Ex-Libris rubber stamp

Time ago I designed my own Ex-Libris. Don't confuse with Sex-Libris.

I also explained the meaning of every symbol here. The general idea is about the 4 ways to get knowledge. I wanted to make it real as a rubber stamp when I went to Bangkok since I remember there were places there which can do it for about 3 EUR. Unfortunately that's not possible anymore, times goes on and I didn't complete this little project. Until now, in Bangkok again.
I'm very happy with the result. The fine details can be seen and the whole feeling is as great as I had in mind. Black areas are balanced and confortable to watch.

Maybe much pressure needs to be applied because of the large surface. A lesson learned for the next time.

Here some photos from the process.

Read books January - June 2016

EX-LIBRIS. Design and explanation

Sometimes I feel I will never finish this. Anyways I'm designing my Ex-Libris after so many mixed ideas and drafts. It must be related to books, of course, and I will put it in every book which belong to my personal library.

The meaning is based on the 3+1 ways to get knowledge:

1.) Canned knowledge produced by others. There were so many great humans on Earth and some of them left their thinking encapsulated through the time. 

Example: Books. 

Others: Music, interviews, videos, tales and art. 

2.) Directly from other humans. Every person has something to say. We should listen and learn.

Example: A coffee with a wise person. 

Others: Teacher in a class.

3.) Learn by yourself. 

Example: Traveling. 

Others: Observing the nature, experiments and personal experiences in life. 

3+1.) Bonus! Observe a cat. You will not find a wiser teacher. A cat has the whole understanding of life. Pay attention to small details and what he does. A lot to learn.

Simulation with Photoshop to check the final result:

Btw,

***READ BOOKS***

Last read books

These are the books I read from January to May 2016.

Despite the unlimited information online, reading books is still in another level. Old books were difficult to edit and print therefore authors tried to be focus and write clear ideas. They used to go quite deep in the points and dedicated eyes were needed to read and understand. I guess today everything is fast-book, easy words, fast and next thing. By other hand, nowadays knowledge is so huge and some of the last discoveries could change our own existence point of view.

Conclusion: I like to read both.

I have to say I'm becoming quite addict to Eduardo Mendoza's books about no name detective. Hilarious and well written.

List of my top 5+ favorite books. Update

There are books and divine books. The ingredients which make a book belong to this list are not only the quality of the text or the theme but also the book itself, its style, shape and manufacturing quality. All of them show feeling to your eyes/brain and also to the touch. 

Here is the updated list for this year:

1. Don Quijote de la Mancha. Not too many things to add in this amazing book. It´s THE BOOK. Cervantes passes through all the key points in human life along the pages. Some people think El Quijote is a boring book and difficult to read, however from my point of view it´s the funniest book and with a huge humor sense. The edition by RAE because of the IV Centenary is a must.

 

2. I Ching. The book about everything. The Oriental view written down on paper. Mystical and wise.

 

3. Almanach Hachette. A compilation of information decorated with amazing illustrations made in France. Exquisite pickings from the XIX century. Fine touch.

 

4. Codex Seraphinianus. A completely new world created by Luigi Serafini´s mind. Superb pencil drawings with endless creativity. Unfortunately this edition doesn´t show the quality his artwork deserves.

 

5. Completed Illustrated works of Lewis Carroll. Not only tales but also Maths exercises, music scores and more.

 

Extra I: I should mention one more book even when it´s not a book itself but a mix of photos about Peter Bear´s work complied in a book. Full inspirational and obsessive dedication by this master of notebooking.

 

Extra II: The Orange Manuscript (El Manuscrito Naranja). How to miss it in this list! A mix of notes, hilarious ideas, sketches, travels, calligraphy and “flights of fancy” by José Naranja. No tech used, all handwritten in pocket notebook. An useful recipe included in the pages.