July 14, 2012 In art, color, creativity, fine art, imagination, painting By Patricia Saxton

Abstracts

“I’ve been doing a lot of abstract painting lately, extremely abstract. No brush, no paint, no canvas, I just think about it.” ~ Steven Wright

That quote cracked me up, as my canvasses are pretty much screaming at me! But it also inspired me to share some abstracts ~ not my “typical” style, but there’s “something about them”. Maybe just their free spirit? Ah, but I’m not one for analyzing my paintings, so here goes, just because.

Pink Flower / © Patricia Saxton

Dark Sky / © Patricia Saxton

Landscape / © Patricia Saxton

Red Garden / © Patricia Saxton

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July 8, 2012 In appreciation, art, inspiration, life and the universe, photography, work and play By Patricia Saxton

Of Sails & Inspiration

“The sail, the play of its pulse so like our own lives: so thin and yet so full of life, so noiseless when it labors hardest, so noisy and impatient when least effective.” ~ Henry David Thoreau

Seems that summer was only lazy when we were little. School was out, one day spilled into the next in a stream of endless popsicles, watermelon seed-spitting, some bike riding, swimming and even a touch of boredom.

Now that we’re all grown-up and responsible, many of us yearn for a few lazy days where neither work nor bills nor laundry makes demands.

Yearning may serve a purpose I suppose (like fueling the fires to change things up), but if we look around, we can also find inspiration at every turn. A day off here and there, a simple walk, even just conjuring up a lovely, breath-of-fresh-air mental image can supply new vigor to the withering workaholic who “must go on”!  Not as effective as a month by the sea, I admit, but effective nonetheless ~ so that we can be more like the sail that labors best.

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July 4, 2012 In appreciation, art, books, creativity, design, graphic design, illustration, inspiration By Patricia Saxton

Stars & Stripes

Happy Birthday USA!

In May 1776, Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag. A year later in 1777, the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act, establishing an official flag for the new nation:

“Resolved, That the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation.”

However, between 1777 and 1960, Congress passed several acts that changed the shape, design and arrangement of the flag and allowed for additional stars and stripes to reflect each new state. This broad span of time without specific guidelines resulted in many design interpretations – which in a sense also reflects the deeply rooted sense of freedom so cherished by Americans. The expressions were rich and proud, eventually evolving into the flag we pledge allegiance to today.

Carrying that theme of evolvement forward, in 1986 I discovered a beautiful book by Kit Hinrichs, called “Stars and Stripes” – a compilation of exceptionally creative American Flag images created by some of the finest graphic artists of modern time. I found it absolutely delightful, and a great tribute to the creativity and talent that abounds amongst us – and the creative freedom we’re able to enjoy in this great land of the free and home of the brave.

Below are just 13 samples of the many ingenious designs from that book honoring our American flag.  Enjoy!

flag1flag2flag3flag4flag5flag6flag7flag8flag9flag10flag11flag12flag13all images copyright of creator

 

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July 1, 2012 In art, books, branding, creativity, imagination, inspiration, life and the universe By Patricia Saxton

“where in the world is peace?” … oceanside!

“Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Where to next?

(ps:  you can see all “where in the world is peace?” images compiled on our special “where in the world is peace?” page. Our book is on Amazon, our totes, mugs and things are available here. Send your own pictures to 52weeksofpeace@gmail.com and we’ll also post them on our FaceBook page. Let’s see where peace goes!)

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June 27, 2012 In art, books & stuff, creativity, design, graphic design, imagination, inspiration, life and the universe By Patricia Saxton

52 Weeks of Peace [squared] / Week #69

June’s been a rough month. Think I’ll grab a handful of these. Because after all, as Charles M. Schulz so eloquently said, “All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” :  )

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June 24, 2012 In appreciation, art, color, inspiration, photography By Patricia Saxton

More Evidence of Purple’s Fabulousness

When I first started in the industry, I took some teasing about my love for purple. “New design, Pat? Is it purple?”

No, not everything was purple, but it’s an awesome color when used well ~ and nobody does it like Mother Nature. Here’s more evidence of its fabulousness:

hyacinth

iris

iris

iris

iris

can’t remember what this is called

petunia

How can you not love purple?

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June 15, 2012 In art, books, branding, creativity, imagination, inspiration, life and the universe By Patricia Saxton

“where in the world is peace?” … from canada to south africa, an ohio porch and a new york graduation.

Peace has been traveling far and wide! Thank you for sharing these fabulous images of “52 Weeks of Peace” from around the world!

“Graduation Peace, Love and Happiness”, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY

Peace graces a spring garden in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Cheers! ~ in Johannesburg, South Africa

Antananarivo, Madagascar

“Peace Out” for the summer from an Athens, Ohio house that holds a treasure chest of memories for 9 college guys.

Where to next?

(ps:  you can see all “where in the world is peace?” images compiled on our special “where in the world is peace?” page. Our book is on Amazon, our totes, mugs and things are available here. Send your own pictures to 52weeksofpeace@gmail.com or post them on our FaceBook page. Let’s see where peace goes!)

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June 7, 2012 In art, books & stuff, creativity, design, graphic design, imagination, inspiration, life and the universe By Patricia Saxton

52 Weeks of Peace [squared] / Week #68

“Love is nothing in tennis, but in life it’s everything.”
~Author Unknown

Give it your all. Play hard. Slam that ball right down the line, ace the serve, feel the exhilaration from getting the impossible shot, the satisfaction of a great rally with a well-matched opponent.

The trick, of course, is to stay steady. It’s not always the lowest, hardest, fastest shot, (which is, perhaps unfortunately, the way I like to play!), but the ability to consistently direct that fuzzy little yellow ball at your command …. and to do that, you gotta have not only practice, heart and energy, but a strong psyche. Just like off the court, you don’t want to get thrown off your game by a self-defeating attitude, right? Where’s the peace in that?

I won’t deny, winning feels great ~ but, playing your best, regardless of the guy across the net, brings a level of peace you just can’t beat. And that’s a good personal Match Point for anything you do.

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May 27, 2012 In appreciation, art, creativity, design By Patricia Saxton

For Memorial Day (A Plethora of P’s / #23: Principles)

“Who kept the faith and fought the fight; The glory theirs, the duty ours.”  ~Wallace Bruce

– ♥ –

This one bears repeating….so, as last year, we thank you and we honor you, all the fallen  ~ for your bravery, your love, your principled, unselfish courage ~ from the wells of our hearts, with a gratitude that knows no bounds.

………………………………….
Memorial Day, 2011, 2012
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May 23, 2012 In art, creativity, life and the universe, painting By Patricia Saxton

Dear Paint

“Paint Strip 2” / © Patricia Saxton

Dear Paint,

I have missed you. Missed your colors flowing on the end of a brush; the way you make magic at my hand’s command in sweeping strokes or smart little dabs with brilliant yellows and burnt umber and sienna-tinged greens and luminous blues and vibrant reds. Your tones, creamy, rich and ripe, acquiescing to the dips and swishes of well-used bristles and merrily slathering across a nicely stretched canvas, as if to say “Yes! I’m free! Let’s shake it up!”

Sure, sometimes you get ornery, but don’t we all? Maybe, sometimes, I want you to go this way when you really want to go that way. But in the end we work it out ~ we’re a team, going where the spirit moves.

I haven’t abandoned you, it’s just been a really long pause having to do with “responsibilities”. You know, keeping the roof overhead and all. It’s most definitely not for lack of inspiration or desire. So, thank you for being patient, and I promise we’ll have many, many more years together.

I’m also pretty sure that the best is yet to come. Hang in there!

P

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