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I painted this for a friend’s birthday!

So George Lucas changed a few things in the Star Wars Blu- Ray and it is causing shock waves through out the Star Wars fan universe. The reaction has been negative to say the least, but the measures that some “fans” have taken to express their displeasure are down right disturbing. 

I am a life long Star Wars fan as you can see in the pictures above. I LOVE Star Wars, I always have. I love the characters, the story, the mythology, and the design. But what I love most about Star Wars are the fantastic memories it has given me in my life. From seeing Star Wars for the first time in 1977 to my art show in Los Angeles this month with Denise Vasquez, I have a bottomless pool of memories that come from Star Wars in some way. I’ve met incredible people, made wonderful friends, and been inspired to create imaginative art. I will always have these memories. There is nothing anyone can do to change that.

I hear people say “George Lucas is ruining my childhood”. Really? If peoples childhoods are ruined because Lucas changed HIS films, you either had a really forgetful childhood or You have convinced your self that somehow the changing of a movie can somehow change all of your memories too. Like a time continuum flux has happened.

Perhaps the problem is some peoples need to have a DEFINITIVE answer to everything. Like making Ewoks blink makes you have to go back and rethink everything in your life and alter your memeories. “OMG, did I really see what I thought I saw back in 1983? Ewoks were supposed to blink?  This changes the way I remember everything!” That is sarcasm BTW. How can Ewok Eye Lids “ruin” your child hood?

The problem is not with George Lucas, the problem is with people depending on Lucas to somehow preserve their memories and lives on film. Your memories and your experiences are yours alone, if you let someone else have control of your thoughts, ideas, and memories then the problem is with you. 

I understand Star Wars has touched generations of people out there. It has had an incredible impact on our culture and brought happiness in so many forms to many people. But Star Wars is art, and George Lucas is the artist who created it. Star Wars is Mr. Lucas’ to with as he pleases. If Lucas feels Star Wars is meant to be changed and be altered till he sees fit, then that is what his vision is.

Does that mean you have to like all the incarnations of his art? Of course not. Feel free to say it’s not for your tastes. But don’t throw away your precious memories and happiness you have experienced with Star Wars because you don’t like the Blu Ray additions. 

Lastly, I offer a slightly different point of view over this whole issue. If you feel so strongly about about George Lucas’ art. Why not take it as inspiration to create something yourself that is superior. Make a REAL commitment to your complaints and show the world how good art should be made.  Continue to love Star Wars for what it has meant to you, but stop relying on George Lucas to give you your dreams, and start creating your own. 

One of many pieces on display at Randy Martinez & Denise Vasquez’s Art From a Galaxy Far, Far Away show at Hold Up Art Gallery in downtown L.A.

More about the show here.