Creativity by Congo

What is creativity?

Some says that it is our way of expressing our forbidden feelings.

The neuropsychological means it appears when alternative ways are used in our neural network.

Others says that it is the optimal mental state that allows us to make use of all our abilities in full.

The cognitive psychology simply believe that creativity is another way of thinking.

My conception of creativity is that it is shown different ways in different beings. It is simply the act of making something new. The act of producing new ideas, approaches or actions.

Some express their creativity in writing, others with their music or by inventions. My source of creativity is shown in painting and designing.

Congo, a chimpanzee, expressed his creativity back in the 1950's by painting! Some of his artwork has been sold for US$ 26,000!!! Way to go Congo!!!

Red roses everywhere

Today Catalonia is filled with red roses. Where ever you go you will see them.


For you that are not familiar with the Catalan Traditions it is Diada de San Jordi (Saint George Day).


As per the tradition the men gives the women a rose and the women gives the men a book. They are actually two different traditions that have been joined together on the same day - 23rd of April. The Diada de San Jordi has been celebrated since 1436 as Saint George is the patron of Catalonia and El dia del Llibre (The Book Day) since 1926, as a memory of Cervante.


The legend says that a terrible dragon held a princess captured and that the brave Saint George came to rescue her. He had to fight the dragon with his sword and on the spot where the dragons blood was spilled a rose grew. Saint George took the rose and gave it to the princess.




The story is known by any Catalan child and even though Diada de San Jordi is not a official holiday it is one of the most important celebrations in Catalonia.

Not a color?

Black is not a color some people say.

Looking for the color codifications I find that black is 0:

HTML-colors = #000000
RGBB = (r, g, b)(0, 0, 0)
CMYKH = (c, m, y, k) 0, 0, 0, 100 †)

Personally I love black. Actually the dominant color in my wardrobe is black.

I find black goes with everything cloth wise. You can match it with any other color and it is just never wrong.

Sometimes I have found friends refusing to wear black as it is such a “depressing color”. I just don’t share that point of view. Any other color can be just as depressing as I think it mostly depend on the mood you are in that day.

I don’t say that colors don’t affect our moods – it is clear they have an impact on us – but some people seem to have the idea that if you wear black you are sad and that at a funeral you can ONLY wear black. It is true that most people dresses in black at a funeral, I normally do that as well, but a friend of mine wore a red top at our dear friends memorial service and I tought it was so nice with some happy color, and very brave to dress against the dress code.

There was this article in a magazine about funerals that explained that in Bali people dresses in colorful clothes, smile and laughs at funerals. They explained that their tradition is to try being happy and positive so that the grief of loosing a family member or a friend does not take over hand. From their point of view the grief and sadness affects the soul and body and brings depressions and physical illness.

Not sure I would be able to laugh at a funeral but I will definitely consider wearing something more colorful than black - even if it is one of my favorite colors...

Green!

I woke up at 06.40, got out of bed and had my green tea. I took a nice and warm shower and then dried myself with a green towel.

I got dressed and choose a green cardigan. I matched the cardigan with my black boots with a green visible seam.

Before leaving home I grabbed a green apple and my keys that are on a green keychain.

After riding the bus 32 next to a guy in a green jacket I went to the subway to catch the green line. When reading the newspaper I find this interesting article about Green Living.

I got to the meeting, sat down and realize that the girl in front of me was wearing a green blouse.

Not sure if I got obsessed but today everything seems to be…Green.

Sun...

After two days of rain I start to long for the sun again…

We need the rain so I want it to continue pouring down but it surprises me that I, that come from a country where it rains a lot, have gotten so used to sunny days.

Barcelona goes crazy when it is raining. Getting from one point to another takes ages. The busses run late and the metros are packed. No one is prepared and everyone has wet feet.

Nevertheless it is cozy and freshening and it awakes the museum spirit in me.

Between the 10th of April and 18th of May there is a Keith Haring exhibition at El Centre Cultural Caixa Terrassa (Rambla d’Egara, 340, Terassa)

I feel I need to pay it a visit this afternoon!!!

Pop-art is one of my favorite art styles and that is from where I get most of my inspiration.

Pitter-Patter

The rain is pouring out side the window.

The rain dance worked!

Finally the nature will get some of the water it has been longing for all year.

It is the perfect day for a cup of hot tea. My favorite is at the moment “Bright Mood” from Yogi Tea. It has a strange but very tasty mix of herbs and spices such as Cinnamon, Ginger, Basil, Black pepper, Lavender…



I keep my tea warm while working with the USB cup warmer. Great invention!!!

And the winner is...

...100% Organic!!!!

My design was one of the 6 winners of the Mandacarú T-shirt Design competition! :)

Thank you all for voting!!!

Take a look at the other winners on: http://www.mandacaru.es/blog/

Maybe not that old...

In spite of what A thought yesterday I have actually been reading my 3 euro magazines!!!!

And YES there are some interesting articles even if they are 15 years old.

Sounds like very old, right? But compared to the Ginkgo Biloba tree, which I read about, that they state is over 3000 years, it does not sound that old…

This particularly tree is to be found in Shandong, China, where they say its origin is from.

As I continue the article I learn that Ginkgo is considered the oldest tree species to survive on earth. It is actually said to be a living fossil as it predates the dinosaurs!

Ginkgo trees are very tolerant of difficult conditions like air pollution, and are therefore widely planted in many big cities. It was the only tree surviving the atomic bomb explosion in Hiroshima – these 4 trees can still be seen there today.

The Ginkgo leaf extract is used in modern medicine. The health benefits are promised to be many. The extract has been used to relieve vertigo or dizziness but this herbal supplement is primarily used to improve memory and enhance concentration!

What really pays my interest is the beautiful shape of the leaves. It is understandable that it has been used a lot in designs. I find the most amazing creations by searching over the internet. Glass bowls, paintings, fabric pattern, jewelry...all with the shape of the ginkgo leave. Check out this bathtub, not sure if I want it at home but it is pretty cool.

Garage Sale...

As per the online Wikipedia: "Typically the goods in a garage sale are unwanted items from the household conducting the sale. The goods are sometimes new, like-new, or just usable, offered for sale because the owner does not want or need the item, to minimize their possessions, or to raise funds."

Yesterday I went to a Garage Sale here in Barcelona. I brought my children and told them that they were going to get to choose one toy each. Once there I quickly changed my mind… they obviously had decided to get rid of unwanted and old items… There was nothing that I wanted to spend any money on. It said on the flyer that the benefits would go to an association for children and I like the idea of that – but I don’t agree when you feel that they are trying to make use of the situation to sell off loads of crap.

There were some baby toys but to a price that does not go hand in hand with the idea behind a Garage Sale. I mean who think it is fine to spend 10 euro for a used toy that probably costs less new? And who wants to buy a book that you knew that came free with the news paper 3 years ago…? (It even had the logo of the news paper on it…)

Don’t get me wrong, the people that worked there was nice, their intentions were great and the place had a pretty cozy yard with toys for the kids to play with - I just did not agree with their idea of a Garage Sale.

So after letting my children play a bit in the yard, while I strolled around looking at the things I did not want to buy, I felt that I could not leave the place with out contributing with anything…

Guess what I ended up doing… I bought 3 magazines for 1 euro each. Not a lot of money you might think but here comes the funny part…they actually cost less when they were published back in 1993…

When I told A about my great purchase this morning she shook her head and looked at me as I was crazy. I quickly tried to explain that it was my only way out of the situation, I wanted to contribute with something and that the magazines seem to have some interesting articles.

I don’t think I convinced her…

What is art?

My opinion is that art is everything that has been produced with creativity.

Anyone could create art!

If you do not agree – please take a look at this video clip!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pj4MVtoNWZc

It is in Spanish but the video is worth watching even if you do not understand the language :)

Below you will find two real artists expressing their creativity by painting.

I have to go and make a baby!

The reactions were mixed when A stood up to leave the table about an hour ago with the words: “Excuse me, I have to go and make a baby!”

Not everyone that was gathered knew that she is in the process of IVF (In Vitro Fertilization)... :)

Today is the day with a big D!!!!

Please keep your fingers crossed that we will have a baby-A in 9 month!!!

Do the Rain Dance!

It has not rained in such a long time that the water reserves are minimum.

They have been talking about water restrictions if it doesn't start raining soon.

Let us hope it will start raining soon!!! In the meantime maybe you could join me all and do the Rain Dance!

Take a look at this cute video to get the right moves:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjMUaImSjdI

Barcelona is just as beautiful when it is raining and it is a perfect moment to visit one of the many museums the city offers. One of my favorites is "Fundació Joan Miró" up on Montjuïc. www.bcn.fjmiro.cat

The architecture of the building is fantastic and the light is amazing. It is a true pleasure stralling around the rooms filled with artwork. The diversity of materials, forms and colours are infinite. The perfect place to get inspiration...!

Sun inspiration?

Yesterday the sun was shining, it was very warm and we spent the day on the beach.

That is the best thing about living in Barcelona - eventhough you are in the middle of a Metropolis you reach the beach in a moment.

I am not sure if it was the heat from the sun that arouse my inspiration but yesterday I created several new designs in my head.

Keep you eyes open for new collections - they will be posted on the blog when launched.

New Collection

ego collection got an request to create a collection for musicians.

Of course you don't have to play an instrument to wear it...

Check out our new collection "Coded Instrument" on

http://www.egocollection.com/egocodedinstrument.htm

Vote 100% organic!!!

I love competitions, and if they are creative even better.

At age 10 I won a drawing competition - the prize was great!!! 10 liters (about 350 fl oz) of icecream!

The other week I found a t-shirt competition on the green web page http://www.mandacaru.es/

So I sat down and created a design for the occasion. I named it "100%organic".

It has been chosen for the final out of more than 500 designs. :)

Please vote for my t-shirt design on: http://www.mandacaru.es/concurso/

For you who doesn´t speak Spanish:

1. Click QUIERO VER Y VOTAR LOS DISEÑOS
2. Enter your e-mail address and then your full name (Nombre Completo).
3. Click INSERTAR Y VOTAR
4. Scroll down to the second design called "100%organic" and VOTE A 10!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Remember to leave a comment as well.

You have until the 14th of April to vote...but hey... why wait when you can do it straight away ;)

Thanks in advance!!!!!!

'Jazz for Kids' designs

If you by any chance are hanging around in Stockholm - Sweden, not knowing what to do I recommend you to visit the Swedish Jazz Celebration.

http://www.swedishjazzcelebration.com/

The Jazz band 'Upstairs Five' with Johan Berke are offering an interactive experience for kids at the 'Jazz for Kids' festival.

The band plays 7 different instruments. Each instrument represents a color (guitarr = blue, tuba and trombone = red, bass = green, soprano and alto saxophone = yellow, and drums = black).

5 designs, created by ego collection, will be shown on stage to show the children what color represents what instrument.

The children will be offered paper and colors to be able to participate and paint the music they want to hear. The band will then select about 3 paintings and play the music the children has painted.

I absolutely love this creative way of introducing kids to the jazz world and am very proud to be able to participate.

You can also visit the shop and check out our little stand where we exhibit t-shirts and paintings.

Check out the instrument designs on: http://www.egocollection.com/egoartist_jazz.htm

Welcome to the ego collection blog!

ego collection offers unique and personalized designs on t-shirts, bag and acrylic paintings.

What distinguishes ego collection from other personalized prints on t-shirts or bags are, apart from the designs, the variety of modern styles and colors.

ego collection represents un urban style with a mix of pop art. We include details such as gold or silver prints, flowers, hearts and Swarovski Crystals to the designs when desired. Personalized statements and names are currently very popular.

Different design styles are developed continuosly. Each design is unique and you can be sure that there will only be 1 of the t-shirts or bag you are wearing.

ego collection offers limited editions with unlimited designs.

Visit our web page www.egocollection.com for more info!