Sunday Morning Coffee

You have heard me say, several times now, that my iPad has changed my life in many ways. One of the most important ways is my access to stuff I did not know I wanted to know!

Although I have spent most of my work life using a computer, I have never had the computer be part of my downtime. When my workday was finally over, the last thing I wanted was a laptop on my lap, or to sit in my office chair staring at the big display on the desktop.

Therefore, as much as I may have wanted to, I have not visited and enjoyed all the blogs, websites, and other wonders of the digital world.

The iPad has changed all that. It is not a computer to me. It is the book I am reading, the artwork I am drawing or painting, the visual journal I am keeping, the movie I am watching – all in a package smaller than a magazine.

Now, the digital world is part of my downtime. And outside of the Kindle books and iBooks I read, I have found an amazing world of blogs and sites I never knew existed – which make up the most fascinating “magazine” I could ever imagine.

I am learning so much.

I read a lot about online entrepreneurship and marketing, and I read a lot about creating and maintaining a successful blog.

One piece of advice given by expert bloggers is that it is good to have repeating “features” on certain days of the week.

I like that idea, and that is what this post is about.

On Sundays, we will pretend we are having coffee together, and I will share some of what I have found interesting during the week – artists, articles, blogs, music – whatever.

I also may share a bit of what I am working on behind the scenes here at Cre8it.

Think of it as a mini magazine to read with your coffee.

So, without further ado, let me tell you about some things that have moved me lately . . .

Mona Simpson’s Eulogy for her brother, Steve Jobs

The New York Times published this moving eulogy in its entirety. It brought me to tears because I can identify with that level of love for a brother (or five). It also includes Steve’s last words – guaranteed to send shivers down your spine – and make you smile.

Mona Simpson’s Eulogy

A Really Great Product . . .


We all know how I am about travel kits, right? I just love this idea and am going to buy one as soon as I get done with this post.

These are called “Grid-It”, and they consist of a grid of rubberized elastic straps attached to a background, and you can configure it any way you want, determined by which straps you choose to use and in which direction. I can picture this full of brushes, markers, watercolor sets, palettes etc.

There are a variety of sizes and colors at the Grid-It website:

Grid-It Organizers

And some sizes are available discounted at Amazon:

Grid-it at Amazon

Wonderful Music . . .

We are so lucky to have an amazing music venue right here in Eldorado. It is small and intimate with excellent acoustics. And for some reason, it attracts nationally and internationally known talent.

A few weeks back, we were blessed to be able to enjoy Corrine West and Kelly Joe Phelps, and I fell in love.

Try this song to see why:

Audrey Turn the Moon

There are several other videos on on Tube, and you can purchase their CD from iTunes.

Here’s One of Those Art Things that Blows My Mind . . .

See how this chalk drawing seems to pop up from the sidewalk . . .

http://smashinghub.com/stunning-3d-lego-chalk-drawing-to-amaze-you.htm

And what have I been up to?

Many of you will be happy to know I am working on a sequel to the Creative Drawing Workbook, one of the most popular things I have ever published.

Volume 2 is subtitled “A Play-Full Approach to Perspective”. Perspective scares the heck out of everybody, so I thought a creative, casual, fun approach might be just the thing to get folks over the hurdle.

I am also wondering whether a workshop or workbook on point and shoot digital photography is needed out there. This idea was suggested in a Comment on a former post.

From my point of view, these cameras are easy to use, but I am constantly surprised that so many folks are confused by all their bells and whistles, don’t know how to handle a memory card, or what buttons do what.

If you would find a “Kindergarten” for point and shoot digital photography useful, please speak up in a Comment or email.

And that is about it for today. I hope you enjoy some of these things as much as I have.

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