Inked: Spain

The sitting bull

One of the personal objectives I had set for myself was to do an exhibit here in Madrid... featuring, well, these things (above). It's a style I started decades ago~ back in my university years. How it works is that I write a name first... then work out from there a general shape. From there, I try to figure out what it's going to be. During lunch, I bought a blank notebook today to get started once more. My plan is to make one, at least once a week.

Today's piece was different of all the items I've made. It was the first time I tried to do a name of a place... and somehow I already knew I was either doing a bear or a bull. In this case, I thought a bull was more appropriate, considering the on-going San Fermin running-of-the-bulls festivals here in Spain. I also opted for something visually different as well... as most imagery of bulls we have seem to represent power, rage... or some sort of strong force. I felt like doing the opposite; I thought of a bull at rest... sitting down... or perhaps looking defeated (I think of the bulls at the stadium after it has been stabbed / poked by the matadors~ but look, no spears nor blood here).

I kept the top of its head blank... as if to signify a clear mind. Or perhaps a lack of thoughts. Or a disconnect between the mind and the heart. The rest... I would leave other people to interpret on their own (but of course, only I know the real meaning of certain placements of shapes. Trivia-wise: there are 6 things of significance that aren't apparent but implied in the image). Anyway, that's it... on to other more important stuff for the week!