May 24, 2011 In appreciation, inspiration, music, poetry, words and language By Patricia Saxton

Dylan's 70th Birthday

Scraggly and unkempt. Small. Skinny. Brilliant.

Bob Dylan’s piercing blue eyes defy his understated presence; his talent for song defines him.

In some ways, Dylan is an acquired taste. So rough around the edges, but so genuinely gifted. You like him or you don’t, but you always admire.

Looming larger than life during the 60’s folk music revolution, his scratchy, often off-key voice reconfigured our concept of singer-songwriter. His words resonating with millions, he always seemed a bit reticent on stage. Like he had someplace he’d rather be. Not a big smiler.

But we love his realness, his mind, his lyrics.

Some call him the greatest poet of our time. And when the poetry lines up with a simple acoustic tune, something close to magical happens. He’s every bit as remarkable as they say.

Philosopher, poet, revolutionary, freedom-lover, troubadour, balladeer, prolific songwriter, living legend. Who would have thought Bob Dylan would be anything but forever young? But then again, he‘s had a lot of work to do, and we’re glad he’s stuck around.

Happy Birthday to one of the very best.

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May 23, 2011 In art, design, graphic design, words and language By Patricia Saxton

A Plethora of P's / #22: Pasta

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

– ♥ –

Here’s an easy one to get your noodle around. Because, seriously, doesn’t everyone in the world like pasta? When you think about it (though it actually doesn’t take much thought…), a steaming bowl of spaghetti with sauce and parmesan, a green garden salad and some fresh, piping hot garlic bread has to be one of the best meals ever invented.

The thing about pasta is that it’s simple. There’s nothing convoluted about it, and there’s nothing “bad” about it. It’s easy, yummy and comes in all kinds of clever shapes. Which is really the hardest part: choosing between fettuccine, vermicelli, linguini, cappellini, cavatini, farfalle, fusilli, gemelli, manicotti, rigatoni, penne, ziti, rotelle, lasagne, tortellini, macaroni, etc. (Of course, I’ve learned from Italian friends that all pastas are called macaroni.)

In the end, it doesn’t matter which you pick. They’re all tasty, all satisfying, and they’re all in the “comfort food” department … which in my book is all positive.

Buon appetito!

ps: for the fact-minded, scientific health benefits of pasta can be found here and here.

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May 21, 2011 In art, books & stuff, creativity, drawing, illustration, words and language By Patricia Saxton

Creative Duet: Kurt Vonnegut

The book cover I’m wrapping up for author Sam Moffie has an interesting story on the back relating to Kurt Vonnegut. Hearing Vonnegut’s name triggered the memory that he was not only a successful author, but an artist as well ~ making him fit snugly into my “creative duet” series.

Dubbed “America’s greatest satirist” back in the late 60’s, Vonnegut’s best-selling, and most powerful novel, Slaughterhouse-Five, is pretty much considered classic literature at this point. His novels are dark, complex, persuasive, and controversial.

I can’t say that his art strays far from that description, either. There’s no hint of romantic artistic fancy here, but a continuation of the Vonnegut mind, a unifying sense of something off-beat that intimates deeper meanings despite a deceptive simplicity. His art is as unconventional, and almost as successful, as his writing.

Vonnegut stepped into the graphic arts with illustrations for Slaughterhouse-Five and Breakfast of Champions, his favorite tool being a felt-tip pen. Later he developed a greater passion in art for its own sake, creating silk-screen prints, which I find have an intriguing, “Picasso-esque” feel. And a kind of cool tidbit of note is that his 2004 album cover art created for (the band) Phish is included as part of a traveling exhibit for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Vonnegut’s career as novelist and essayist spanned nearly 6 decades. He died in 2007 at the age of 84.

(More art prints and more about Mr. Vonnegut can be found at vonnegut.com. There is also a lengthy, informational page at Wikipedia)

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May 18, 2011 In design, imagination, words and language By Patricia Saxton

Lotta Rain

There’s been a lot of east coast rain lately. We’re yearning for warmth and sunshine; we’re ready for barefooted, sun-kissed, blueberry-pickin’, toss-a-frisbee weather.

Of course, some of you are beyond the “oh, gee, I sure wish it would stop raining” phase, and more in the “get the damn water out of my basement” category. But the way I see it, since there’s nothing we can do about the weather, why get our shorts in a twist?

Good things about rain: It makes things greener. (And hey, you can pretend you’re living in Scotland, surrounded by hills of heather.) It lets you get more work done without the temptation to go outside and play. It’s soothing for sleep. You can dance in it. You can sing too, and splash things, and watch water droplets make shapes on windows.

But if you’re still not convinced, here are a few quotes that (since you can’t change the rain) might change your mood.

………………

Let the rain kiss you. Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. Let the rain sing you a lullaby.  ~ Langston Hughes

………………

Don’t threaten me with love, baby. Let’s just go walking in the rain.  ~ Billie Holiday

………………

It always rains on tents. Rainstorms will travel thousands of miles, against prevailing winds for the opportunity to rain on a tent.  ~ Dave Barry

………………

Don’t knock the weather; nine-tenths of the people couldn’t start a conversation if it didn’t change once in a while.  ~ Kin Hubbard

………………

Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet.  ~ Roger Miller

………………

And of course:

And when it rains on your parade, look up rather than down. Without the rain, there would be no rainbow.  ~ Gilbert K. Chesterton


………………

It’s not so bad, the rain.

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May 16, 2011 In art, communication, creativity, design, drawing, illustration, inspiration, words and language By Patricia Saxton

A Plethora of P's / #21: Perspective

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

– ♥ –

“People who look through keyholes are apt to get the idea that most things are keyhole shaped.”  ~ Author Unknown

So much of life is about our point of view. Are you so close to something that you miss the bigger picture? Or do you soar above, taking in a broad view, missing the details?

Is your view softened by “rose-colored glasses” or do you see only the hard, harsh angles? When you walk, do you look up, look down, look straight ahead?

Are you near-sighted? Far-sighted? Do you look back, look forward? Do you see what’s right in front of you? Do you consider situations from all sides?

Our perspectives change, of course. But like all thought, we can direct that perspective towards the best possible light.

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May 12, 2011 In business, social media, words and language, writing By Patricia Saxton

To Blog or Not To Blog?

A playground for some, good business for others, there are literally hundreds of millions of blogs out here in the blogosphere. So many that I think the counters have probably stopped counting. And with those kinds of odds, one may wonder, should I bother?

For the uninitiated, no doubt these questions (and more) have crossed your mind. But only two of these carry any weight: “What would I write about?” and “Can I keep it up?”. Toss the rest in a pile labeled “ways to hold myself back.”

As for the two that matter, definitely ask them … unless of course you have zero interest in blogging about anything, ever, in which case you can skip this entire essay (or share it with someone who might be interested!).

So ask, “What will I write about?”  Think it over. Most people have something they feel passionate about, are experienced with or excel at…. and most people have a voice, an opinion, a thought process. Those with a business have material in the palm of their hands. The key is that your voice or topic be authentic.

So then the task is twofold: 1.) decide on the gist, or theme/subject matter of the blog, and 2.) share that voice!  If you’re really stumped, ask friends or colleagues for ideas. Sometimes others see things about you that you may not realize people would value.

The second question, “Can I keep up with it?”, is sheer practicality. My feeling is that if you write about something you’re interested in, you’ll enjoy the process. You’ll make the time ~ whether it’s once a month, once a week, once a day. The number of folks blogging suggests that the time invested is worthwhile, but it’s certainly a question you should ask.

And remember, if you’re in business, especially you entrepreneurs, it’s almost a “must”. Just know that that “must” doesn’t have to be a drag, and there’s hardly a better marketing tool these days.

Maybe you have services to promote. Maybe you have a book in the works. Maybe you have a thing for animated films or sinister pets.

(Which reminds me, I should mention that you don’t have to be a writer ~ though, granted, it makes it easier to consider a blog ~ some “blog authors” post historical information, funny quotes or pictures of spaceships. Of course another option, if you have a budget, is to hire a writer to maintain your blog.)

The possibilities are endless, and there’s bound to be someone who was glad you shared what you did. And besides (for those afraid of commitment!), it’s not binding… so why not?

Should you bother? Yes. Because you have something to share. Because you can, and because you’ll benefit from the visibility.

If you want the chance to be heard ~ yes, even amongst the millions of blogs out there ~ I encourage you to jump in.

No budget?  No worries. Free blog formats abound (I happen to be a huge fan of WordPress) with all kinds of cool built-in features. If you want to dress it up, you can hire someone like me. Just keep in mind that blogging has become a powerful and bona fide communications tool allowing people, businesses and organizations to broadly connect with each other in “the world out there” .

One of the things I like best about all this blogging business is that you choose, and you make the rules. And once you get the hang of it and find your groove, you’ll also discover how to make it work for you.

But first things first… ask the questions, and have at it!

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May 9, 2011 In art, creativity, design, inspiration, words and language By Patricia Saxton

A Plethora of P's / #20: Power

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

– ♥ –

I know, not the image you might expect… Power often connotes masculinity; a certain brawniness. It also gets mixed up with things like control and willfulness. Or conjures up motors and engines, watts and voltage.

But the essence of power is energy. It’s that energy that creates the ability to do great things. It’s a force that inspires and sustains. And it’s a force that’s strongest when it comes from the heart. Uncontrived and elevated.

Power is neither masculine nor feminine, and doesn’t care if you’re rich or poor, fat or thin, black, brown, white, red, yellow, green, purple….  We all have power within ~ power to give, to heal, to love.  We have power to generate, and accomplish, the stuff of dreams.

(Tell that to your mind.)

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May 8, 2011 In inspiration, intelligence, poetry, words and language By Patricia Saxton

Celebrating Mom

Carolyn Naught Saxton / 1920 - 1980

When I was a little girl, my mother was “my world”.

She did all the things you’d expect a Mom might do, like hold your hand, read you a story, fix meals, teach manners, dry tears, cheer you up and on.

As I grew, I saw that she loved to give. And that she loved to laugh. She loved people and loved life, and tried to worry only on Tuesdays.

Lucky for us, she also happened to be an accomplished poet. Her works appeared in anthologies as early as her teens, and her last, perhaps greatest work, was the collection of sonnets published in her book The Pine and The Power.

My mother left the world much, much too soon ~ but she left gifts. Treasured, timeless words; gifts from the heart, mind and spirit.

So on this day reserved for mothers, I’d like to share some of those words. I share them, as I did last year, in honor and life-giving celebration of mothers near and far, here or remembered. Happy Mother’s Day!

…………………………..

God help our children to transcend the dark

And walk the earth with dignity and cheer;

God help them seek the mountains, persevere

The road that twists through thorn and tanglebark,

Ascending finally where eagles mark

Their point of vision. Help our children find

Two masters ~ one the spirit, one the mind ~

And rediscover constancy of heart.

Help us to find cathedrals in the skies,

A will to walk the long uncharted mile;

(The will to find in winter’s legacy

The ochre sands from which the lime trees rise!)

Help us to know the measure of the child ~

To live in time and in eternity.

© Carolyn Naught Saxton

…………………………..


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May 5, 2011 In architecture, art, creativity, imagination, inspiration, skill By Patricia Saxton

Creative Duet: The Mind-Boggling Antoni Gaudi

Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi is known for his engineering genius, but there are clearly so many other elements at work in his work that he is far more than “architect”.

He was an artist. Buildings were his canvas. And those buildings are grand treasure troves of design and unbridled creativity.

Revered worldwide as one of the most important modernist style architects, Gaudi lived from 1852-1926. “Over the course of his career, Gaudi developed a sensuous, curving, almost surreal design style which established him as the innovative leader of the Spanish Art Nouveau movement. With little regard for formal order, he juxtaposed unrelated systems and altered established visual order. Gaudi’s characteristically warped form of Gothic architecture drew admiration from other avant-garde artists.”*

Gaudi takes “thinking outside the box” to whole new levels. His extraordinary works, many of which reside in Barcelona, are movement and dance, they’re delicious sugar-laced monuments with creamy frosting; they’re all marshmallows and gingerbread, sand-castles, stone, glass and iron; they’re original, dramatic, striking blends of angle and color.

I marvel at the ingenuity and the boundlessness. Fantastic. Illogical. Stunning.

*References
Dennis Sharp. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Architects and Architecture. New York: Quatro Publishing, 1991. ISBN 0-8230-2539-X. NA40.I45. p61.
Muriel Emmanuel. Contemporary Architects. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1980. ISBN 0-312-16635-4. NA680.C625 1980.
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May 2, 2011 In appreciation, communication, design, graphic design, inspiration, words and language By Patricia Saxton

A Plethora of P's / #19: Praise

A sincere compliment, a recognition of good deeds, admiration, applause… “a gold star for good behavior”, a high-five.

Praise knows no boundaries, no judgments. It can be as quiet as one appreciative word, or a thunderous, symphonic tribute. And there’s no one amongst us – saints to sinners, paupers to kings– who doesn’t benefit from receiving, or giving, a genuine expression of praise.

Praise lifts us up. Sprinkle it around your world, and high-five generously.

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April 30, 2011 In appreciation, design, inspiration, photography By Patricia Saxton

Natural Beauty

How could anyone not delight in this stuff of spring?

I think it’d be impossible to see this tree, to take a good look at its magnificent blossoms (that come like a gift, year after year after year), and not be filled with something that feels an awful lot like hope and cheer.

It’s scrumptious, magical, perfection from the best designer we’ll ever know.

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April 29, 2011 In design, presentation By Patricia Saxton

It's All About The Hats

I’ll be honest. I haven’t yet watched a stitch of the Royal Wedding. But it’s not rocket science to know that hats play a starring role in pageantry, pomp and circumstance. (oooh – more P words…!)

Personally, I’m not a big wearer of hats ~ even though secretly, I kind of wish I were. They have a great way of adding personality and “pizzazz”. But let’s face it, you have to be pretty confident, or bold, (or royal), to wear some of the more flamboyant pieces… and then of course you have to be aware of bumping into things at head level, or the wind knocking it off your head, or not being able to take it off because of what it’s done to your hair.

Still, hats are special. Hats tell stories. Historical stories, personal stories, love stories, work stories. Sometimes they elicit stories the wearer may “want” to tell.

They’re also special simply by virtue of longevity. I’m pretty sure they’ve been around since dinosaurs roamed the earth ~ probably the first big invention, never mind about discovering fire ~  and they show no sign of stopping.

In the old, old, (really old), days, animal skins were all the rage. Since then, hat-wearing has evolved from being all about practicality to being (almost) all about fashion. That’s not to say people don’t wear hats for protection. But styles ~ the sheer abundance! ~ allow for all kinds of dazzling personal expression.

And they do serve a purpose. Hats provide a frolicking, fun playground for designers, a usefulness for farmers, cowboys and southern belles, and a perfect way to make an impressionable appearance at things like royal weddings.

PS: If you can’t get enough of “hats” lately, I recommend New Jersey’s Morris Museum exhibit: “On The Head and In The Hand: 200 Years of Hats and Purses”. The collection is lush, rich in history and fun to wander through.

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