November 18, 2012 In art, creativity, graphic design, illustration, intelligence, life and the universe, peace, philosophy By Patricia Saxton

Love, Peace and Madness Rant

Maybe it’s always been so (Charles Dickens is forever chiming in my ear about the best and worst of times…), but this is the only lifetime I’m certain of, and it sure can feel like a world gone mad.

I’ve been in a fairly non-stop “create” mode for a while now. Years, really. It could be a defense mechanism, a “distraction” from the evils of the world. From the seemingly endless, seemingly requisite wars (will we ever stop killing each other?), from energy drinks (hello????… urghhhhh), drugs that fix one problem and cause another (possibly even death), and biased news reporting that offers up panic, fear and division. From leaders who decide who can eat what and when they can eat it.

From a world where we can live vicariously through adventurous “reality shows” and where something as utterly tactless as Jersey Shore becomes a number one tv show (gag me NOW).

There’s more texting and less talking. Entire world views and life events get summed up in 25 characters or less. And forget politics ~ behind the mask of virtual communication, there exists a culture of some of the most righteous, adolescent, hateful language I’ve ever seen, even from people who are otherwise good souls. Hear it, repeat it, blame it, get riled up, feel good about yourself. What?

Then there are the freakishly large storms, ice knocking out the east coast last October, this October, hurricane Sandy shredding NJ and NY. Tsunami’s, earthquakes, fires, devastation, heartbreak, momentary reflections of what matters most.

But there are also amazing people, incredible stories of human love and courage, and ordinary people who choose to uplift over putting down. We have hearts, minds and spirits that, I believe ~ despite what often seems an unraveling of what is right and decent ~ are for the most part inherently good.

And when you put all this together – the best of times, the worst of times ~ I often come up with the simple view that it really is just madness. You can’t truly take it all in without feeling chaos, without feeling torn apart. Ordinarily a fairly balanced individual, I do get incensed. My blood does boil, I cry out for the senselessness of so much going on in the world, the helplessness many feel, the charged, misdirected emotions and the sense that our chains are being yanked.

Then again, maybe it’s all an illusion.

Chaos, madness or illusion, I’ve discovered that a pretty good option for avoiding lunacy is to live under a rock. I used to joke about this, but maybe I’m not kidding after all. I like it there. It’s a pleasant, pleasing place of my own making. I can create to my heart’s content, and have all kinds of wishful thinkings that it might make a positive difference “out there”.

I suppose, since I’m not going to join a fanatical mob of any sort, that it’s my way of fighting evil. Small potatoes really, but it beats getting sucked into the fray. And if what I do might bring one smile, or hit one nerve of warmth and hope ~ even fleetingly ~ I figure it’s not wasted.

I could go ahead and decide it’s all for naught. Pointless. But as an eternal optimist, I’ll figure that it’s worthwhile. Or else go mad.

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November 7, 2012 In art, creativity, design, graphic design, life and the universe, words and language, work and play By Patricia Saxton

Nonsense Makes Sense

“My alphabet starts with this letter called yuzz.  It’s the letter I use to spell yuzz-a-ma-tuzz.  You’ll be sort of surprised what there is to be found once you go beyond ‘Z’ and start poking around!”  ~Dr. Seuss

We’ve had a rough go on the east coast in recent weeks, and as I write this, the predicted Nor’easter is bringing down the temperature a whole lot more. What the snow will do remains to be seen, but the whole affair adds insult to injury for thousands of still-out-of-power or displaced folks.

Within all this, schools and towns are in various states of open or closed throughout the area, the election happened, and “the show must go on” with work to be tended. (yes, dear clients, I am working!)

So I decided to lighten up a bit, with a little nonsense borrowed from the great Dr. Seuss ~ which seems to make as much if not more sense than “real life”. (And I’ve a feeling there will be more installments of nonsense down the pike …)

………

Here’s wishing you a bit of nonsense in your day. 🙂

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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 5, 2012 In appreciation, art, communication, creativity, design, graphic design, imagination, inspiration, life and the universe, philosophy, words and language By Patricia Saxton

A Plethora of P’s / #63: Pink Flamingo

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

– ♥ –

I’ve always been enchanted by flamingos. I think most people are. Maybe it’s their color we find so stunning ~ their sheer pink-ness! ~ ranging from pale and soft to deep corals and brilliant pink-tinged scarlets.

Then you see them standing on those incredibly skinny legs that go every which way (often standing on just one leg; go figure…), making them both awkward and fluid, beautiful and strange, and there’s a sense of awe at their very design.

I like the “awe” of flamingos. I like the way their form almost contradicts itself. I like their grace and their gentleness, and how they hang out in groups like one big happy family and don’t cause any trouble. They eat, swim, and fly (sounds good to me). They mate for life.  And they’ve got that amazing plumage.

You know, just thinking about them has brightened my day. Heck, I hope it’s brightened yours too.

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

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October 3, 2012 In appreciation, art, branding, communication, design, graphic design, presentation By Patricia Saxton

Girl Scout Cookie Conundrum

Girl Scouts are many worthy things, but they should probably stick to being positive citizens of the universe and not mess with their cookie box design!

I should apologize, as it seems the Girl Scout organization is very pleased with their new design. But, you who know me, know that if I think something is good, I’ll be the first to applaud. If not, I’ll find some nice way to speak the truth, and look for the positive, but honesty prevails. (This is probably a good Girl Scout trait, this being true to your word business. It earns trust, I believe.)

In any event, to the point, which is: “Why change the box”?

Yes, I understand it’s a 100th anniversary of the Girl Scout organization, and as we all know, everyone (except me) loves Girl Scout cookies. So that’s a sensible enough reason to re-design the box ~ to celebrate the milestone.

Maybe the question then isn’t so much “why”, as “why this design”? It accomplishes its goal of honoring the girls themselves, but the cookies (the beloved cookies, and the main reason for the box) feel lost. The prior box, in my opinion, did a better job of honoring both girl and cookie. They could have infused something celebratory into the existing design, rather than re-invent. In my opinion. Which wasn’t asked for. So there you go, for what it’s worth.

What I really don’t “get” is why some companies feel a need to fix things that aren’t broken. That’s time and money spent for an overhaul that in the end, doesn’t necessarily justify the means. Some businesses really DO need brand makeovers, and I’m all for those upgrades. But if it’s just because you can, then it really ought to be fairly spectacular.

Bottom line, I wanted to care and applaud their venture, but I’m unmoved. The good news though, for all you Girl Scout cookie lovers, is that they haven’t changed the number of cookies per box.

old box

new box

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September 29, 2012 In art, branding, business, communication, creativity, design, graphic design, illustration, imagination, inspiration, work and play By Patricia Saxton

Evolution of a Serial Designer

“What’s Your Point?” Pencil Point Series / © Patricia Saxton

It started with a college art class assignment~ one of the few assignments I adored ~ where we had to draw one crazy shape (or some such thing), then interpret in a myriad of ways.

I remember my shape was squiggly with random loops ~ kind of Miro-esque now that I think of it ~ and that I went nuts. I could barely keep up with all the ways I could keep the same design but make it look completely different. Colors, lines; the possibilities were endless! This was better than a drawer full of chocolate, or at the time, maybe more like a keg of beer and a bunch of great friends.

Eventually I had to stop, probably needing to put in some study time for other classes. Besides, it was a meaningless shape, so there was no impetus to keep going beyond the “oh cool” factor.  I do think though, that because it was meaningless, my mind opened up to explore freely.

And so it was that this freeing exercise came in handy later on, when I started my business’ first promotional campaign. The memory of “many designs from one” prompted what became a signature series ~ those of you who’ve known me for a long time know exactly what I mean when I say “pencil points”.

Every 2-3 months for several years I’d send out a new Pencil Point Postcard (the pencil point also being my logo, giving it “meaning”), and the response was fabulous. Everyone had a favorite, people really looked forward to getting the next one, and I had fun creating them. And when pitching my design wares, pulling out a stack of pencil point cards almost always sealed the deal. Even if clients weren’t going to need something quite so creative, I think they liked knowing there was that kind of original thinking behind the scenes.

When business turned electronic, I decided to start a new series, online. “52 Weeks of Peace” postcard book was born, and the subsequent “Plethora of P’s” series. There will probably be something new in the future, but neither the peace signs or the positive P’s have run their gamut yet. (There are still more pencil points, too; I just have to draw the line somewhere … no pun intended!)

Sometimes I think it might be some kind of mental affliction. Maybe I am a little nuts. But really, “oh well”. We all have our quirks.

“A Plethora of P’s” / © Patricia Saxton

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September 17, 2012 In art, communication, design, graphic design, inspiration, life and the universe, philosophy By Patricia Saxton

Thoughts on Unity

I was recently asked to create a poster about “unity”, which will also happen to coincide with International Peace Day. Right up my alley, right? (By the way, the above is not the final poster – that will come tomorrow.) 

Yet the subject gives me pause. I know, I’m the peace & love & all things positive girl, and unity is an honorable goal, dream, ideal ~ so what great reflection is needed?

I just know that the concept made me ask myself, what exactly is “unity”? What is it to me and what is it to others, and would both answers be the same?

Is the concept of unity as simple as “united we stand, divided we fall”?  Is it as cosmic as the humanity / earth / universe connection? Is it “we are all connected”, or is it “we are all one”?  Is it about collective consciousness or collective harmony? Is unity of spirit or cause or thought?

You may think I’m over-thinking, and you might not be wrong about that (I can do it so well!). After all, the definition’s right there in the dictionary. But I do believe that the concept of unity is wide open for interpretation, not in small measure due to the chaos in our world ~ so I pondered. (Bear with me, if you like. But this a long one, so if your eyes are already glazing over, no worries.)

Of all the questions above, I would answer that unity is agreement and harmony, preferably originating from love, kindness and respect. At its core, it’s about more than one person standing up for the same beliefs, forming a united front. It can be a fight as well as a peace.

To me, unity is not “one mind”, “one heart”, “one world”, but a collection of minds and hearts with common purposes. In the bigger picture, unity is a vision of the great possibilities when humanity stands together for all that is right and good, when they have each others’ backs, when they cheer on others’ successes and give a hand when others stumble or fall, when they say “no” to personal abuses of any kind and “no” to attempts to sabotage their basic liberties ~ and when they say “yes” to love.

And of course, in the grandest overview, unity knows no boundaries between race, color or creed. Unity does not judge, nor allow differing opinions to divide us (humanity) as a whole.

But what if one group’s idea about what is “good and right” are opposed to another’s?

Different schools of thought have different opinions on how best to use and conserve our natural resources. Different molecular combinations create different personalities with different aptitudes. We say we want to be respectful towards different cultures ~ but what if one involves rituals that others find repulsive?

These scenarios prompt that pesky thing called disagreement ~ and if unity is pressed, trouble brews. Who’s to say: “be like us”, “think as we think”, “do as we do”, “ours is the better way”?

One may even feel a certain righteousness in their beliefs, which, as such, will probably not be well received. Oh there will be unities, but they’ll be divided from one another. In the Civil War, for example, while our country was ripped apart, each “side” was firmly united within their cause.

We want a world that “comes together”. But how does that happen? And if someone vehemently disagrees or feels something is an affront to humanity, should they be “tolerant” in the name of peace? Do they turn the other cheek? Just let it be? Or do they speak up, risking boiling tensions and most certainly a disruption to the flow of unity?

The ideal of unity can dissolve like a desert mirage. Emotions rise. Struggles ensue. Something that resembles disrespect can grow into resentment and anger.

I can see the bright hope to live in a world where we all get along ~ and I can also see, within a blink of the eye, ways it can go awry. I wouldn’t go so far as to call it a pipe-dream, but the harsh truth is that there are situations ~ and people ~ that can clash with enormous discord, on both small and grand scales ~ and these clashes put the concept of unity into a state of perpetual hope, rather than entrenched in a world reality.

It’d be beautiful to exist with unity and peace reigning supreme under love, but there are many forces at work and not all are on board, much less on the same page. History has shown that there are those who would fool us. Unity is not a dream reserved only for those with positive hearts. Everyone does not share the same vision.

I’ll even admit that the concept of broad, sweeping unity scares me because it contains the potential to be disguised and misused. I’m too fiercely independent, and love my personal freedom far too much to blindly follow any mass movement, even those claiming the best of intentions, if it raises a red flag or causes even a quiver on my spiritual antenna.

And then there’s this: can we have harmony without unity? Just leave each other alone to be who they want to be? (Oh boy, I think I’m going down Alice’s rabbit hole…)

So, what to do? Imagine? Dream? Hope? Pray? Sure. But, of course the best thing is to live it. By standing together within your family, among your friendships, in your community, your schools, and experiencing unity in small, accountable, rewarding ways.

I believe that there are indeed bonds of unity that can be stronger than any outside divisive effort, and that there is great power there with great possibility for what is “good and right” for the greater whole. And I believe that those who dream of a better world should never, ever stop dreaming. But I also think we should remember, as a wise person once said, “when the student is ready, the teacher appears”… not before. In other words, you can’t force it. While you may live it, and share by example, and maybe even influence, you cannot make a horse drink the particular well of water you’ve led them to.

Harmony, love, peace, unity…  those are some lofty goals. And in some respects unrealistic. But one thing’s for sure ~ in one way or another, we’re all in this together, so it doesn’t hurt to try, does it.

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September 14, 2012 In appreciation, communication, design, graphic design, inspiration, words and language By Patricia Saxton

A Plethora of P’s / #62: Paradise

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

– ♥ –

Need I say  more? Of course, there are lots of versions of paradise. Pick one and keep in your mind’s eye, place it in your heart and pull up the feeling as needed.

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

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