Blu Lotus Pathways Logo Project

Hi All,

It's been quite a week and I'm ready for the weekend.  Saturday is the holistic fair at work where I'm going to be offering 20 minute, Stress Relieving Hypnosis sessions.  Sunday - the Super Bowl.  I'm going to be making a big pot of chili and we'll be having the kids and some of their friends over for the game.  It's going to be fun.

Today I want to spotlight a logo that I developed for and with a friend, Tiff Vacca.  The logo is for her business, Blu Lotus Pathways.  Over the last few years I've had the privilege to work on some projects for some friends that I've gone to school with and this is one of those projects.

When Tiff and I originally sat down to discuss this project, she already had the name of her business. The lotus and the path (pathways), were very important symbolic images that needed to be represented in this logo.

Logo - Blu Lotus Pathways

So I got to work.  An idea that Tiff really liked was the blue lotus flower coming out of the U in Blu and a pathway also emerging from that U.  I found this concept to be a challenge and began putting ideas on paper with pencil.  It took a little back and forth with ideas, but we eventually came to the concept that would become the finished logo.  In the mean time, I had started working on the lotus flower, illustrating it in Photoshop.

Above is the finished artwork.  The symbolism of the lotus and the path have a very deep personal symbolism for my friend and client.  I felt that bringing it together in a circular (technically oval), shape follows the symbolism and brings it all around, "full circle."

Sunset in Cave Creek, Arizona....beautiful.

I'm proud and honored to have been able to help out with this logo.  You'll find Tiff and Blu Lotus up in Cave Creek, Arizona.  She's an outstanding massage therapist and also offers Reiki, Cranial Sacral therapy, and more.  If you're in Cave Creek, check out Blu Lotus or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/blulotuspathways

Have a great weekend everyone.  Enjoy the Super Bowl, or like some folks...the Super Bowl commercials.  Be good to each other too.

Peace,

Tom

www.facebook.com/pages/Tom-Kreienbrink-Art-and-Design

Winter Juicing

Hi All,

Hope you're having a great weekend.  It's been a fantastic winter here in Phoenix, AZ.  It's almost too warm (all you from the north...don't hate me for that comment).  It's been nice here and I can't complain.

One of the wonderful things about Phoenix is that this time of year the citrus trees are full of ripe fruit.  I'm very fortunate to have two citrus trees in my yard, one is grapefruit and one is a tangelo tree.  It's hard to eat all the fruit, so I give some to friends and people at work - but I also like to make fresh juice.

Juicing in progress...mmm...good.

I've got a Jack LaLane Powerjuicer.  It's not bad...definitely not a top of the line product, but it does an alright job.  This morning, Sue and I peeled a bunch of our fruit and fresh picked oranges a friend gave us and made some fresh juice.

The juicer essentially squeezes or pulls out the part of the fruit with the most nutritional value (the juice), and dumps the pulp out the back into a container.  This morning we added some spinach, celery, and cilantro to the fresh citrus juice.  It sounds like it may taste a little odd, but trust me - it's delicious.

You can juice most fruit and vegetables and make a lot of variations.  I like to experiment a little with it.  Right now I'm just trying to get the most out of the fruit on the trees while I can...then the juicer will get a little rest.

The great thing about this is the juice we made is organic, locally grown and very nutrient dense.  It's so nutritious...almost like a shot in the arm, of vitamins.  Very energizing.

That's it for now....have a great week.  Be good to one another.

Peace,

Tom

Flexibility is Key

Hi All,

It's been a busy couple of weeks, but it's alright being busy sometimes too.  The New Year is off to a pretty good start and I'm glad to get a chance to sit down and do a little writing.  Recently I was involved in a situation with friends that revolved around a meeting place and time (I won't bore you with specifics).  Like I said, we're friends and everyone was kind, loving and civil, but there was one thing that stood out: inflexibility.  There were some "lines in the sand" drawn that really limited the outcome.

All of this reminded me of something from when I was in the Air Force.  One of the Tenets of Airpower is, "Flexibility is the Key to Airpower."  In an Airpower perspective, flight, agility and altitude, speed, the ability to fly anywhere in a short period of time, etc...all of these things allow the Air Force to act or react to situations in the world with great flexibility.

Pen and Ink illustration from my first duty station - 1365 AVS, Det 4
Altus AFB, Oklahoma.  It's a drawing of a C-5 aircraft.

Now that I've got your attention (or put you to sleep), you've probably figured out where I'm going with this.  I've always liked using this saying seriously and also with a little tongue in cheek.  It's simple with a deep and broad meaning.  When I was an NCO and my troops were resistant to some direction or change that I was imposing on them, I'd quote this tenet.  I'd also use it with my kids as they were growing up.  OK - I admit that a big part of that was me being humorous (or at least in my own mind I was funny).  And....quoting this to my Airmen or my kids never made them happy.  However, there's a point made here and a real life application that weaves in and out of the fabric of all of our lives.

A drawing I did while stationed at 11th CES, Bolling AFB, Washington DC.  I printed
some and gave them away as going away gifts.  I'd write a personal message in the blank space.

The application is obvious and you know it...flexibility is key.  You have to be flexible.  It's going with the flow of life.  It's being in the present moment and enjoying it, and when something doesn't go our way, it's switching to "plan b," or going with the flow, knowing that life is change and thats alright.  In negotiations its a give and take, and how can we come up with the best solution for everyones best interest.  It's also adapting to the constant change in life.  On earth, everything changes all the time; things break, storms wash out your picnic...our best made plans can often be made to change in an instant.  If viewed in the proper perspective, that can be what keeps life interesting.

Being flexible is also being free of expectations.  Expectations are tricky and can lead to a lot of disappointment.  Ever hear yourself saying, (in a disappointed way), "is that too much to expect?  Am I being unreasonable?"  Your expectations may not be unreasonable, yet they may not always be met.  If we're hanging on to the outcome we expected and we felt we deserved, it can be a tough time.  So enjoy whatever life throws at you.  That's about all we can do, right?

I also had another saying I liked to use that has a similar theme; "Do your best, Do what's right, and let the chips fall where they may."  From spiritual aspect, I just need do the footwork and trust and have faith in my Higher Power/God, that all will work out for my highest good.  When I do that, things always work out well - although not always the way I envisioned or even wanted them to.  Conversely, when I try to impose my will on any situation, it always stresses me out and messes with my serenity.

In a physical sense, when we keep our bodies fit and flexible, everything flows better too and helps us to maintain balance and health.  We do this thru nutrition, exercise and stretching.

All of this being said, I'm not saying that we have to be door mats or accept unacceptable behavior.  What I am saying is it's a universal principle that can help us lead a happier and more peaceful life.  I don't do it perfectly all the time, but I know when I'm able to be present and just flow with life, it's a sweet ride baby!

Have a sweet ride today.  Enjoy the moment, even if you're in a long meeting or in traffic, or whatever you're doing.  Act from a place of love and kindness with everyone.  It'll be good.
Have a great weekend.

Peace,

Tom

My Massage and Holistic Therapy Business
www.facebook.com/HolisticTherapySolutions
www.HolisticTherapySolutions.weebly.com

My Art and Design business
www.facebook.com/pages/Tom-Kreienbrink-Art-and-Design
www.behance.net/tk-art

Packers Gallery - Playoffs start this weekend!

Hi All,

Happy Friday.  I'm excited.  2014 is starting off pretty well in many ways.  One good thing - my favorite football team (Green Bay Packers), will be playing the 49ers on Sunday in the first round of the playoffs.

In honor of that, I'm posting a gallery of some of the Packer artwork that I've done over the years.  Go Packers!!

Aaron Rodgers - pencil and digital paint

Of course - there's the current star quarterback for the Packers, Aaron Rodgers.  However, I thought I'd dip into the archives and break out some Packers of the past.  Some of these, you may not have seen for a while.  I hope you enjoy.

Leroy Butler - Defensive back - originator of the Lambeau Leap.  Digital paint.

Aaron Kampman - Defensive End and pass rush specialist.  Digital paint.

Mike Mckenzie - Defensive Back.  Digital paint.

Ray Nietzsche - One of the baddest, meanest Linebackers of all time.  A Hero
in the Packers teams of the 1960s.  digital paint.

Bill Schroeder - Wide Receiver  - Amazing speed and ability to make
the coach furious.  digital paint.

Enjoy your weekend everyone.  If you're a football fan - have fun watching the playoffs.

Cheers,

Tom