December 7, 2014.

I don’t know if you’ve noticed yet, but the Christmas season is in full swing. Last weekend my family rode a train to downtown Philly to take in some sights. One of our destinations was a German-style Christmas Market in Philly’s iconic LOVE park. While sipping some hot apple cider in the market, I took a few moments to gaze at the city’s most recognizable sculpture whose letters form the word “love.” It was aligned in front of a huge, perfectly shaped, brightly lit tree that towered over the market square. Couples were lining up to have their photo taken beneath the sculpture, but at one point there was a solo spectator gazing at the whole sight, as I was. It hit me how this season really is all about Love. With recent news stories about police brutality and racial tensions reaching the boiling point, it’s easy to forget the power of simply loving each other, and how it has the ability to transcend all of our human weaknesses, pitfalls and differences. I’m focusing on LOVE this season – giving it, receiving it, and recognizing it’s power. I also plan on keeping this little pen & ink and watercolor sketch I did handy to remind me of that moment in LOVE park.

Design note: While I was sketching out the letters of the sculpture, I enjoyed the typography of the letters and how they merge and meld into eachother. I especially like the long tilted oval shape inside the “O” that is filled with the lights of the tree. Pure art!

P.S. For those of you not familiar with the LOVE sculpture, here’s a photo:

Beautiful, eh?