January 8, 2012 In appreciation, art, creativity, design, illustration, inspiration, life and the universe By Patricia Saxton

Palm-Reading

The palm-reader said I’ll live a very long, very healthy life.

This isn’t really news, as all the psychics I’ve known have said the same, but this one backed it up by mentioning that I inherited a “long-life gene”, which made it sound pretty official. And I have to say, whatever your feeling about these kinds of things, considering that my father is in a pretty remarkable 94th year, I think she could be on to something.

Of course, you never know. But the long-healthy-life concept is comforting, since I can’t imagine running out of things I want to do. I’ve got at least 6 more books in me, hundreds of art pieces, and who knows, maybe I’ll be discovered in my golden years and star in something fabulous on the silver screen. :  )

I like the idea that every day holds potential for something grand. Or even something that’s simply, thrillingly sweet. Or a kind and lovely gesture.

There’s just no end to what you can learn and discover. Not to mention there’s still much of the world I’ve yet to see. There are mountains to climb and streams to ford! (well, okay, apparently The Sound of Music hijacked my thought process for a second there…)

How can anyone, ever, really, I mean really, be bored?

Sure, now and then we can feel dull. We can get the blues. We can get discombobulated or all worked up in a twist from life’s challenges. Maybe feel discontent, or anxious or scared or like you want to put your fist through a wall.

But you tough it out. You laugh, you cry. You make it through. The sun rises.

With all life’s quirks and curves and turns, colors and personalities and wonders ~ just imagine all you can do and be and give and share. How cool is that?

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January 4, 2012 In art, drawing, fine art, life and the universe By Patricia Saxton

Unfolding

Probably because I’m craving some time with brush in hand in front of a fresh canvas, I’ve pulled up an old drawing that reminds me of art for art’s sake. It also reminds me of the roots of what I do, and the kind of invisible forces that have driven me in the directions I’ve gone.

I say “invisible forces” because you can’t explain “why” you may have spent days drawing a larger than life Iris, or why it was an Iris you chose, not a face or an apple or a street scene. Of course there had to be a point of intellectual decision along the way, but you can’t necessarily say why in that moment it was a pencil you used, not a pen and not a brush.

Because time then becomes suspended  ~  the same as it does for a musician, a dancer, a poet; conscious thoughts dissolve, almost as if your being, through the act of creating, becomes a meditation.

© Patricia Saxton

And it is this piece pulled up today, I believe, because it also speaks to me now, years later, of gentle unfoldings, as opposed to dramatic, coarse unravelings. It speaks to me of a natural grace within life ~ one perhaps we all wish to nurture and maintain but feel we seldom do. It whispers of quiet gestures and grand plans, and of patience, and the knowing that all things blossom best with care and water and light.

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January 1, 2012 In art, communication, creativity, design, illustration, imagination, inspiration, life and the universe, poetry, words and language By Patricia Saxton

Peace Prayer

Week #57 / 52 Weeks of Peace (squared) / © Patricia Saxton

Under one sky
Our blood runs red
Our eyes see, our feet walk
Our hearts beat.

We love, we laugh
We grieve.

We hope.

Red, white, black, yellow
We circle and dance,
Fight and rejoice,
Dream and breathe
And raise our voice

For peace.

~ P. Saxton

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December 31, 2011 In appreciation, art, communication, creativity, design, drawing, inspiration By Patricia Saxton

Cheers! ~ A New Year’s Guest “Plethora of P’s P” / Prosecco

proactively punctuating life with the plausible, powerful possibilities of positive thought presented through a plethora of “P’s”.

– ♥ –

Raise a glass to the New Year. Raise a glass to all the good yet to be realized. Raise a glass to hope and dreams, and the passion, stamina and grace to carry them through.

And with my warm thanks to Diane Ioas Householder for this wonderful image and her cheerful handwritten text, I also raise a glass to friendships near and far. Because friends, like kindness, can lift us up and smooth out life’s frictions. And like Prosecco, no special reason is needed – every day is a good day to appreciate their sparkle.      ~ Cheers!

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December 27, 2011 In appreciation, art, communication, creativity, design, inspiration By Patricia Saxton

A Plethora of P’s / #52: Peace

proactively punctuating life with the plausible, powerful possibilities of positive thought presented through a plethora of “P’s”.

– ♥ –

I’m not holding my breath for the whole world to catch on just yet, but hope springs eternal. So maybe we can help it along; give it some attitude…

Maybe we can hang out our shingles with peaceful intent, toss some into our breakfast, wrap it up in our clothing, walk it into our stride, put the idea in our hearts ~ and practice peace, a little bit, every day.

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December 24, 2011 In art, books & stuff, branding, creativity, design, illustration, inspiration, photography By Patricia Saxton

“where in the world is peace?”… decking the halls, where the heart is.

A trimming for the tree, a gift underneath, a treat for a particularly intellectual pet (!)…  In different places, in different ways, peace is finding its way home this holiday season.

Thanks so much for sharing these “52 Weeks of Peace” pictures from your homes ~ from the heart!  

Brightest wishes for peace to all.

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

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December 22, 2011 In appreciation, art, books, business, drawing, illustration, work and play, writing By Patricia Saxton

Thank you

There are 68,250 fairy books listed on Amazon. Whew! But if you scroll down just a little bit on the first page of your book search for “fairies”, you’ll see that the #8 ranking on that list is my very own, A Book of Fairies. This makes me happy. And what makes my smile get really big, is when searching for “fairy books for children”, A Book of Fairies has the sweet spot of #1. Wow!!!

I’m not telling you this to toot my horn, I’m here to say thank you to everyone who’s helped push my books up the charts. (The Book of Mermaids also sits at #1 for “mermaids”! – okay, so that was a bit of a toot…)

It means that because of you, the books are being enjoyed. It means my labors are appreciated, and might this very moment be brightening someone’s day. What a great feeling. So, thank you, thank you, thank you!

I also want to thank you for reading, following, or just showing interest in my blog postings over the past couple of years.

It’s an incredible thing, this blogosphere. A fresh page available every day for expressing yourself, sharing what you know or what you wish you knew, bringing thoughts & ideas to a whole big world filled with kindred souls you’ve never met.

To put yourself “out there” takes a small but somewhat brazen step into “vulnerability”. So you brace yourself for a variety of disappointments, hope for the best and forge ahead.

And you guys have been the best.

Thank you for allowing me into your world a few times a week. Thanks for listening to my eternal optimism and supporting my work by buying my books, hiring me for design, and for your positive feedback towards this ongoing blog. Not to get all sappy here, but you make it all worthwhile.

I wish you all the brightest of blessings this holiday season. Cheers to you!

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December 19, 2011 In appreciation, art, communication, creativity, design, inspiration By Patricia Saxton

A Plethora of P’s / #51: Party

proactively punctuating life with the plausible, powerful possibilities of positive thought presented through a plethora of “P’s”.

– ♥ –

Tis the season to be jolly! Right?

I know, sometimes you don’t feel so much jolly as tired or overwhelmed. We question the materialism, or we’re frustrated by the mountain of to-do’s tossed like tinsel on already burdened days. We may welcome the idea of a big holiday, but secretly feel ornery instead of joyful. Tempers can flare. Emotions grate.

Maybe it’s time to put on your party hat. Literally. Not a hat person? Wear one on your attitude. Shift your state of mind. Get silly. Be festive. Cut yourself some slack. Sprinkle some love around out there. (Oh, and that shopper that just cut in front of you? Wish them the best of the best! Really!)

Put celebration back into the season. Have a get-together, even if you don’t have time for one. Let go even just a little ~ loosen the grip of the daily grind, even if you have to use some extra elbow grease to break that hold. Wrap your gifts with crazy bows. Write notes from the heart. Share some goodness and light. Even if the weather outside is frightful.

Raise a glass, share a toast. Be merry. Bring some cookies to a neighbor. And don’t forget to have a few yourself … while wearing your hat … and singing your favorite holiday song, loudly.

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December 15, 2011 In communication, inspiration By Patricia Saxton

Operation Spread Joy / Update

Last night I read 300 postcards. Some made me laugh, some made me tear up. All of them made me feel proud of the whole bunch of high school students who wrote them.

If you’ve been following along, you’ll know that these cards were written to our Special Forces stationed somewhere in the remote regions of Afghanistan. I know that I personally feel an immense gratitude for the courage and skills of these men and women, and feel privileged to be able to reach out to them at Christmastime, to share some of that gratitude and spread a little cheer.

Reading the heartfelt words last night told me that the kids feel that way too.

Packages are also piling up, for both the soldiers and the local Afghan children, to be shipped out via military aircraft next week. What a thrill to have made this happen with the enthusiastic support of the high school, and the military transport thanks to the fantastic work of the  Silent Warrior Fund.

Most of all, I hope everyone’s efforts will make a difference overseas … so that while families gather here at home, and food is shared and gifts are unwrapped and lights are lit, these special heroes will know they’re not forgotten, know we care, and know we honor them.

Specially selected cards from Saxton's "52 Weeks of Peace" used for Operation Spread Joy


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December 12, 2011 In appreciation, art, communication, creativity, design, drawing, illustration, inspiration By Patricia Saxton

A Plethora of P’s / #50: Presents

proactively punctuating life with the plausible, powerful possibilities of positive thought presented through a plethora of “P’s”.

– ♥ –

It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked, through understanding; And to the open-handed the search for one who shall receive is joy greater than giving.  ~ Khalil Gibran

♦

Everyone likes presents. They feel good to get, they feel good to give. Large or small, maybe wrapped with shiny paper and a big fat bow, maybe not wrapped at all. Presents say “I’m thinking of you”.

And then, of course, are the presents which no packaging can hold ~ your talents, your thoughts, your care. Gifts of inspiration or hope or wonderment.

Children are gifts. Friends are gifts. You, who make people laugh and smile – you are a gift. You, who ease another’s load, are a gift. You who openly delight in another’s good fortune, are a gift.

There’s no doubt that thoughtful things are worthy ~ and tying them with fancy ribbons adds a joyful spirit. But the gifts you cannot wrap are those that often mean the most. So maybe we should all try sprinkling more of the unwrappable around this holiday season, and remember to top our presents with bows of kindness.

♦

And you receivers… and you are all receivers… assume no weight of gratitude, lest you lay a yoke upon yourself and upon him who gives.

Rather rise together with the giver on his gifts as on wings; For to be overmindful of your debt, is to doubt his generosity who has the freehearted earth for mother, and God for father. ~ Khalil Gibran

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December 10, 2011 In art, books & stuff, branding, creativity, design, illustration, inspiration, photography By Patricia Saxton

“where in the world is peace?”… the emerald isle

Wishing Peace to the Irish. Many thank you’s for these shots of our Celtic Peace (week #29) bag in Dublin, Ireland!

Where to next…?

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

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December 7, 2011 In appreciation, inspiration By Patricia Saxton

Who’s Fascinating?

Good grief. During my drive to the pool this morning, I switched on the news and caught a snippet about Barbara Walter’s list of 2011’s “Most Fascinating People”. With all due respect for a long and illustrious career, Ms. Walters’ bow to Celebrity Pop Culture is not so much surprising as it is inane.

I can accept that people are infatuated with celebrity. Beauty, fame, wealth, drama, have long held allure. But beyond the limelight, are these people, themselves, fascinating? (The Kardashians, Modern Family stars Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Eric Stonestreet, Simon Cowell, New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter, Donald Trump, pop star Katy Perry and Pippa Middleton.)

I suppose it’s about ratings, the way sex sells cars and gossip sells magazines. But, in my humble opinion, celebrity in and of itself has become over-the-top grandiose. I don’t even see the luster of glamour; just pretentiousness.

Maybe I’m in the minority. Somehow I escaped the gene that lauds fame for fame’s sake. I’m not enamored, and frankly don’t care what the Kardashian sisters do, think, eat or wear.

So I turned off the radio. And I thought, alright, who really IS fascinating? Who do I find fascinating? Who do YOU find fascinating? There may be glitter involved, and (more likely) there may be none at all ~ as neither make the person. So what does make a person fascinating?

What made Grace Kelly fascinating, or Princess Diana? Einstein? Picasso? Or my friend’s father who rose to a high banking position but also raised bees, made homemade wine from backyard grapes and could name any bird by it’s whistle?

It’s their mystery…. their complexity, their multi-dimensionality, their intellect. And their very apparent human-ness despite their looks or talent or wealth or achievements or social stature or fate.

It’s a mind ticking with passion and ideas. Someone who inspires. Someone who you are sure holds much more than meets the eye. Someone you might like to have over for stimulating dinner conversation. Someone who may not even have the slightest idea that they are “fascinating”.

Some are regular people. Some have acquired some fame, perhaps celebrity ~ but they aren’t the ones on the magazines at the supermarket check-out, who by virtue of obsessive media coverage have been called “the most fascinating” by the likes of Barbara Walters.

(Now if she had Morgan Freeman on that list, I might listen in…)

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