Stallman Studios | Canvas on Edge

Art is an essential element in everyday life - bringing vitality to the mundane.  In 2013, I met Seattle-based artists Jason Hallman and Stephen Stum, during their stay in Chicago as exhibitors at the Old Town Art Fair.  It's folks like these that push the mold of creativity to new heights.  

They are partners in art and life; pioneering Canvas on Edge, a visionary technique using paint and canvas as sculpture. They are taking this traditional medium which artists have been using for hundreds of years and giving it a creative edge. Now the canvas has the leading role, creating form, highlight and movement. The cut edge of the canvas creates an elevated line drawing and when seen at an angle fields of color emerge as your perspective to the piece changes. The hue of the painted canvas reflects on the background creating a spectrum of color. The sculptures are comprised of curvilinear forms that swirl and flow together, allowing the viewer to get lost in the cellular labyrinth. The duo creates together, one acting as the right side of the brain and the other the left. This union of dynamic minds dissolves the boundaries of what is possible turning the ordinary into extraordinary.

Visit Stallman Studios online at www.stallmanstudio.com.

www.berebellious.net

The Holstee Manifesto: This is your LIFE

This is your life.  
Do what you love, and do it often.  
If you don’t like your job, quit.  
If you don’t have enough time, stop watching TV.  
If you are looking for the love of your life, stop; they will be waiting for you when you start doing things you love.  
Stop over analyzing, life is simple.  
All emotions are beautiful.  
When you eat, appreciate every last bite.  
Open your mind, arms, and heart to new things and people, we are united in our differences.  
Ask the next person you see what their passion is, and share your inspiring dream with them.  
Travel often; getting lost will help you find yourself. 
Some opportunities only come once, seize them. 
Life is about the people you meet, and the things you create with them so go out and start creating.  Life is short.  
Live your dream and share your passion.

- The Holstee Manifesto

How your life can change on your commute to work

The commute to and from my office is roughly about 30min depending on the Chicago traffic.  Instead of listening to mind numbing music on the radio, I decided one day to listen to audiobooks.  I call it Toyota Yaris University.  

3 words: Best. Idea. Ever.

In 30min spurts I've listened to countless books on philosophy like The Happiness Hypothesis, fiction novels like Devil In The White City, business like Start Something That Matters, and pyschology like Stumbling On Happiness.  The list goes on and on.  

If you're a huge fan of multi-tasking like me, and you never have the time to read books like everyone else, than audiobooks are your answer.  I listen to audiobooks while I paint.  I listen to audiobooks while I iron.  I even listen to audiobooks while drinking hot toddies and wearing my favorite hoodie.  It's wonderful!

Amazon's audible.com is the leader in audiobook downloading.  I love it so much that I purchased an iPod solely  for downloading audiobooks.  If you haven't been to audible.com I highly recommend it.  For less than $15 per month, you have the opportunity to download endless amounts of books for your listening pleasure.  You receive 1 credit every month of your membership, which can be used to download books at any price range.  Lovely. 

Right now I'm listening to a book called Psycho-Cybernetics.  Yeah I know... it sounds robotic and science fictiony.  On the contrary, it's a discussion on the science and research behind the Law of Attraction and how self-image can sabotage or enhance your life's experiences.  

I was listening to Psycho-Cybernetics on my way home from work today.  The chapter I was on covered the how to become a successful salesman.  As an entrepreneur in healthcare and the arts, I listened carefully to what the author, Maxwell Maltz, had to say.  In a nutshell he stated that visualizing a sale in what he dubbed "the theater of the mind" over and over again will create a physiological response that our brains cannot decipher between what is real or merely thought.  It got me to think about how I can apply this concept to my own business endeavors.

It also got me thinking about who else can benefit from this book.  

If you're a business owner, and want to take your business to a higher level... This book is meant for you. 

If you're lacking in self-confidence, but want to score a date with the hottie you saw at Starbucks but just can't fathom even saying "hello"...  This book is meant for you.  

If you're stuck in a rut, and the light at the end of the tunnel is nowhere to be seen... This book is meant for you.

If you're flat broke and suffocating under financial crisis... This book is meant for you.

Driving home today from work was like any other day.  Traffic everywhere.  Slow pedestrians.  Attractive Chicagoans jogging up and down Lakeshore drive (you know who you are).  Except for one thing - I turned on my iPod and sat down for class at Toyota Yaris University.  In doing so, I hope I sparked some inspiration for you to go out there,become an audible.com member, learn new things, experience the world in a different light, and snag that date with the hottie you saw at Starbucks.