May 21

The Artistic Expression of Cursive Handwriting – A Priceless Piece of Evolution

By pattisays In artistic expression, artists, calligraphy, children, computer-aided drafting, cursive, education, graphic arts, handwriting, neurology, painters, personal expression, signature, teaching, writing /  

So for those who take the leap and delve into their artistic expression (reference last week’s pattisays…) – those who DO IT instead of critiquing “I could do that” –  are exploring vast depths of their awareness, sensitivity, and personal signature through a piece of art. But that same freedom of expression has been cultivated in society beginning with scribbles,  and the fundamentals of handwriting. From scribbles, scribble to basic block alphabetic B_after to the loop de loops of beginning cursive, ejercicio-preparatorio-2-federico-leon-de-la-vegathe lessons encourage and open doors to very personal and individualistic communication.

Most of us are all painfully aware that cursive is no longer taught in many schools. We are so seduced by technology that we are not selective about  what to save and what to advance beyond in this evolution. This conscious evolution may have a devastatingly regressive cost.

What is the danger?

The classic final question and answer in Beauty Pagents is something like “What is your wish for the world?” or  “What is the most critical issue facing  the world today?” Some might say “Global warming.” The truthful seemingly naive response we have heard for decades is “World Peace” or parodied version “Whirled Peas.” All kidding aside, this certainly is an important and noble quest – the root of which in today’s technology is “Nuclear War.” Yes, if we have nuclear wall everything else is moot. Education, clean air and water, whirled peas, nada. Well, shy nuclear war, another great issue facing our world today is the loss of the brain to hand expression via tool we take so for granted, handwriting.

Handwriting is a tool, yes. A tool to communicate private notes, grocery lists, love letters, instructions to the sitter and thank you notes for deeds so appreciated. Not to mention rough drafts for non-digital scratchings of the most intimate and possibly important historical communications on the planet.  A good friend is examining this troubling fact through his own artistic expression. Please visit the video Mind Your Calligraphy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mO7ctV05Js where Federico Leon de la Vega

explores the neurological results of this modern-day tragedy that has the potential to change civilization as we know it. Not to mention loss of certain very specific brain functions of human evolution!

The artist must train not only his eye, but his soul. Wassily Kandinsky

Without the basic form of  flowing handwriting – the motion with an ease of fluid, natural motion to convey one’s thoughts, ideas, emotions, needs, and desires, we erase a portion of the brain’s function. We erase the personal expression offered  and made available by the human connection between our thoughts and our hands – our tools. The control our hands to artistically pen calligraphy – unique to each individual  – is a priceless piece of evolution.

Returning to the artistic expression…Plein air painting and field studies for scientific research might be the last vestiges of our need to communicate and connect through nature. If not free from technology,  perhaps in concert with the tools of technology. Taking a digital camera, phone or tablet into the field while painting on-site or using the technology to process what is discovered and/or captured in the scientific field studies might be those last vestiges.

We know why, so let’s think about what influence we might have to continue the art of cursive. How to perpetuate the evolution of that which is oh so personal a form of expression and that has such a powerfully effective and essential connection to our brains.

Like Kandinsky observed – it is the soul of a person that is expressed through artistic media. And there is nothing more intimate than the seemingly simple connection through individualistically personal script. f4426e761a5ab09c179a23e22301df58-1000

 

 

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Sep 25

The Thrill of Continuing Education Santa Fe Style!

By pattisays In architecture, beauty behold it, construction, context of interior design, design, design trends, education, environment, environmental, green design, historical interior design, interior design /  

Continuing Education – it can either send a signal of dismal obligation or the promise of an exciting new territory of learning in a field about which you are already interested. Today the latter was surely the case. The obligatory CEU’s required to maintain/renew state licenses in Interior Design sneak up every year about this time.

I started out for Santa Fe, a direct 50 minute ride north, up the freeway. The traffic has started to gather at 6:45. It’s funny how when you do not customarily hit the road at that hour that you discover that so many others do! As the sun peeked intermittently over the mountain and the terrain dipped and rose to the east, the glow back-lit the charcoal-blue undulating peaks and burst forth blindingly as the landscape flattened to grassy fields of the high desert. Once up, it is invigorating to see the sunrise and be on the road starting off on an early day – it’s the getting up that is the struggle!

The class was scheduled to start at 8:00 and  I had started out at 7:05 – cutting it a little close with no contingency for delays. The freeway was a ribbon of fast moving cars, marked for 75, most were zipping along at 84 – I included. As I entered the city limits and navigated the exit winding my way along the curving streets past golden chamisa and sun-baked adobes, clusters of lanky black-eyed susans and residues of old-fashioned hollyhock stalks punctuated with tired pink blossoms

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leftover from the mid-summer floral explosions so fabulous in the cooler mountain air that is Santa Fe. Descending into the “City Different,” I wanted to enjoy the scene but was pressed for time.

Scooting around the corner and climbing up the sloped street in front of the La Fonda toward the Plaza, I turned right only to find that – as I had expected – the parking lot in the hotel was full. More minutes spent turning right again in front of the majestic Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi,

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I screamed into the other open lot, paid for the day and raced on foot, in my new sensible Tom’s flats, along the sidewalk back to La Fonda. The doorman proudly held the door open with a smile and I dashed inside just as the towering church bells rang 8 o’clock. Whew…I swiftly crossed the busy lobby of eclectic travelers and made my way to the private room in which the class had assembled – in the nick of time. I grabbed a coffee, signed the sheet and took my seat at the front of the room and began a day of total immersion into the world of wood, concrete, cork,20150925_103843 leather and composite materials such as terrazzo and engineered stone.

Inasmuch as one might not find this terribly stimulating, the instructor, Fred Jackson, was animated, enthusiastic and extremely well informed. He fielded numerous questions without a hitch, had excellent presentation materials, hand-outs and visual aids. It was informative, interactive, illuminating and fascinating. It was creatively inspiring and helpful. After 8 hours, I feel that I know so much – so very much about the characteristics, applications, strengths and weaknesses, sustainability, fragility and renewable and recyclable resources of all of these various natural and manipulated materials that I am now well armed and quite dangerous.

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Jan 22

Creating a Good time is an ART!

By pattisays In architecture, art and interior design, bar, beach, coastal, context of interior design, design, design trends, dining and design, education, environment, exterior - outdoor design, food and interior design, kitchen /  

Let’s make guaca20150120_113147mole! Creating a good time—is an art. And as is true with most artistic ventures—as in life in general—some people do it better than others. Enthusiasm is infectious and it generates such greatness from its energy that is should be harnessed. It is about this that I write today.

So hearing the charge “Let’s make guacamole!” will be for some a really exciting, if not challenging opportunity, while to others it will suggest a rudimentary task  and prompt eye-rolling. Those with a lack of enthusiasm or optimism, that everything can be fun with the right recipe, will be the

eye-rollers thinking—what’s the challenge of making guacamole? Having done that a million times and regarding its mastery as already accomplished, will not look forward to such an opportunity.

It’s like all enthusiasm, the glass half empty or half full…and with that let me share with you a cooking class that was such fun that is warranted this blog. Despite the fact that the setting was in a tropical jungle, there were many options that day for activities that would blow your paradise-seeking mind. And with all those incredible options I was having great difficulty making decisions each of which eliminated one over the other.

Otherwise probably not to keen on the idea, but having been romanced by the paella lesson left to simmer on the open grill, I had half an open mind about the seemingly simple offer of a guacamole class.

So with a small herd of turtles in front of and behind me, we climbed the stone steps that wound through the lush green vegetation. Barefoot and still in my wet-suit from an educational and invigorating morning snorkel,  I wondered if I should be returning to the beach or investing the precious time in the seemingly rudimentary guacamole class.

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My reward was at the top of the hill…a statuesque chef donning his attenuated white hat graciously greeted us—welcoming us into a beautiful open-air palapa with its bony wooden structure beneath the layered palm thatch ceiling. There before us was a long rustic banquet table beautifully dressed with multiple molcajete vessels of various sizes filled with dark ripe round avocados, blackened/roasted plum tomatoes, grilled onions, blistered serrano chiles,  freshly cut limes, red ripe plum tomatoes, fresh serranos, bunches of aromatic cilantro and pristinely peeled white onions.

 

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At the point of arrival, a bounty of various  specimen chiles were presented on a large rust-colored clay barro platter and stacks of  little barroware plates were in piles interspersed among the molcajete.

Giant steel stars pierced to allow twinkling light to dance at night painted turquoise for pop in the daytime hung at staggered heights from the center of the grand, voluminous palapa. Surrounded by verdant jungle and colorfully painted concrete walls, the room was expansive yet intimate. The chef in his starched white uniform embroidered with his name and proud logo of the establishment greeted us in his towering hat and welcomed us into this scene that dazzled the eye.

Guacamole I’m thinking…this looks like a bit more fun than merely mashing up some avocados!!! And with that he began his friendly introduction to the fiery cuisine of Mexico’s flavorful salsas! Presenting the platter of chiles he held each up for all to see asking the group if anyone could identify them. The replies came from all around “serrano, jalapeno, chipotle, banana, arbol—cola de rata, poblano, guajillo…” The rapt audience sat encircling the grand buffet on rustic wooden stools engaging in lively conversation as the chef spoke in his open and encouraging manner describing each of the chiles and their many uses.

 

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Now we were invited to approach the table where spaced evenly along each long side were stacks of white linen—pressed aprons and chef’s hats for each one of us—how fun and what a nice addition to the otherwise casual scene. We donned our outfits with giggles and proceeded to admire each other’s instant transformation into the appearance of proper culinary participants!

The chef alternated each pair across the table from one another assigning guacamole for one pair and salsa molcajete for the next and so one down the line. This too produced camaraderie between strangers who at once bonded in the fun of the festivities. Oh, and did I mention that for those who chose to partake that delightful beverages were served of all manner of tropical delights from straight tequila shots to refreshingly poured on the rocks with lime to jaca, papaya, pineapple juices, and rum? All this as the chef assigned tasks for each around the table resulting in a chatter of conversation and progress reports as each  tackled their portion of the process—dicing, mashing, mixing and squeezing. The action continued to unfold as the capable woman behind the counter made fresh corn tortillas and delivered them oozing with molten Oaxaca cheese—quesadillas ready to scoop up the magnificent fresh salsa and guacamole!! Smiles and groans of delight emanated from around the room.

So in summary…the recipe for creating a good time: Presentation, welcoming attitude, disarming  graciousness, with the best representations/samples of the product around which the good time is based! Know your theme/subject and make it fun!

Provecho!

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Jul 21

Save the Craftsmen from Extinction (Lest we be reliant on other countries to fabricate our dreams.)

By pattisays In architecture, construction, design trends, education, multi-media design, practical design /   1 Comment

While innovative highways channel thinkers racing in an infinite world of hi-tech competition and dizzying speed – who will build these innovations? Just read an interesting article and it spurred thoughts around an old subject about which I have passionately expressed urgency in the past. A subject addressing our preoccupation and emphasis on hi-tech advancements at the expense of, rather than in concert with, the trades.  Let’s examine why the following might be applicable in every community where intellectual design creatively and successfully melds with tangible old-style craftsmanship.  INTERNATIONAL NEWS FLASH from Istanbul – Kerem Alper – whose brain works on both sides of the fence holds dual Masters from Stanford in both design and business. Alper obvserves, “We’re seeing a hybrid world where digital and physical design collide, which could be called “physical computing” or “embodied systems” or, as we say, “sensitive products” (because “smart” implies only the left side of the brain) but it all hints at: If you’re doing an app or a website, what is the physical counterpart of this? Partner with dual degrees also from Stanford in architectural design and structural engineering, Paired with a degree from NYU in media arts Engin Ayaz, address why Istanbul is ripe for collaboration between the high tech intellectual design and hands-on design fabrication: “One factor is convenience. We can work closely with craftsmen and makers here; they still reside in central areas of city and they have a lot of know-how in the techniques of making. They are the last generation of their kind, so we treat them as precious collaborators for our projects. IMPORTANT lesson for all listening: to nurture a partnership between the trades and the fast-pace of the innovations of our technological world with all productive members of our society – emphasizing each ones strengths and contributions and cultivate expertise and pride in all work. Lest we be reliant on other countries to fabricate our dreams.

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Sep 10

A “Spirited” Response to Steve Perry’s “What Makes a Good Teacher” piece in Southwest’s Spirit In-Flight Magazine, September 2011

By pattisays In construction, education, handcraft /  1

It is a timely coincidence that last night we were engaged in a lively conversation about education. Today as I fly from Buffalo to Tampa on a circuitous route to Albuquerque, I am captivated by the articles on education in this month’s Spirit magazine. In Perry’s article, he tells of how at his Capital Preparatory Magnet School in Hartford Connecticut, judged highly successful by its achievements in sending 100% of its graduates to college, his mission is just that. And maybe it’s because it is a school designed to prepare its kids to go to college that I will acknowledge that distinction. However, as our conversation last night illuminated, what are we doing when we press so hard to impress kids about going to college when we might be over-zealous and over-look their aptitude better placed elsewhere?
For example, kids with great math brains…in the adjoining article, America’s Best Teachers compiled by the Spirit editors, there is a teacher cited in Alamagordo, NM who was being directed toward an engineering degree and the post college practice thereof who, during the continuing education process, called a halt to the stream through which the direction of her life had been channeled and said – paraphrased – “wait a minute, I’ve always loved to teach and want to teach it not practice math as an engineer.” As Perry says of teachers “This isn’t the life she chose, it’s the life that chose her.”
The same could and should be said on behalf of each student. The analysis of each student’s potential paired with their interest by educators during the process of the first 12 years should be pairing their aptitude with passion! Students should pursue that which chooses them – not the other way around – especially if it is chosen for them by others.
This brings me to my point that there are many who are NOT destined for college – a math whiz who would rather work with his hands – might be better suited for the trades. We are emphasizing college and negating the value of the trades. As an Interior Designer I work with these talented and very valuable people daily. A good trades person is worth their weight and beyond in the success of any project. We have diminished the value of the trades so severely that young people do not want to follow in the footsteps of their parents and grandparents, mentors or benefactors who not only had the aptitude but set an example and practiced their trades with art and precision, pride and accomplishment. There are good and less so as in all fields – the better are rewarded with the better positions and the better contracts. It only takes examples of workmanship and finished products to see which are which. A well crafted piece or project done to specification or beyond, on time and within budget is valuable on up the ladder of the domino effect. The buyer, the investor, the bank, the end user all recognize the benefits of a job well done -and they should be rewarded accordingly. It’s not always apples to apples. Yet, the low bid might be perfectly well done. But the proof will bear out every time.
I now think of the popular series on the Discovery Channel, Dirty Jobs. Apprentice to these difficult, and unpleasant jobs, Mike Rowe participates in these less than popular but very critical positions to empathize with them and show appreciation for what they do. Turned down by many networks, this program was perhaps too down in the trenches for many of the executives to buy into…but Discovery saw a REAL drama. The drama of real people doing real jobs that most people would shun – the jobs and the people who do them -sad, but true fact. And, many are unseen and therefore go unrecognized. Without these people taking these jobs we would be in dire straits just like the scenarios about if all the illegal Mexicans were vanquished over-night – we would be stopped in our tracks! We are guilty of encouraging that which we rally against all the time – floods of workers from other countries taking our jobs. Are we becoming so elitist that we cannot encourage and support, praise, and recognize all the important work done by every individual to make our society run smoothly? And educators seem to be missing the concept to really encourage students to find their niche among the myriad necessary positions and support their pursuit accordingly.
It’s like University Professors – they and their institutions benefit from their being published, so they skip class, leaving the teaching to the students while they commune with peers and bury themselves in self-important writings…what’s wrong with this picture?
Our high school educators, councilors and administrators are so concerned with the percentage of students entering college from their institutions, classrooms, programs, etc, that they have completely left the many individuals – too many – lost in the stream. And while losing those individuals in the stream of college bound, we are losing the valuable trades that built this country and the civilized world. Many of these students are lost without a sense of direction, purpose and worse – means of gratifying self-support.
Previously, I have blogged about the role of the AGC (Association of General Contractors), that they invest in something like regionally placed summer camps to introduce and teach kids the trades. It would certainly be in their best interest to have well-trained and enthusiastic newcomers to the field. They could and should also participate in a nationwide emphasis on the revitalization of vocational classes in public schools.
In this time of economical desperation – and even if it were NOT, it is time to redirect some of this educational energy toward encouraging and strengthening all of our citizens’ aptitudes and get them to work!

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