The theme of this pen & ink is about walking away from fame.  That's why I titled this work "The Walk". 

 

People are always asking me how I've managed to succeed as artist when so many others fail. People are often shocked when I respond that being a successful artist has nothing to do with fame!  

 

The meaning of success is defined by the individual, so whose to say they failed?  For example, Van Gogh spent his entire life not being appreciated, yet I consider him one of my greatest heroes.  Like Picasso, today Van Gogh is considered one of the greatest artists that ever lived.  When his works come up for auction, museums around the world now compete for the opportunity to pay millions for his works.

 

So while most people equate success with money and fame, I don't share this view.  Success can also mean living a simple and happy life without all the complications and distractions from the public...  If you're a parent, for example, success can even mean raising good and healthy children. That is also a "meaningful" pursuit and definition of success!

 

That's why I say that we all must decide the meaning of success on our own terms.  Fortunately I learned this lesson in my early years, doing social work in the arts.  

 

For me, being a successful artist is not even about having a profession. That's why I created Zermeno Museum as an arts organization as my gift for the public instead of running a business and being treated like a commodity on the art market. I have a much "higher purpose".  At least for me, being an artist is a calling, like being a warrior, a shaman, or a monk, and a philanthropist for the public good.

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Being successful is about being true to myself and following my own path!  I am successful because being an artist for me is a way of life. John Campbell calls this "The Hero's Journey". 

 

For example, I've had many opportunities for fame and glory in the art world.  Fortunately deep down I knew this would never fulfill me.  Even to this day, each time I start getting too much recognition, I immediately unplug from social media and run for the hills!  I value my success from being able to walk away from the false of illusion of fame.  That's what this pen and ink is all about for me. As you can see from this pen & ink, that's why I am turning my back and walking away from all the viewers... 

 

I would never want to constantly attract "star gazers" everywhere I go.  That is not success!  Success for me means keeping my life simple.  And there's nothing I value more than owning my own life without creating a public fuss... That's why "The Walk" is my metaphor for turning my back to the illusion of it all.  With life comes wisdom.  Fortunately, I've already lived a long and interesting life. That's why I prefer to stay aligned to the north star of my own inner compass.  I know that true happiness comes not from without but from "within".  And, when it comes to my inner happiness no one can give me what I already possess!