GUSTAV YKEMA'S ARTWORK

Snorkeling Cayo Coco

This came from a vacation in Cuba. While snorkeling parallel to the beech in about 1 1/2 meter

of water. I ended up swimming in a school of fish for what seemed minutes, they were all around me. With the sunlight

reflecting off the fish, a flashing of yellow and silver was all I could see. I was unable to focus

properly and thus I was experiencing the defense mechanism of schooling. With survival always in the

minds of nature we humans are unique in that we are able step away from that and focus on creating.

Being allowed to experience the floating sensation with the waves and currents swaying me this way and

that while amongst the fish was something I will never forget.

The Fool

An individual is a product of their environment. We are all, as well, a product of our gene make-up

Type casting is a human trait and is determined by a persons’ outward appearance and their social skills.

What is often forgotten is our individuality, or uniqueness, as a part of humanity and should be

celebrated and not criticized. The question now is do we listen to those who belittle and harass or do we

expose and challenge those individuals for who they really are. Fools is my take on that.

As a human being, part of nature, in a world with so many unique events; events we are unable to control. We should embrace those wonders with all our senses, this as we continue to learn how special our earth really is. The human wonder exists in this world. We must also realize how very special we are.

What I Am

Reflecting on some thoughts and coming to terms with your self being. In youth those ideals and goals you set out for yourself. At that time not realizing how much the external influences in life will

mold your decisions and possibly alter your path in life. A life that has finite time. There is a trade-off to be made between your passions and monetary success. Hereditary and acquired skills is part of that self awareness.

It would be wrong to think that your thoughts are totally unique to you alone. Sharing those thoughts with others will make you realize this. Being human has a certain consistency to it. The control of your emotional state of mind will determine your health, your ability to regenerate through rest/sleep. Building positive thought patterns and physical habits will allow your body and mind to deal/ function in a healthy way.

North Korea

There are many people around the world who seek power and control over others. Their means of obtaining this is through fear and bullying. They search for individuals who are greedy, who have very little moral values, willing to enforce cruelty; and are willing to ride the coat-tales of an autocrat. The greatest villain of all is the lack of proper education. For education offers opportunity and most of all, understanding. With education people become independent thinkers, and become better at filtering truth from falsehoods. Every human being has the right to be free, make their own choices, be part of a just society, with just laws, being able to participate in enacting those laws as well as agreeing to obey those laws.

My Fault

As a human being we all have weaknesses and some bother us more than others. I find writing down my thoughts helps me put it in perspective as well as heal that negative emotion within me. It will never correct missed opportunities, any injustices to others. It does help me, understand and accept who I am, become a better person. Just the fact that it bothered me showed me how important the people I have met in my life mean to me. The communicating to those my gratefulness for that special connection, was lacking in me. The poem is meant for those left to attempt that communication. Recorded in my mind I am able to relive those moments I shared with other souls, and become the richer for it.

The Artist

The purpose of posting this site was for me to expose my art journey with anyone interested in how such a journey develops from youth to maturity and novice to experience.

My goal is to enter all my works from early teenage to present.

The artforms will include photographs, drawings, paintings, sketches and poetry.

This site remains a work in progress, and my wish is to ultimately display a semblance of progression