高艺德 gāoyìdé | Make connections Build bridges

This is a collection of sights, creations, experiences and reflections. Tune in if you are curious and keep an open-mind. If you have got any questions or feedback, please contact me by email at darrylwestley@hotmail.com

🟡 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 🦁

29/12/23

🕊️

I uploaded all of the entries for 2023 on the 1st of May 2024. This post made at the end of year remains because it marks how I was feeling about publishing my content at that time.

At the end of this year, I am browsing all of the content I have created for this platform offline. After experimenting with Patreon and choosing not to continue using the service, I initially thought I would eventually publish everything here before 2024. Some of my creations have already been circulated through Instagram Story and my WeChat Channel for free.

I am having second thoughts about revealing all of my posts now. I will refrain. Damned if you do and damned if you don't.

28/12/23

⬜

Let there be Love

18/12/23

🐦

Why change the habit of a lifetime?

16/12/23

🕤

A nostalgia trip back to our University days; Plaid live at Norwich Arts Centre, Norwich, UK. The hypnotic loops and accompanying visuals were spellbinding. It was an ample opportunity to don some Cyberdog clothing that has not seen the light of day for a very long time.

12/12/23

🌏 Creative traveller

Creative traveller performed at the Voodoo Daddy's Open Mic, Norwich, UK.

07/12/23

🤗

I read these Magazines: Big Issue.

Worth £4 each.

18/11/23

🌏

I read this book: The Asia Book: A journey through every country in the continent.

14/11/23

🌏 Creative traveller

Creative traveller performed at the Voodoo Daddy's Open Mic, Norwich, UK.

11/11/23

🌏 Creative traveller

Creative traveller joined Zine Club, Norfolk and Norwich Millenium Library, Norwich, UK.

This month's theme was fandom. I chose to champion Chinese Kung Fu.

09/11/23

☸ ️

I read this book: Eat The Buddha: The Story of Modern Tibet through the People of One Town by Barbara Demick.

What books have you discovered in your local library?

08/11/23

📚

I read these zines: The Sculpture Park Pocket Map, moths and ORDER.

What self-published books have you discovered in your local library?

I am going out on a limb posting photographs of individual Artist's work because I do not know how they feel about their work being published online. If anyone has any concerns with their creations being shown here, please send me an email.

04/11/23

🖤

I read this zine: Shuck: Issue 2 - Love.

What self-published books have you discovered in your local library?

31/10/23

🌏 Creative traveller

Creative traveller performed at the Voodoo Daddy's Open Mic, Norwich, UK.

31/10/23

❤

Zero tolerance to abuse.

28/10/23

👨 ‍ 🚀

One week later, I am gifted with the chance to see God is an Astronaut at The Garage in London, UK. I have listened to this band for many years, but have never seen them perform live. Everything I could have hoped for and more. In the spirit of supporting artists, I picked up some merch to show my appreciation.

20/10/23

🌕

I siezed the opportunity to see Cult of Luna on tour again in London, UK. The Red Shift event covered three different venues in Kentish Town, all within walking distance. It was possible to see multiple bands throughout the afternoon into the evening. The highlights were LLNN's wall of sound (I had never heard any of their music before), Napalm Death's set with the vocalist's thought provoking interludes and of course... Cult of Luna. Mesmerising.

14/10/23

🌏 Creative traveller

Creative traveller joined Zine Club, Norfolk and Norwich Millenium Library, Norwich, UK.

This month's theme was folklore. I chose to retell a Chinese tale of how the phoenix got its feathers.

13/10/23

🎃

Embrace the darkness.

08/10/23

⚡

A memorable trio of performances at Electric Ballroom, London, UK. The first band were completely off my radar: Nordic Giants. Their opening song with hypnotising visuals gripped my gaze and appreciation for their whole unpredictable presence. The Ocean delivered an epic set with a light show that was worth the price of admittance alone. Gratefully, they played the track: Statherian, the build up with the strobe effects engulfed the room. This Will Destroy You were a treat of melodic, pleasant relief.

I am appreciating this opportunity to reconnect with the alternative music scene.

08/10/23

🧵

These Koo Patches caught my eye and my wallet.

01/10/23

👁️‍🗨️

An eye-opening day visiting Artists in their diverse Studios.

29/09/23

🌉

The Human Bridge

2013 - 2023

10 years of sharing between the East and West

28/09/23

🤗

I read this Magazine: Big Issue.

Worth £4.

26/09/23

🤗

I read this Magazine: Big Issue.

Worth £4.

20/09/23

🤗

I read this Magazine: Big Issue.

Worth £4.

18/09/23

🌏 Creative traveller

I steadily began posting to my Instagram Story and my Channel again.

At this time any work for this blog continued offline.

16/09/23

🌏 Creative traveller

Creative traveller joined Zine Club, Norfolk and Norwich Millenium Library, Norwich, UK.

This month's theme was food. I wanted to continue with my focus on China so I chose to spotlight my favourite Chinese delicacies.

16/09/23

🃏

I read this book: The Witch of the Forest's Guide to Tarot Magick by Lindsey Squire.

What books have you discovered in your local library?

12/09/23

👔

Training continues...

29/05/23

🏮

I read this book: Modern China by Jeffrey N. Wasserstrom.

I am appreciating this free access to an abundance of books in my native language.

03/09/23

📻

I read this zine: news as a form of resistance.

What self-published books have you discovered in your local library?

03/09/23

🤗

I read this Magazine: Big Issue.

Worth £4.

31/08/23

⚔️

I read this book: The Lion and the Dragon: Britain and China: A History of Conflict by Lawrence James.

What books have you discovered in your local library?

27/08/23

🌏 Creative traveller

Creative traveller performed at Thetford's Creative Carnival, Thetford, UK.

26/08/23

🌏 Creative traveller

Creative traveller performed at Thetford's Creative Carnival, Thetford, UK.

25/08/23

🤗

I read this Magazine: Big Issue.

Worth £4.

25/08/23

🤗

I read this Magazine: Big Issue.

Worth £4.

23/08/23

❓

I read this book: Brief Answers to Big Questions by Stephen Hawking.

What books have you discovered in your local library?

21/08/23

🙊

I read this zine: Zino Loci: Guilt + Shame.

What self-published books have you discovered in your local library?

19/08/23

🐑

Some of the sights I documented during the trip that were uploaded to my Instagram Stories.

19/08/23

♾️

The end of a healing journey.

06/08/23

⛵

The beginning of a healing journey.

05/08/23

🌏 Creative traveller

Creative traveller joined Zine Club, Norfolk and Norwich Millenium Library, Norwich, UK.

Contiuning with the overaching theme of China, I chose to focus on Chinese four season paintings.

05/08/23

🖤

I read this zine: Shuck: Issue 1 - The Dark.

What self-published books have you discovered in your local library?

05/08/23

🥤

I read this book: How to give up plastic by Will McCallum.

What books have you discovered in your local library?

05/08/23

🐲🦁

I read this book: East meets West by Yang Liu.

What books have you discovered in your local library?

30/07/23

🙅

I read this zine: Stop Asian Hate.

What self-published books have you discovered in your local library?

26/07/23

🤗

I read this magazine: Big Issue.

Worth £4.

25/07/23

🤗

I read this magazine: Big Issue.

Worth £4.

25/07/23

🎎

I read this book: Haiku: Classic Japanese Short Poems.

24/07/23

👼

No Added Sugar

23/07/23

🎲

I read this book: Board Games in 100 Moves: 8000 years of play by Ian Livingstone.

22/07/23

🌏 Creative traveller

I was unable to join Zine Club for a couple of months because of other interests I wanted to pursue.

I worked on these couple of zines to fill in the gaps of the series. Contiuning with the overaching theme of China, I chose to focus on expressions of meditations and blessings with Chinese characters.

17/07/23

🗞️

I read this newspaper: Socialist Appeal: Papar of the International Marxist Tendency.

What newspaper have you purchased on the street?

13/07/23

🤗

I read this magazine: Big Issue.

Worth £4.

09/07/23

🤗

I read this magazine: Big Issue.

What magazine have you purchased on the street?

08/07/23

🌏 Creative traveller

Creative traveller joined Zine Club, Norfolk and Norwich Millenium Library, Norwich, UK.

Contiuning with the overaching theme of China, I chose to focus on Chinese flower painting.

08/07/23

🗞️

I read this newspaper: Socialist Appeal: Papar of the International Marxist Tendency.

What newspaper have you purchased on the street?

08/07/23

⏲️

I read this zine: Life Lines: a creative writing zine by National Centre for Writing.

What self-published books have you discovered in your local library?

06/07/23

🥢

I read this book: That's China by Mark Kitto.

What books have you discovered in your local library?

27/06/23

🌓

I read this self-published book/zine: observed: a creative writing zine by National Centre for Writing.

What books have you discovered in your local library?

19/06/23

🐍

I read this book: Corruptible: Who gets power and how it changes us by Brian Klaas

What does your bookshelf say about your personality?

18/06/23

🌏 Creative traveller

My work continues offline.

Can you guess how much money I have spent experimenting with Instagram promotion?

When I originally posted this, I thought I would later publish all of the posts from my Patreon page here for free on the 31st of December 2023.

11/06/23

🌏 Creative traveller

The human guinea pig.

I have unpublished my page on Patreon because the settings changed allowing anyone to be able to see some of my content for free. This change was made without notification or my consent.

This turning point remains published.

10/06/23

🌏 Creative traveller

Creative traveller joined Zine Club, Norfolk and Norwich Millenium Library, Norwich, UK.

Contiuning with the overaching theme of China, I chose to focus on expressions of love with Chinese characters.

09/06/23

🚩

The first photograph I took of my healing journey.

Union Jack bunting hanging in London St Pancras International Station marked the achievement of arriving safely.

I am posting this after the event.

29/05/23

🦍

I read this book: The Social Instinct: What nature can teach us about working together by Nichola Raihani.

What books have you discovered in your local library?

29/05/23

📚

The beginning of a healing journey.

This was shared as an Instagram Story. This photograph arrangement has layers of meaning. What does it mean to you?

I have not taken the ceremonial first photograph of my travelling experience yet.

28/05/23

🖋️

I read this book: The Book of Illuminated Letters: A treasury of decorative calligraphy by Margaret Morgan.

What books have you discovered in your local library?

27/05/23

👔

Training continues...

22/05/23

🌸

The cracks in the pavement are not in the frame.

20/05/23

🧚

The World is Made of Faith, and Trust and Pixie Dust

I saw this recently whilst window shopping. I wonder, who chose to put this upfront? What was their motivation?

16/05/23

💌

I read this book: The Promise: Love and Loss in Modern China by Xinran.

What books have you discovered in your local library?

13/05/23

🌏 Creative traveller

Creative traveller joined Zine Club, Norfolk and Norwich Millenium Library, Norwich, UK.

Contiuning with the overaching theme of China, I chose to focus on wuxing.

08/05/23

🏠

A zine about 13 dwellings I have made my home.

Where will I live for the next 10 years?

07/05/23

🌐

Shared Values

Illustrations of British Values and the Core Socialist Values side by side. I shared these through my Instagram Stories.

I experimented with a slightly larger image size for this post on Patreon to prevent pixilation.

06/05/23

🍃

I read this book: Every Day is a Fresh Beginning: Meaningful Poems for Life by Aoibhín Garrihy.

What books have you discovered in your local library?

03/05/23

🚌

The view from a bus.

01/05/23

🌷

A morning stroll around The Plantation Garden, Norwich, UK.

Have you ever visited a place that you would prefer to keep a secret? This was one of those charming, enchanting places that is best experienced alone.

I knew the access fee was £2 before arrival but on entering it was completely deserted. By taking a few more steps I noticed a postbox for my coins to be willingly fed. It was labelled as an Honesty Box for Entrance and Plant Money.

It was fascinating to learn about flower shows, bazaars and charitable gatherings had been held in the grounds. 'A garden party for the benefit of Norwich YMCA was held in 1982 with International stalls, a band and fireworks.'

A takeaway quote: 'A selfish life must be a miserable one. The only way to be happy is to make others happy.' - Henry Trevor

29/04/23

↔

BOUNDARIES
I am further than a click away
PLEASE KEEP YOUR DISTANCE

What is the meaning of these signs on the pavement post COVID-19?

This is part of a series I shared through my Instagram Stories.

25/04/23

👂

I read this book: How To Listen So Men Will Talk by Tom Chapman.

What books have you discovered in your local library?

23/04/23

✂️

I read this book: How to be a Craftivist: The art of gentle protest by Sarah Corbett.

What books have you discovered in your local library?

19/04/23

👔

Training continues in another direction.

19/04/23

💀

I read this book: The Language of Tattoos: 130 symbols & what they mean by Oliver Munden & Nick Schonberger.

What books have you discovered in your local library?

18/04/23

🦁

I read this book: There Are Girls like Lions: Poems about Being a Woman by Cole Swensen.

What books have you discovered in your local library?

17/04/23

🤫

I read this book: The Silent Traveller in Oxford by Chiang Yee.

What does your bookshelf say about your personality?

15/04/23

🌏 Creative traveller

Creative traveller joined Zine Club, Norfolk and Norwich Millenium Library, Norwich, UK.

Contiuning with the overaching theme of China, I chose to focus on the Chinese zodiac.

14/04/23

🌸

Shen Yun 2023
Eventim Apollo, London, UK

I saw an advertisement for this show and seized the opportunity to see it. The evening opened a Pandora's box of thoughts and emotions. The performance of dancers and musicians was spectacular. The interaction between the performers and the background was particularly entertaining. This accompanying Programme is something I will cherish as it has provided another perspective about China.

13/04/23

☎️

You never know who's on the wires!
BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SAY

I saw this poster unexpectedly at the Sheringham Museum, Sheringham, UK. A poignant message that is still relevant with the widespread use of the Internet. You never know who's going to get crossed wires or cross the wires.

10/04/23

📛

I read this book: Mindful thoughts for Makers: Connecting head, heart, hands by Ellie Beck.

What does your bookshelf say about your personality?

09/04/23

🧠

I read this book: Philosophy: From Morality to Metaphysics: Adventures in Wisdom and Reality by Michael Picard.

What does your bookshelf say about your personality?

08/04/23

🐊

A classic show near the seashore of Great Yarmouth, UK.

What do you say to Mr. Punch when you see a crocodile?

08/04/23

🌊

A poem written in the UK.

Internal

Staring through the gaps of the wooden pier
Heightened sense of irrational childhood fear

31/03/23

🖌️

I read this book: The Chinese Calligraphy Sourcebook by Yat-Ming Cathy Ho.

What books have you discovered in your local library?

30/03/23

🥋

Which uniform?

One door closes whilst another door opens.

27/03/23

👑

An utterance of thought

In a game of chess it is impossible for a king to be attacked by his own colour

The lettering spanned multiple pages in my sketchbook. I have decided to share only part of the illustration. Engage your imagination for the rest.

26/03/23

🌏 Creative traveller

Steampunk weekend

Second day of the event and I was pleasantly surprised that some of the items on my table had resonated.

If you saw me, do you know the symbolism associated with my choice of shirt?

25/03/23

🌏 Creative traveller

Steampunk weekend

First day wielding my Creative traveller identity and revealing some new (old) creative work including my KNOCK KNOCK badges.

If you saw me, do you know the symbolism associated with my choice of shirt?

21/03/23

😶

I read this book: The Silent Traveller in London by Chiang Ye.

What does your bookshelf say about your personality?

20/03/23

✊

I read this zine: Zines & Activism by @cara.chaos.

What does your bookshelf say about your personality?

19/03/23

🌏 Creative traveller

Norfolk Makers Festival

A week long creative festival at The Forum. Norwich, UK.

I'm grateful for this platform on the last day of the festival to share my work and teach origami. I was able to spotlight some of my creative process and talk about each series. There was a definite buzz during the afternoon and we folded a lot of paper.

I managed to visit the event on several occasions before my turn. There were a lot of thought provoking pieces of art being exhibited. Stand outs were the Dangerous Pockets Project and My Four December Weddings. To find out about the relevant artists you'll have to do some of your own inquiring. I'll be keeping that information and the other inspiring things I experienced in one of my own dangerous pockets.

13/03/23

✍️

An utterance of thought

Once upon a time I signed up for a social experiment

13/03/23

🌏 Creative traveller

If you are someone who is waiting then you are missing out on my creative journey.

www.patreon.com/creativetraveller

A continuation of the work I have been doing for years.

12/03/23

🐣

I read this book: Mom & Me & Mom by Maya Angelou.

What does your bookshelf say about your personality?

04/03/23

⚙️

My latest self-published book/zine is now in hand. I'll be launching this at the Steampunk Weekend in Thetford, UK later this month.

Lost Garden

A visual journey through a garden of machines powered by cogs, gears and steam. Take a splendid stroll. Honourable gentleman and Utopia ensure the landscape blooms all year round. Not all those who wander are lost.

28/02/23

👣

An utterance of thought

Does a verbal conversation require a digital footprint?

27/02/23

🎵

I read this book: A Song Flung Up To Heaven by Maya Angelou.

What does your bookshelf say about your personality?

24/02/23

👞

The damage from a productive trip.

23/02/23

❌

An utterance of thought

Billy no mates
So Billy waits
And waits
And waits
Billy doesn't need 'mates'

20/02/23

🕊️

I read this book: No Enemies, No Hatred by Liu Xiaobo.

What does your bookshelf say about your personality?

20/02/23

🌏 Creative traveller

All of the exclusive posts can be viewed with Membership.

www.patreon.com/creativetraveller

The longer you wait, the more content you get for the same price.

19/02/23

🐀

I read this book: The Real Mary King's Close by continuum attractions. This is a souvenir guidebook from The Real Mary King's Close lantern led tour in Edinburgh, Scotland.

What does your bookshelf say about your personality?

18/02/23

📰

I visited Glasgow Zine Library and browsed a few titles. There are several shelves of zines of all different categories. Comfortable seating to relax and soak up some diverse literature. There are various volunteers that help out in this community space.

I've submitted three of my self-published books/zines to the collection (different zines to the ones I submitted to Edinburgh Zine Library).

14/02/23

📰

I visited Edinburgh Zine Library and chose the READ option. There is an extensive categorised collection housed within a filing cabinet. If I've got time I'll visit again.

I've submitted three of my self-published books/zines to the collection.

13/02/23

🧠

An utterance of thought

My success isn't determined by your lack of imagination

11/02/23

📰

I read this book: We Peaked at Paper: An Oral History of British Zines by Gavin Hoggs and Hamish Ironside.

What books have you discovered in your local library?

09/02/23

🎩

Lost Garden

The page layout is complete for my next self-published book/zine. I've printed a few proofs to check the pacing, colours and sharpness of the photographs.

05/02/23

🦉

I read this book: Why You Should Read Children's Books. Even Though You Are Old and Wise by Katherine Rundell.

What books have you discovered in your local library?

05/02/23

🏮

Happy Lantern Festival

元宵节快乐

Yuánxiǎo jié kuàilè

Today marks the end of the Lunar New Year Celebration. I'd incorporated the lantern illustation on the back cover of my Chinese themed zine to honour this tradition. I didn't eat tangyuan today (a dumpling made of sticky rice flour stuffed with different fillings). The filling I remember the most is sweet black sesame.

05/02/23

⚙️

Lost Garden

I'm currently working on my next self-published book/zine. It's going to be a visual journey of a garden inspired by the subgenre of Steampunk.

01/02/23

🌏 Creative traveller

I've uploaded a new Post to my Patreon.

This is what the Watchers will see.

29/01/23

🌏 Creative traveller

I don't sit on my hands.

My experience with Instagram since May 2018:
4 years 9 months
1377 Posts
Roughly 24 Posts a month

My Patreon will replace much of what I do on my blog, Instagram and my Channel.

www.patreon.com/creativetraveller

🙏 Support is appreciated.

24/01/23

🌏 Creative traveller

Over the past year I've spent a considerable amount of time consolidating my creations. I've fortunately been able to sell some of my creative work at local events and zine fests. I'm hoping to build on this small success by broadening my audience and securing some financial backing so I can continue creating in a sustainable way.

Today I've launched my Patreon. This will replace much of what I do on my blog, Instagram and my Channel.

www.patreon.com/creativetraveller

Membership will give you access to my latest online commonplace book (Patreon Feed). For the Patrons that want to show more support I've got a few incentives including mentioning you on my platforms, including you as part of my creative decision making and a discount in my Etsy Shop.

🙏 Support is appreciated.

23/01/23

🐇

Happy New Year

新年快乐

Xīnnián kuàilè

All the best for 2023!

This was my first post on Patreon as Creative traveller.

21/01/23

🌏 Creative traveller

Creative traveller joined Zine Club, Norfolk and Norwich Millenium Library, Norwich, UK.

Surprisingly still in the process of retuning to a completely different pattern of holidays so I was conscious about the upcoming celebration of Spring Festival. I chose a Chinese New Year theme for my zine, celebrating the approaching Year of the Rabbit.

12/01/23

🤑

A poem written in the UK.

Rich

Present
Listening deeply
Being intentional
Trusting

11/01/23

🧗‍♂️

A poem written in the UK.

The Ladder

Is this the only way up?
Is there another avenue?

10/01/23

🤼‍♂️

I read this book: Of Boys and Men by Richard V. Reeves.

What does your bookshelf say about your personality?

10/01/23

🌩️

A poem written in the UK.

I am the storm

Deep bellow
Thunderous clap
Gusts swirl
Waves crash
High-pitched squeal
Lightning shoots

09/01/23

🔻

A poem written in the UK.

Triangle

Manipulate me this way
Control me that way
I will choose another way

08/01/23

🏋️‍♀️

A poem written in the UK.

Weighty

Boosting under
Thrusting outwards
Raising upwards
Powerful

07/01/23

⚖️

A poem written in the UK.

Weightless

Elevated, trusting
Suspended, floating
Lifted, supporting
Powerless

06/01/23

🧵

A poem written in the UK.

Entwined

Who is on top?
Who is on the bottom?
Does it matter?
Is this the side?
Am I underneath?
How can we get this moving?
Let's look at this from a distance.

05/01/23

⛰️

A poem written in the UK.

Mountain

Gaze upwards
Watch your footing
Tread carefully
Keep a solid base
Hold on for balance
Admire the view
Now, your turn

04/01/23

👐

A poem written in the UK.

Synergy

Complimentary exchange
Advancing and retreating
Balancing elements
Silently understood

04/01/23

👞

I read this book: All God's Children Need Travelling Shoes by Maya Angelou.

What does your bookshelf say about your personality?

03/01/23

💰

A poem written in the UK.

Fortune

A poem written in Norway.

Advantageous
To emerge the winner
Joyful in victory

Untroubled
To learn a lesson
Joyful in defeat

02/01/23

🧎

A poem written in the UK.

There is safety in solitude

There is safety in solitude
Being comfortable alone
Heightened awareness
Embracing unknown

Are we deceiving ourselves?
Shallow virtual connection
Detached from reality
Contrieved affection

Be free from triangulation
An algorithmic interpretation
Puppeteering your life
Mass experimentation

There is not safety in solitude
We are never alone
Diluted awareness
Forever unknown

01/01/23

🧍

A poem written in Norway.

Unseen

Do you know me?
I am changing, see?
Another incarnation, maybe?
How many times can we run free?

Arriving on another shore
Observing the flow
Open to new ideas
There are many paths to go

Over and under
Around and between
Constant vibrations
Forever unseen

The photograph that accompanies this poem was captured at Vigeland Sculpture Park, Oslo, Norway.

01/01/23

⛪

This year's calendar: Stave Churches.