Open Letter to The Governor-General

Right Honourable David Johnston:

I am writing to you in regards to our Prime Minister seeking another prorogation of parliament.  I am well aware that as Governor-General, your duty forbids you to intervene in the democratic process of Canada; however, I feel that this does not mean you should acquiesce to demands that exploit the parliamentary process.  I feel strongly that consistent prorogation is an affront to our democratic system, and sets a terrible precedent that other leaders will continue to use to avoid accountability and to silence critics.  As both debate and responsible government are keystones of our democracy, it falls to you, Sir to uphold these tenets. 

I implore you not to prorogue parliament this time.  Doing so would be tantamount to intervening in the democratic process.  I beg you to consider this action deeply.  Maintaining a functional, exuberant democracy is the only right path.  As a Canadian citizen yourself, please do what is right: see that our parliamentary system is not abused and exploited.  Stand up for honour, and most importantly for the correct procedures of governance.

Sincerely,

Graeme Lottering

Using Copper Oxides in a Painting

It's nice to finally be abe to work outside. I started a new painting, inspired by the pine forest. In this painting, my challenge is to use homemade verdigris or malachite, both of which are copper oxides. Since those minerals require a highly potent ammonia (read: rank-stankerously filthy smell), it has to be done outside.

Mala is investigating the stink!

In case I ever want to do this again, I'm experimenting to see which treated copper plate provides the most pigment. Here are the coppers I prepared:

• immaculate plate, in other words, the control;
• engraved marks with a blade;
• bent and wrinkled;
• sanded with fine paper.

I made the sky over a few days. Right, now I'm working on getting a copper pine-needle carpet going for my landscape. If everything works out according to plan, the malachite will be sprinkled on top to give it more depth. 

While I'm waiting for the washes to dry, I varnished this piece of wood, and another miscellaneous object I found in the forest. It could be some sort of farm machine part, I don't know. You'll get to see it eventually. For now, I'm keeping it under wraps. But here's the wood. Yeah, definitely enjoy the wood. At least there's that.

My Rules for Creation

This is a post inspired by Liz Worth's post on 'A Creative Manifesta'.

In 2009 when I visited my uncle in South Africa, he told me that you gain a clearer understanding of who you are when you write down the things you believe in. It was advice that stuck, and on the 22 hour return flight, I recorded the things I value most in life. The list has definitely formed a guideline on how I act ever since.

So I'm hoping that the things I list here will do the same from a creative point-of-view.


1. Let your intuition guide you, but depend on logic to set you on the right path.

2. Discover and explore the overarching psychological themes in your own life.

3. Keep an open mind to everything from silly YouTube videos to overheard conversations.

4. Value your dreams, they will help you solve creative problems if you ask them.

5. Give up on projects that bore you, and focus on those that give you energy.

6. Work hard!

7. Never let your mind idle too long, inertia will catch you.

8. Forget everything society tells you about genius being linked to crazy.

9. Make associations between unlikely things.

10. Believe in your projects, regardless of what others say.

11. Find a method that works for you and perfect it.

12. Go for walks when you feel stuck.

"Dear Lucky Agent" Contest

I like the idea of a contest like this. Writers of Sci-Fi or YA can submit to a contest judged by a Literary Agent.

See Details here: "Dear Lucky Agent" Contest

The genre changes from time to time, so keep checking back.

The Big Red Button

Here is another Paper Trails comic I drew a  long time ago. This one features a Big Red Button. I love the idea of a button that has unexpected consequences.

In 2011, Pulpit Magazine published a story I wrote that includes a magic machine, operated, of course, by a Big Red Button.

It's called 'The Transcendence Machine'. The website is like time-travelling to the 1990s, so you'll have to scroll down a bit to get it.

Paper Trails #1

When I was in university, I illustrated a series of absurdist cartoons. The paper kept most of the originals, but I found a folder with some scans. I figure I will fix one up a week (maybe more frequently) and post them here.

It was called 'Paper Trails'. Enjoy the first one.