December 8, 2010 In animated video, art, children's books, communication, creativity, design, illustration, inspiration, presentation By Patricia Saxton

A Conspiracy of Mermaids, Art, Music and a Toy

If you recall the “sneak peeks” I posted a while back, your wait is over. Here’s a special something I’ve been conjuring up for the holidays!

For those interested, this video was created with hand-drawings, animated in PowerPoint. I wanted to push the boundaries of what most people think PowerPoint can and can’t do. In that sense alone, I feel a mission was accomplished. But I also wanted to have some fun with it…. which I did!

The vision for the video came to me after it was clear that no one wanted their children to be filmed in a piece that would be shown on YouTube. That was disappointing, since kids really engage with this game and it would have been great to capture their enthusiasm. But, as someone, somewhere, once said, “inside every cloud is a silver lining”. This one came in the form of a happy idea.

And so, this is what happened when an idea + illustrations + PowerPoint + some good music became a video!

Special thanks to composer/musician David Santucci for lending his remarkable talent to this piece. A gifted artist and overall nice guy whose work will soon be available in high-def quality on iTunes; it was a delightful collaboration.

Now I hope you’ll go on over to Amazon and buy the Magnetic Mermaid Dress-Up toy and make some kids very happy this holiday! :  )

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October 28, 2010 In creativity, design, inspiration, presentation, work and play By Patricia Saxton

Fun, REALLY Fun, Pumpkins

As if ghouls, goblins and wads of candy weren’t enough, Halloween just got a whole lot more fun.

This is the 15th year of an annual pumpkin carving contest held by Duarte Design, and boy are these carvings great!  What a treat. You can even vote for your favorite. (but hurry, voting ends the afternoon of 10/29.)

These are so much fun, I’m thinking I might start my own contest next year. So, you’ve been fairly warned, with plenty of time to think about what you’d like to do ~ and here’s some fantastic inspiration to whet your creative spirits!

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September 13, 2010 In art, communication, creativity, graphic design, illustration, inspiration, intelligence By Patricia Saxton

"Where Is My Vote?" ~ A Powerful Design Exhibit at New York's School of Visual Arts

Inspired by an email from an Iranian photographer reaching out for worldwide artistic support to raise awareness for Iran’s Green Movement following the 2009 Iranian elections, the School of Visual Arts has put together an incredible collection of posters, designed by some of the greatest names in graphic design, including R. O. Blechman, Cathie Bleck, Seymour Chwast, Ivan Chermayeff, Milton Glaser, Robert Grossman, Anita Kunz, Yossi Lemel, Jennifer Morla, István Orosz, Woody Pirtle, Andrea Rauch, Ralph Steadman, Gary Taxali, James Victore and Massimo Vignelli, among others.

This display is “design as a social tool” on a grand scale and at its most impressive.

Below are just a few of the 150 potent pieces. You can see them all Social Designzine,  as well as watch the video below of author, design historian and SVA MFA Design Dept. Co-Chair Steven Heller discussing an interesting, in-depth look at the show’s meaning.

Copyright, Cathie Bleck

Copyright, James Victore

Copyright, Massimo Vignelli

Copyright, Milton Glaser

Copyright, Yossi Lemel

The exhibition runs through September 25 at The School of Visual Arts, Visual Arts Gallery, 601 West 26th Street, 15th Floor, New York, NY.  For more information, call 212-592-2145 or visit SVA’s exhibit  site.

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September 1, 2010 In art, creativity, design, inspiration By Patricia Saxton

"52 Weeks of Peace" Full Circle

It’s official now ~ we’ve come full circle from September 1 2009 to September 1 2010. And while all 52 Weeks have been posted, something didn’t quite work out with the math (which could explain why I’m in the arts and not a mathematician?). So here’s the bonus week as promised (and created with joy by my lovely daughter I have to say!). Besides, it’s only fitting to end, as begun, on my birthday.

And here are my wishes this year ~  That thought by thought, action by action, this nutty, misguided, confusing, troubled, hopeful, amazing, strange and beautiful world may become a better place for our dreams to thrive. That we all choose to participate in the unfolding of what brings us our own individual peace. That we take a bite of something good and make a delicious offering of that something to ourselves, our friends, families, neighbors, co-workers….  That we uplift and respect and care and appreciate. That we smile on one another more.  Imagine the peace that would bring! … and if it only brings peace to a few, know that within those few, the circle has already widened.

Sweet peace to all ~


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August 23, 2010 In art, communication, creativity, design, drawing, illustration, inspiration By Patricia Saxton

Week 52: "52 Weeks of Peace"

As the “52 Weeks of Peace” series comes to its inevitable end, it’s my hope that the spirit of mindful peace will carry on long after the last posting. I hope you’ll find peace in unexpected places ~ and nurture its presence. I hope you’ll seek it, recognize it, allow it, and share it. There’s great power there… beginning with you, me, our families and friends. It doesn’t have to be a movement you join; more importantly, it’s a movement you feel within.

Here’s to planting, growing and tending gardens of peace ~ within ourselves as well as “out there”.

Thanks for sharing this journey together. Cheers all!

PS: Because the series started on September 1st, there will be a “bonus” posting next week.

PSS: Remember, all 52 Weeks are posted here!

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August 13, 2010 In inspiration, work and play By Patricia Saxton

Go Play!

I posted this piece a little over a year ago. But as I’ve been feeling “all work and no play”, I thought it worth a repeat performance.  Sometimes you need reminding to make play a priority. So I’ll leave you with this, as I’m off … to play now!

The Importance of Playtime

dog playing frisbeeWhen was the last time you jumped up and down like a kid, or played frisbee in the rain … just for the fun of it? If you have, you’re better off.  If you haven’t, maybe it’s time!

I recently saw bits and pieces of a TV documentary about the power of play. It showed images of wild animals, who might normally be mortal enemies, engaged in play. And children, of course, using all their natural talent for having a good time.

The essential message though, was that play is not just for fun. And it’s not just for kids or animals. It’s actually really, really good for you.

And when you think of it, who doesn’t like to play? I know I do. And knowing that it’s vitally beneficial for our well-being, makes it even more inviting.

But sometimes we adults can get so darn serious, or acquire some heavy sense of self-importance, or feel so burdened with the weight of our individual worlds (not to mention the world at large) that we don’t make room, or forget to make time, or heaven forbid lose the ability, to be playful.

By continuing to “play” throughout our lives though, we increase our brain’s learning capacity and become more productive. We’re more balanced, happier and well adjusted. We work better, and we live better. And seriously, it’s a lot more fun.

As Stuart Brown talks about in the video below, “play” seems to be its own separate biological entity. It’s inborn. It has a great evolutionary purpose. And this I believe to be 100% true. Yet there really is no particular purpose to play other than the purpose TO play.  The point is to have fun. And the benefits are in the side-effects: pure, unplanned, and positively life-giving.

Dr. Stuart Brown’s research shows play is not just joyful and energizing — it’s deeply involved with human development and intelligence. Through the National Institute for Play, he’s working to better understand its significance.

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July 4, 2010 In art, creativity, design, inspiration By Patricia Saxton

Week 45: "52 Weeks of Peace"

Peace is liberty.

Today we honor of the United States of America. We honor our founders ~ their courage, their foresight and their brave ideals. And we honor our collective indomitable, independent spirit … as night skies across America burst with color, rumble and crack with cannon-like blasts, reminding us of all those who have fought for our freedoms and fought for peace, who have dreamed and toiled for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Happy Birthday America. May you have many, many, many more.

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