David Andrew Wiebe

Musician | Artist | Writer

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  • The Parachutist

    Posted July 1, 2009 // Tagged as Artwork // No Comments

    The Parachutist

    The Parachutist

    I’ve wanted to do this for awhile, and finally got around to finishing it: it’s a parachutist!

    It’s a little more “realistic” than I wanted it to be, but I guess I shouldn’t be complaining about realism with pixel art. The parachute and the cords attached took the longest to do, but everything else was done in a short amount of time.

    Initially I wanted to create a logo for the “Parachute Bloggers Collective”, but alas it is no longer. A short while ago I purged many of my blogs so I could focus on a few things rather than dozens of things. My “blogging about blogging” blog was one of the first to go, and that’s where I had all the information about the Parachute Bloggers Collective.

    In any case, it was a fun project and I have a couple more on the way. Stay tuned!

  • Michael Jackson is no longer with us.

    Posted June 26, 2009 // Tagged as Day to Day // No Comments

    Michael Jackson

    Michael Jackson

    Like many, I was surprised and shocked to hear the news. Though I try to avoid the separation between ‘common folk’ and ‘important people’, I was still hit with an odd feeling to hear the passing of this worldwide icon. Michael Jackson was indeed a talented man, and an original at that.

    I have no further insight into the details of his death, nor the controversy surrounding it. I have a feeling it will be covered in media ad nauseam, and even if it’s not, I do not wish to add to the noise. As it is sometimes said, “death is a part of life”. I don’t really believe that death is indeed part of life, but it is an end to life as we know it. Ultimately, this is where we all end up.

    Everything in life is fleeting, and when we try to hang on to something, we’re actually doing ourselves a great disservice. Don’t get me wrong; I believe there is a time and place for mourning, and I believe that it is a healthy process that we all need to go through. In fact, it is often said that it is a lifelong process.

    However, we know that our youth is temporary. We can’t hold on to it forever. I have found that learning to release and forgive that which has left us is a difficult but ultimately rewarding process. Focusing on the past robs us of the joy that can be found in the present.

    I believe that after life there is eternity; either eternity in heaven, or eternity in hell. I couldn’t tell you what either will be like. All I know is that we will have eternal union with God in heaven, or eternal separation from God in hell.

    There’s a lot more that I could say about Michel Jackson, but I feel like the bigger issue here is life and death. Sometimes we needed to be reminded that we are all headed in that direction and we don’t know how long we will have to love others before we leave this world. If you cannot find peace in this knowledge, I would encourage you to begin searching.

  • If only…

    Posted June 23, 2009 // Tagged as Day to Day // 3 Comments

    Pathway

    Pathway

    On my walk this morning, I noticed the words “if only…” printed on the pathway. Someone had neatly written these words with blue sidewalk chalk a short distance from the playground. It got me thinking.

    A lot of us tend to view our past through glasses of regret, and view our future through the telescope of evil forebodings. It’s okay to admit that, because it’s human nature. Thinking positively is good, but it has to be tempered with reality.

    I imagine there are many people with a lot of “if only’s” in their lives. If only I was younger. If only I was older. If only I had a spouse. If only my spouse hadn’t left me. If only I had a job. If only I had a job I actually liked. The list could be endless.

    It can be difficult to see where our lives are taking us. Questions of predestination aside, what control do we truly have over our lives? Can we change who we are, and if so, how much?

    A short-term perspective cannot yield a long-term solution. Yet we try so desperately to imagine what tomorrow will be like (i.e. I can’t imagine my life without x, I can’t imagine my dream coming to pass).

    I am glad that I am serving a God who works outside of time. My immediate surroundings only tell me where I am in life right now. It informs me of my lack and abundance. It provides me with a set of unreliable data derived from past experiences. I either think in terms of favor or bias, which is ultimately pointless.

    Yet, hardship builds character and endurance builds faith. Yes, there are unspeakable tragedies in this world, and I am not here to justify or defend those things. But I do believe that God can turn everything around. He can take something ugly, hurtful or untrue and turn it into something beautiful.

    Maybe you can’t see how you’re going to survive the next two months. Maybe you find yourself in the midst of financial trouble. Perhaps you have lost all hope in life.

    What you may have forgotten is that life is not built on your past. If, like me, you believe that Christ died on the cross for your sins, and you have accepted Him in your heart, you have reason to hope. He gives you a fresh start. He gives you as many chances as you need. Your past is not important to Him, and besides, He is willing to take it and make it into something beautiful.

  • I’m proud of my friends.

    Posted June 20, 2009 // Tagged as Day to Day // 4 Comments

    My old band performing at the Olympic Plaza

    My old band performing at the Olympic Plaza

    I have many artistically inclined friends. Being a musician myself, I understand the dilemma of having to provide for oneself vs. pursuing passion. It’s awesome when the two meet, but realistically speaking not everyone will find that.

    Recently I’ve had the chance to catch up with a few people I haven’t seen in awhile. I got to take a gander at their recent creative pursuits and was mighty impressed. I’m proud of my friends.

    I don’t think they realize what they hold in their hand. They have something amazing; something that could reach a lot of people. Yet they don’t realize the value of what they have produced. They are unsure of their work, because it has yet to reach a lot of people.

    What does it mean for something to have value? Does it have to be seen or appreciated by a lot of people to have value, or is it intrinsic?

    Artists are often hard on themselves. It’s difficult for them to realize the significance of their work. That’s why they require so much support.

    Much of what I have done to this point was in an effort to help those around me. When I book a show for myself, I try to invite my friends to come and play. I also used to maintain a website where I promoted local artists and concerts. I like to help out where I can, because I understand the struggle.

    Sometimes artists just need to know that they are appreciated. They need to know that their work is prized. The least we can do is encourage them in their efforts.

  • On finding your creative purpose: your innate abilities

    Posted June 18, 2009 // Tagged as Day to Day // No Comments

    One of my comic book characters, Tou

    One of my comic book characters, Tou

    As I started thinking about elaborating on finding one’s creative purpose, I realized that there’s a lot to cover and I don’t even know where to start! I figured the best thing I could do is simply start at the beginning.

    Allow me to share part of my story. When I was born, I was practically born with a paintbrush in hand. I had always thought that my artistic inclinations had trickled down from my uncle who is an artist, but according to my mom, I have always been the artistic type. I would sit in front of the TV watching Mr. Dressup, following along with his crafts and drawings.

    In grade school I would often spend my free time drawing superheroes. I think I started drawing popular heroes like Superman and Batman, but eventually went on to create my own. This evolved into a variety of other creative ideas, like developing game concepts, drawing mazes and comics, and writing short stories.

    My parents also signed me up for private art lessons. At first it went well, but apparently I don’t follow direction too well and started drawing superheroes when I was supposed to be painting a flower. I guess you could say that I have often gone against the grain. My parents eventually pulled me from lessons because I was more interested in doing my own thing.

    In the final years of elementary school, drawing comics became my primary focus. I had a friend who shared this passion, and though his artwork wasn’t as clean as mine, I admired his ability to work fast and move a story along. I would often start a project and promptly leave it to work on something else. Completing large scale projects hasn’t always been my strong suit, but I have been learning to finish what I start.

    This hobby continued well into Jr. High, though things started to change when I entered High school. We’ll get into that another time.

    Nevertheless, I think you’re beginning to see what I’m driving at. When I came out of the womb, I did not decide that I was going to be an artist. I did not wake up one day and say, “I’m going to produce a lot of work!” I did not say, “I’m going to get really good at this.” These were all natural byproducts of following my creative inclinations.

    I think we have the tendency to overanalyze our passions in North America. We spend too much time thinking, and not enough time doing! I’m sure if you think back there have been times in your life when you really enjoyed what you were doing. It brought you peace and joy and fulfillment. Perhaps someone told you that what you were doing was foolish and worthless, and that you had better get your act together. This is an unfortunate tendency in North America, because we place more value on things that are immediately profitable. What your accuser may not have realized is that they were attacking the very thing that would make you happy. Not only would you be happy doing it, but you probably had (and still have) the capacity to be really good at it!

    Oftentimes our passions are so obvious that we have forgotten what they are. Is there something in your life that you would do without even being asked? Is there something you enjoy so much that you never really stopped to ask yourself why you do it? Perhaps it’s that gear stowed away in your garage, or that binder collecting dust in your closet. Pull that out again. Passion cannot wait.


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Previous Entries

  1. The Parachutist

    Posted July 1, 2009

    0

  2. Michael Jackson is no longer with us.

    Posted June 26, 2009

    0

  3. If only…

    Posted June 23, 2009

    3

  4. I’m proud of my friends.

    Posted June 20, 2009

    4

  5. On finding your creative purpose: your innate abilities

    Posted June 18, 2009

    0

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