Week 13: "52 Weeks of Peace"

During this week of one of the most American of holidays, traditionally filled with family, friends, food and football, we all give thanks for our bounty and our blessings, large or small. And I hope too, that each of you may find Peace draped within the folds of your own personal gratitude – and lovingly baked into your Thanksgiving feast.

All peace designs are shown together under the “52 Weeks of Peace” tab above.

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The Marvel and Magnificence of Antoni Gaudi

A colleague recently returned from Barcelona, sharing with me his awe for Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi. When I researched some imagery, I felt I was glimpsing a grand, new artistic treasure trove. It’s not new at all, of course – but it is grand. In all my European travels, with all its magnificent architecture, I never saw gems quite like these.

It could be because when in Spain at the tender age of 16, my strongest impressions were Seville, the Alhambra, the beaches of black sand and the lude men – the latter of which discouraged my desire to go back to Spain. But Antoni Gaudi has revived my appreciation.

Gaudi lived from 1852-1926, and is known as one of the most important modernist style architects worldwide. “Over the course of his career, Gaudi developed a sensuous, curving, almost surreal design style which established him as the innovative leader of the Spanish Art Nouveau movement. With little regard for formal order, he juxtaposed unrelated systems and altered established visual order. Gaudi’s characteristically warped form of Gothic architecture drew admiration from other avant-garde artists.”**

Gaudi takes “thinking outside the box” to whole new levels. His extraordinary works, many of which reside in Barcelona, are movement and dance; they’re delicious, sugar-lined monuments with creamy icing; they’re all marshmallows and gingerbread, sand-castles, stone, glass and iron; they’re original, artistic, striking blends of sharp color and duotones. They’re fantastic. They’re illogical. They’re stunning. I marvel at the ingenuity and the boundlessness.

**References
Dennis Sharp. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Architects and Architecture. New York: Quatro Publishing, 1991. ISBN 0-8230-2539-X. NA40.I45. p61.
Muriel Emmanuel. Contemporary Architects. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1980. ISBN 0-312-16635-4. NA680.C625 1980.
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Elizabeth Gilbert on Artists and Genius

In this bright and delightful presentation, Elizabeth Gilbert muses on the impossible things we expect from artists and geniuses – and shares the radical idea that, instead of the rare person “being” a genius, all of us “have” a genius. It’s a funny, personal and surprisingly moving talk.

 

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Fairies & Mermaids On The Move

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We love to share the joy of reading …. and we’ve got several events lined up through December, all in time for the quickly approaching holiday season. Here’s a quick run-down of where I’ll be with A Book of Fairies, The Book of Mermaids, and the oh-so-fun Magnetic Mermaid Dress-Up Game:

Thurs., Nov. 12, Summit, NJ … 6-7:30 p.m.: Book Signing at Washington School Book Fair

Wed., Nov. 18, Summit, NJ … 7-9 p.m.: Book Signing at Jefferson School Holiday Boutique

Sat., Nov., 28, Sussex, NJ … 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Book Signing & Gifts, Sussex County Elks Art & Craft Holiday Fair

Fri. & Sat., Dec. 4 & 5: Sedona, AZ … Art Exhibit & Book Signing, Andrea Smith Gallery at Tlaquepaque

Sat. Dec. 19: NYC … Book Signing & Gifts, Holiday Market at Union Square

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Week 11: "52 Weeks of Peace"

Roll it, twist, bake, salt to taste … and snack in peace.

peace_pretzelReminder:  All weeks of peace are shown together on the “52 Weeks of Peace” tab above.

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Week 10: "52 Weeks of Peace"

What if you could just press a button? When things are a little out of control, messy, chaotic, loud. You’re climbing the walls. You just want a little peace. … Where’s that button when you need it? Search, search …where’s the darn thing … a-ha! you’ve found it. You press the bright, happy button. Presto! Calm instantly billows forth. Serenity lights your path. People of all ages are kind, gentle, compassionate.

It’s a fun idea.

But… maybe there IS a button – theoretically – inside each one of us, that we CAN press for peace. Inner peace. Which is where it all begins anyway. Maybe you can train you mind to obey your command of “be still”. Maybe you can create that light, just with thought. Focused, intentional thought. Maybe it’s worth a try. If it lasts only a few seconds, well that’s something, and a better place to go forward from.

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Note: Weekly peace images are displayed (as a unit) under the “52 Weeks of Peace” tab above, where there is also a more detailed description of the series.

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Week 9: "52 Weeks of Peace"

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Note: Weekly peace images are displayed (as a unit) under the “52 Weeks of Peace” tab above, where there is also a more detailed description of the series.

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Week 8: "52 Weeks of Peace"

peace_spiderweb4Note: Weekly peace images are displayed (as a unit) under the “52 Weeks of Peace” tab above, where there is also a more detailed description of the series.

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12 Cool Fonts

In earlier posts I’ve shared “10 indispensable fonts” and “10 nice script fonts”. But now and then you need to add a little “edge” to your content. A sprinkle of sassiness, a dash of funk.

I think of the following 12 fonts as “specialty fonts” because you certainly don’t want to use them to typeset whole documents, but as accents, to insert some typographical “color” and make a special statement. Of course the grungier they are, the less they should be used for long passages. But in measured doses, they definitely add a coolness you don’t get with traditional fonts …and they’re so much fun you’ll find yourself determined to find a perfect place to fit them.

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Week 7: "52 Weeks of Peace"

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Note: Weekly peace images are displayed (as a unit) under the “52 Weeks of Peace” tab above, where there is also a more detailed description of the series.

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Week 6: "52 Weeks of Peace"

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Note: Weekly peace images are displayed (as a unit) under the “52 Weeks of Peace” tab above, where there is also a more detailed description of the series.

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Stefan Sagmeister: The power of time off

Every seven years, designer Stefan Sagmeister closes his New York studio for a year-long sabbatical to refresh their creative outlook. He explains the often overlooked value of time off and shows the innovative projects inspired by his time in Bali.

His talk is insightful, enjoyable and worth watching – though for some reason the video wouldn’t embed, so here’s the link:

ssagmeister

Now, my thoughts:  In theory, it makes sense. But there’s that pesky element of economic feasibility and other practicalities / responsibilities.

I did take my own sabbatical at one time – 6 months in a beautiful place, devoted to pursuing other aspects of my creativity. It was a time when I felt I could do it, based on a relatively lesser amount of responsibility – ie;, no children yet. It was a fantastic gift, a treasured, productive time.

As downright appealing as it is, a sabbatical like this would be much more difficult to orchestrate now. And as such – for those who can’t up and go to Bali – it’s important to be able to find and nurture places of growth and inspiration right from where you are.

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