November 22, 2012 In art, creativity, design, graphic design, inspiration, life and the universe, painting, work and play By Patricia Saxton

Gratitude X’s 3

I had some fun feeling grateful. Hope you will too ~ and I’m wishing a very Happy Thanksgiving to all!

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“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought;
and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” ~ G.K. Chesterton

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Joy is the simplest form of gratitude. ~ Karl Barth

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Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.
~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

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November 21, 2012 In appreciation, inspiration, life and the universe, photography By Patricia Saxton

Gratitude

This gorgeous image is a place in New Zealand called Emerald Lake. Stunned by its beauty, I immediately felt grateful that grand, magical places like this exist in our world. Then I was grateful that someone was at the right time and place with the right camera equipment to capture this shot for the rest of us to appreciate. Then I was grateful that I wasn’t actually there, because it looks too cold. Then I was grateful for my home, my family, my friends, my cats, my art, and for all of you, and for the existence of chocolate ~ and that without fail, the sun rises each day, giving us another opportunity to appreciate and be thankful.

May we all feel gratitude and recognize blessings, large and small, inside and out, near and far. ~ Love, Patricia
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November 19, 2012 In appreciation, art, books, books & stuff, children's books, creativity, design, illustration, imagination, inspiration, life and the universe By Patricia Saxton

Reading Ditty

As a voracious reader myself, I firmly believe that reading is truly one of the most worthwhile, elevating things we can do at any age.

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ps: my marketing muse tells me I should plug my own books, too, so here they are … a click on the image below will take you to my amazon author page, or you can see all my loot at my shop (left menu on this page). :  )

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November 13, 2012 In appreciation, art, communication, craftsmanship, creativity, history, inspiration, skill By Patricia Saxton

Tuesdays with Chris: “A Search for Meaning”

Chris Staley

“What are you trying to say with your art?”  Back when Chris was a grad student brimming with enthusiasm for his craft, he was deeply struck when asked this question. Perhaps needless to say, he has some answers now.

Consciously or unconsciously, the art we create has social meaning. Within the context of boxes, twin towers and clay, Chris gives us a personal glimpse into what makes some of his own work tick, then segues gracefully into a fresh explanation of Maslow’s 4 stages of learning.

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

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November 10, 2012 In art, books, branding, creativity, imagination, inspiration, life and the universe By Patricia Saxton

“where in the world is peace?” … among barns and pumpkins

We love Ohio people! Many, many thanks for this awesome “peace shoot” ~ we wish YOU much love and peace.

Where to next?

(ps:  you can see all “where in the world is peace?” images on our “where in the world is peace?” page. Our book is on Amazon, our totes, mugs and things are available here. Please email your own pictures to 52weeksofpeace@gmail.com or post them on our FaceBook page. Let’s see where peace goes!)

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November 6, 2012 In appreciation, art, communication, craftsmanship, creativity, history, inspiration, skill By Patricia Saxton

Tuesdays with Chris: “Art & Life”

Chris Staley

How the life we live influences what we create, and how art may influence the way we live..  This is one of my favorite videos in the series. Chris’ stories and insights about artists, students and teaching (with a flourish of psychology mixed in) make me wish there’d been a class like this when I’d been in school. Great stuff.

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

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October 25, 2012 In art, creativity, imagination, inspiration, skill By Patricia Saxton

Pumpkins!

‘Tis the season to bring out your carving knives and spook those goblins with clever sculptings!

Here’s a sampling of fantastic pumpkins* ~ some of which I’d think would require not just skill but the patience of a saint. They’re inspiring, yes? Another example of our wondrous capacity for creativity. Enjoy!

* All images found on the web, at various places: marthastewart.com, countryliving.com, goodhousekeeping.com, flicker and google images.

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October 18, 2012 In art, communication, creativity, design, graphic design, imagination, inspiration, words and language By Patricia Saxton

A Plethora of P’s / #64: Paisley

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

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According to Wikipedia, paisley is a droplet-shaped vegetable motif of Persian origin, but its western name derives from the town of Paisley, in central Scotland.

Well, you learn something new every day.

What I’d already known was that paisley seems to have an almost immortal popularity that’s been used heavily by the likes of the equally immortal designer William Morris and fashion giants Gucci and D&G (Dolce & Gabbana).

I think of it as a happy print; happiest when used sparingly and elegantly. Of course, for those who like to shout it out more boldly, that works too. Either way, wear it in good cheer. There’s quite a bit of history in a piece of paisley print!

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

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October 15, 2012 In appreciation, art, craftsmanship, creativity, inspiration, music By Patricia Saxton

Craft, Music, Mythology and Beauty

Inspired by myth, but entirely real, these handmade guitars may be the most exquisitely beautiful musical instruments I’ve ever seen.

Music and mythology have a long, rich history together. Sculptor William Jeffrey Jones has taken that tradition to a whole new level by creating a marriage of craftsmanship and design to mythology and music in the form of high-end professional grade guitars. I’m in awe.

Wouldn’t you just love to hear these played by a master…? They’re so special you can almost hear an Irish ballad playing itself ~ but in the hands of a musician like my brother, or Clapton or Santana or Kottke, oh, what musical beauty would roll.

You can explore Jones’ website to learn more about how he made these pieces of art, as well as the philosophy and heart behind them.

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