My Garden

I come here to this place of beauty as often as I can.
By label, I would be "gardener".
Yet, I confess, she sculpts me more than I, her.

My soul is enriched by the scent of her landscape.
Enrapturing every moment spent within her blossoming borders.

With sharp tools, I work her surface.
Cold and metallic. Undeserving of her intimate features.

In truth, she knows best.
If I could give her to that wild nature she longs to express.
How fair she would be. Moreso than even I could shape her.

For what I do is destroy her longing to be set free.
I am called the master of her boarders.
Yet, I'd rather she be left to follow her own voracities.

For only I see what grows wild within her secret places.
Creativity, discernment, wisdom, and a quick wit,
being some of her most desirable annuals.

Yet, I am toilsome to remove these expressions.
Hardly because I desire to.

I fear that if others see her true nature.
I shall be labeled wanting in my duties towards her.

This by others who spend far less time among her petals.
Caring little for what she wishes herself to become.

So I pay my debt to social constructs.
I remove her wilds and plant unnatural efflorescence.
Deemed appropriate for a garden of such distinction.

Society wants of her conformity,
while creativity is to be managed rather than encouraged.

Dullness is worked along every path,
with discernment no longer in sight.

Even still, naivete and ignorance please the masses,
far more than her native wisdom and organic wit. 

So for the sake of my own appearance.
I try to mould her into something she does not wish to be.
She gives of her nature freely,
but I prune it back at risk of her spirit overwhelming me.

All I yearn for is to let wild her truth.
To foster that which she longs to express.
Perhaps one day I will be less of a coward,
and nurture that which my garden gives of her own fashioning.

I take solace in knowing that despite my assaults and intrusions.
Her natural beauty always finds it's way back to the surface.

I destroy, and yet she rebuilds.
I pluck, and yet she yields.
I reshape, and yet she demands freeform.

Long after I am gone. She'll be here still.
Perhaps one day someone new will come along,
one to encourage that wild spirit she encompasses.

The reality is that I can never truly change her.
Yet she has forever changed me.

I give little and take in abundance.
Yet, she always has ever so much more to offer.

I come here to this place of beauty as often as I can.
A garden that will not be tamed by any man,
and that,
that is why I love her.

Nautical Triptych

"Nautical Triptych"

by

Mann Wynn

Oil on Canvas

12" x 36"
(12" x 12" per canvas)

2014

Mann Wynn is the "nom de artiste" for
Matthieu Duquette's painting.
The name comes from the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc

runic alphabet representing the letters "M" and "W".

Leviathan

"Leviathan"

by

Mann Wynn

Oil on Canvas

24" x 48"

2014

Mann Wynn is the "nom de artiste" for
Matthieu Duquette's painting.
The name comes from the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc

runic alphabet representing the letters "M" and "W".

Words of Wisdom

If the golden rule is "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

The platinum rule should be "Don't expect the same courtesy of the golden rule in return."

Expectations are usually going to be left wanting. Remember that and the golden rule becomes much easier to follow.  

The Fisherman

"The Fisherman"

by

Mann Wynn

Oil on Canvas

24" x 30"

2014

Mann Wynn is the "nom de artiste" for
Matthieu Duquette's painting.
The name comes from the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc

runic alphabet representing the letters "M" and "W".

Words of Wisdom

One of the most beneficial lessons you can learn about life is that there must always be room in your heart to embrace tragedy. There will undoubtedly be sorrowful experiences we must all go through at every turn of the page. What makes the difference, is that which you take from them. Fight it, or allow misfortune to consume you, and it is by your own will that they become utterly hideous.

Take from these experiences every last drop of wisdom you can. Be at peace with yourself and others in tragedy. Work diligently through the hurt, rather than ignore or run from it.

You cannot erase lamentations, nor the effect they have on your life. What you can control is whether you transform tragedy into something beautiful. Or something altogether destructive.

Let not another moment of your life be given over to pernicious calamity. There's simply not enough time for it.

Flutterby

"Flutterby" by Mann Wynn 2014

"Flutterby"

by

Mann Wynn

Oil on Canvas

30" x 40"

2014

Mann Wynn is the "nom de artiste" for 
Matthieu Duquette's painting.
The name comes from the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc

runic alphabet representing the Letters "M" and "W".

Set Sail

It's been quite some time since I've painted. I have two pieces I've been working on, however. This is the second of the two I started recently. Yet the first to see completion.

"Set Sail" by Mann Wynn 2014

"Set Sail"

by

Mann Wynn

Oil on Canvas

36" x 48"

2014

Mann Wynn is the "nom de artiste" for 
Matthieu Duquette's painting.
The name comes from the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc

runic alphabet representing the Letters "M" and "W".

Words of Wisdom

Have pity on those who demand respect based on status or position. For they are the small portion of society who will never earn respect based on their merits.

All That Glitters Is Not Gold

The cover page of my two part photostory submitted to Chaosphere Magazine. This page was dropped before final production. Completely destroying the message I had intended to convey.

Another reminder why I don't often work with magazines.

I wrote a tanka poem that went along with the photo-narrative which is featured below.

Dark ritualist.

Seeker of ageless excess.

Take heed. Life breeds death.

Sparing none the final rest.

Desire too much and lose all.

Chaosphere Magazine Volume VII

This issue features the work of

Matthieu Duquette & The Dannimal

Available for purchase at

Lulu.com

Here's a peek at the set from the shoot

Words of Wisdom

Most will tell you that to experience passion is to experience the climactic end of a journey. Which is a complete fallacy. To be ever intent toward some end means never to fully experience passion.

Passion is most satiated when one arrests the impulse to vanquish the pursuit. It is in the crescendo that passion is truly found. Never in the climax. Which is effectively the death of a passion.

Words of Wisdom

Take careful steps in pursuit of individuality. While nothing quite compares to the sense of being set apart from the rest of your surroundings. There is an inherent remoteness that propagates alongside expanding individual awareness.

The more intricately you mold your life into an uncommon shape. The more you might find it difficult to fit alongside the pegs and cutaways of those around you. It can be a wearisome task to find those few pieces with which you most perfectly fit.

Steampunk Shoot with Chas Della Silva

Matthieu Duquette & The Dannimal

team up for a day of steam with

photographer Chas Della Silva

Chaosphere Magazine Shoot

The Dannimal and Matthieu Duquette

worked on a shoot for

Chaosphere Magazine Vol. 7

want to see that amazingness you'll have to wait for publication. Yet they did a couple graveyard shots as well during the same day.

Inspiration Project - Words of Wisdom

    During the beginning of August. I began a project which started out as a year of writing. For a little over two weeks I was doing a quote a day that I would share on facebook. Since then I was starved to begin intensely working again on the novel that I have been writing procrastinatingly for several years. I determined that instead of limiting myself to an inspirational blurb a day for the next year. I would instead resolve to do something creative every day. So far I am happy to say that I have kept this resolution to the letter.

    Whether it has been photography, costuming, writing, set design, or any other artistic passion I have. I have done at least something towards one of them every day since at very least the beginning of August. Perhaps a while longer as I have been very active all summer long artistically. Most important for me personally. I have written fifteen new pages of content in my novel over the last week as of this post. If I can keep up a pace of even half that. I should easily have a presentable manuscript ready in around six months.

    I still plan to write little pieces of inspiration here and there. If I have had nothing else happen for me creatively for a day. Yet I haven't written one in over two weeks due to all the other creative content I have made progress on. Nevertheless, here is a page compiled of the inspirational quotes and writings I have created so far over this project of mine.


-August 5th-
Sometimes what life needs is the occasional unattainable dream.




-August 6th-
So often it seems impossible to sacrifice your guilty pleasures in favor of seeking your passions. While pleasures can be had with much ease. Passions tend to take a great deal of effort. Yet with time and temperance. Your passions will eventually become second nature. Replacing those long forgotten leisures with the greatest and most fulfilling of prosperities. That which abides within one's self.


-August 7th-
There is immense value in all human emotion. When life brings you happiness, contentment, and love. Learn to enjoy it. When in turn it deals you hurt, anger, or fear. Learn to exploit it.


-August 8th-
The nature of perfection mandates the absence of any perceivable flaw. Yet based on mathematics. Absolute perfection is only attainable through perfection despite many flaws. Positive or negative. They each are equal parts of a perfect whole.


Even science knows you are beautiful. It's time you start thinking of yourself with the same truth.


-August 9th-
Always be willing to forgive isolated events.
Always be prepared to weed out patterns of exploitation.


-August 10th-
Seeking solitude is seldom an erroneous venture. Much of what others consider of great value was made possible because of isolation and introspection. Still, it is of the utmost importance that one does come down from the mountain every once in awhile  An absolute recluse, being not only of little general use to anyone but themselves. Also selfishly indulges in a singular knowledge. One that might have had exceeding benefit to those who may have crossed their path. Should they only have taken the time to make the journey.


-August 11th-
Life is often going to disappoint. Yet it can only tear you apart if you allow it. Most will ride the sea of discontent without a fight because it is easy. Fewer will face it head on because it forces them to confront not only external assaults, but even their internal dæmons. Fewer still will change course all together. There is nothing more frightening than venturing into the unknown. Yet to stay the course is to submit to the idea that our satisfaction with life relies on powers outside of our control. Put wind in your sails and follow an unfamiliar bearing. There are new and better worlds to be discovered.


-August 12th-
I am of the opinion that the most beautiful and tragic of goodbyes are spoken without words. When one heart is so in tune with the other that both know this will be the last embrace. Each tongue betrays with the hope of a future that cannot be. Yet it is within each heart that the tears of truth run free. Grasping with such sorrowful certainty that this is, in fact, one final farewell.


-August 13th-
Happiness is a phantom. It is no allusion that we find ourselves endlessly in its pursuit. To be happy is to find contentment within something always outside of one's self. It can only be held for a short while before fading into the æther. Where it once again awaits the trifling seeker.


To be content is to have no need for happiness. As the content have everything they desire within themselves. Yet despite all this, and to the consummate confounding of the dissatisfied. Happiness is often compelled to hide from its hunters within the hearts of the content.


-August 14th-
Loneliness begets creativity. Does not even nature adorn itself in dazzling displays to attract companionship? To be alone is to the artist as fearlessness is to the warrior. When administered in timely, even doses. It tempers the creative into a master of his craft. If taken with too much zeal. It will quickly consume its host like an unquenchable parasite. The challenge is, as with all things, to find a steady balance between loneliness that drives you forward, and the same which stays you in one place. Too much of the former will quickly drive you into oblivion. While the later will slowly wither you away. Like a marble effigy is weathered by the winds.


-August 15th-
Never take any encounter for granted. Irrespective of how you may be treated along the way. They each present an opportunity to learn who you desire to become. If taken as an occasion to grow. Even the most hurtful of interactions can be seen as beneficial. Yet don't concern yourself too intensely on undesirable events. You might miss out on something far more worthy of your attention.


-August 16th-
A deep relationship with the natural world is often the most effective cure for a restless spirit. We deceive ourselves every day in thinking that our man-made luxuries do nothing but improve our lives. Yet the connection with our surroundings can typically be seen in the same way as our human interactions. When you feel the need to be in relationship with someone. Which would you prefer? A beating heart? Or a lifeless mannequin? As a living organism. Nature responds to our presence within it. You'll get no such reciprocal relationship from your favorite easy-chair.


-August 17th-
Never convince yourself that because an idea might be shopworn. It is unworthy of sharing with others. The greatest minds of human history have always stood on the shoulders of their predecessors. Your combined experiences are your most unique aspect. No one else has lived the exact same life you have. This makes it possible to see timeless wisdoms from a perspective only you can articulate in your own words.


Although your thoughts may not break completely new ground or open unseen horizons. They set one more inimitable path for others to follow. When it comes to obtaining knowledge. There are never too many markers pointing in the right direction.


-August 18th-
As difficult as it is to guard yourself from social comparison. This one attribute is perhaps the most damaging block against achieving self-actualization. We spend so much of our time trying to measure up to one another. We often lose focus on becoming that extraordinarily unique individual we are all capable of realizing.


While esteem is an important step in our personal evolution. It is still only a step. Moving beyond requires putting the need for external acceptance at your back. Until that time. All one can truly achieve is a sort of glorified adolescence. An existence forever dictated by the opinions and persecutions of others.


Actualization is largely the act of having little interest in an existence within the world as others have contrived it. Favoring instead, a reality of one's own creation. Those who are successful in this ability will find it very easy to propagate their ideas. As there will always be those who would rather follow in another's footsteps, then create a life of their own imagining.


-August 19th-
Be ever vigilant in casting doubt on your own motivations. There is no greater deceiver than the veiled theater that is played out to no foreseeable end by your own reasonings.


-August 20th-
Economics is the science of the cynic. No more proof of this need be revealed than to look at the way economic theory understands equilibrium. Supposing that one person increases their well being  Economic equilibrium insists that this advancement must be at the expense of the well being of another. There is no room for charity, generosity, or any other virtue for that matter. What numbers alone will never understand is how much there is to gain from giving freely of yourself.


There are many a paradox to be found within economics. This is often because it is beholden to the idea that people are rational. Yet the finest human attributes will show you time and again how absolutely irrational mankind truly is. This is a very good empirical conflict to have.


-August 21st-
The power of perception is perhaps the only superhuman ability most of humanity will ever experience. There is nothing observed by the senses that cannot take on a new meaning by simply altering your view. While an unseen portion will always remain which you must give definition.


It would be prudent to foresee the unseen with the obvious interpretation. Yet is it always wisest? Perhaps the absurd should be given equal consideration. As children we are experts at performing this feat. As adults it gives way to logic. Logic has utility. Yet what it lacks is humanity.


Perception is a gift every being has within them. That is not to say even a fair portion will ever learn to benefit from it.

Vanitas & Necklace

by

Matthieu Duquette

Whether it be that of your true love, or your latest victim. Nothing says "Thanks for the memories" like a blood relic to remember them by.

Sea Nymph Chair

Matthieu Duquette

adorned this chair for a forthcoming photoshoot. 

Faux panels were affixed to the arms and spattered with seashells, fish netting, seaweed,

and gumball "pearls"

Darkly Dreaming Danni

Matthieu Duquette and The Dannimal

Together once more for a Dexter inspired set

A Fond Farewell

Matthieu Duquette and Katie Blake team up with

Chas Della Silva of Affinity Image