The Jaywalker grew up in a midwestern suburb, black streets and white sidewalks and manicured lawns. To jaywalk back home was the easiest way to be punk back in the 90s. The Jaywalker didn't care much for Nirvana. "Why is he so mad?" the Jaywalker often said. The Jaywalker is older now, but not much wiser, which is why she has come to Amsterdam to expand her mind.
One day, the Jaywalker decides to eat some magical mushrooms, and just as her stomach begins to feel like it's being pulled towards the ground by a fishing wire, she looks across the street at Vondelpark, where she's been told to go for edification. The clouds do something funny. What's on her lip? She looks both ways before crossing the double bike lane, and then the two-lane road, and then the buzzing tram line (is it electrified?), and two more car lanes and bike lanes, and the park seems so far away. She puts in her headphones and listens to Nirvana while crossing. Maybe Kurt Cobain will help her see the light. She'd like to feel punk rock once again.
Oh, and as you may guess, I felt close to the student:
The student at Dam Square
School has started. And all is well and good at the university in the heart of the big city, but the best thing for now, is to take in all the sights. She's new to this place. She grew up in a place not too far from here. A city, they called it, but in fact it was a small town. Life was good there. Fun. She never really came to the big city, until school started last week. After class, before taking the train and then bus home, she roams around. As said, taking in the sights. Drowning, almost, in the crowds of tourists and tramps. And pigeons.
In a year, she will live here. Her school will start again three more times, she will experience 6 of those. The city will take hold of her for a while. She doesn't drown, but dives. Deep. Takes in all the joys. All of them. The joys and temptations of Amsterdam.
Then her real adult life starts. Some six years from now.
I was her once. Or more accurately: she was my friend.
I've been there. I know exactly what you felt, what you saw . . . the energy spilling out everywhere. What a GREAT place to do SneakyArt!
In your picture, I especially love Friends. I love their closeness, their chill nature at watching the Dam Square World float by. Comfortable in their space together, leaning in.
She wasn’t expecting to be a Tour Guide that day. She was just trying to get to the office. But because she tried a new shortcut through Dam Square, and soon found herself surrounded by people who seemed not only lost but also idly curious about everything, she adopted a new identity. She never made it into the office that day.
The Jaywalker grew up in a midwestern suburb, black streets and white sidewalks and manicured lawns. To jaywalk back home was the easiest way to be punk back in the 90s. The Jaywalker didn't care much for Nirvana. "Why is he so mad?" the Jaywalker often said. The Jaywalker is older now, but not much wiser, which is why she has come to Amsterdam to expand her mind.
One day, the Jaywalker decides to eat some magical mushrooms, and just as her stomach begins to feel like it's being pulled towards the ground by a fishing wire, she looks across the street at Vondelpark, where she's been told to go for edification. The clouds do something funny. What's on her lip? She looks both ways before crossing the double bike lane, and then the two-lane road, and then the buzzing tram line (is it electrified?), and two more car lanes and bike lanes, and the park seems so far away. She puts in her headphones and listens to Nirvana while crossing. Maybe Kurt Cobain will help her see the light. She'd like to feel punk rock once again.
What a story, thank you for sharing!
It is such a great thing to go back to music and re-interpret it with a fresh perspective. We can all use a little Nirvana. :)
Thanks for the prompt and inspiring drawings!
Oh, that's brilliant.
Cheers good sir!
Nice! I walked there almost every day going to school. It's a great place to people watch. Enjoy!
Oh, and as you may guess, I felt close to the student:
The student at Dam Square
School has started. And all is well and good at the university in the heart of the big city, but the best thing for now, is to take in all the sights. She's new to this place. She grew up in a place not too far from here. A city, they called it, but in fact it was a small town. Life was good there. Fun. She never really came to the big city, until school started last week. After class, before taking the train and then bus home, she roams around. As said, taking in the sights. Drowning, almost, in the crowds of tourists and tramps. And pigeons.
In a year, she will live here. Her school will start again three more times, she will experience 6 of those. The city will take hold of her for a while. She doesn't drown, but dives. Deep. Takes in all the joys. All of them. The joys and temptations of Amsterdam.
Then her real adult life starts. Some six years from now.
I was her once. Or more accurately: she was my friend.
Still is.
Lovely, Arjan! You really made me relate more closely to the students around me at Dam Sq that day!
I've been there. I know exactly what you felt, what you saw . . . the energy spilling out everywhere. What a GREAT place to do SneakyArt!
In your picture, I especially love Friends. I love their closeness, their chill nature at watching the Dam Square World float by. Comfortable in their space together, leaning in.
“The Tour Guide”
She wasn’t expecting to be a Tour Guide that day. She was just trying to get to the office. But because she tried a new shortcut through Dam Square, and soon found herself surrounded by people who seemed not only lost but also idly curious about everything, she adopted a new identity. She never made it into the office that day.
So great to see Dam square people through your eyes and pen - there's a certain warmth in every figure. Love them all!