While reading the book The Sex Lives of Cannibals: Adrift in the Equatorial Pacific by J. Maarten Troost I came across this passage ‘In which the author expresses some dissatisfaction with the state of his life, ponders briefly prior adventures and misfortunes, and with the aid of his beguiling girlfriend, decides to quit the life that is known to him and make forth with all due haste for parts unknown’. The poor fellow goes through things that are both humorous and tragic. While reading the book I realized that the book is manifest from a trying circumstance. It is both entertaining as it is a medium to learn something about the human condition. As artists we sometimes wait for everything to be perfect to produce a piece or a draft that could lead to something amazing. Perhaps it is in the muddiness of life that we can find true inspiration and a stepping off point for something truly valuable. It reminds me of a quote, ‘If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster and treat those two impostors just the same’ by Rudyard Kipling (Even his name is artistic!). Perhaps creating is just an expression of lifes events, both good and bad. Nothing ‘has to be perfect’ nor indeed ever will be. Art helps us express the messiness of human existence and out of that, the birth of something beautiful!

• Let lifes events shape you rather than burden you!