With Every End

A new beginning.

I had departed Mattel back in 2005. I think it's fair to say that following those 7 years, I was more than a little drained. I didn't want to work for anyone or do anything at that point. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do next and inspiration was lower than low.

In an effort to "get back on the horse" I had gone on a few interviews. Honestly, I have to say in amused retrospect, that it's no wonder I didn't get those jobs. My talent and skills would have been perfect for the positions and had it been a different time I would have loved the opportunity. However, I just couldn't have been less interested and Lord knows it must have shown.

I had changed. My old goals and aspirations suddenly were no longer there. I had to rethink where I was going and what I really wanted to do. But before I was ever going to solve that monumental challenge I needed to just do something.

Back to basics! Design something, make something, sell something.

My friend Helena Mills and I put together Gibson and Bolling. She and I had worked together at Michel & Co/Punch Studio and shared a love for paper, printing, and graphic design.

G+B was all about fine gift paper products...handmade cards, gift enclosures, silk-screened wrapping papers. It was tactile, hands-on and satisfied a need to create. G+B was put on hold in early 2007 in order to pursue other projects. I can't say when or if it will be revived but either way it was a delight to work on and the most perfect therapy!

Welcome to Volume 2

A blog? Why this, why now, and for God's sake, why be so public about it?

To make a long story short...this Gemini's progress sun is moving through Leo after 30 years in Cancer. T h i r t y y e a r s. Yeah, I know, right?

Time to make a major change. Get rid of some old habits. Habits like... spending too much time in my head! Scary thing is, this blog "thing" still feels a bit like it's in my head yet...so deceptively not.

Along with the random thoughts and visuals I plan to hurl into the cosmos, I plan to share what I've been working on now and in the last couple years ...as long as it's not top secret. I don't want to have to kill anyone...or more importantly, get killed.

5 years ago I had launched richardmanville.com as a means of sharing my work with potential employers and clients. I have not updated the site since then. Yeah, I know. I've been busy, ok?

Let's just say that the site is "Volume 1". This blog will be a sort of "Volume 2", if you will.

If you want to check out Volume 1 (richardmanville.com) just click for a password (at the site) and I'll send you one.

So, I'm hoping all this self indulgence and random musings will mutate into something helpful to someone somewhere at some point. Until then, I plan to have a fabulous year and hope you do too! come back and visit.