I have never been much for rules, but I seem to have a soft spot for rulers.

There are no unused rulers in my world. There are no junk rulers either. All the rulers that reside in my studio/office, are hardworking, steel rulers, and each one has a job.

The twelve inch ruler seen at the lower right of the photo is one I bought when I was in design school. It offers measurements in inches, agates and picas. Very much made for the publishing and design industry.  The eighteen inch ruler is even more detailed, with leading measurements as well. It is in fact, called The Publisher!

In more recent years I have had to acquire rulers with centimetres on them, but I still don’t use them as much as I use picas … old habits and training die hard … and I have spent most of my life measuring in picas, so it continues.

I love my selection of rulers. Some come with cork backing on them, so they are perfect when cutting things, they don’t slide around. Funny how they all essentially do the same thing, yet each one seems to fill a specific niche in my world. Curious and wonderful. Since each of these steel beauties is used on a regular basis, all will remain in the studio!

My doodling is becoming part of my everyday work!

I am not sure how it happened, one day I was innocently doodling on paper … then I started to think about embellishing the wooden stands for the Mandala Meditation Decks. The next thing I know, I am doodling on the stands and putting them together to form a whole new imagery. What fun!

These are 1″ stands, each done individually and then put together to become one image. Yes, I find this very, very surprising!

My fascination with pattern continues …

Pattern is a very intriguing thing. It offers more than I initially understood. It evokes memories. It connects things in ways that words don’t. It is both orderly and a tad chaotic. It is becoming a new love. It reminds me of the line my friend Rhonda shared with me, “a mistake repeated becomes a design element”, which was something she learned in a workshop many years ago. I understand that in a much deeper way now.

No idea where this is taking me, or how long it will last, but I am having a blast with it all right now!! I think the “structure” I have set up for this, a series of boxes to doodle in, is helping me to find a “voice” for this practice!

I would encourage everyone to pick up a pen or pencil and a piece of paper … and just doodle without any intention of it being anything. It’s so freeing!!!!!!!!!

Meet Carl my new manual pencil sharpener.

Or, if you are my friend Penny, he is Italian and his name is Carlos.

Yes, he has that sort of Italian sports car vibe to him, I have to admit … but he is made in the USA.

I think he’s quite a beautiful fellow and quite versatile. You can choose which sort of point you would like him to sharpen your pencils to, really pointy or stubby … I’ve never seen that before.

I am sure, if things get tough, I will be able to make money taking in pencils to sharpen … a modern version of my dear old friend Kate’s line … “you’ll have to take in stairs to wash”! This is a Scottish expression apparently.

Carl has a metal body which adds to his presence and sturdiness. He also comes with a clamp to secure him to a countertop or desk, and a generous bin for collecting shavings. I will admit, I haven’t used him as yet, I am still admiring how pristine and perfect he is. Don’t worry, he will find his way into the work flow soon enough!

Just sitting on my work table though, in all his gleaming handsomeness, he makes me smile.

And why is he named Carl, you ask? Well, that’s the company that makes him, and his name is on tattooed on his body!

NEW FROM THE STUDIO … On a Positive Note is the latest from the studio … in a new Mandala Deck and a Colouring Pack.

This is the next evolution of the work I have been doing over the past 12 years … and I have to say, the energy is palpable!

You can read more about both of the new pieces HERE.