Happy Mother's Day

In thinking about Mother’s day this year, I decided to make a card instead of buying one. I was instantly reminded of the countless hours I spent making cards for my family when I was younger. Sitting in the basement, surrounded by recycled crayons and leftover scrap paper, (after making the rest of our family swear they wouldn’t peek at my creations) my head swirled with design ideas and thoughtful lyrics. I fantasized about seeing their faces as they opened the card that I spent – what seemed like – hours on. I designed each letter slowly, carefully. I pencil-sketched the headline before using the unforgiving crayon or marker. 

I cut. I glued. I dreamed.

I thought about all of this as I pulled these images together. This photo I took in Hawaii – on the Kalalau Trail. The illustrations I did by hand. It felt like a piece of me, just like those handmade cards by my six-year-old self. I thought about how my career as a designer literally began in that basement over twenty years ago… and about all of the decisions that I’ve made since… how then have brought me to this point today, where I am so very, very happy to be.

It made me realize that there are two very distinct reasons I found a career that I love and I would like to share them with you:

The first reason is, quite simply, that I was born a creative being. I have in me a need to create, to see things aesthetically, to find meaning in the meaningless. It is as natural to me as breathing, eating, laughing.

The second is because I was raised by parents that pushed. Supported. Believed. They crumpled fears and welcomed my challenges. They protected me only from physical harm. They let me make mistakes. They allowed me to fall so I learned to stand up again. They taught me to welcome the unknown, to brave the darkness and to shun weakness.

The career I’ve chosen is a shaky one. There are no guarantees as an artist. To my parents’ horror, my gpa wasn’t even considered when I applied to my first job. I was – and am – only as good as my portfolio. The leap of faith I’ve had to take in this career path has been immense.

And so now I see, it is what my parents have instilled in me that has gotten me this far. Somehow along the way, I was able to take my creations off of our refrigerator, out of the safe-haven of our home, and open it up to the criticism of this harsh world. This is only possible because of the courage that my parents taught me in my life.

And so, on this Mother’s Day, I’m reminded of the strength possessed by my mother and am grateful to her for sharing it with me. It has allowed me to chase my dreams and control the outcomes in my life. It has brought happiness straight to my doorstep.

I love you, Mom. I hope you have a very happy Mother’s Day.

 

 

Happiness is the way.

This inspired me today:

"For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life. This perspective has helped me to see there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way."

The power of sunshine.

It's been 7 months since I've updated my blog. Hhhhmmm.

Distracted? Yes. It seems like I have a hard time reflecting on things inward when so many wonderful things are happening around me.

However, it's going to be spring soon and after two weeks in Hawaii, I'm feeling a sense of renewal.

I think the sunshine had something to do with it...

Sunset at Kona on the Big Island.

Lighthouse on Kauai.

One of my favorite places...Queen's Bath.

Our first morning in Kapa'a. The time difference made it easy to get up early enough to see the sunrise.

How do I get THIS job?

I've watched this at least five times. I can't get enough of it.

Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.

Where every day is an adventure.

I spent the 4th of July on Torch Lake in Northern Michigan. It was certainly the most beautiful lake and even lived up to all of the hype. I climbed sand dunes, picked cherries, watched fireworks and spent hours and hours gazing out over the lake. It made me realize that 'home' can be anywhere. Maybe I need to make my next home one of my favorite places on this planet.

 This is Grass River on the 4th of July. 

The view from the top of the Dunes, looking back at Glen Lake.

I can assure you that we did NOT climb down that one.

Hippie festival

I joined 20,000 others last weekend at the annual Wakarusa music festival outside of Lawrence. I have a new appreciation for VIP passes, hoola-hoops, and 5-hour dance parties. I must have had fun because my entire body still hurts. I think this was week number 4 of the best weekends I've had in Lawrence. It's been a good month, to say the least.

This contract called marriage.

Well said, Ellen. Well said.

The hunt.

This photo taken right outside of Jackson, Mississippi might appear as peaceful as the next. But there, in the center of the shot, the photographer (me) captured the North American alligator on film. Averaging 13 feet (this one only being about 5 feet or less), this alligator mississippiensis (no, seriously - that's the real name) taunted us with his beauty and power. If you had seen us as we got out of the boat you would undoubtedly argue that our empty bottle of Jack Daniels did much of the same.

After five days of celebrating my brother's graduation from Ole Miss, I was happy to return to the crisp, clean air of Kansas. The south certainly has charm, though. Hot, muggy, sauna-like charm.

 

And the winner is...

We had a photo contest at work and one of our Alaska pictures won the miscellaneous category. I wouldn't call it miscellaneous, though. I would call it an Alaska print ad.

Kickin' it old school.

Kickball + beer = pulled ligaments in my foot.

Strangely, it was one of the best weekends I've had in so long.

This is the my new shoe I get to wear for the next 2 weeks or so. Note the chair that they brought me at the restaurant. The sign was already on it.

Dogs totally rule.

I work at an ad agency that does advertising for pet food. I spend a lot of time thinking about pet food and occasionally crank out some work that I'm proud of. I'm even lucky enough to work in a place that celebrates someone bringing their dog to work. People will stop, get up from their desk, and look for the nearest tennis ball to throw. Dogs rule. They do. And that's why it's hard to not be jealous of the creative team working on a campaign like Pedigree's, "Dogs rule." It's based on the idea that people will only buy dog food from a company that loves their dogs as much as they do. And so TBWA did just that. They started bringing their dogs in to the office every day. They even moved to a building that allows dogs. Then they started taking them to client meetings. By living and breathing the life of a dog-owner, they got down to the core of the matter, (something we say around here a lot) it's about dogs, not dog food.

Now this campaign is helping shelters promote adoption. A double bonus - increase sales for the client and make this world a better place for some of our furry friends. I don't think any of us could ask for a better project than that.

And while I'm on the subject, I totally agree: Dogs. Seriously. Rule.

Here's mine after a long day of playing with his best friend, Sal.

Hello spring.

I walked into my back yard today and looked down and saw one of the most happy things I've seen in a long time.



Green grass. Little yellow flowers. Flip flops. 

My heart bounced around in my chest for a while thinking of all the fun spring will have to offer. I am surely going to take advantage of every second of beautiful weather. No more side projects from now on. No more staring at a monitor. I'm going to come in every night smelling like grass and sweat and BBQ grills. I'm going to become a cyclist and a kickball player. I'm going to read my book at the park and work on Riley's fetching. Like those little yellow weed flowers, I'm gonna soak up the sunshine and come back to life. 

The Northwest.

I just got back from spending 3 days in Portland, Oregon. I returned to Kansas feeling recharged and reenergized. Mountains, waterfalls, the ocean, a city that is alive with design, and wonderful Erin. It was a weekend worth remembering.

It made me wonder why anyone lives in the midwest, and quite honestly - why I'm still there.

Multnomah Falls - a 650' drop...



My good friend, Ralston's favorite place in the world to have a beer:



The Japanese Gardens in Portland:



Our drive to the beach. My reconnect to the world...

I love the whole world.

Every once in a while there's an ad that actually inspires me.

Designing my self.

Here's me as clip art. Here's the real me:

I'm reading a book right now called "Design Your Self," by Karim Rashid. It makes me think more seriousy about the daily decisions that I make. And now, I'm making better decisions.
Here's one I made today: Start a blog.

I remember when I was growing up how people would refer to life after high school (and then life after college) as the "real world." It annoyed me because I felt like my life was real even then. But anyway. Screw them. Now I'm living in a "real" word. With a "real" job. And "real" bills. And all that boring stuff that now qualifies my life as "real."