“I’d like to teach the world to sing….in perfect harmony… ”
Week #59 / 52 Weeks of Peace (squared) / © Patricia Saxton
Interesting what the mind holds on to and randomly pops back out. Here’s a link to the ad that inspired the idea for this peace sign (all these years later!). Some of you will remember this one well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib-Qiyklq-Q&feature=related
Almost like clockwork, my mind turns to black & white imagery… as it did last January, and the January before that. I hadn’t realized that! In truth of course, it’s not just a once a year thing ~ I’ve always been drawn to the power and beauty of black & white art, probably from the first time I picked up that favorite tool of mine (the #2 pencil), and sensed that magic was held within its lead.
So, once again I’ll post the original text (which remains meaningful to me), and share some choice imagery. (If you want to skip to the pictures, I won’t be offended!)
……………
Each year, a new Ansel Adams wall calendar hangs on the door leading to my studio. His superbly articulated, stunning black and white photography reminds me daily of my love for the natural world and the innumerable shades, shapes, shadows and tones that create, change, and emerge from, our world.
Yet the classic beauty and the powerful visual possibilities of black and white are often neglected. Straight black and white design is often passed by in favor of any use of color. As if black and white implied something dull or less important. Which is far from the truth!
When used well, black and white is intensely dramatic, vigorous, elegant and rich. It can make a powerful point without the distraction of colors. It plays on bright or moody, or edgy or slick in ways that color cannot. It can sparkle with cleanliness, and shimmer with subtlety. When used well, it expresses itself with undisguised strength, character and integrity.
Of course, not all photographers have the eye nor skill of an Ansel Adams. Not all designers *see* in black and white. Clients rarely consider it. But it would be nice to see a greater appreciation of the noble duo of black and white.
When people want straight talk, when they want the truth, they’ll say “tell me in black and white”. But people often speak in shades of gray, or dress their language in garish colors for dramatic effect. And so it can be with design – a multitude of colors may become too competitive, potentially drowning in an undifferentiated sea of tones or gussied up so much the point is lost for the color, like shouting for attention in a crowd.
Color, in and of itself, is naturally beautiful. Bold, rich fusions of color. Earthy color, otherworldy color. Pale, cool, warm or dense. It’s vibrant and alive and emotional. But color alone will not make a bad design good. And it’s not so much that color is overrated, but that black and white is underrated. The effects of black and white can be pretty spectacular.
Stripped of color, a million shades become a lansdcape of lights and darks that blend and weave and bounce against one another to create a very rich whole. A striking black and white image often touches us unexpectedly … refreshing, engaging, and wonderfully inspiring. It’s raw and fundamental – and like a good story, it’s satisfying. Like a good story, it allows your mind to add its own color by filling in the parts left unsaid.
Enough said. Enjoy.
I’m working on a project that calls for a special kind of pen. A marker, to be exact. My favorite marker. I might even go so far as to say the perfect marker.
Then I remembered a sad truth: these most magical of markers have been discontinued. They don’t make them anymore. Which is just wrong. They were the best. They were beloved. They should bring them back.
You think it silly perhaps to mourn the loss of a pen? Maybe if you understood that they had just the right feel, just the right flexibility, just the right fluidity and just the right saturation. They didn’t dry out easily and lasted for ages.
Any professional knows that the right tools matter. For designers, no artist marker held a candle to these.
The good news is, I found 3 remaining markers tonight. In a special box, hidden inside a cupboard, hoarded like secret chocolates. The bad news is that the end is near. It’s the last dance. And I’m not happy about that.
Seriously, they really should bring them back.
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?
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
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!
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.
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!)
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.
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
