I love this contest. The entries from young artists are so inspiring.
The 2017 winner is Sarah Harrison (CT):
Congratulations to Sarah Harrison from Connecticut in the 10th-12th grade group on being named the National Finalist of the 2016-17 Doodle 4 Google Contest for her doodle “A Peaceful Future”. Google is honored to award Sarah with a $30K college scholarship and a $50K technology award for her school, as well as sharing her doodle on the Google homepage for the world to see.
A Bright Future
The winning artists from this year’s contest shared powerful visions for the world of tomorrow with artwork that advocated for a cleaner environment, worldwide equality, advancing technology, and more. The next generation showed us a bright and hopeful future.
To see the various finalists, click here: https://doodles.google.com/d4g/.
“That which takes place by surprise, moments of happiness, that is inspiration. Inspiration is there all of the time for everyone whose mind is not clouded over with thoughts, whether they realize it or not. Inspiration is pervasive but not a power. It is a peaceful thing. It is a consolation even to plants and animals. Do not think that it is unique. If it were unique, no one would be able to understand your art work. All of the moments of inspiration added together make what we call sensibility, and a development of sensibility is the most important thing for children and adults.”
~ Agnes Martin, from a lecture Cornell University in 1972
JOY and PEACEsit up high on top of my cabinets. They can be seen from the front and the back.
LIFE IS GOOD, HAVE A GREAT DAY and LOVE sit under the cabinet with their own spotlight.
Each sign was placed with the thought of encouraging myself throughout the work day, week, month and year. However, the signs are only within my line a vision a couple times a day – when I’m approaching my desk. Otherwise my word garden is at my back. Then again, the signs are in the view of everyone who passes my desk… and everyone who approaches me at my desk.
Someone told me last year that one day had been particularly hectic and troublesome. She was really harried and had been rushing through the office trying to get things done. When she passed my desk, she told me, she had felt a sense of peace and she paused there in the calm. I hadn’t been there that day. I think that’s the most remarkable detail about this story. I had created a peaceful workspace in the midst of a hectic environment – so much so that my space brought calm even in my absence.
Many people have workspaces that are devoid of personality. Many others fill their workspace with momentos of home and career. I’ve unconsciously chosen to fill mine with good words.
Actually, that’s more true to my personality than any momento from the past.
Today’s lesson: When you plant a garden (of words, deeds, thoughts, actions) in a space or in a life, that reflects who you truly are, all that you plant will inspire others even in your absence.