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!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ0fB0wJ1U4

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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"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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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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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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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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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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National Breast Cancer Awareness Month: It Isn't Just Pink

It’s an honor to be working with one of the country’s foremost physicians making great strides with many of today’s most prominent health issues. Dr. Sherri Tenpenny, based in Cleveland, Ohio (be proud, Ohio) is a uniquely strong, positive voice in the medical community ~ and with this month’s spotlight on breast health, it’s both timely and appropriate to acknowledge Dr. Tenpenny’s leadership in breast health treatment.

Utilizing the safest and most effective methods, earlier detection is achieved ~ painlessly and without radiation. I encourage all women in driving distance to make an appointment to visit her clinic in Middleburg Heights, Ohio. Phone # 440-239-3438.

My role with Dr. Tenpenny has been all about branding. For her breast health clinics in particular (and in light of the fact that Tenpenny’s testing is fairly revolutionary), a main goal was to eliminate the intimidation associated with breast cancer screening. To that end, enter the IRBI girl. She is *every girl*, she is fun, she is strong. She stands for Infra-Red Breast Imaging, and I think you’ll be seeing a lot more of this smart gal.

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What I Do When Not Painting The Sky, Swimming With Mermaids, Spotting Fairies and Dragons, Making Peace Signs or Devouring Hot Fudge Sundaes

In other words, how I keep food on the table and a roof overhead.

You can always see a full portfolio at saxtonstudio.com, but thought I’d share a sampling of some recent design projects. They range from branding & identity to powerpoint presentations, graphic murals to event themes, book covers to websites.



Got a project that needs to shine? Visit saxtonstudio.com and call us or send an email!
All art copyright © Saxton Studio and client trademarked.
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"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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