soldierofsolace

The Lost Cause Art Project

I have been doing art as far as I can remember. It's the one thing that has attached to me like a parasite since I traced my first cartoon character: Voltron. That was in Kindergarten. It was just doodles and quick drawings til' high school when I discovered graffiti. Worlds opened up for me and I discovered more about being an artist than a vandal. Art was daring, adventurous, fickle, and experimental. Then one day I had to "grow up". Learning the beginning stages of adulthood and to survive on my own, my art got pushed in the blank recesses of my mind as I struggled to pay my rent. It wasn't til years later that I met my then partner David, who learned of my art and surprised me one day by buying me canvasses, paint, and brushes and simply said, "I want you to do something with these." I fell in love with art forever more and I am indebted to him for doing that. Everything has been trial and error, learning what works for me, converting all that creative energy, and translating all those thoughts--into artwork. Every work I have created always held sentimental value as it was a piece of me that I was sharing with the world as corny as that sounds. But it's the truth as I am part of a dying breed of romanticists, an art vagabond that went wherever the brushstrokes started and ended, a storyteller that told not only the greatest stories I can tell... but shared the secrets, thoughts, and hopes that I kept inside. I had never wanted fame more than I wanted my creations to be in a happy home--so that when the owner of said art looks at it they relate, realize, and relinquish in the thoughts that keeps them connected to it. My way of painting for others has been a path of learning about the person's character. Their habits, their ideals, the colors, and the symbols/images that stand out to them...that when they get their finished piece, they can truly call it their own, personified by themselves.

Going forward on that notion I have decided to start what I have always thought should be shared: Art. It makes us think. It makes us wonder. It triggers emotions. It leaves behind tales of a creator who had something to say, something to show, and wanted to let the world know about it. But sometimes in the processes of that, it gets lost. Artists sometimes rely on their work to survive and lose passion for what made them alive. It becomes commercialized in the simplest of ways and fed to the masses with no regards to the originator. Some are successful but most are not. It's truly as "the rich keep getting richer, and poor keep getting poorer." I know that most of the audience that relate to my art on many levels can't afford the asking price for my work but the working man in me can't sympathize as I myself have to have a roof over my head and food in my stomach. As an artist I am conflicted with this and over time I came to a proposal. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls of all ages, art critics, art purveyors, art collectors, lovers, haters, and everyone in-between may I present to you: The Lost Cause Art Project. Starting this month and at least once a month after that, I will draw a name of a person that will receive a piece of artwork from me of their choice. Absolutely no price. Be it a painting, a steampunk pendant, a vinyl figure custom, perler bead creation--completely free. My conscience as an artist will be forthright and you will own a material piece of yourself expressed through Striderizm-the religion, the art, and the life of Strider the soldier of solace. To be fair that everyone gets a chance to own a piece of art from me, I ask that those who have won/received a piece from me in the past, to not enter for themselves but for someone you know that may have art in their homes. But whats the catch you say? Simply to just like/share my page at Facebook.com/soldierofsolace I will then announce The Lost Cause Art Project drawing and all you have to do to enter, is to like that post. Fair enough? I think so. What I hope to achieve is simply as I said: To share art with others. Whether it be close ones or complete strangers. To keep what gets lost in translation in the hearts and minds of dreamers and the hopeless. To bring a smile on faces simply remembering what it is to be kind and unconditional. That when everything comes with a price that we find happiness in the simplest things in life. But wait! That's not all. I will also be doing a scavenger hunt type thing, where I will leave a piece of artwork somewhere and whoever finds it, gets to keep it. I may/may not leave clues as to where it maybe but that's up to fate to see where it ends up. So let this journey begin and keep inspiration alive! Stay Creative always and let your soul be your guide.

Wow This year went by fast. I'm still alive and well. Settled back home in San Diego, California and I couldn't be happier. I've been creeping around here every now and then, but I wouldn't be surprised if I lost a lot of followers on here as I have not updated anything in a long time. Reason being, I decided to put my art on hold as I got my life together. I have done some tattoo designs and some photography here and there, but I haven't really touched a canvas or paint. But fear not, I could never give up on my art, as it is a MAJOR part of me and my life. I have ideas written down on scraps of paper, visions craving to be slathered on a type of canvas, writings to be heard, and lots of hope to instill in you. I am somewhat of an art director at where I work and I will be presenting many works from all walks of life. I will be exhibiting new work as well come September, and it will be in the likes in which I've never done before. I'm not giving away too much but just know that my art has evolved into a state of consciousness that makes me feel... safe, unyielding, bold, and clarifying. Where I know that this is where I need to be. This is who I want to be. And this is what I share to you and the world. Again thank you to all who have supported me this far in life. You have my heartfelt gratitude and sincere apologies for leaving you in the dark this long. The world is ours and tonight we burn like the stars that never die...

~Louiegee Faustino
  aka Strider1 the Soldier of Solace

Doubt a lot of people read my journal on here since I've been terrible at updating it. But as with most life-altering changes I had posted about on here, this one is as real as it gets. I'm finally moving back to San Diego, California in less than two weeks. I have a surge of emotions going as I'm scared, excited, sad, happy, regretful and hopeful all at the same time. I moved to Milwaukee 4 years ago in pursuit of something different, a change of pace, new fresh faces, different views on life, and love. But when everything fell apart with my relationship, it was undoubtedly the most trying times of my life. I hated life, humanity, and views on love. I was pretty much set on being single for the rest of my life and the funny thing is, I was okay with that idea. All I needed to get me by was my family and close friends. Cos I know that they would be loyal to the end and that protecting them was all I could ever care about. I truly am the soldier of solace and there is not one person who could ever understand that about me. My hopes and dreams altered in a shattered world and I'm taking all this experience with me back home. As someone who has grown. As someone who will never forget and carry this pain with me always, as a reminder of how I lost who I was. A happy-go-lucky carefree guy with a vision and wonderment that wanted to be shared with the rest of the world. Maybe this will be the first steps in the process of finding that again but I don't know. Some chapters in life are left to be closed for good and I feel that this story has long burned its pages, never to be retraced again.

Aside all that, I am grateful for the lessons life threw my way. I'm thankful for the friends I have made in my wake. It reminded me of how wonderful life and humanity can be. No matter how small a city or community is, there are so many different walks in life... and that's what kept my fascination going. My visions intact as my surreal world gets painted on canvas, it was because of the daily routines of life, were broken with a different shade of light I have not seen before. I will miss many things here cos I'm leaving a life I thought was designed for me but I know that this is not who I am. I can put on a fake smile and no one will notice just how broken I really am. There will never be anyway to fix that. The experiences here are scars for life. The good. The bad. And everything in-between. But as with time, I will remain constant. I will keep moving forward. One foot in front of the other and with every breath I take, if you promise to never give up on me, I promise that my smiles will be sincere. I promise you. As the ocean calls my name, I can't wait to call it day with my favorite west coast friend... the sunset. It's been too long since I felt that safe and warm.

Hello there fellow Deviants. It's been quite a long time hasn't it? Life just throws so many curve balls at times that it often gets chaotic. This summer has been rather... magical I should say. Tho' I have met many wonderful people, I'm still very single, yet very happy.  The wheels of time are turning as it gets nearer to the date that I move back to Cali. Hopefully everything works out and I will be shipping back by October/November. I couldn't be more excited to be moving back home as it's been far too long. There's a sense of security to going back to what I know. Though nothing's really changed, some things are better that way.

In other news, I am an uncle for the 6th time. Welcome to the world Aiden. I'm gonna spoil ya so much. My art has been going through cycles. Lots of experimentation yet again and finding new ways to visualize my thoughts, my stories, and my words to y'all. I will have possibly one last show here in Milwaukee and it will prolly be the most hearfelt and most emotional one yet. Be on the lookout for new artwork soon.

As always thank you to my faithful followers and fans. You mean the world to me. Lets go out there and rule the world. The sky is only the beginning. We have the visions and the emotions of mass entities-- so why hold it in? Love today as if your heart will break tomorrow, smile through gloomy days cos even rainbows reach down from the darkest clouds, walk hand in hand with yer demons cos they are a part of who you are, and open your mind to world cos out there is a beautiful place full of trees, lakes, and the human race.

Til then...
Strider the soldier of solace

P.S. I couldnt feature anyone cos i cant find the thumb links anymore... is there a new way of sharing images that i dont know about on here? halp?!