November 27, 2010 In art, creativity, illustration, imagination By Patricia Saxton

"52 Weeks of Peace" Totebags Are Here!

In the name of brazen self-promotion, I’d like to start spreading the word that some terrific canvas tote bags are now available, adorned with designs from my “52 Weeks of Peace” series. One bag shows all 52 weeks, others are created with individual designs.

For the time-being these are available online only, through my shop at CafePress. But I have to tell you, I personally love their canvas bags. They’re sturdy and earthy and hold a lot of stuff.

They really make a great gift – practical AND fun (oh, and yes, with a message…!) . And by the way, requests are being taken. If you have a favorite “week” you’d like to see on a bag, let me know!

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November 22, 2010 In art, creativity By Patricia Saxton

One Last Sneak Peek

Everyone’s crazy busy, so you may not have noticed that I’ve not posted as often as usual. But in case you did …. remember the post about “what’s inside my head”? Well it’s been stuck on #3 for quite some time.

Lots and lots and LOTS going on, lots of cool work, but not a lot that I can post yet. What I can post is another sneak preview of my “secret project”…. which I hope to have complete very soon.

Ah. All this unveiling to be done. I guess patience is called for.

In the meantime, here’s a last peek of the special little something in the works.

 

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November 10, 2010 In communication, creativity, drawing, imagination, music By Patricia Saxton

Andrew Bird: One-Man Orchestra

In a word: impressive.

From TED: Musical innovator Andrew Bird winds together his trademark violin technique with xylophone, vocals and sophisticated electronic looping. Add in his uncanny ability to whistle anything, and he becomes a riveting one-man orchestra.

On a personal note, it’s interesting that I discovered this, and a few days later, my teen shared one of her favorites songs from … Andrew Bird. Bells went off, and I thought about how cool that we unknowingly shared this appreciation. I also happen to really like the cover of his CD. I’m a fan.

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November 10, 2010 In art, children's books, design, illustration, work and play By Patricia Saxton

Sneak Peek of a Secret Project …

My muse is hard at work, sliding with a vengeance into all available slivers of time. (When is a girl to sleep, I ask?)  This time it’s something kind of new for me … and it’s making me smile, despite a crazy schedule, some sleep deprivation and probably too much tea and chocolate. (Wait ~ there can’t be too much tea or chocolate. What was I thinking?)

But I will say no more (because, after all, it’s a secret) and just cut to the sneak peek. Hope it makes you smile too. :  )

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November 6, 2010 In art, business, creativity, design By Patricia Saxton

Work That Gives

My parents always told me there was great satisfaction in a job well done. May seem corny, but it’s true. And it’s one of the things I like best about my work …  it’s satisfying to interpret and conceptualize a broad range of messages. I like to call it giving things a “visual voice”.

No two voices are the same; each has something distinctly their own ~ and to hear, discover and express that in its most dynamic way is really kinda neat.

Naturally, it’s also satisfying when the work is appreciated. (Who doesn’t like a kind word?) Clients are happy, you’re happy. It’s good for their business, it’s good for you. A “job well done.”

Sometimes though, the work achieves more measurable, tangible benefits ~ and when that happens, it’s that much more meaningful all around. The small piece of art below is one of those.

Commissioned specifically as a fund-raising effort for my alma mater, Wittenberg University, I was pleased to learn that this hymnal bookplate raised more than double the intended financial goal, attracted a high percentage of new donors and brought valuable support to other campus needs above and beyond the original effort.

This is truly “work that gives”.  And somehow that’s doubly satisfying.


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