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Inspired
03/02/2010
02/22/2010
The commercial world meets the art world
I love these commercials by Sony Bravia, inspired by the world of color.
(click the button lower right with the four arrows to view videos full screen)
12/22/2009
Music Night at the Villa
Every Wednesday night I am invited to "Music Night" with a wonderful group of friends. Every week, I leave with a belly full of amazing food, a head buzzing with interesting conversation (and A LOT of great wine). Last week, "Music Night" was held at my friend Cathy Dorris' house in Talent, Oregon. Cathy and her husbands' lifelong love of traveling it is reflected in almost every inch of their home. Always a good sport, Cathy had no idea I'd be snapping pictures of her home that night but allowed me to explore anyway.
Dinner at the Dorris' feels like you've traveled across the world. Reflections of Europe and Central America can be seen in almost all artwork and fixtures. Not only is the home beautifully decorated, but also efficient. Cathy's husband, Gary Dorris, is a contractor who specializes in green building and "net zero" homes.
Last year, several folks from this group decided to make their own wine. They rented land from a local vineyard and planted, cared for, and harvested the grapes. Their "Cave Aux Vins" (bottom left) holds their barrels of wine and an elaborate process for aging and bottling. Once, I was even able to create my own blend from their different grapes.
After a filling dinner of hearty winter stew with delicious root vegetables and savory meat, Cathy gave me a quick peek into her studio and a few projects she's been working on.
After that instruments were tuned and the cups were filled with Bailey's, the music began.
I think one reason I particularly love "Music Night" is because I see this group of people, who are extremely busy with their lives, take the time to cultivate friendships. They are busy nurses, attorneys, musicians, artists, and contractors who set aside this one night to devote to their friends. They drive from far away, prep for large meals, leave work early, and lug their instruments to a different house each week. Every week feels like a celebration.
I highly recommend a "Music Night", "Art Night" or anything that creates a community like this. I'd love to hear similar things you do in your lives to feed your soul and stay connected with your friends and family.
12/21/2009
Inspiration: "Holi" an Indian Celebration
Thanks to a tip from Sugar Power these gorgeous photo's from Flickr have been circling around the office.
A brilliant display of tradition, faith and celebration. I have such a love for India. It's colors, festivals and arts.
Any place where people are willing to gather in the streets for complete immersion in dye and general town mess have a thumbs up from me. These photo's are so special. I love the vivid energy in all of them!
12/03/2009
Inspiration Board
Two times a year Papaya goes into overdrive preparing itself for Trade Show Season. Due to all of the holiday craziness winter show season is always a little more intense to get ready for. Not to mention this year Papaya wanted to throw caution to the wind and create a completely new look inside its booth.
Generally our Trade show booths have solid color back drops that compliment Papaya imagery very nicely, usually something like a soothing brown or Robin Egg blue. After a trip to Paris Anahata returned with a vision to add depth and interest to our trade show booth. Here are a few photographs I took of the inspiration board she created.
I hope you enjoyed these teaser shots. Next week we will post some shots of the booth so you can see what the inspiration board helped create.
11/23/2009
11/16/2009
Papayariffic Challenge - An International Entry
Just got this in the mail today....
Even though it was impossible, due to shipping times to include international readers in the challenge, we did get one submission so far... and it's definitely worth seeing...
Click on the image to see it in full resolution...
10/20/2009
Papayariffic Challenge Mini-Update #2
Hello creative challengers!
I am writing to tell you that the Challenge will be extended for one week. Please have your work entered by November, 1st.
Here is the link when you are ready...
09/30/2009
Express Youself
For some of us, journaling can be a intimidating; staring at that blank sheet of paper- your mind swirling with things you'd like to express. Sometimes it's hard to be honest with yourself because you fear someone might read your innermost thoughts and insecurities. You might get hung up on how your writing looks or with hoping you don't make a mistake. Sometimes, you might feel like you just don't have anything to write about.
PaPaYa's motto of Creative Abandon has helped me break through those barriers with my own creative expression. The Creative Abandon credo of "answering only to your creative impulses" helps me in the creative process to experience the joy of creating. It's been very inspiring to be in an environment where I can witness this motto in action from artists like Anahata Katkin, Sabrina Ward Harrison, and Kathleen Rossi-Howell. So inspiring, in fact, that I have started to create my own journal.
I believe everyone is creative. Maybe you're better at writing than drawing. Maybe colors or photographs inspire you. Maybe you like to be reminded of things that make you laugh or smile. Whatever it is that inspires you, expressing it in a journal is one way to keep a record of your journey.
Here are some different types of ways you could journal:
Art Journals
For those of us who don't like to "stay inside the lines" try art journaling. For an inspiring glimpse into the world of art journals, visit Anahata Katkin's website. Anahata shares images from her art journals as well as some very thoughtful insights on the whole creative process. The Flickr group for art journals has some really beautiful collaborative images along with interesting discussion threads to help you get started.
RealSimple.com had their staffers keep a daily gratitude journal every day for one month. They posted a few of the results on their website (my favorite: “My babysitter, who is flexible sans crabbiness.”) and got a list of sweet, heartfelt, and funny entries that will make you smile. DailyOm.com has a great article on gratitude journals that will help get you start your gratitude journal.
Travel Journals
Too many times I've experienced something so wonderful during a vacation I thought there would be no way I would ever forget it. Then, the suitcase is unpacked and the sand is washed out of your shoes and pretty soon the moment is gone. Although you might seem rushed, writing down one particular scene that you love, a town's name and a quick or funny story, even a conversation will be worth your time for years to come.
Parents Journals
Keeping a journal of your child's life is priceless. As your child grows to become an adult and may become a parent themselves, those insights will become the most wonderful gift you could give. Things that may seem insignificant at the time could have a profound impact on your child. You could even find creative ways to give the tidbits of the journal to your child as they grow.
How do you use journals?
09/29/2009
Papaya Around The World Flickr Group
Our design team recently created a new group on flickr called PaPaYa! around the world. We'd love to see your photos showcasing how you use our products in crafts or everyday applications, display, and all of the wonderful atmospheric places you've spotted our products around the world.
(Terra Firma Store Window Display: via Papaya, & art studio via The Land of Lindsey Loo)
