art Archives - Page 20 of 54 - saxtonstudio blog

January 30, 2013 In appreciation, art, black and white, craftsmanship, design, fine art, illustration, inspiration, photography, presentation, skill By Patricia Saxton

In Praise of Black and White: Part IV

It’s a black and white world tonight ~ snow is falling against the dark night sky, which seems to take an edge off the bitter of winter’s cold ~ and I’m reminded how every year at this same time I feel this same compulsion to post some great black & white pieces. (It’s starting to feel a little spooky, how this happens, on cue, every January.) Whatever the reason for the timing, I adore black and white; always have. From my life-long love affair with the #2 pencil, to the magnificent drama of a fine black & white photograph, I’ve been captivated by the beauty and emotional breadth that can be so singularly captured without a spot of color. There’s character and grace and strength and guts and mood that seeps into your skin. I’ve written at length about these moods in the past, so will spare you the repetition and get on with the show!

“Oak Tree, Sunset City” / Ansel Adams

Photo by Hegel Jorge

Tattoo

Marilyn

Tea Wisdom / Patricia Saxton

Artist: Jose Ernesto Rodriguez

Boneshaker Zinfandel / Hahn Family Wines

Gia Photography

Lovely

Stair Design at Musee Robert Tatin

Land and Sea Clothing Co.

Eagle / @Patricia Saxton

Black & White Mimi Shoe

Zentangle

Book Cover

J.D. Label

Photo by David Mar Quinto

Photo by Hengki Koentjoro

“Ray” Movie Poster

Vulture / David Lloyd

January 29, 2013 In art, craftsmanship, creativity, design, inspiration, skill By Patricia Saxton

Tuesdays with Chris: “Fire”

In “Fire”, Chris shares insights on fire and life, magic and alchemy, duality and unpredictability, bringing us yet another intriguing, thoughtful and refreshing presentation. Thank you, Chris!

(If you missed my introduction about Chris Staley, master potter, educator and Penn State Laureate 2012-2013, you can read that here.) Enjoy!

January 25, 2013 In appreciation, art, branding, creativity, design, fine art, graphic design, illustration, imagination, inspiration, peace, philosophy By Patricia Saxton

52 Weeks of Peace [squared]: Week #82

“To give pleasure to a single heart by a single act is better than a thousand heads bowing in prayer.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi

January 22, 2013 In art, craftsmanship, creativity, design, inspiration, skill By Patricia Saxton

Tuesdays with Chris: “Liking Mistakes”

Not surprisingly, Chris’s kids have grown up using handmade pots and cups, and one day Chris asked his youngest daughter what it’s like to use handmade pieces, and she said “Dad, I really like the mistakes”.

It’s that beautiful messiness of fine craftsmanship that creates something that’s one-of-a-kind and gloriously unpredictable. As in life, where we are so much more than a series of precise measurements; we are not exact templates. As in life, each cup holds a story, transferred from the hands that make it and then again transformed by the hands that hold and share it.

Our mistakes add interest, color, and emotion ~ whether in our craft, or in our life. I call them happy accidents, because nine times out of ten they lead to a new idea or thought or road one might not have travelled, and we’re made the richer.

This is one of Chris’s most touching video’s, imperfectly perfect, where his trademark honesty shines through. Enjoy!

(If you missed my introduction about Chris Staley, master potter, educator and Penn State Laureate 2012-2013, you can read that here.)

January 21, 2013 In art, fine art, history, inspiration, intelligence, leadership, life and the universe, painting By Patricia Saxton

Thank you, Dr. King.

@ 1964, Norman Rockwell, “The Problem We All Live With”

Thank you for sharing your dream, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. For fighting the good fight. For lifting up the eyes, hearts and minds of millions with hope, peace, perseverance and integrity.

And Norman Rockwell, thank you for your brilliance.

January 19, 2013 In art, creativity, design, imagination, inspiration, work and play By Patricia Saxton

A Plethora of P’s: #66 / Pancakes

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

– ♥ –

Pancakes. Because, really, who doesn’t love pancakes? Need I say more? Let’s fire up the griddle. : )

(see our growing, ongoing Plethora of P’s here)

January 15, 2013 In art, craftsmanship, creativity, design, inspiration, skill By Patricia Saxton

Tuesdays with Chris: “Meaningful Cups”

Chris Staley

“I like that sense of contemplation that can happen when you’re drinking out of a cup, and (how that touch) has a way of actually slowing time down.” [Chris Staley]

In this week’s video, Chris describes the making of, and meanings behind, a cup, starting with a very to-the-point question his professor asked when he was a graduate student: When you make a cup, do you want it to be used, or to be displayed in someone’s livingroom?

And as ever, maybe in part because I was so horrible at a potter’s wheel myself back in the day, it’s a pleasure to watch him work his craft.

(If you missed my introduction about Chris Staley, master potter, educator and Penn State Laureate 2012-2013, you can read that here.) Enjoy!

January 14, 2013 In art, children's books, craftsmanship, creativity, drawing By Patricia Saxton

Sleeping Dragon

“Meddle not in the affairs of the dragon; for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.” (author unknown)

Sleeping Dragon with Feather Wings / pencil drawing @Patricia Saxton

January 11, 2013 In appreciation, art, craftsmanship, creativity, design, drawing, typography By Patricia Saxton

Chalk as Design & Typography Tool = Great Stuff

Bright young talent just shines in Dana Tanamachi.

I completely adore what’s she doing ~ by hand, with a practically perfect mixture of head and heart ~ and luckily for her, so do some big name clients. It’s very, very cool. And in this day and age of technology, it’s wonderfully refreshing.

Enjoy the video ~ enjoy the images!