Thoughts behind the artwork...

Regardless of whether an audience is present or not, a genuine artist will Play Anyway.

The inspiration behind this image was an internal struggle that I have been wrestling with more and more over the past few years. That being whether or not I would keep creating these images. Once upon a time, people communicated freely when I shared my works. Over time, the communication has dropped to nearly zero... especially over the past year and a half or so. Part of me simply shrugs the shoulders and doesn't give a shit one way or another. Another part of me feels entirely different... it's that little voice in the head that oh so many artists has that asks the question "whats the point?". That little voice has come so very close to winning out. No matter what I create, the silence screaming back at me feeds that voice. I hear it muttering "whats the point" with increasing regularity.

However, while driving through the countryside one beautiful afternoon, this image popped into my head. This image. This concept. This simple truth. It was never with an audience in mind that I created ANYTHING. As I have come to learn from experience, ARTISTS are compelled to create what they create for the simple love of creating. Whether it be a painter, a poet, or a musician... regardless of whether an audience is present or not, they are going to Play Anyway.

Pretty sure I'll keep playing too.

-John Alexander (aka SirJohn)