Dogmatic

Max from the Maurice Sendak children’s book ‘Where The Wild Things Are’. Max will also be my new tattoo in the weeks to come!

With the year coming to an ultimate close, I sat back and kinda reflected on many of the events that have unfolded throughout 2006. Whilst life has thrown its share of misery my way throughout the past 12 months - I still look back at ‘06 with fond memories and a slice of time in my life that in hindsight, has allowed me to shed some baggage and put an end to some chapters in the life and times of JR.

A couple of weeks ago I was feeling creatively stifled and unhappy about an employment situation that I found myself in. But I bit the bullet (hard) and made the correct decision to move on from there for the sake of my sanity. Not wanting to extinguish the fire that lights my creativity, I resigned from there and I feel so much better for it.

It is hard to put into words what my creative side means to me. In fact, it isn’t so much just a part of me - but it is completely me. I anguish over it when I can’t express myself creatively and I celebrate it when a project or a concept comes to it’s ultimate conclusion and finality. There is nothing more powerful than creation and creating something from a blank canvas to a final piece - be it art, photography, design or even a completed web-site.

When my former company of three years closed in the mid-way point of 2006 - I was creatively at an all-time low. But the sadness and morose atmosphere of its demise - only rejuvenated me to seek out and nourish my creativity. I was churning out work and feeding my inspiration with everything I could sink my teeth into. I was powering up and letting my inspirational muse devour and drive me whole. I felt alive!

The irony of the situation is that just as I exorcised myself from being down in the dumps, mistress life threw another curb ball at me that left me shattered and devastated. It isn’t something I want to mention here - but those that know where to see more of me in the ether of cyberspace, know full well what I am referring to. In the meantime, I was actively seeking out several companies and design houses for employment for 2007. I did several cold-calls and managed to secure interviews with many of the firms I wanted to work for. Mistakingly I attended some of these interviews when my mind (and heart) were pre-occupied with personal matters. Big mistake as those interviews - one in particular - were a diabolical mess.

But, a couple of days ago - I was offered a fantastic opportunity for a future gig which kicks off early next year. I had no hesitation accepting the offer and being able to finally work as a Creative Director for a company I have much respect for. Over the fullness of time, I will explain more. I like things being a little cryptic and I don’t want to expose too much of myself on Dogmatic.

In essence, 2006 has shown me that no matter how fuckn hard things get at times - there is always a way out. And through the pain and hardship of recent times - I am left feeling like a snake shedding its old skin and revealing a bright, pristine and positive new one.

Nothing can stop me now.