help foster some artistic creativity and help me learn balloon art.  The first year was filled primarily with other peoples designs, the second was using some balloon concepts in order to create other things, this third year was trying to be a bit more out-of-the-box, to be inspired by music/art/something outside the 'balloon culture'.

Now before I get into my true point, let me first say that I truly appreciate and love my balloon artist family, I was part a tightly knit group of people that I trust and respect - I feel sad to have abandoned them in such an abrupt fashion.

The beginning of the end was actually an inspiration from a song.

Earthborn evolution has shocked equilibrium of biological species
As we create, we confine ourselves to mechanical torture
Deeper than imagination, mankind has been drowned in a profound comatum
That will separate us from spiritual connectors

By avoiding gravity that trapped us in atrocity
We'll find our way through the elevation path

~ Beyond Creation Earthborn Evolution

I love the message here, we oftentimes victims of the technology we create - it can both elevate and abuse us.  Just take a look at the people tethered to their cell phones at a traffic light who need to be "reminded" that the light turned green.  Feeling connected but being disconnected from the true reality that surrounds them, investing passionately in a false avatar they have constructed for themselves.

This was my inspiration to quit social media, it was much easier than I thought.  Now that I am an ex-Facebook'er, I look on with a bit of sadness at the people flipping through their phones looking for a fix like a junkie.  "And if thou gaze long into an abyss, the abyss will also gaze into thee." ~ Nietzche

Additionally I noted that as nice as it is to view the balloons others had created, there is a bit of a homogenization of the art form.  Instead of coming up with how I would construct "a mermaid", I would remember or find an image and attempt to copy it.  It's the easy way out, but doesn't foster the creativity that I was looking for when starting this project.

So I took a break, enjoyed the summer, played some video games, spent time with my dog Bowie (who had developed a nasal carcinoma and has now passed...), and tried to reset myself.

What does that mean for the future?  I can't rightfully say and don't want to make any insincere promises, but I love creating art and the buzz of accomplishment (?) it provides.  When I do, I will share it with you here.

... and thank you for participating in my journey.

~ Mason - December 26, 2018