“B.A.S.E-jumpers are like modern-day vikings: -Except for all the pillaging and raping!…We party, we f**k, we jump, we hug!- For tomorrow we may die!”
-Reiner Ebert.
#13. ‘Gibbsy’…..What can I say!….He sure does love to party! Who can blame him?….In the words of Charlie Sheen – “What’s not to love”?!!……We party so hard because death always looms amongst us. – To give you an idea…In August 2013, The B.A.S.E community lost 6 B.A.S.E-jumpers in 7 days!…And during my 16 year career as a B.A.S.E-jumper, I had personally known or met around 113 people who died while B.A.S.E-jumping. As a community, we try to always live life to the fullest! – Without fear or regret! – We celebrate the passing of a good friend with lots of music, drugs, hugs and alcohol! It is in these moments the community comes together and bonds. There was a while there a few years ago where the word ‘family’ was being thrown around a lot and I remember rolling my eyes at the ‘cheesiness’ of the word…..But the more I think about it the more I realize that those special moments with the few close friends I have – Have been some of the few times in my life that I have felt like I was loved. – I wanted to honor ‘Gibbsy’ in particular as he has always been there for me – Never judging – Never doubting me. He truly saved my life in my darkest hour.
*Even though I have a lot of experience taking drugs over the years. My opinions on drug-use in society has now changed. Please stay tuned for future artworks delving further into this subject.
“Life is short for everyone!…..And, life is even-shorter for some!…Though, with a little courage, It is still possible to live many full lives in half a normal one!”
-Reiner Ebert.
#9. ‘l’oiseau’ was painted in order to raise money to help with the finishing stages of the documentary film ‘Humilite’ by Dennis De Vries. The image is taken from a screen-shot of an interview sequence that photographer Tom Phillips, from ‘Exposure’ NYC, set up and shot…I had thirty-four full size prints made. (The age Ludo was when he died)…I then destroyed the original painting, as it wasn’t my image to keep or sell – Also, as I wanted the signed, limited edition prints to retain value for the people who have them.
Ludovic Woerth (+R.I.P!), was one of my best friends. He was born in Strasbourg in the Alsace region of France….I met him in 2006, along with his best friend Florian Springer. Over the next three years Ludo, Florian and myself jumped a lot together and Ludo was always stuck on our backs like glue, as he was learning how to fly camera. In 2009 I introduced him to Robert Pecnik of ‘Phoenix-fly’ and then Ludo’s flying career really took off…He became a team member and an aerial camera-man for ‘Phoenix-fly’s’ team ‘Need-for-speed’ Phoenix-Fly’s Team ‘Need-4-speed’- The art of flight and was also the official air-to-air camera man for ‘Red-bull’ extreme athlete – Jokke Sommer and also, Espen Fadnes. Jokke Sommer/Ludovic Woerth ‘Dream-lines 4’ Ludo also worked freelance on many film projects including the ‘Nuit de la Glisse’ ‘Nuit de la Glisse’ films Ludovic Woerth film series and the soon to be released, full, feature length, documentary film -‘Humilite’ which Dennis De Vries and I collaborated on. Ludo was widely regarded as the best aerial camera man in the world and in my opinion this assumption is supported by the fact that since his passing, -You just don’t see the kind of images that he could capture anymore! Ludo – We all miss you buddy!…R.I.P.!
It has come to my attention that a lie has been told about me and is currently circulating. (March 2024)
It concerns my payment to Ludovic Woerth, one of my best friends who is now almost 10 years deceased.
Ludo and I filmed a Casio G-shock watch commercial in 2011. It was a job that I secured on my own and I hired Ludo as my aerial cameraman, (obviously). I promised to pay Ludo half the money from this job as he was one of my best friends and I wanted to help him out. (I had secured the job via phone-call with the director of the commercial one afternoon just as I was about to jump the low ultimate exit point with Douggs. It was at that very same moment, after the phone-call, I told Douggs that I would pay Ludo half the money for the job.)
I was offered 4000 euros (2000 each) for what turned out to be 7 base-jumps and a 3.5 hour interview by Exposure Communications NYC. I refused this offer outright. The next day Exposure LLC doubled their offer to 8000 euros. I had told Ludo about the job as soon as I had received the offer and he had already organised time off from his new job at Adrenaline BASE. I told him that I wanted to refuse this offer as well, because I knew that the job had been passed around the jumping community and a lot of high profile jumpers had out-priced themselves. I was aware of the other jumpers quotes and knew that if Exposure doubled their offer that quickly, then it was possible that I could squeeze a little more money out of them. Ludo didn’t want me to refuse this offer because he didn’t want me to risk losing the job as he had already taken time off work and needed to be paid for those (5) days. So reluctantly, I accepted the offer of 8000 euros (4000 each). However, when I received the contract I sent it back to Exposure (twice), for them to review and restrict it to just this one-off internet video commercial and not for any future publication or print media.
When the time came, Ludo took the time off work and we did the commercial and interview with no issues. After a week or so I received 4000 euros from Exposure LLC and Ludo recieved his 4000 euros payment straight into his bank account. He was happy. I was happy. Job done.
Then 6 months went by. And Jeb Corliss famously jumped through that long thin crack in the mountain in China. At that time, I happened to be on a ten day Base-trip in Criou with Ludo and Ludo’s best friend Florian Springer amongst others…And it was then I received another call from Exposure. They told me that I had forgotten to sign a document. Now, the job we did for them was finished a long time ago….What document?…I told them “wait a minute!- not so fast. Tell me more”….After another phone call to the secretary, -and when I refused to sign any more documents, She reluctantly told me that Exposure wanted to use some of the footage for a DVD and various magazines in the Asian market (Thanks Jeb!!). I told them, “No problem!”- They just need to “give me another contract and more money!” We began to discuss how much they could get from Casio and this process took a few weeks because when they told me that they could only pay the person who’s face was visible, speaking and wearing the watch in the video (me) I refused to sign. I told them I would only sign if they could get extra money for Ludo as well. (I was helped through this negotiation process by my friend Joby Ogwyyn-Thanks Buddy!!). I managed to get an extra 12,000 euros in residuals for my face, voice and hand wearing the watch being used for publication in the Asian market and I also managed to secure another 5000 euros for Ludo – which was something that I fought for weeks to get for him. This extra money was money that was not entitled to be paid to Ludo at all -as he had already been paid for the camera work on the previous job. I have perhaps, a dozen or so emails between Exposure, Ludo and myself, backing-up what I am saying here.
– As do I also have at least multiple hundreds of emails backing up my claim (here right now), of trying (for many years) to get Ludo cut into my deal for the full feature length film project ‘Humilite’, (which, together with the director, is my personal project) and is still currently in production. I am not on good terms anymore with the director of this film as he is currently trying to screw me out of my deal and it is he that I have heard who is lying about my character. This is why I am writing all this now. -Over 13 years later, as I want everyone to know that I DID NOT! steal any money from one of my best friends – Ludo, who I miss dearly. I am not a thief!- And I am not a liar! – On the contrary! To date, up until his passing (It is my understanding that the 9000 euros I paid Ludo for 7 base-jumps and a 3.5 hour interview was the most money he ever made in a single time on any of his many free-lance jobs. If I am wrong here. Please let me know.)
#16. Mmmmmm-Yummy!!!…Should you take the red pill or the blue pill? – How about all of them??!!……Have you ever felt connected to those around you?? – Have you ever felt overwhelming love and compassion for complete strangers?? ……I’ve experienced some pretty epic parties during my time living in the B.A.S.E-jumping community! Most of them have been in remembrance of a friend who died while jumping that day. It’s actually strange how vivid my memories of those experiences still are! Perhaps, because many a time, those parties were the last moments I would spend with other friends who would continue to die while B.A.S.E- jumping during the following days, weeks, months and years……In fact, I can remember on at least two occasions when friends of mine died the very next day!…While this is extremely sad, I can assure you, after being there and speaking with them in the time before they went – That those final weeks of their lives, were some of the best they ever had! – Which is probably better than what most people experience before they die!……R.I.P Simon – Tron and all the others!……(I would just like to add that I wouldn’t actually recommend anyone taking a full pill all at once! – Not anymore!…These days, pill manufacturers are cramming as much as 350mg of M.D.M.A. into a single pill…If you are a small person, I would always recommend breaking the pill in half to see how strong it is before consuming anymore!…It is very important to educate yourself about drugs and understand what you are putting inside your body…Oh! – And don’t forget to drink plenty of water!)
*Even though I have a lot of experience taking drugs over the years. My opinions on drug-use in society has now changed. Please stay tuned for future artworks delving further into this subject.
“FUCK NORMAL LIFE!”
–Victor Kovats (+R.I.P!)
#14. My wife has been there since the beginning. In the early days, I’d often be jumping alone, So she would be my ‘ground crew’ – Giving me an indication of the wind direction and a ‘heads-up’ if any security guards were coming by…She would never feel comfortable waiting by herself while I was climbing the antennae or chimney – So, after dropping me off at the jump-site, she would drive around the village late at night, until I had reached the exit point, where I would call her up on the radio to let her know I was ready to jump……Ahh!- The good old days!
#20. One of the things I truly love about oil painting……Is by the way I can just put on some good tunes…Turn the volume way-way up! And just immerse myself…Taking a dance break every few brush-strokes when the beats kick in……The day flies by so quickly!……My mind has a chance to relax…And I find myself…well, just… Reminiscing….
…Let me tell you about a dear friend of mine….She holds a very special place in my heart!……Wow!- just WOW!…Lùcia Fayette is by far and without a doubt, one of the most beautiful people I have ever met! – Inside and out!!…… Not only is she one of the hottest B.A.S.E- chicks out there!! – A real Fly-girl!…She’s also the real fucking deal! …..I cannot overstate what an incredible human being she is!! …I feel so very lucky to have her in my life! Through all the many years I have known her…..Through all the wonderful highs and gut-wrenching lows, I have only known her to be like sunshine after a rainy day!…This woman has such an infectious personality! – You just wanna be around her all the time!….She has known love -And has had love lost, more times than anyone could – Or should have to bare!!… And yet her courage and strength of conviction always sees her through. It is this courage I love the most about her!…She ain’t no f****n’ sheep!!!…She’s a woman on her own terms! – My f****n’ kinda gal!!!….I remember a bunch of years back…It was a long period of about 5 years or so – One of the absolute lowest points in my life!….It felt like the whole world was against me….I’ve always been and still am an extremely positive person!…..But that time in my life….I felt that I understood for the first time, what those people with depression are going through. It’s not good!…No! – Never again!!!……To see that beautiful face, with that beaming smile! – That true friend who you can really feel cares about you!! – And who has the courage to stand up with arms raised to the world – Using a megaphone if she had one!!….And boldly shout out “HEY EVERYBODY! – I WANT YOU TO MEET REINER!!!- HE’S A DEAR FRIEND OF MINE!!!”…… When the world was crashing down around me….That wonderful friend I have – She kept me from falling! ……Oh Lùcia!- You are such a beautiful creature as well as a beautiful friend!!
….I hope all my friends out there…..playing in the sky!……I just hope that one day baby – We’ll be old and think of all the stories we could have told.
“Life is too short and relationships too fragile, -to be anything but totally honest”
-Reiner Ebert.
…Just two birds relaxing and drinking champagne by candle light, in a tub, outside on the grass.
#27. I cannot wait to varnish this painting next year to bring back all the depth in the darks!!…So! – This was a fun one to set up and paint! – It was the first time I kind of knew what I was doing when setting up a shot – And I got the opportunity to put it all into practice, with the help of some of my dear friends!…I’m extremely happy with the outcome as I really wanted to create something beautiful here!…And, I learnt so much in the process!! It only took me 30 hours over 4 days to finish this painting – And it felt so intuitive!…I’m really looking forward to doing something like this again!…My brain is now buzzing with new ideas!!……I feel like my horizons have just expanded!!
“…It’s the beautiful silence before the rush of terminal-air!”
-Reiner Ebert.
#33. I’m proud of this one!…I’ve been struggling to get good sleep lately (still humping my pillow) -but I did manage to muster enough energy to finish (my third) painting done from life. It only took me 16 hours over one and a half days.
They say the greater the risk – The greater the reward….And I agree! People think we jump because of the adrenalin. Yeeaah!…There’s that…But for me…The things that I’ve taken from this crazy sport/lifestyle- (Which by the way, I consider myself extremely lucky to have experienced for most of my life!), -Have been the things that I’ve been able to transfer over and utilise in my normal life. …Society has been, well, for the most part, successful at taking death out of life…The majority of people live their whole lives distracted, without really contemplating the idea of dying, -Until one day, in their late-mid to senior age, their friends or family start dying all around them…Then they get a big jolt of reality!!! …Some, I would imagine, would begin to panic!!. ……I don’t think the time most people would then have left, is quite long enough to fully get to terms with the realisation that soon, you are going to be dead.
Having been confronted with all the carnage and death associated with B.A.S..E-jumping and wing suit flying, since I was 25 years old, -has given me a great opportunity to think long and hard about death, which has allowed me to accept this harsh reality of life…It has also given me the opportunity from a young age, to learn and decide what is most important to me…-Who is most important to me!, …Who I want to be!…And how I want to live my life. …Confronting the reality of dying has given me the burning desire to make sure, that when I reach that point, When it’s time to cross over. …That I am at least content with the man I have become! -And that I have a smile on my face!!
Being comfortable in your own skin is one of the most important things in life. Respecting yourself enough to not chuck in the towel when things get too tough…Or when you’ve let yourself down…-Instead, to try harder!…Sure! -I do have some regrets…Things I wish I hadn‘t done…Things I wish I could go back and do a little differently. -But I don’t have many!!…-Maybe one hand, plus an extra couple digits …I’m so grateful that I got this wonderful opportunity in this life! -It’s given me the chance to have genuine moments of self reflection and self correction. I wish everybody could have that!!
…I don’t want to become afraid as I age. -This is why I still jump today…I’ve noticed people around me…As they get older, they get wealthier…Fatter…And more full of fear……I guess perhaps they feel like they have more to lose. But I think as you get older, you should get stronger!…Wiser!…..More powerful! -More dangerous!…And less afraid!…
For me, I love the moments of intense meditation every time I pack my parachute!…Then I love to experience the anxiety and concentration as I pay attention to the wind and the weather on the hike up to exit!…After that, I love the quiet moments, as I arrive up top and begin to go through my gear checks before my jump!…Then finally, Once I’ve zipped into my wing-suit and ticked off my mental pre-jump check-list …And when I feel that I’m good to go. I love the feeling of being right there on the edge!!…-Pushing into my toe!…But most of all! …I love the beautiful silence-Before the rush of terminal air!