If and when you visit Penang look for my friend Azmi or better known as Me.

 Azmi Hussein or better known as 'Me', is today one of the most prolific artist hanging around town today. Well known for his comic books and large murals, Me is also a passionate artist when it comes to expressing himself under any circumstance  and takes any challenge with confidence and in strides. He is an idol with the younger generation of would be artists. When I first met him almost twenty years ago he seemed shy and unsure of himself or his abilities to make it in the Artist world. So we had a few coffee and 'Teh tarik' sessions  together and he started finding what he was looking for. Today I stumbled upon one of comic books called "Little Mamak" and as I look through the pages again I felt the nostalgia of growing up in Georgetown Penang. Me always called me 'Sifu', or Master whenever we meet and although I never claim to be so I still felt a sense of pride that I was able to awaken a sleeping creative genius; me is an Awakened Artist. Penang Art community is blessed with the presence of such a highly prolific and energetic. Last I heard he is now 39 and will soon find out what he is up to as we are meeting this evening for a "Teh tarik" and possibly 'Nasi kandak.'

A very humble man despite all his accomplishments thus far putting his name two or three times in the Malaysian Guinness Book of records for the longest sketching done is a specified time and so forth. What impresses me most is the fact that he dares the challenges and in doing so had garnered a following and patrons who support his efforts. He is still a kid at heart and continues to ride tricks on his mountain bike. every chance he gets at parks and street corners. Yes true blue born Penangite, Me is an epitome of what it is like growing up in a multi-racial community and respected by all for his talent and warmth of spirit when dealing with others young or old.  Me or Mee is what we call the Yellow noodles famous for making Mee goreng or better known as 'Mee Goreng Mamak'. His sketchbook Little Mamak tells of the history of the Indian Muslims presence in Georgetown, Penang and what it was like to grow up in a challenging if not threatening environment of a Multi-Racial society. On reflecting my own life I can definitely share his story just as it were my own. What is great about being born and raised in such an environment is that fact that we can turn around and make it work for us and that is what is being an artist is all about. When at leas for myself, we do our best at turning what is negative into positive, what is destructive into creativity. We survive this scene though the use of our sense of imagination and creative perception, there has never been a box to think out of, it is a gateless gate; no thinker no what to think about.

Artists i believe simply 'Make it Happen', more so that most others. The act of being spontaneous, being absorbed in the present moment, being empty of thoughts or emotions, the artist in his glorious moments simply, Make it Happen... I have watched my Teachers and masters at work in the studios at the University of Wisconsin in green Bay, {UWGB}, they were lost to this world; this is what is known as 'Meditation in Action' in many Zen and other Buddhist schools. I am rambling on simply because i have the time to do nothing save take a nap. So if you have nothing to do but sit and read my ramblings just sit back and enjoy a tale form the East told by The Cheeseburger Buddha in his quest in understanding - Zen and the Art of Living." What is truly being an Artist? You can draw does not make you an artist, nor if you take good polaroid pictures, being a Master at making batik Prints or capturing the whole colorful scenes of a Native people in their natural habitat does not qualify you as an artist, at leas tit what the term actually meant. Being an Artist is a round complete wholesome state on Mind which is reflected in the ways and understanding of living as one would choose to and not one that is chosen for you. To transcend all boundaries and limitations, to come to realize the essence of Being Who You truly are without causing any negative stir in the society or environment around you. The scope of being considered as being an Artist covers the inner and outer dimensions to the extreme, no stone is left unturned when is on the road to find out and this only those with a creative and open mind can achieve - the Artist.