macbook laptop inspirational desktop wallpapers

I've been making these macbook laptop desktop wallpapers for myself recently and wanted to share. They're my take on a living vision board that you'll be reminded of frequently. If you'd like one as well, or you'd like me to give a how-to demo, let me know! Please contact me before downloading or using for information on copyright sharing and artist credit.

The history of the codex club

Something not a lot of people know about the codex club, is that we've been doing it for a while (the license to the name was filed in Sept 2015). Moving to Baltimore from New York was one of the scariest things I've ever done. My first job was very corporate and utilized my technical graphic design skills, but not as much the creative part of it. To still have fun, I made greeting cards, about cultural events and inspiration around me (Trump, the Kardashians). Some of the coworkers I liked were creating their own illustrations- I started printing some of their designs on the cards too, and set up an etsy shop for us. Did some in-person sales as well, and had a lot of fun. When I left that job late last year, I had to think about the next steps for the club, and what I really wanted it to be. People and experiences come in and out of your life- and it's always been really important to me to document and keep records. That was the whole point behind the name; codex means a written record, the earliest form of books.



Updated the logo from a simple riff of two c's mirrored/interacting, to a fresh version of Mark's family coat of arms. Tossed around the idea of a sort of key-club, or organization that would be a little like a creative workspace. Most of all we want to continue branching into other sorts of products like clothing and home goods. The codex club website blog has been up since the new year, in an effort to connect and share news/inspiration. We hope you'll check it out and keep in touch!

When it Rains

Isn't it 'April Showers bring May Flowers'?

Baltimore's been getting an insane amount of rain the last few weeks. There was hail once or twice too. As you can imagine- it adds to a lot more driving time. At least it's not cookie dough.



Here are three simple ideas I use to try and stay motivated on days like this.



1. Start Energized. The majority of people wake up and go about their days dehydrated. Thanks to a book I like by Aubrey Marcus, Own the Day, Own Your Life: Optimized Practices for Waking, Working, Learning, Eating, Training, Playing, Sleeping, and Sex - I fix a glass of water with a quarter lemon and pinch of sea salt. It's energizing and motivates me to start the day hydrated and with a clear mind. I also like coffee lol. My strong and steady, is Café Bustelo, with half a tsp of condensed milk and some ice cubes melting in.



2. Stretch Your Legs. This is another thing Aubrey talks about in his book. Being in the sunlight, moving around, and getting hydrated within 20 minutes of waking up. Often a change of scenery is what we need to get motivated and be productive. Get up and walk around your office or in the building, depending on your workplace setting. You'll end up getting more done with those little breaks, than if you sat there for hours staring at the screen.



3. Focus on Critical Tasks. One thing I struggle with is narrowing down what to do. It all seems important! I had to teach myself that you don't have to do everything all at once. When it rains I notice the garden being nourished, and it's a gentle reminder that you can't rush how fast plants will grow. Like vegetables and flowers, certain tasks need time to develop, and it'll save you more time long-term, to tackle it later. If it helps, set a google calendar reminder. In the end, ironically, this is more productive than repeating the task later, and fixing things down the road.

Listening to: 'A Life That's Good'

Being from Texas, there are a few country songs that bring me back. Started watching Nashville recently. Really liked the storyline between Deacon and Rayna. This song and 'Sanctuary'; the feels.

New 'Home is Where the Heart Is' Greeting Card

The saying 'home is where the heart is' couldn't be more true. It's always been one of my favorite quotes, and I enjoy making type treatments that form an image, like this. After testing out different materials and ways this could print, I truly believe this is the best way to share this message, and hope you or someone you love enjoys it as well.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/602419189/home-is-where-the-heart-is-greeting-card?ref=shop_home_active_1

A Month into the New Year

Are we there yet?



“A dream you dream alone is only a dream. 

 A dream you dream together is reality.” 

 —John Lennon