Sent Forth to Serve

Photo courtesy of http://catholicmanhattan.blogspot.com

My local parish turns 125 years old this year, with a special celebration taking place on Sunday. I had thought about returning to Catholicism for years. It is the religion of my birth, and as such it holds a dear place in my heart. I went through the rites of passage growing up, and then I went out into the world.

Me with my Grandfather on Communion Day

I'd often felt conflicted about the views of Catholicism I encountered through popular culture. There's the wacky demon-hunting movies and t.v. shows (fun as they are, I'm not sure they're accurate or good press), wild stories of dramatic exorcisms, and awful, heart-breaking accounts of clerical abuses towards children and other parishioners. Quite the dim view. Not to mention the urban disdain one encounters in the working world as an adult—it's as if any person of faith is some naive rube led to believe through cultish brain-washing techniques that a spooky old man somewhere in the sky is looking down upon us in sour judgement.

Me on Confirmation Day

And yet, none of it reconciled with my real life experiences. Naturally, as an artist, I'd always been drawn to our churches and art. Many of the historical masters I studied in school drew heavily from Christian traditions as inspiration. For me, cathedrals are sacred spaces that serve as beacons we utilize to tune into our spirit, and tap into the greater good, the source from which we all sprang—the Creator of life, the Big Bang that set off a chain of events so powerful, we are still hurtling through space at a speed unfathomable to the human imagination. What is there not to be thankful for?

As we travel on this planet together, through the enormous universe around us, let us stop and think about the many blessings we have. Enjoy the ride.

Photo courtesy of St. Francis Xavier

 I Just Want To See His Face
The Rolling Stones
That's all right, that's all right, 
that's all right.
Sometimes you feel like trouble, 
sometimes you feel down.
Let this music relax your mind, 
let this music relax your mind.
Stand up and be counted, can I get a witness.
Sometimes you need somebody, 
if you have somebody to love.
Sometimes you ain't got nobody and you want somebody to love.
Then you don't want to walk and talk about Jesus,
You just want to see his face.
You don't want to walk and talk about Jesus,
You just want to see his face.

http://www.stfxbrooklyn.org/ 

In a case study from the brand called "Cute", meet the originator, Mr. Winkle.

The online user experience has rapidly become highly refined. For heavy, expert users like myself, who work with computers daily to make a living, I remember the days when the internet resembled an old PC—blocky, squarish coding on a black background—not inviting, intuitive, or user-friendly. We now have the most targeted tool known to humankind so far. What an advance!


Instead of the random junk once sent to the masses, we get highly researched and developed niche marketing. Our online search patterns define the type of potential buying product we receive in our email inboxes. And that is a great change. I have long espoused the benefits of using a specific buying demographic as the premier marketing model, because it is much more effective than casting a wide net into the world, hoping to garner a few sales.

Enter into this climate, the nifty amazon.com cookie bot, which takes browsing and creates a teaser email along the lines of "...if you like this, (and I see from your history here that you do), then check this out, too". It mirrors the behavior you use while on the site, like the band of product that scrolls underneath the item you are currently viewing. The email sent to you after your shopping experience is directly linked to your interests, based on nothing else but you. It's smart, and it works.


My inbox delivered a blast from my surfing past this week in the form of a book about a doggie I had forgotten, and was delighted to rediscover, Mr. Winkle. I now know that my love for all things Boo (http://www.facebook.com/Boo) was germinated by a serious dose of the Winkle. He's more on the quirky "What the heck is that?!" side of mini Poms, but still way appealing on a grand scale. And, dear readers, here's the kick. He's quite illuminating, as well. Happy Friday, people!

http://www.amazon.com/Cute-Quaint-Hungry-Romantic-Consumerism/dp/B001DIYWIO

Star Wars Night at Citi Field

The night was warm, the Shake Shack double stack was killer, and the beers were cold. What a great way to end the summer—with food, family, and fans at the Mets game. See you next season!

 

(photos © Marie Doucette)

Tiny Art Director

One of the biggest challenges about designing books is working with people who may or may not know art and design, because clients often use personal preferences in lieu of actual critique. 

Art and design criticism is taught to us at school, under the watchful eyes of our professors. They guide students into developing the vocabulary used specifically for visual problem-solving, which can be a painful exercise at work. I call them I Love Lamp "non-versations" ala Steve Carrey's character from Anchorman; a man so clueless and in-over-his-head, he randomly picks out objects as good examples of a concept.

Don't get me wrong; we love the work we do. Design is a collaborative experience that should stay positive, as much as possible, all the way through the process. So, to maintain our composure in meetings and to help keep our perspective in focus, we use humor, as you the reader may have gathered by now.

Injected into this climate of crushing deadlines and non-artistic scrutiny, we take our laughs where we find them. Naturally, when I happened upon The Tiny Art Director site, it fit the dynamic perfectly. The author is a talented commercial artist who takes picture requests from his adorable toddler, and his experiments with her typically fail. The exchanges they produce is laughably close to the rejections most professional, working artists experience daily.

Have a good chuckle, at work or wherever you are working in the world today, and know dear artistes, that you are far from alone!

http://tinyartdirector.blogspot.com/

"This Land is Your Land, This Land is My Land"

Long Beach, New York (photo © Marie Doucette)

Long Beach was once a rather quiet haven for native New Yorkers. It has become a major destination, with lots of exciting changes. In addition to the Quicksilver Pro, there was a volleyball tournament, plus a sand castle competition. It was somewhat overwhelming.

New Yorkers can't help but feel a little rueful as these areas develop anew around us. We have always known our area rocked big time, and now you do, too. Hidden gems are being "discovered", one by one—we may fear losing a foothold on the land of our roots, or being priced out of popular areas, as so many newcomers relocate here to enjoy the safety and relative prosperity of the American good life alongside us.

Let's encourage and support our extremely talented pool of designers, architects, and urban planners as they find solutions to accomodate every sector of our population. I know they can do it, because we deserve this wealth of beauty that surrounds us. Have a great start to the week, and don't forget to vote in the Primaries tomorrow!

9.11.2001 - 9.11.2011

The boardwalk at Long Beach (photo © Marie Doucette)

Remember, and know that they are here with us, in spirit, always.

Soul Surfing

The Quicksilver Pro has finally reached New York waters for the first time, and it is long overdue. Many of us have grown up with the awareness of horrendous shows like "Baywatch", which portray southern California as the epicenter for all things related to American beaches. This is a serious misconception.

The original 13 colonies here in the Northeast have had a strong and thriving beach culture for as long as the coastline has hugged our shores. I have been a swimmer my entire life, as are many of my friends and relatives native to this area. We relish our summers as that time specifically devoted to being near the ocean, a pull so innate to our natures, we wouldn't be home without it.

Though the events may be held in stormy weather, I implore you to go out to Long Beach this weekend and support the athletes who are finally getting the respect and recognition they so deserve, and that they have earned through their sheer, hard work. This is not a competition to miss.

http://quiksilverpro.com/

The Wild Parrots of Brooklyn

What are wild parrots doing in Brooklyn? It's a long story! (photo credit: Stephen Baldwin)

Upon my return home from out west, where I had lived for several years, I took an interview at Brooklyn College. The publications director and I got along well, and I believe it was then that I first heard about the colony of wild parrots nesting in the campus' clock tower.

It has become the subject of many delightful urban myths. The most enduring tales are those of the wayward pet store owner who accidentally released their catch, or the private owner with an unattended open window, thus providing an excellent escape hatch for their pet parrots.

Nonetheless, they have become a colorful fixture in our borough, adapting and thriving in this climate. Take a tour, and see for them for yourself. Happy hunting!

http://www.brooklynparrots.com/ 

http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/education/miele/MonkParakeets.htm 

http://articles.nydailynews.com/2008-12-22/local/17913319_1_parrots-nests-birds

Joseph Campbell and The Power of Myth

For anyone learning the ropes about the art of storytelling, I submit that there is no better authority and teacher than Joseph Campbell. I remember when I first discovered his series with Bill Beutel on PBS, and I was instantly enraptured—by his eloquence and articulation, the depth of his knowledge, his frank, energetic passion, and excitement for his subject, all of which marked him instantly, in my mind, as a master to learn from.

It becomes even more poignant when you realize, as I did watching the series unfold, that Mr. Campbell was in the last stages of his life, and he knew it. There are several parts which were filmed at The Museum of Natural History, here in New York, where Mr. Beutel asked him about his ending. It is as moving a tribute to the spirit of life as I have ever heard.

No words of mine can ever do justice to his incredible legacy. Please discover Joseph Campbell and his works, and be profoundly changed, forever, as I was.

http://www.jcf.org/new/index.php

http://www.jcf.org/new/index.php?categoryid=11

The Last Days of Summer

Indoor garden at the Hyatt Regency - Old Greenwich, CT. (photo © Marie Doucette)

As we drink up the last rays of summer sun, many of us turn our minds towards what is perhaps the most beautiful and celebrated season in all the world, Autumn in the Northeast.

Cool, crisp, clear nights, with a hint of woodsmoke in the air from long-dormant fireplaces, a riot of colors from trees of every kind that is unparalleled elsewhere in nature, let's look forward to the beginning of another glorious season on this fair planet.

We have a lot to be thankful for.

Greenwich Point Park - Old Greenwich, CT. (photo © Marie Doucette)

A Labor of Love

As we head into this holiday weekend, many of us may take time off to recharge our batteries, so that we may attack our work anew Tuesday morning, refreshed and invigorated. We may also use this time to meditate on the nature of "work" and what it means to us. 

Certainly, those of us in professions with a more humanitarian bent do not always reap great financial rewards from our careers, so we may ask ourselves, "Why do I do this work?". And for some of us, the fulfillment must come from other sources besides the income we receive, which has to sustain us through challenging work days and economic downturns, like our current recession.

I cannot think of a better expression of this daily devotion to a vocation with a higher calling than The Monks of New Skete. Not only have they written the best book on dog training I've ever read, it's also a powerful testament to their calling.

Every act of their day, no matter how small, is utilized to hone their ability to connect with something greater than themselves. As they engage the animals in their training, and work with the people who care for them, they are aware that every act can be a expression of faith, a platform with which to share their joy of this life we have all been granted.

It can be awful to try and manage tasks which have great meaning to us while we try our best to fend off the negativity and distractions which surround us in the workplace, especially when it seems directed our way. Know this, you are not suffering for naught. You are performing a labor of love. And that act alone is all the manifestation of spirit required to get the job done.

Be safe, and have a great holiday weekend.

http://www.newskete.com/

http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/

KOKO!!

One of my favorite celebrities is Koko, a highly intelligent and sweet female gorilla in her 40s. She can express her feelings and accurately describe the events around her, as they unfold, to her caregivers through sign language. Koko has favorite celebrities, too—Betty White and William Shatner.

Koko is also an excellent caregiver. She has a fondness for kittens, which she handles gently and with great affection. She has communicated her desire for a baby of her own with her handlers. They are currently assisting Koko with her goal by providing a male mate, or perhaps artificial insemination.

It's impossible not to be charmed by Kokos' kindness and her sense of humor. If you are plugged into social media, the updates are a cute uplift to your day. I'm certain you will become as big a fan as I am.

Please show your support for the foundations' incredible research by visiting the websites below. Let's help spread the word through sharing their wonderful, fun world with others. As Koko would say, that would be most "polite".

http://www.koko.org/index.php

http://koko.org/kidsclub/

An Illuminators' Library in New York City

By now you're might be wondering: where does someone who practices the art of book-making go when seeking inspiration? For me, the answer is incredibly close at hand. It's in midtown Manhattan. We are blessed to have a historical site and museum devoted to this rare and fine art, The Pierpont Morgan Library.

 

Museum entrance (photo © Marie Doucette).

The Morgan is divided into two sections: the old Morgan family house, and the new addition, for exhibits and collections. When I was younger, the museum consisted solely of the house. A major renovation occurred some years past, which made it a delight to rediscover anew. 

Gates to the Morgan manse (photo © Marie Doucette).

Still, it's the older facade which speaks to me, as an enduring symbol of this New York families' cultural contribution, (and extraordinarily generous gift), to the people of their beloved city. On the gates which close the entrance to the house, one can still see the doorbell for guests upon their arrival to the Morgan estate.

Grounds surrounding the Morgan estate (photo © Marie Doucette).

Please take time out of your busy schedule or vacation to visit this gem, as you discover its' treasures, section by section. Have a pleasant day of exploration, book hunters and literary tourists. I promise you, you will not be disappointed by the contents within.
  
http://www.themorgan.org/home.asp

The Art of Perfection

I discovered illuminations while attending the BookExpo, New Yorks' annual publishing convention held at the Javits Center. A beautiful leather-bound book on a podium jumped out at me from a corner booth. Opened to a lavishly colored folio was one of the loveliest reproductions of an illuminated manuscript that I've yet to encounter.

The house of Moleiro is based in Barcelona, Spain. They sell exclusive and unrepeatable editions which I haven't had the nerve to price out, as well as more affordable limited editions for about 100 Euros (that's roughly $145.00 USD). The catalogues are gorgeous, too—intricate gold details are scattered throughout, overlaying the color art in faithful reproduction to the books produced and sold.

For those of you seeking the experience of owning one of these treasures, you won't find more accurate and historical representations elsewhere. Happy perusing!

http://www.moleiro.com/en/books-of-hours/the-isabella-breviary.html

The Old and The New, in Harmony.

Graffiti and castles? It's true, and it's a delightful installation painted on the exterior walls of a Scottish estate.

The Earl of Glasgow seems to be basking in the glow of all the attention, and he has come to appreciate the artworks' urban charms. What a refreshing attitude about embracing new cultures and ideas!

As a child of New York, I've always had a soft spot for the beautiful murals and street art of our fair city. It's nice to see this recognition extends to our neighbors across the pond.

Have a sunny Monday. Let's get back out there and see some art, wherever we may find it.

http://www.linkedin.com/news?actionBar=&articleID=733956323&ids=0Md3wMe38QcPsIcP8PdzkVcPcTb30Oe3sMd34NdOMNdj4Qej0MczsIdPgSd34Sej4T&aag=true&freq=weekly&trk=eml-tod-b-ttle-99

The Little Church Around the Corner

Earlier this week I was walking to dinner, when I found myself pulled in the wrong direction for my meeting spot, but the right direction for my soul. The Church of the Transfiguration had caught my eye a few times before, on quick jaunts around the neighborhood.

During this evenings' walk, I stopped to admire it more closely. I was surprised and delighted to find small yet beautifully decorated grounds around the church, with all manner of sculptures and fountains. There's also a charming grave-marker for the parish cat, from the 19th century.

As I inspected the art and outer buildings more closely, I found a sign detailing the church's history. And what a great story it is. In the past, actors had been considered people of ill-repute and societal pariahs. Many of them were often turned away from parishes. This particular church became a safe haven for the actors of New York, when spiritual tending and other services were required.

It was here that they created a community of like-minded souls, to worship and make art together in peaceful harmony. Many of us may not be able to make the trip to our religious institutions today, due to inclement weather. As those of us on the east coast weather the storm, we can still give thanks for our many blessings and pray for the continued safety of our loved ones.

No matter where you may be on this Sunday, look to within for strength and guidance, and you'll find it.

http://www.littlechurch.org/history.html
http://www.littlechurch.org/

Stormy Weather

One of my favorite books from childhood is Alexander and The Magic Mouse, which also happens to be about a big rainstorm that lasts for days. Quite fitting on this soggy day in New York, as we run last minute errands before the predicted "Hurricane Irene" hits.

Forecast by the usually meek and shy magical mouse, the household of animals, and the beautiful old lady who cares for them, brace for the worst by making their preparations beforehand. The main protagonist, Alexander, takes it upon himself to warn the low-lying village across the river, which is inadequately prepared. Having excluded themselves from socializing with the tenants who reside in the house on the hill years prior, out of fear, the villagers are ignorant to the oncoming dangers which await them.

Alexander braves the rivers' raging waters to deliver a warning to the Mayor of the town. He encounters one villager after the next who direct their prejudices towards him by turning away from him. He finally succeeds by handing the message to a little boy, who had stopped to inquire about Alexanders' welfare. After a grueling battle to return home, he falls deeply sick back at the house.

Besides teaching several important life lessons, about bravery in the face of danger and our shared duty towards helping neighbors, Alexander epitomizes courage. By doing what's right, despite all the obstacles and resistances which lie in his path, he becomes noble.

After all, when times get tough and the rain seems like it'll never end,  we have to pick ourselves up to carry on with the business of living and caring for one another, even when it's met with derisive scorn. During this tempestuous weekend of weather, be sure to hug your children, family, friends, and loved ones tightly to reassure them that everything's going to be alright, because it will be. Let's ride out the storm together.

"My Name is Red"

It's not often in art or life that one encounters Islamic illuminators, and yet Pamuk's murder mystery revolves around their world.

When the scriptorium receives a commission from a wealthy patron, it sets off a chain of events that will grab you by the lapels and completely immerse you in their world, one pen stroke at a time.

Readers, I won't tell you who "Red" is, but let me assure you, it is not the name of a person. Written from this unique perspective, it places you directly onto the pages of a manuscript unlike any other book experience I've encountered.

As we head into this stormy weekend, here on the East Coast, I invite you to settle down indoors with one of the greatest pleasures known to humankind—the reading of a great fable expertly told. Enjoy.

Boo! In book form!

I first discovered Boo while surfing the advertising links within my facebook page, tailored to my interests by my own hand, because the application allows the user to define their marketing experience by giving us options for the types of ads we like to see. Obviously, I'm a huge dog fan. An example of niche marketing at its best.

When I first found Boos' fan page, he had about 200,000 fans. Within a week, it grew by a hundred thousand. I just checked his page and the number, as of today, stands at 1,531,860. A massive fan base indeed.

What makes him so lovable? He is the cutest little doggie, that's true, but I think his appeal also lies within his personality, which is very funny, and the outfits selected with care by his loving owner, along with gorgeous photography.

This is my kind of celebrity. Boo is famous for simply being an adorable animal we all respond to in the best possible way, revealing our genetically-driven compatibility for dogs. After all, we humans evolved along the same evolutionary track as our canine companions. They have been our best friends and helpers for eons.

Because of this deep-seated connection, we respond to Boo with the best part of our nature, in the kindest and most gentle way. We can sense the owners' spirit as well—she took the first opportunities for exposure to re-direct her fans attentions to charitable events and causes, with Boo serving as a furry figure-head.

Savvy, smart, and beneficent. Quite the illuminator indeed. Well done!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/m2BCU40I0YHIOW/ref=ent_fb_link

A Tale of Two Mediums, "The Name of The Rose"

An excellent case about the tribulations of translating a book into a movie. On the one hand, we have Umberto Eco, a master writer, and two, the relatively set experience of passively watching a directed film.

For readers, every book experience is like the best movie they've ever seen, and a great book, re-read at different times within ones' life becomes a new movie, because as we age, we see different things in the text that we could not have experienced previously. It is said that no two persons every read the same book, because you, the reader, are an active participant to the process. By directly engaging the content, you create and act out all of the parts of a story, in a way that a movie cannot ever hope to do.



Much as I love Sean Connery, the film version cannot possibly capture the subtleties of Eco's various story lines, all the variations and sophistications which weave the fabric of his fable together. The movie must choose one storyline, or else loose its audience within its given time frame. The movie director chose the most obvious and easily understandable aspect of Eco's book, which is the murder mystery.

But there are so many aspects woven into the book which cannot be rendered accurately in film-form. A director tells you the point of view, and you are a captive audience. A book, read expertly, becomes the most incredible movie you've ever seen, because you have an active hand in its creation through your own inner self. Nothing trumps the richness of the human imagination. The film becomes a shadow, a derivative and lesser product from the source which it has sprung.

Umberto Eco gives us history, art, illuminators, medieval life, the mysteries of faith, a murder plot, the hierarchy of church leadership, the hypocrisies of organized religion, the divine strangeness of the supernatural, the inner workings of an abbey and a scriptorium, the brutalization of the burning of books as a political weapon by destroying certain human histories, plus whatever else you can derive from his work.

So top that. But you won't. An neither will I. Because it's a masterpiece.

Getting Cinematic

A glimpse into illuminating in the 21st century, the book trailer. Cannot wait to read this one. Looks like a howling good time!
Links to the videos below.

 http://youtu.be/YMHXqRYf9_g

http://youtu.be/1mqW1YvjN1g

An Illuminator in action

Freakin' sweet!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1496420787/the-endangered-alphabets-project

“Go West…”

The Book of Eli is an excellent movie about the nature of faith and the power of  The Good Book, despite being slightly blunted by a somewhat miscast Mila Kunis, who channels a Valley Girl-accented actress in her "extra-skinny" jeans and obvious hair extensions. Denzel Washington is so classically gifted, as usual.

It's a fascinating scenario about the art of illumination and a warrior monk in our post-apocalyptic, climate-changing future. Stick to the right path, warriors. Stay in the light of The Word, and its truth. Amen to you, today.

Art is where you find it, in every step you take

One of the many joys about living in New York City is the richness and abundance of art and design everywhere the eye falls.

The contribution artists and craftsmen have added to our shared cultural history over centuries is staggering; their tender ministry given over to the details so many of us pass by each day, have grown to become powerful symbols of love and generosity, careworn with time.

A walk through our city is not only beautiful, but enriching with each step. Here is my tribute to them all, as a small token of my appreciation.

Thank you, for your hard work.

Gorgeous cover, interesting topic, book love.

Thanks to http://www.loveitalot.com/

The benefits of designing with white space

Thanks to Cathleen Ouderkirk from Amacom Books, for using one of my cover designs as an illustration to her article: http://amacombooks.wordpress.com/2011/08/16/guest-post-cathleen-on-why-white-space-isnt-nothing/

A Shining Moment at Grand Central Station

A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:
Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; but still will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.

—opening stanza from Keats' A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever

Skywriting

A walk down the block today yielded a lovely surprise—huge letters in the sky, backwards. Still a mystery to me as to their message, yet beautiful and cheerful at the same time.

5th Avenue - Park Slope, Brooklyn

The Noguchi Museum, Long Island City

Beautiful space, an oasis of tranquilty in the urban jungle.
Check it out! - mld

Small town fireworks

Central Avenue, Pearl River, NY.

Parking lot sunset.

Hometown crowd.

Nighttime at the drive thru.