For me, this art is total eye candy. It also reminds me that we are all constantly creating and transforming our lives, our work, our beliefs, and that nothing (and no one) is useless.

Brian Dettmer, painter-turned-sculptor, takes outdated reference materials such as textbooks and encyclopedias, seals them with varnish, then carves away at their pages with an X-Acto knife. He works quickly to reveal images that explore our relationship to information. Take a look at some of the amazing results.

(Image courtesy of the artist and Kinz + Tillou Fine Art.)

PostedMarch 14, 2018

AuthorRobin Sagara

CategoriesFine Artists

TagsBrian Dettmer, book art

What is freedom? Author Chris Guillebeau of The Art of Non-Conformity talks about how his definition of freedom has changed over the years. Originally, it began with a desire to "determine the course of my daily schedule and overall life direction." That was true for me too. That's why I went into business for myself, and probably why you did (or plan on doing it) too.

Like Chris, over the years my definition of "creative freedom" has evolved. I want to choose my own adventure in this life. I want what I do to mean something good. I want challenge, growth and learning too.

"I think that most of us want freedom to create, to make something meaningful. The freedom that we achieve allows us to move to higher planes of mission and purpose," says Chris. I agree.

It's worth thinking about. What does creative independence mean to you?

Read "What is Freedom" by Chris Guiolebau here.

PostedFebruary 28, 2018

AuthorRobin Sagara

CategoriesInspiring

Tagscaretive independence, freedom

Are you old enough to remember what life was like before computers, cell phones, digital TV's, and remote controls? We are. It was a slower time, that's for sure. We are all SO busy these days and like Ferris Bueller said: "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."

So a few years ago Harry and I did stop and look around, and took a good look at our schedules. It was an eye-opener. I realized that I had been working at full-tilt for many years. Harry did too until he retired from being an aerospace engineer and started working with me in 2005. Ack! Time to slow down!

We're not retiring, just going slower. We are committed to being here for existing clients, and will take on new clients very selectively. Really, we'll just work half time instead of full-time. So, if you're currently a client and have something in the works, DO let us know so we can reserve time for you.

On the theme of harkening back...
Here's a video about a "Backward Index" started in the late 1930's. It's in the basement of the Merriam-Webster offices. Why would anyone create an index of 315,000 words spelled backwards? Watch the video to find out: