Ocitillo Array on Skareboard

Ocitillo Array by robert_coyne
View other Ocitillo Skateboards

I took the ocitillo array and put it on a skateboard with Zazzle. This is so cool, I feel like taking up skateboarding; but my 60 year old bones say no.

Golden Rule with Butterflies

The Golden Rule really does say it all. I would happily make this up as a free download for anyone who wants it. I can change font, colors, and frame to suit. I can do a border of any flowers you like. When I finish my sunflower mandala, I will do a version with them.
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REFERENCE: i128, t98

Prayer Quote of Sachel Paige

This is this today's Illustrated Thought of the Week. I include it here to present the Paige quote. I am starting to post these on a new blog called Tidbits from Tucson. I will catch you up on all old thoughts and present new ones each week.
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REFERENCE: t97

Keds Shoes

I ordered a pair of these shoes for myself. I never thought I'd be designing my own shoes. I have a number of designs posted on Zazzle, but if you are interested; I would suggest you let me create a custom design for you.

Cactus Hugger Shoe with Barrel Cactus Mandala by robert_coyne
Make Keds sneakers with zazzle.com

Don't tell Keds, but I used a seam ripper to take off their patch. The mandala shows underneath.

Al-Suhrawardi with Prickly Pear Flowers

Chris taught me how to download free fonts from online, so I will be experimenting with new ones. This is called Tristam bold. I combine the quote with a red & yellow prickly pear cactus flower composition. Have a good week.
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REFERENCE: t96

Golden Poppies with Borland Quote

This post features words of encouragement from Hal Borland. The text uses a pattern overlay. This is a pattern made with barrel cactus thorns. I will be doing more of this.
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REFERENCE: t95

Two Worlds

I use this blog as a way of displaying my art, but it also serves to give you some insight into the artist behind the images. In that vein, I offer this little essay about the transformation I have undergone in my life. Given time, I may turn it into a poem.
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Two Worlds

Coyne 2010

In this life, I have lived in two different worlds.
I used to live in a jungle and life was a constant struggle to survive, ending in death and nothingness.
Now I live in a garden, a place of peace leading to rebirth and eventual unity with all that is.
My world was a place to be feared, endured, manipulated and dominated when I could.
My new world is one of harmony and cooperation in which I feel encouraged and supported.
My old universe was an accident tumbling toward entropy. It was threatening, confusing, and ultimately meaningless. My world was filled with despair, misery, suffering, senseless killing, and scary monsters in the dark.
Now this cosmos is evolving from a mighty intelligence to a coming home. My life has meaning and my days are filled with purpose and the energy to carry it out. Creation makes sense and inspires my awe and reverence. I am happy to be a part of this grand orchestration. I know why I am here and am grateful for God’s trust in me.
In my old world, I was a genetic misfit and thought the world would be better off without me. My genes were out to get me, and I expected to be dead by thirty. I came close to fulfilling that prophecy and was running scared to I knew not where.
Now, I live in a world full of grace in which miraculous is not only possible, but my God is eager to assist in healing if I will but do my part. I now live in a body fashioned according to a divine matrix which works beautifully as long as I work in harmony with cosmic law. I expect to live a full life and leave when I am ready.
I used to live in regret over the past and apprehension of the future. Work was hard, and life was fundamentally unfair. Peace was an illusion and contentment an empty word.
Now, work and service are a joy, and I take satisfaction in the little things of life. Everything is interesting, and I am fascinated by the whole play of life. I enjoy the ride and am not attached to the destination. I fully accept what existence has to offer and don’t waste time dwelling on the past or anticipating the future. Now is good enough for me, and I have a heightened awareness of each moment as it comes.
My needs are few, and I trust the universe to provide; so there is no need to grasp for more or cling to what I have.
Yes, there was pleasure, excitement, and moments to remember; but they were fleeting and my attempts to hold on to them were for not. Frustration, anxiety, and resentment followed me all of my days. I would have liked to lash out, but against whom or what I could never figure out. As far as I could see no one was in charge and everything was out of control. Who to blame?
Today, I am not attached to anything for there is no need. Health and peace of mind follow my opening to the light which pervades this creation. Growth and new realization are my constant companions and contentment is part of my new being.
Hunger and thirst of all kinds drove me on, but I had lost hope that it could turn out right. I dared not slow down for fear that my demons would catch up to me. Now, I slow down daily and listen to the stillness. I know myself and accept the totality of my being. I accept that I am just what I need to be.
Communion and atonement guide my every step and angels look over me. I have faith that all will be as it needs to be. This planet is a school to which we have all come to learn our necessary lessons. Too often, we learn in the school of hard knocks, but we are learning and progressing to inevitable graduation.
I used to think that life was beyond my control, but now I see the events which come to me as the result of choices I have made. Everything happens for a reason, and there is a guiding intelligence that knows my every need.
I used to think that I had to fight for everything that I got, but now I relax knowing that it is safe to be humble. I don’t need to control situations, for everything is unfolding for the greater good. I just need to get out of the way and allow the spirit to have its way.
I used to feel that life was a cruel joke; but now I realize that all is a state of mind, and we choose it minute to minute, day to day. I choose daily which world I live in, and know that the positive is but a thought away.
The struggle to make ends meet was often overwhelming, but I have learned to live simply and am content with what I have. There is no need to keep accumulating things, praise, or experiences. In this moment, all is sufficient; indeed, abundance of what is important is the rule.
I used to blame others starting with a nonexistent God, my parents, this unfair world and kept a long list of hurts and disappointments.
I no longer have to blame others, for I know that I have created my own reality; and I have everything I need for my awakening. I respect other people’s choices and allow them to take their own path because I am sure that we are all in this together and we are all headed to the same home. I am content to do my little part, confident that it is enough; and with the understanding that we never know where the ripples go.
I used to run from my dark side, but have come to a self acceptance that once seemed impossible. I see all as grist for the mill.
I used to take things personally and felt hurt and abused. I created drama and lived a chaotic existence. In contrast, I now try to keep to the impersonal approach and take no offense. Everything works to the ultimate good of all concerned. It may not all be to my liking, but I trust that a higher power knows more than I.
I used to resist life, and it became more difficult with time and age. Now, I try to go with the flow and find the burden lightening, with time. I would wake in dread of the new day and had to drag myself out of bed. Now, I great each day with enthusiasm and keep a cheerful attitude.
I would try to stand strong against the gale, but now I sway gently in the breeze. My life seemed to be one misstep and one dead end after another, but now I look back to see that even the mistakes lead me to this point in which my life opens to ever new possibilities. Through some mysterious process, so much has been brought together in unexpected ways. Life in my new world is an adventure.

Churchill Encouragement with Pink Tree Bells

I used this image and quote as my Illustrated Thought of the Week on June 27, 2010. I post an image with an inspirational quote each Sunday on facebook and my So Act. To join either site, contact me through e mail.
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REFERENCE: i107, t94

Butterfly Frame with Bridge

After 10 or 12 years of not being able to do it, I have added the greeting to the sun back into my morning routine, and I have been prompted to say this phrase as I start. What a great way to start the day!
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REFERENCE: i127, t93

Thanksgiving

I have added a new category to my Zazzle store called Thanksgiving. It will have designs for Thanksgiving cards and so on, but I am including t shirts and other products that can be used all year round. Gratitude is an attitude we need to foster every day. Perhaps these little reminders will help.
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I first used this phrase around 1994 in a Thanksgiving card for family. It is nice to now have a medium for giving it to a wider audience.
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REFERENCE: i126, t92

Accept the Possibility

John has long exhorted us to "accept the possibilty". When faced with a new concept or new idea that is beyond our preconceived notions, or cherished beliefs; we are too quick to dismiss anything which challenges our worldview. He asks us to suspend judgement and accept the possibility. That opens us to receive more information, to take a leap of faith, or reach new levels of realization. I have found this simple phrase to be an important reminder to remain open minded as I encounter new ideas which stretch my existing understanding.
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I think it is time to share this little piece of advice with more people. To that end, I have started a new line on Zazzle called Possibilities which features designs around this slogan. Here, I have paired it with a row of butterflies. The symbolism is that we break out of the cacoon of our old way of thinking and fly into skies of expanded possibility.
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REFERENCE: i125, t91

Mother's Day Mug

I have created a mug for my 92 year old mother for Mother's Day. Almost all of my products could be customized to serve as a Mother's Day gift. Most can be used for a number of holidays including Father's Day. It is probably late this year, but one could send Mom & Dad matching or complimentary mugs, t shirts, and more. Don't forget the cards. And for Father's Day, we do have Emerging Pattern Ties.

Mother's Day Mug with Barrel Cactus Mandala by robert_coyne
Make custom steins at Zazzle

Click on the image to see the other side.

Butterfly Rainbow Mandala Painted

The bottom image is the outline mandala filled in with a rainbow of color in Photoshop. It took some time to do this, but once it was complete; it makes all kinds of variations possible. It was quick and easy to turn it into this all blue design. Other colors or combinations of colors are simple once the foundation is laid. What is your favorite color?
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I appreciate the way digital graphics allows for so many ways to customize designs.

Butterfly Rainbow Outline Over White

This is the same image over white rather than black.

Butterflies Continued

How about a blacklight effect?

More Butterflies

This image shows that I can take the rainbow background and turn it blue or any other color or combination of colors I want.

Butterfly Outline Mandala Over Rainbow

Here is the same mandala in outline form. I then superimposed it on a blurred flower mandala to create the rainbow effect.

Butterfly Mandala 1 with Poem

I have started a new series of butterfly mandalas. I have not yet posted any for sale, as these are still demonstration projects. Stay tuned; I am just getting warmed up.
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Brian suggested that I branch out into other subjects besides flowers. He has some beautiful photographs of butterflies which came to mind, so I said that I could try butterflies. He answered that butterflies are flowers that fly. That was the inspiration for the series and the poem.
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REFERENCE: i 125, t 91

Tucson Bumper Sticker

Here is a bumper sticker I just did to promote Tucson and my art. I can design any of my products to include a location of your choice. It is easy to do that with any of my products posted on Zazzle.

Tucson Bumper Sticker with Barrel Cactus Mandalas by robert_coyne
See other bumper stickers on zazzle.com

Flower Power Aprons

Why not aprons? It is another product line Zazzle makes, and I have joined in on the fun. I call my series Flower Power Aprons, but I may eventually branch out into butterflies and other types of images.
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I have had an idea for a vegetable mandala featuring variously colored peppers. I plan to have that ready for a recipe calendar in 2011. It will be appropriate for an apron. If you are interested, tell me to hurry up.

Flower Power Apron with Golden Poppies by robert_coyne
Browse other Mandala Aprons

Bright Blossom Binders

Recently, Zazzle added notebook binders to their line of products; so I have started a new series of Bright Blossom Binders. Here is one entry. It is interesting in that it shows the same mandala front and back, but on differently colored backgrounds. The change of color gives them quite a different feel.

Yucca Mandalas on Green and Blue Patterns by robert_coyne
Make your own vinyl 3 ring binder with zazzle

Ring of Joy Mousepads

I have started a new product line on Zazzle. I call it Ring of Joy Mousepads. Here is the first one and the name sake for this series of mousepads.

Jouful Rainbow Mousepad 1 by robert_coyne
Browse more Mandala Mousepads

Keds Shoes

Zazzle has teamed up with Keds Shoes to offer a line of customized shoes. I have added them to my collection of designs. Here are a couple of examples.

Yucca Mandala on Blue Pattern by robert_coyne
Browse more Mandala Keds Shoes

Barrel Cactus Shoe 2 by robert_coyne
See more Mandala Keds Shoes

Let's make that three examples.

Barrel Cactus Shoe 3 with Cactus Hugger Theme by robert_coyne
Make your own customizable shoes online at zazzle

More Emerging Pattern Ties

Emerging Pattern Tie with Barrel Cactus Mandala by robert_coyne
Make a custom neckwear at Zazzle

I give you a couple more of the necktie designs I have on Zazzle.

Emerging Pattern Tie with Barrel Cactus Design by robert_coyne
View more Digital Ties

Emerging Pattern Ties

A lot of people I have shown them to, have liked some of my backround patterns as much as they like the mandalas, so I have been asking myself what more I could do with them. When I posted my yucca background to So Act, a couple of people said that it would look good on a scarf. When I showed it to one of my employees here at the home, she said it would be good on a tie.
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Zazzle doesn't do scarfs, but it does do ties; so I have started a new product line I call Emerging Pattern Ties. Here is one made with the yucca backround. I am having fun creating a variety of ohters as well. Zazzle has an amazing pattern maker tool which fits designs to the ties.

Yucca Pattern Tie by robert_coyne
Create your own tie online at Zazzle

Bicycle Photos

The first photo is a close up of the stickers described below.


I am including a photo of me wearing one of my rainbow flower t shirts from Zazzle holding my mountian bike with stickers on a spoke. On Zazzle, I have a line of products using this bicycle parts rainbow mandala tha I call Good Day Bikes. "Bike your way to a good day." is my slogan. I ordered a sheet of 6 of these stickers from Zazzle without knowing exactly what I was going to do with them.

They are a little big to fit on the frame, so I finally came up with the idea of putting two back to back on a wheel spoke. I think this could be a popular thing, especially with kids. People could do the same thing with all sorts of stickers, but this is particularly appropriate as it is a design made with a rainbow of bicycle parts.

Irish Blessing for Bicyclists

The poem is on the inside left of the card with the phrase: Bike your way to a good day on the inside right of the card. This is my favorite of the cards, but there are also bicycle themed birthday, anniversary, congratulations, thank you, and get well cards.

Irish Blessing Greeting Card with Bike Mandala by robert_coyne
Shop for a greeting card at zazzle

This is the front of the greeting card. It is especially good for St. Patrick's Day, but it is good any time of the year.

Rainbow Bicycle Mandala

This view will allow you to see more detail in the mandala design. It is made of bicycle parts.

Good Day Bikes

I have started a new line of products on Zazzle that I call Good Day Bikes. Below is a bumper sticker with the line: Bike your way to a good day. I originally created this mandala for a charity event for a local bicycle coop. Now I want to make it available to a wider audience.

Good Day Bike Bumper Sticker by robert_coyne
Browse other Manalas Bumper Stickers

I have taken the one mandala and turned it into a series of products including bumper stickers, t shirts, posters and prints, greeting cards, small round stickers of two sizes, and postage stamps. All are available as a separate category on my Zazzle gallery.
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Bicycles are a part of the solution to two of our biggest problems: energy shortage and obesity. I want to promote the health and financial benefits of bicycling. My mountain bike is my main form of exercise. It has helped me lose weight, improve my health and save gas; not to mention that it is fun.

Lao Tzu No Hurry Quote with Nightblooms

Every Sunday, I post an illustrated thought of the week on my Facebook page. Here is this week's entry. I am includig it here to add the Lao Tzu quote to our list of texts.
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REFERENCE: t90

Cactus Hugger Bumper Sticker with Question

This is the first in a series of Cactus Hugger Bumper Stickers with the question: Have you hugged a cactus today?

Cactus Hugger T Shirt with Question

Cactus Hugger T Shirt with Nightblooming Mandala by robert_coyne
See more Mandala T-Shirts

The question: Have you hugged a cactus today?, can be added to any of the Cactus Hugger t shirts, cards or bumper stickers.
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REFERENCE: t90

Arizona T Shirts

I have also started making Arizona and Tucson T Shirts. Other states and cities are possible. Here is how one shirt appears on Zazzle.

Arizona T Shirt with Saguaro Mandala by robert_coyne
See other Mandala T-Shirts

Two Sided T Shirts

I have started making two sided t shirts on Zazzle. Here is the link to one of them:

Two Sided T Shirt with Rainbow and Nightblooms by robert_coyne
Create a customized t shirt using zazzle

This one is interesting because the nightblooming cactus mandala on the back is the image I used to create the rainbow mandalas.

Any combination of my t shirt images are possible for front and back on these shirts. If I don't yet have what you want, ask me.

Lotus and Cactus Flower Symbolism

It occurs to me that my use of the cactus flower is similar to the way the Easterners use the symbol of the lotus flower. The pure white of purity grows out of the mud. I have recognized that my fascination with cactus flowers is because it has been a subconscious symbol of the same thing. The colorful beauty of the cactus flower grows up from the "barren" desert flow and from and inhospitable thorny growth.

I have worked this idea up into a poem expressing the thought. I keep coming up with these short poems that hardly deserve the name, so I am thinking of coining the term poemette. No pun intended on my last name(Coyne).
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In the East

The pure white petals of lotus flowers

Grow out of the muddy pond.

In the West

The vivid colors of cactus flowers

From the desert floor are spawned.

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REFERENCE: t89

Sow Rainbows T Shirt

Sow Rainbows T Shirt by robert_coyne
See more Mandala T-Shirts

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How about a variation of Grow Rainbows? This one is Sow Rainbows and can be on white or black t shirts.