The Poet M'e
chronicles
Pronounced May…taken from the quote, “May the sun rise above your tears.”
Interviewer: If you could take a pen and scratch onto a canvas what best describes your expressions, what would a reader locate?
A reason to believe that what is created doesn't belong to the hand that helped bring it to life. Peter Max once said to me, "Once it's out...it belongs to the rest of the world." I've taken that thought and built on it's strength by dedicating more time in helping hidden artists step out from the darkened corners they keep.
Interviewer: Artists often speak of being trapped?
Being an artist doesn’t trap you, it enlightens you. To admit having the willingness to spread your wings through methods of constant change puts wind beneath feathered dreams—to soar between mountains while crossing streams is something only few can relate, at least until what is hidden appears on a path made of passion, desire and drive.
Interviewer: How often do you take the time to become a student?
In martial arts we wear white uniforms as a way of telling our instructor that we are willing souls in gathering the information he wishes to share. Once the tablet is full, the uniform changes colors. Being a second degree black belt, I openly admit my uniform is still very much white. A white canvas serves the same purpose, which explains why I spend so much time lightly touching it as a way of gently explaining that I am ready to be taught newer ways to express a vision only it can see.
Interviewer: You have numerous ways to bring art to life...a personal journey that exposes a desire to help others believe something as simple as a rose garden is another incredible way to artistically breathe...where did it begin and where and how has it evolved into what is now being presented?
As a child, I collected song lyrics, history lessons, whatever it took to fill my writing instrument with enough words to calm the enormous amount of energy exuded during moments of creative flow.
As a songwriter, I've recorded hundreds of pieces which have never been released, instead the sessions hide in boxes, pulled out only in times of trying to rediscover a particular harmony blessed by bent notes and dreams.
As a poet, the numbers of unseen thoughts and life experiences exceed the hundreds of thousands. Being published is only a bragging right. Book stores don't support poetry unless it is well known, so you instantly become humbled by realities edge, which then inspired me to put my thoughts on canvas. I would do a painting, then write poetry in the corner...whatever it took to get someone's eyes to automatically pick up on a poets passing thoughts.
Putting ink into the veins of a canvas invites peace within the lives requiring something other than false highs.
Interviewer: How does radio play into this?
For nearly 30 years I've been part of something special called Theater of the mind. It requires a daily loyalty to hand craft invisible pictures that listeners can see. Being so passionate about a performance now reaches around the world as a producer, writer and creator of commercials, imaging and radio shows.
Interviewer: Who put you on the path of openness?
Julia Cameron changed my life. The longer you stay away from her book The Artist Way the farther you get lost inside the chapters of a life that really doesn’t belong to you. So why fight the purpose of your being? Just create!”
Interviewer: Life is a continuation of lessons...share one of yours.
I've learned how take art to several different levels by locating places where its ok to make mistakes while still blending colors in the way of creating shadows.
Interviewer: All artists have favorite pieces...give me the who, what, why and where of yours?
The Charleston Bridge....we had just walked across the bridge during an eclipse which filled my heart with a new love for one of the most beautiful cities in America. What brings the bridge to life on the canvas isn't the actual structure but the texture of the paints and other mediums used...to highlight the city lights, glitter was spread which halos in the way of different lighting each day and or night. The waters have mixtures of Mont Blanc ink offering a shadow that's blessed with an oil most paints never dip their fingers in.
Interviewer: Anyone can call themselves an artist...what makes you think you are one?
I know this sounds way way to poetry-esque and artsy but the visions I share are emotional pieces that captivate the essence of love as well as passion and each expresses the balance between a tourists eye and someone who believes someone made a mistake when they didn't allow me to be born there. Therefore, distance makes my heart grow fonder and in that shadow I paint in ways that help allow those who pass by the opportunity to grasp a beginning without seizing an end. I always want people to believe in their soul that each expression delivered is only a room away.
Interviewer: You can learn more about the radio side of the Poet M'e as well as listen to his broadcasts at arroe.net