Old book and a refresh

A few weekends ago, we wandered into a bookstore in Oakland after a burger and beer in the sun on a Saturday afternoon. Just one beer for each of us, but what a beer it was. The bookstore we happened upon felt like a place paused in time with books stacked waist high and aisles of books from floor to ceiling. I didn’t see a single book that was published after 1990. I bought a Christmas book (see beer in the sun, above) of poetry that has the most beautiful and simple illustrations. I haven’t read it, and to be honest, probably won’t, though I have paged through the charming illustrations several times since bringing the book home. The book was published in 1958, with illustrative prints by Ilonka Karasz. The book inspired me to do a little research, where I learned that Illonka had a career of illustrative design work with work appearing frequently in The New Yorker.

My days have been so focused on specific projects, I feel like its been awhile since I’ve felt inspired by anything outside the norm. Lets blame the daytime drinking to help rouse me from my creative coma! My blinders have been on in an effort to stay focused on these specific projects, but a beer in the sun and a slightly tipsy wander around a different neighborhood certainly helped me take a break a few weeks ago, and let me see things a bit differently. So much of my work and long hours lately have been devoted to things unseen– work behind the scenes on projects that are slow-moving. I’m chipping away at my design studio relaunch, delayed yet again by more pressing deadlines… like the newest Skill Exchange event I’m hoping to announce in the coming days. I spent a little time making a few minor adjustments to this dear neglected blog here, to bring things up to date and feel more in line with my eventual someday studio relaunch. Thanks to neighbors and friendly readers who gently nudge me to keep plodding along here!