97. CHARLES BUKOWSKI: Air and light and time and space
December 18th, 2012
Charles Bukowski (1920-1994) was an American writer and poet. Despite the motivational element of this poem, Bukowski was definitely not an uplifting or inspirational writer. His work focused on the mundane and depraved aspects of society with employment, alcohol and sex featuring prominently.
After minor success in his mid-twenties, Bukowski quit writing and spent 10 years wandering the country, working crappy jobs and drinking a hell of a lot. After he blew out his ulcer from alcohol abuse, Bukowski took up writing again when he was 35 while continuing to work menial jobs. He finally quit his job as a postal clerk and became a full-time writer at the age of 49.
Bukowski definitely lived by the words of this particular poem – he’s had over 60 volumes of work published including thousands of poems and hundreds of stories and there continues to be new material of his published posthumously.
- Thanks to Kelly and Sophie for submitting this.
- Zen Pencils is going on a two-week hiatus over the holiday period. See you on January 8th!
Discussion (122) ¬
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Roxy
December 18, 2012 at 11:21 pm | #
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Great job on this one. Oftentimes, the limits life give us are the ones that push us to creating. Keep it up, Gav!
Sunny
December 18, 2012 at 11:23 pm | #
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This is amazing….thanks for inspiring us as always with your work Gavin.
Vikram Chatterji
December 18, 2012 at 11:24 pm | #
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Totally true and impactful as always!
David
December 18, 2012 at 11:26 pm | #
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Thank you once again for such a great work.
Have a great holiday ^^
sina
December 18, 2012 at 11:29 pm | #
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Thanks for another awesome comic !
life has taught me the only thing needed for creation is embracing the question with your hearth. tools do not lead to creation as a super car does not make you a super driver
drusillah
December 18, 2012 at 11:36 pm | #
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This is awesome and inspiring… Thanks :’)
Immanuel
December 18, 2012 at 11:42 pm | #
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Wow. . . . .
Alanna Jane
December 18, 2012 at 11:47 pm | #
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This is now one of my new faves, Gav!! Sweet job on making this quote come to life.
João Vítor Krieger
December 18, 2012 at 11:49 pm | #
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Amazing!
Anonymous
December 19, 2012 at 12:06 am | #
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That is really cool! This comic influenced me the most. Question: isn’t that a little bit contrary with what you did? I mean, you’ve sold the house and got yourself a blog?
Gav
December 19, 2012 at 9:49 am | #
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Good point. The time away from a real job has helped, but I’ve always been drawing something
graeme
December 20, 2012 at 5:09 pm | #
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Exactly. You didn’t wait until ‘the moment was right’ before starting.
checho
December 19, 2012 at 12:08 am | #
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It makes me feel guilty because i’m trying, for the first time in my life, to set up my room and turning it into a very comfortably studio to start to make cartoons “for real”. I’m saving for a new computer, for a “light box”, and for a printer. But i dont want to end up like that guy! he he, i know i will not end up like that guy! if I see that i’m turning into something that idle, i will sell away everything and i will keep drawing with a couple of pens like i have always been doing. Hope not! ooooh gavin, thanks for make me think about my choices again! :’(
redglassbowl
December 26, 2012 at 9:10 am | #
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I don’t think it’s supposed to make anyone feel guilty about anything. Unless I’m mistaken [not knowing the original context of the Bukowski quote], it seems like its a reminder to always question yourself–your wants and desires and your goals. And to help you never forget that feeling that set you on that path.
Discussion (122) ¬
Great job on this one. Oftentimes, the limits life give us are the ones that push us to creating. Keep it up, Gav!
This is amazing….thanks for inspiring us as always with your work Gavin.
Totally true and impactful as always!
Thank you once again for such a great work.
Have a great holiday ^^
Thanks for another awesome comic !
life has taught me the only thing needed for creation is embracing the question with your hearth. tools do not lead to creation as a super car does not make you a super driver
This is awesome and inspiring… Thanks :’)
Wow. . . . .
This is now one of my new faves, Gav!! Sweet job on making this quote come to life.
Amazing!
That is really cool! This comic influenced me the most. Question: isn’t that a little bit contrary with what you did? I mean, you’ve sold the house and got yourself a blog?
Good point. The time away from a real job has helped, but I’ve always been drawing something
Exactly. You didn’t wait until ‘the moment was right’ before starting.
It makes me feel guilty because i’m trying, for the first time in my life, to set up my room and turning it into a very comfortably studio to start to make cartoons “for real”. I’m saving for a new computer, for a “light box”, and for a printer. But i dont want to end up like that guy! he he, i know i will not end up like that guy! if I see that i’m turning into something that idle, i will sell away everything and i will keep drawing with a couple of pens like i have always been doing. Hope not! ooooh gavin, thanks for make me think about my choices again! :’(
I don’t think it’s supposed to make anyone feel guilty about anything. Unless I’m mistaken [not knowing the original context of the Bukowski quote], it seems like its a reminder to always question yourself–your wants and desires and your goals. And to help you never forget that feeling that set you on that path.
Well done Gavin & Thanks!!