@joe.jones | 4 september

[malta]

[ he once said he felt no need to commemorate the displaced and there is an element of broom eating here, but still yusuf presses on because this is wider than the displaced themselves. ]

I'm looking for artists amongst us, specifically visual artists at the moment but I'm looking into an acoustic guitar so keep that on the back burner.

I'm painting a mural, different scenes of humanity helping each other in the wake of everything we and they have lived through lately. We are all from different places and from different lived experiences, but art is a form of communication that can translate experiences across time and space.

[ there is an attachment which opens into the beautifully sketched rough draft of a mural that spans at least five buildings. along with quotes like "they cannot see that we must lay one brick at a time, take one step at a time - dorothy day" and "but judgment shall be revealed as water, and justice as a mighty torrent" and a number of the sentiments from his aerie posters ("while i breathe, i hope", "we cannot be caged"), the mural is primarily scenes of people helping people: people bringing food to those in need, medics giving care, no pasaran! above a painting of a couple standing in front of their two children, images of people rebuilding homes and planting gardens. he is clearly trying to communicate a sense of ruthlessly hopeful community.

(there's a note at the bottom that simply reads: "guillotine?") ]

My own experiences here are limited to the recent past and I would appreciate any input on moments of community and kindness people think should be included. The mural can stand as a repository for New Amsterdam's collective memory. Everything makes broth.

I'm starting tomorrow night and will continue until I feel like it is completed or my husband collects me from jail. BYOB and paint brushes.

[ the plot engagement for this mural is HERE and contains relevant infomation to those who choose to team up for this art extravaganza, so give it a peek please. the actual act of painting will be handwaved but run with it my babies. ]

Comments

@andy.anderson

[scythias]

( she can't offer any help here but she can at least say hello and cheerlead him. she knows she's been distant lately. )

Jail, huh? Won't be the first time someone had to bail you out.

[malta]

Wouldn't be the dumbest thing I've ever gone to jail for either.

But it is somehow illegal so there is a chance.

[scythias]

I'll have Nile bail you out. It's her turn.

This is a good idea, Joe. I'm sure it'll be beautiful even if all you do is paint Nicky.

[malta]

Wow I paint other people, I have hundreds of paintings of you.

I can't help that my muse is uniquely exquisite.

@terrence.ephemera

[requiemshark]

I paint murals.

[ Just not so much out here, where people can find them. ]

And my power lets me put images on things without touching them. Might save on paint costs.

[malta]

[ huh ]

I'd be happy for your help.

Does your power not take from the enjoyment of the process?

[requiemshark]

It did at first. But it's a new process now.

Miss using brushes, though.

[malta]

I am old fashioned but I prefer something in my hands. I still don't like the process of the digital art here.

[ he needs to use his hands!!!! ]

@killian.jones

[unmoor]

I suppose it's more effective than writing a book.

[malta]

Faster, as well. No need for peer review before publishing.

[unmoor]

[ ?? ]

Why would your peers examine it?

[malta]

I suppose peer review is more for academic journals but editors

@demi.tomato

[wrend]

nice, vandalism
always a great way of bringing the people together

[malta]

It hasn't always been illegal. It's not my fault they changed the laws when I wasn't looking.

[wrend]

is that your defense line for when you get arrested?
"sorry officer, im so old i didnt notice when the law changed"

[malta]

Yes

[ yes?? and??? it's worked before! ]

[notathreat]

Oh shit, you know I'm in

Anybody playing lookout? They get heated about stuff like this even if they don't beat the crap out of you here

[malta]

I thought you might be.

I've put my family on guard duty but the more the merrier

[notathreat]

See? You ARE getting to know me

I can take turns at watching and painting. Never done a mural before but it shouldn't be too hard

[malta]

[ brb thinking about ellie meeting his fam, he's so charmed ]

It'll be a good time, I think. There's no lead in this paint!

[kestrels]

（ he doesn't reply to this on the network — he's working hard at maintaining a division between his identities, and he'd rather not have any overlap where he can avoid it.

but it's a good idea, and it appeals to all the things gal tried to instill in him. so he'll just show up quietly, help for a bit without really talking much to anyone (though he'd give his name as 'xhan' if asked) and leaving again when it gets too crowded. he's not an amazing artist by any stretch, but he's got a good command of color, at least. ）

@glimmer.moon

[sparklequeen]

I'm not much of an artist, but show me where to put paint and I'll do it!

[malta]

I'll give you all the best colors

[sparklequeen]

Yessssssssss!

[malta]

I made a truly hideous chartreuse that Ellie loves, you two can fight over that.