Okay, So I'm Growing A Goatee...

Today the goatee is much more defined and longer than on this picture. This was in the really beginning (around Christmas) and it's been growing like a day or two at the maximum. I just decided to shave differently cos to some people goatee does works. For some it simply doesn't so now I'm asking your opinion on that one: does it work for me? You can say whatever you wanna say; say it's great, say it's crap, just give your full load of whatever it may be, all feedback will be published and received, so don't hold back a thing! What do you think about goatees in general? Like them, hate them, think their hot, think their not. Exercise your freedom of speech, cos you gotta right to - my opinion, hahahah! Just kidding. You have a right to your opinion, so tell it to me! *By the way, I got my camera working so will be shooting the video for my new song very soon... so keep on checking and eventually you will be rewarded! I hope to make it better than the last (the first) video I made for 'True Connection'.

In Memoriam: Kukka

Today I got some sad news. My mom's cat Kukka (Flower in Finnish) has died. She lived a long life but it's still very sad. She would always jump on my lap and stay there as long as I let her be there - she was a real cuddly cat. I am sorry to say she will never be there, never tug those claws into my chest through my shirt, never circle around my feet and talk back at me. She was a real talker. I thank God her exit to another dimension was a peaceful one, she just fell asleep and never woke up. Rest in peace, Kukka. I know you found the light, but you will be missed.

Kimmo Matias Menswear Line Continues

I don't usually brag about this kinds of things and not in this case either. I'm only sharing a happy moment with all of my readers, that's all! If anyone wishes to make more of it, well, then those people can just shove it down their throats. So, the story goes... Today I received a letter from Alfred Kordelin foundation. Some time ago I sent a grant application to them - and the answer to that was: yes! So this year I will start doing research and wire myself all over the place and in the beginning of next year I will start designing and producing the second edition of my menswear fashion line. I initally started the line in the beginning of this year with a small 'tester' collection.

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This weekend we are celebrating Mika's birthday (which was last week), my birthday (which was this week) and my future collection (which will see the light of day in the beginning of 2009). Three adorable creatures of course, haha - so lots to celebrate! This made my day!

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This will not mean I will be abandoning other creative arenas I love to play in. So I will still continue to do music and paint and photograph etc but next year my focus is and will have to be on this menswear collection, so that will be the main thing. But as I think I've written before, all the things I do are a natural part of me, and I love all my babies. Lot's of love and light to everyone, hope you all have a brilliant weekend! Shine your light and The Light will shine back at you... Sometimes patience is a virtue - though no way in hell would I say I possess such a virtue! I am the most impatient person I know, when my temper ignites it only takes 2 seconds to light the whole damn house on fire (figure of speech of course) so I guess I do not need to add I feel quite passionate about things?? And just in case you think I'm joking, let me tell ya, I ain't! Hahaha.

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I believe that sometimes life makes us struggle for our desires, to question our motives for doing things. It is a hard battle yet precious one, because to feel fulfilled we need to do something we love and we need to do it for the right reasons. My beliefs have been put to test many times and the rule number one is: never give up - this is where the patience is a plus. Rule number two is: never give up dreaming and your will to learn more. Rule number three: do your best and don't expect to get things for free - the reward is always sweeter when you know you have earned it. Rule number four: nobody succeeds all the time. When you're best is not good enough, then the thing you are reaching for might not be the right thing for you - or simply it's not yet time for you to have what you want. This means you need to learn something first, so you need to be honest with yourself and think about what you want, how you can reach it, are you doing it for the right reasons. Universe is an interesting place - let the energy flow through you. The minute you think you know it all and place yourself above everyone else, you will fall down from your high horse and stop growing. And I am not writing this in a way that I'm lecturing you nor am I "teaching you", I'm simply stating what I believe to be true. I've had plenty of struggles in my life and this is what I've come to learn from it. Usually when things are at their worst, something good is just around the corner. Have faith and fight agaist the dark thoughts - that is what I do, sometimes the light wins, sometimes the dark wins but ultimately there is always a reason behind things - even if we cannot see them. Kisses and hugs to everyone!

My Baby Boy!

Oops, I almost forgot this one. I found this one too. This is my dog Ville. When he was small, he looked just like a teddybear cos he had those round ears. He was the cutest thing ever. I could never take an animal who would not have cute eyes. This dog had them, he was cute and smart and funny and annoying. All of them at the same time sometimes. I still remember how impatient I was to take him home. I would bicycle almost everyday to see him, I did that for weeks cos he was too young then... And I kept asking over and over again (probably every time I visited his native home, that "Can I take him home already?". I remember the day I finally got to take him home, he was shaking in my arms when we drove the car. Later he was the one who shook the house, haha! Today Ville is walking on a cloud, he passed away in 1998. He was thirteen years old then. I still miss him. I've been wanting to take another dog for a while but I have not yet decided on the matter. If I decide to take one, he won't be a follow up to Ville. It will be a different kind of dog. There is no replacement for this fellow here. He was a gem, one of a kind. I hope dogs get to heaven, so I can see him again someday. May he rest in peace.. xxx

Artist of the Week: Hugo Simberg

Here is some works of another Finnish artist, Hugo Simberg. Hugo Simberg was born on 24th of June, 1873 in Hamina, Finland. Hugo Simberg was a brave, unique artist whose early works, some very small, were considered odd within the artist circles. His master (Akseli Gallen-Kallela, who was featured in last weeks post) supported and encouraged Hugo to stay in the path he had chosen. Hugo had his own style, which combined Finnish ugriculture with the world of symbolism. Poor devils and fates of ordinary people were a big part of Simberg's artistic imagery. Around 1910 Hugo was in crossroads: like his friend Magnus Enckell (also featured in previous posts) he got excited and turned towards brighter colours - the former symbolist became an impressionist. Hugo Simberg entered eternity on 12th of June, 1917. Later that same year (December 6th) the war against Russia ended - and Finland became an independent country. Personally I have always liked Hugo Simbergs style. My favorites paintings by him are Wounded Angel and Garden of Death. In these paintings, both of his styles are present. I especially like Garden of Death - he has managed to put so much emotion and tenderness in this painting. It's a very unique painting, I have never seen anything comparable to it. He describes death being tender and loving, he makes death human and describes him as someone you can give yourself without fear.

Rose Picker

Brothers

Wounded Angel

Fantasy

Autumn

Elf

Garden of Death

Frost

Ring Dance

Devotion

Crossroads

Death Listens

Color Me Kimmo

Ok, so I decided to try on blue eyes. I think I like the original brown eyes better! This looks strange on me. Hmm. And how many times did I want to have blue or green eyes while I was growing up - just because almost everyone in my family had brown eyes. Well, I got over that hang-up now, eh he he!

Portrait

I found this old picture of my father while going through stuff. I think I resemble him quite a lot, don't you think? I always find it funny and charming how they used to colour images back in the days. In some images, my father's eyes are bright blue - in real life, they were grey. I guess it reflects the ideals of beauty during that particular time. I wonder how I would look if I had blue eyes?

Re-Inventing Myself - The New Look!

Okay darlings! Here is my new look with both, before and after pictures. I really like what Teemu did with my hair this time, so big hand to him! Somehow life doesn't seem so gloomy anymore - funny (but nice) how changing a hairstyle can make or break the day, not to mention lifting ones spirit up!

The Inevitable & The strange

So, the task to go through all of these boxes has begun! Wish me luck! I haven't actually managed to throw much of the stuff away...which is kind of worrying me since that was the task! While I was going through these boxes full of memories, I noticed this one box with a strange etiquette. It's quite bizarre! First of all, there is a pig with a hand print on his ass - pig that likes to get spanked, eh? - and then the second thing... why is the sun looking at the pig's ass and smiling while doing so???!!! Ok, so maybe I have a very dirty mind but it felt very strange. I guess the box is some meat company's box - but still what is the purpose of this image? What it tries to communicate? S&M? Just thought it was really funny, so had to post it here!!!

Artist's Word Play!

I just found this! I drew this when I was five. I remember I embarrased my parents when I did it. You see there is two words that are almost the same but have a completely different meaning: kypärä (helmet) and kyrpä (slang word for penis). So imagine a little five-year old boy who runs to the living room - of course while we have guests - all excited he holds up a drawing in his hand and screams from the top of his lounges "Look! He has a kyrpä on his head!!!". Later I lost my interest in the helmets and cars, and discovered something completely different, hahaha!