sábado, 8 de maio de 2010

TO BE OR NOT TO BE (a shark)

Hey humans (and aliens out there)! :P
I've been thinking in a lot of things lately...things that I didn't used to. Have you ever got the feeling that in order to survive in this competitive world of arts/design, you need to change the very essence that defines who you are and become a "shark"?
Usually I'm a good judge of characters and I can tell who to trust. I don't know what's happening to me, but lately - I must be losing my skills - people have been really disappointing me...like...all the time. People that I used to think of as really good friends and I confess that I never saw that coming.
Maybe I'm naive but what can I say? this really gets to me and makes me very sad. My real friends keep telling me that "there's no such thing as a friend at work". I always refused to believe that...in fact some of my best friends where once co-workers. The truth is that I don't know what to believe anymore...we grow up listening to our parent telling us that we should always be honest and do our best to be good professionals, respecting everybody, treating others as we would like to be treated. But then one day you wake up and realize that this is all just a fairytale. In real life things are very different.
It's also kinda scary to see the true colours of someone that you think you know whenever money is involved...fighting over money always seams so dirty and shallow to me!
I'm getting really tired of the "complicated". I hate playing games and having to pretend all the time, having to read between the lines cause people can't just be honest with you...you know? One day they act like they're your best friends, the next they wont even talk to you, and then a week from that, they are all nice and smiley again...GOD! I wanna move to the jungle...animals are much nicer...even the beasts. At least they don't hide the fact that they want to have you for dinner! :P
Anyways...I made this piece to decorate the facillities of the company I work for...Hope you like it!

Olá Humanos (e E.T.s que andem por aí)! Tenho andado a pensar recentemente em coisas que não costumava pensar. Já alguma vez tiveram a sensação de que para conseguir sobreviver neste mundo competitivo das artes/design é necessário reformular o vosso carácter e alterar a essência que define aquilo que são para se tornarem "tubarões"? Normalmente sou um bom avaliador de carácters e consigo escolher bem as pessoas em quem devo confiar. Mas não sei o que se está a passar comigo ultimamente - devo estar a perder qualidades - porque pessoas que eu via como bons amigos têm-me desapontado de formas que nunca julguei ser possível. Talvez seja ingénuo, mas o que posso dizer? Estas situações deixam-me triste. Os meus verdadeiros amigos insistem em me dizer que "não há amigos no trabalho". Eu sempre me recusei a acreditar nisso, até porque muitos dos meus melhores amigos foram algures no tempo meus colegas de trabalho. Confesso que já não sei em que acreditar...uma pessoa cresce a ouvir os pais dizerem que devemos ser sempre honestos e tratar os outros da forma que gostaríamos de ser tratados. Mas um dia acordamos e vemos que isso não passa de um conto de fadas...na vida real as coisas não são assim.
Chega a ser assustador ver as "verdadeiras cores" de alguém que julgamos conhecer quando há dinheiro envolvido. Discutir por causa de dinheiro sempre me pareceu uma coisa tão suja e superficial...
Estou cada vez mais cansado do "complicado". Ter de fazer joguinhos, andar sempre a olhar por cima do ombro e a ler nas entrelinhas porque as pessoas simplesmente não conseguem ser sinceras. Num dia agem como se fossem grandes amigos, no dia a seguir se for preciso nem nos falam, e uma semana depois são outra vez a simpatia em pessoa...arghhhh! Acho que me vou mudar para a selva, até as feras são mais amigáveis...ao menos com elas sabemos com o que podemos contar - elas não escondem o facto de que nos querem comer ao jantar!
Depois deste testamento, vamos aquilo que interessa - Fiz esta peça para decorar as instalações da empresa onde trabalho. Espero que gostem.

35 comentários:

senhorita valdez disse...

honey bunny, people are like that: one day they bring you up, next day they bring you down. carry on being the beautiful human being that you are-funny, bright and true- and don´t be affected by bad vibes, you are bigger than that!*your good friend, dani

Francisco Martins disse...

Daninha lindaaa!!! you know how I (L)you don't u? :D
You are one of the constant in my lfe...everyone comes and goes...but you always stay arround to make my life better! :) love uuuu!

Brian Lue Sang disse...

I agree with senhorita valdez!

People are... people! There's no perfection with any of us, but those of us who KNOW that need to realize that things will sometimes be EXACTLY how you say, Francisco.

I went through a very similar period last year and I, like you, found things far too complicated. I approached it all much like a piece of art - I went back to the basics. I striped away all the unwanted, and unnecessary clutter, and found myself much better for it in the end.

I hope you don't feel down about what you're experiencing. Just learn from it, my friend, and move on. The last thing that you should do is make the world leave you jaded - you're far too positive for that. Keep going!!

Peter Breese disse...

Hey my friend, I completely understand your disappointment and concerns. Frustration is rife in this field and folks just don't communicate the way the used to. For me, communication is key. My suggestion is to cut away the excess and you'll find the world is a very sweet place indeed.

You've got some great work buddy and an equally awesome attitude - don't let the bums drag you down.

Francisco Martins disse...

Brian, Peter: Thanks so much for your insight. Deep down I'm aware of all those things and I know exactly what to do. But what your mind tells you is one thing...what you feel is another. I gess I'm just more sensitive than the usual :P
It's always hard when someone you trust stab you in the back.
But you're right...this is just how the world works...ther's not much I can do about it. I'm a little bitter right now, but I'll be just fine in a day or two :)
Thanks for the comments guys!

Carl Knox disse...

so sorry to hear you've had a negative experience Francisco.

makes you appreciate you real friends even more. :)

and don't worry... I'd love to have you for dinner one night (in the good way).

Francisco Martins disse...

Thanks buddy!
Hahaha!! as long as you're not planning to eat my eye balls or something or have my brain for desert...OK! :D

APO (Bem-Trapilho) disse...

wow adoro, Francisco! adoro este estilo!

e essa tua reflexão é muito pertinente. eu acho que é de seres artista. usas o cérebro de forma diferente. a ingenuidade faz parte. a maldade e o espírito "tubarão", quanto a mim, não tem muito a ver com a beleza da arte.
enfim, o ser humano é um bicho um bocado "feio". Mas há excepções. e é só por isso que vale a pena continuar neste mundo.

ahhh e obrigada por seres uma dessas excepções e destilares a tua simpatia de cada vez que apareces no meu blog! :) sabes, adoro ilustração, mas a pratica faz milagres e tenho consciência que me faltam esses "milagres" para que me possa considerar "alguma coisa" na ilustração. :)

bjinho e vá, toca a animar!

Francisco Martins disse...

Obrigado pelo comment!
Sim...prática é essencial, mas eu acho qu estás no bom caminho!
bjs

APO (Bem-Trapilho) disse...

só não percebo se é "nós por cá" ou nós por lá"! :)

Francisco Martins disse...

Pois neste caso é memso mais "Eels por lá" :P

Bella Sinclair disse...

Aww, Francisco. C'mhere, let me give you a big hug. There definitely are sharks out there, but it would break my heart to know that you turned into one, too. Be honest and professional and respectful, because in the end, you will be able to hold your head up high. The sharks will get their own. I have to believe that. Be smart, though, and don't give out your trust and loyalty blindly. Once bitten, twice shy.

You have an incredible amount of talent, my friend. It's a shame some people have to resort to theft to keep up.

Wonderful piece, by the way. I especially love the "HELP ME" "No."

Francisco Martins disse...

Hey Bella,
Thanks so much for your words of encouragement. You're right...in the end I don't have it in me to become a shark...even if I wanted to...which I dont. I would never be able to live with myself.
Big Hug to you! :)

Damion009 disse...

dude!!! I feel you on that. I try to make it my duty to be who I say I am! not lead people on or not keep my word. it sucks that someone like your self cant just be around awesome and good people. thats why for the most part I keep to myself! I have the people I know are friends. And I keep my eye on the others. anyways, BEAUTIFUL WORK!!! as always... :D hugs.

Francisco Martins disse...

Thanks Damion...I know you are a genuine person. Stay that way bro...pure and true to yourself!

Abz disse...

Cheer up dude... everyone can relate, I'm sure. Good always wins. Talk to you soon...great art, as always!

Francisco Martins disse...

Thanks Abouzy! :)

Bãpp disse...

great job my friend,
jan :)

illustration poetry disse...

hmmm ok...
i understand you.
dont worry, i feel like that all the time.

you are better than me.
much much much better.

anyway, i dont know you but i think you make great works, i dont lie but im not saying im a beast, you know... :)
i hope you are smiling now.
like in your picture!

so stand up and be fearless.
i will see you later?
in the jungle?

illustration poetry disse...

by the way, happy belated birthday!

bye now.

~mita.

Francisco Martins disse...

Hi lakhsmita indira,
Hehe I'm smilling alrigh! :)

No way in hell that I'm better than you! :P

Sure...I'll meet you in the jungle... we can ride elephants and jaguars:)

Thanks!

Francisco Martins disse...

Cabap: Thanks Jan! ;)

Glen Barbosa de Carvalho Batoca disse...

Excelente trabalho meu amigo Francisco!!!
Em relação ao texto,gostei do seu desabafo,pois realmente nos decepcionamos muitas vezes com pessoas que aparentemente mereciam a nossa confiança,todos nós já passamos por isto na vida,e o nosso amadurecimento natural faz com estejamos melhores preparados para estas "armadilhas da vida" e passamos a reconhecer melhor os nossos verdadeiros amigos e dar a eles o devido valor.Quanto aos aspectos negativos das relações humanas eles sempre existiram e temos que saber olhar por cima e através deles e superá-los...afinal problemas sempre existiram,mas as soluções também!
Espero que o amigo supere esta "pequena pedra" que colocaram em seu caminho!
Abraços do Brasil!

Tomás Serrano disse...

Tu arte es único. Los tiburones se dedican más a otros. Don´t you worry.
Un abrazo

Vj Arumugam disse...

my friend here has gone nuts....let me get in to your brain and see....well...yeah i got it....few screws are loose...he he...i can fix them.... damn! fransico! my friend wake up!!! lemme pour the bucket of water on you now...sploosh!!! are you up now? there was this saint...who was taking his morning bath in a river...and he saw a scorpion struggling in the water trying to get to the shore. he picked the scorpion with his hands and tried to drop him at the shore. before he could do that the scorpion stung him. the saint in pain dropped the scorpion in the water again. but he picked him up again and the scorpion stung him again. "are you crazy? oh you the old saint....don you understand? he will sting you if you pick him!! asked a passer by. "well...i indeed am aware of that my friend, but what to do, if biting is his nature, helping him is mine" replied the old saint with a smile on his face. It takes a lot to be who you are my friend. n no matter what others do , you be who you are! people will come and go, and its all part of your journey. it is all part of your decisions in your life....learn and move on. don dwell in the past. that can hold you there forever!!! chill and you are doing fantastic in life. trust me.... post more!!! :)

Francisco Martins disse...

Glen: Valeu pela força amigo!

Tomás: Hola Tomás, gracias por tu comentário irmano! :)

VJ: Hey man, thanks, I loved your story...you're right. I'm not usually this drama queen...I must be getting soft! lol
Cheers bro! :)

Amy C disse...

well its absolutely beautiful and has certainly brightened my day, of course visiting your blog always does!
Sorry to hear about the sharks out there, I wish I could say I had never met them either.
But there are way more lovely unique amazing people out there that far out number them.
And thankfully one of those lovely people I am so happy to know is you and you are worth so much more than that.
hug to you

Francisco Martins disse...

Hey Amy, thanks so much for your kind words! :)
Sharks suck! :P

douce disse...

Dear Francisco,

I know everyone has probably already told you this but i will add my 2 cents worth also. I always make it a point of being as truthful as i can unless of course it will cause people pain. I like being honest-- it gives me a clean conscience! Don't get too jaded or hurt by others. Continue to be positive and they will soon learn that you are a beautiful soul who doesn't let negativity stick to you and they will start treating you as you treat them.If they don't treat you with respect--just stay away from them. As far as money goes it is an ugly business and has to be sorted out. Always negotiate money up front so there are no hard feelings. That which does not kill us will make us stronger, so just live and learn. Stay as sweet as you are and remember when people are getting you down that there are many others who love you just the way you are!

Francisco Martins disse...

Hey Bob,
Thanks a lot for your advice. I know you're right and usually I'm no so sensitive about these things...but i have been a little on edge lately and that probably makes everything look bigger that what it really is. Anyways it's always complicated when someone you work with during 9 hours a day, 5 days a week stabs you in the back. As much as you may try to stay away, there's not where to go. You have to face your problems and bear the fact that you need to tolerate the presence of that person, work with him/her and keep a civilized dialog in order to be able to do your job. In other words you just have to "suck it up". That's not easy...at all. but it's just another lesson that I have to learn.

Thanks for the support! :)

APO (Bem-Trapilho) disse...

Oi Francisco!
A resposta àquela dúvida da "Vanda Miss Joaquim" já está no Bom Feeling. Passa para ver! :)
bjokas

donny* disse...

sorry to hear this. its always so messy with some people, isn't it? if only we *could* get by with only art and animals. hope things are better now. and, great work, as usual!

Francisco Martins disse...

Thanks for the support man! I'll be fine...unfortainly we sticking our heads in the sand is never the best option...facing our problems is always the way to go. Wish me luck! :) hehe!

TrüSka disse...

Que grande desabafo! E eu a pensar: "Parece que já todos passámos pelas mesmas desilusões num ponto ou outro das nossas vidas...!" É triste mas é mesmo assim - vivendo e aprendendo! Os verdadeiros amigos são aqueles que se mantêm sempre do nosso lado! São os que nunca nos abandonam! E pronto... que posso dizer mais? Ah!! Adorei o teu trabalho! : ) Parabéns! Não conhecia mas vou ficar atenta! : *

Francisco Martins disse...

Olá! sim...é verdade. quando pensamos que já vimos tudo, a vida prega-nos uma partida. Mas e mesmo assim e se calhar não teria piada nenhuma se fosse de outra forma :)

obrigado pela visita!