Yes, the book is STILL available. Also, I was surprised to find that the Art Wanted page had 5, 331 views and 14 comments -mostly from female artists who appreciated Maakika.
Here are some comments:
Here are some comments:
"i said in another post that these make me think of some hinted at mythology. you should do a book of these with just title s to hint at things so we can read them and let our mind run wild!"
"Seriously, these are the best things you do and you should concentrate making more or using them as a design project (T-shirts, posters whatever). Clean 'em up just a little and they'd be incredible."
"interesting.. kind of tribal... - the shapes down the left hand side, do they symbolise the moon phases, by any chance? :)"
"These Maakika pieces are wonderful Terry!! I find them really fasinating."
"So charming! A real treasure!"
"very cool"
Pity that none of the art was ever purchased -and neither has a single copy of the book. Artists really do need support you know.
Whenever I try to explain to someone the origins of The Maakika I get odd looks. I have no idea why, unless the people I'm explaining this to have no artistic minds and have never known a fevered mind!
However, the story I told on the original Maakika Art site in 2008 is factual. These pieces have been called some of the best work I've done -my comic work getting swiftly dismissed! I'm also told, though I never saw it that way myself until I went through all the pieces again, that the pieces seem to form a type of mythology or at least hint at one. I'll let YOU decide.
The Origins
"What is Maakika Art?" I get asked that a great deal and to be honest it is a very brief story!
In 2006 I had a serious respiratory infection. It came and went but,in 2007,it came back with a vengeance over several months and with complications I thought it would see me shift this mortal coil -and I am NOT joking!
Around May, 2007, it got really bad. Then, suddenly,pouring with sweat, while seated on a bus, my mind started getting a rush of images -maybe 50-60. I got home exhausted but I sat down and began to draw. Honestly, at 50 years of age I had drawn many things but these new images were so out of my usual frame of image reference that I was stumped.
I drew a few, sat back and thought "What the bloody hell have I drawn?!" Almost instantly the word "Maakika" [pronounced "Mah-kee-kah"] came into my head. At the same time I got the definition "solid black and white art under guidance from the Maakika". Ahh, a fevered mind -and no drugs involved!
I've searched the word on the internet, in books and anywhere else I can but it seems not to exist. I cannot find anything similar.
And with each came a title or description.
So,a divine gift from the Maakika pantheon seems credible!
And lucky.
The original images are all 21x29cms and though I've not parted with the first "inspired" drawings which look crude to my eye, several were sold for between £150-£300 each.
I still have the original images in my mind [they won't shift!] but I've been inspired to work on larger images [60x42cms].
So,if you have any questions or comments get in touch!
And remember:only one person does Maakika art -me (and I have absolutely no idea what's coming next!)
The Maakika Art ~ you can buy the book!
Paperback,
A4
32 Pages
Price: £6.00 (excl. VAT)
Prints in 3-5 business days
Is this an unedited repost? Just curious. I have one copy and I know that my late friend bought one and was most enthusiastic about Maakika because it reminded him of African art he saw whilst he was working in Nigeria to the extent that he was having flashback dreams. Two is in the minutae of sales. I cannot understand the reluctance to buy your work. These images are beautiful and it bugs me. Maybe the imagery is analogous to the Victorian doll phenomenon. Some people love them. For others, they reveal hidden phobias - like my own problem with them. They are so individual. I so wish you could get some greenbacks for all your hard work. TLC.
ReplyDeleteNot edited that I'm aware. Lots -LOTS- of praise for the art. Was even show as part of a pop up gallery and got good comments (I'm told). Number of books sold up to 2020...2
ReplyDeleteRight. Sorry. The concept of just two sales for this work is just mind-boggling. I mentioned your difficulties in selling to a young friend of mine, who just settled with his family, over here from Australia. We looked up your Maakika and he was really impressed with it. Again, he couldn't fathom out why the problem. Maybe it just doesn't fit with 2020. When I was at college, I was told my art was "out of date". Given the wide range of styles available for public consumption, as with music, again we must realise that what will take and, more importantly, sell well enough, is a mystery we can never tune into. We just put it out there and hope the wind catches it! We're stuck with being mortal and trying to predict is as fruitful as trying to control the weather.
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