Plugging "If Only"

Allow me to sing the praises of If Only - hopefully the first of many books by my comrade and colleague Pelukis Melukis, in whose blog I happily wander day in day out.

He did me the honour of having the book for sale at my exhibition opening last Friday. I'm happy to say I got a complimentary copy! But in typical P.M. humility he neglected to sign the inside.

What can I say? It's a beautiful book that feels like it's been crafted with some serious love and integrity. It is printed on recycled paper, which, besides being environmentally friendly, also makes the pages very organic with their off-white color and faded specks of past print. It's a book that's also an object.

In all, the collection of poems, prose and illustrations are quaint, melancholy, delicate and intimate. What I really admire is the range - the material doesn't repeat itself and nothing feels like 'filler'.

Everyone knows that I'm crazy about P.M.'s mad skillz in the drawing dept. He's adept at several styles, but personally I loosely categorize them into ones that are tightly controlled and those that are lighter and more expressive in gesture. The latter is what I'm in love with - they are gentle and fragile, most of them colored with soft washes of color and seem to have come out of my nicest dreams.

Me to someone at opening: you should meet P.M., he's the author of this here wonderful book.
Someone at opening: Oh, what's your book about?
Me and P.M. (after looking at each other for a few moments): It's about love.

Do look out for the book and get your copy! I believe MPH will be hosting some readings soon, so keep updated either here, or at P.M.'s blog.

I've got many personal favorites in the book, but pg24 and 25 are pretty special. From the drawing of his palm, I can see that me and P.M. have quite similar lines, especially the fact that both our Head lines hover above the Life line, not touching it - mark of a impetuous, sensitive nature. I leave you with the poem accompanying this drawing:

Palmistry

On my palm lies my fortune,
Etched along some
Furrowed lines,

The Heart, The Head
The Life, my Fate,
Would meet upon a single thread.

My reason for being is yet unknown,
Though temptations abound
And have pulled me to the farthest reaches.

There is only so much
That I can take with me on these narrow tracks
Before the sun sets,

And there is stillness once more.