In Loving Memory

This Friday marks the two year anniversary of my Grandpa’s death. Niels Alfred Knudsen was an incredible, remarkable man. Never have I known anyone to love so deeply, nor so gently as he did. He was a talented designer, and a man who knew how to work with his hands. His wife was incredible as well. A lifelong teacher, she was blessed with wisdom and a gentle spirit. She won awards for her cooking, sang as beautifully as her husband, and had the perfect wink. I miss them dearly, but rejoice to have known them at all.

Tim Botts (a close friend of my grandpa) has created a beautiful new piece in their memory, and it’s now hanging at WCGS, the school where my grandma taught. I was fortunate enough to have some small part in the ideation of the project, helping my mom to write, and fine tune, the phrase depicted. It was a privilege to see the genesis and development of the project, and to pray that this would bless students and inspire them to lovingly create with their own hands. If you aren’t familiar with Tim’s work, I urge you to check it out. He’s truly an exceptional artist, with phenomenal understanding of written forms.

For a little more information on the project, and on Tim Botts, please check out this post from the Grammar School.

Additionally, an Art Merit scholarship has been set up in honor of my grandparents. I can’t wait to see how this will impact young lives.

"The hand carved letter is an expression of one of the oldest of impulses — to cut into stone what we fear to forget."

John Benson, Final Marks: The Art of the Carved Letter

(via Matt Braun)

Old People on Beaches: A Swan Song

Thanks to the erectile dysfunction industry, clients no longer ask to use photos of old people at the beach. Sometimes, I feel like I barely even recognize this country anymore.

Please enjoy this brief tribute to old people at the beach.

"I have very little patience for those who show neither desire nor intent to fuel change, yet make criticism a habit. And sometimes that means me."

Sauter

"Great design is not democratic; it comes from great designers. If the standard is lousy, then develop another standard."

Edward Tufte

Timba Smits →

I just discovered the work (and beautiful site) of Timba Smits, and I love it.

Following one of his links, the delightful Wooden Toy Publishing Co was also revealed to me. Life just got so much better.

"Be Awesome."

"It is in the shelter of each other that people live."

Irish Proverb

The Nashville Flood

A few days ago, I shared an article from Mashable that talked about this. It was a nice write-up, and I recommend checking it out. But I wanted to personally reach out to my own circles. To promote the video directly, and in a way of greater substance than can be facilitated by twitter. This is an incredible piece, especially given the situation in which it was created. I believe that circumstances impose fewer limitations on artistry than we (myself included) tend to assume. The photographers, journalists, and generally stunning individuals of National Geographic have been proving this for years. And this short piece by photographer Michael Deppisch shows beyond any doubt that beauty and mastery exists in the midst of disaster. Huge shout-out to him for taking the time to capture this.

I’d also like to note that creative industries in the Nashville area have really stepped up in response to this disaster. It’s been incredible to see people banding together in such a big way that, 400 miles away, it hits me right in the face.

"I want to live in the future. Not the actual future. More like the future, as imagined by 1960’s scifi art. That would be sweet. Also, I want to be photographed wearing a spacesuit."