My Thoughts on NYC Gyms and Fitness Clubs Reopenings. Will It Be Safe to Return During COVID-19?

Hello all! Ralph “The Perennial Aesthete” is here. I hope everyone is doing well—spiritually, mentally and physically. I wanted to touch upon New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo’s recent announcement on gym openings in New York City. I know many of my fellow New Yorkers are anxious to get back in the gym. Do I miss being there? You bet! However, I honestly have mixed feelings about it. The time of the COVID-19 pandemic has truly exposed the paradox of our world. The empathy and compassion of strangers and communities efforts and dedication for the most vulnerable. For the other side, the shameless greed of corporations that has no filter.

Happy New Year 2018: Renewal of Faith, Purpose and Resolve

Happy New Year everyone!  2017 was equally an incredible and trying year for me.  Not just for the high moments, but more so for the low; the challenges, confusion, struggle, loss, fear, doubt and a slew of other emotions and obstacles that seemingly never ended.

Creative Inspiration: Behind the Brand With Designer/ Illustrator Ralph A. Gilmore

Up until a few nights ago, I never realized how hard it is to make a simple promo video on YouTube.  It also doesn’t help that I’m a perfectionist;  if I set my mind to do something, I try as hard as possible to accomplish the goal at hand.  As a graphic designer, illustrator, artist, writer, blogger and entrepreneur, my hope is that I can inspire as many people as possible through my artistic and creative abilities.

Untapped Creativity: Don’t Take Your Best Ideas To The Grave With You!

Photo Credit:  Alan Thornton | Getty Images

Perhaps this photo is a tad morbid due to it’s visual nature, which is paired with my intention to assert the notion that our greatest ideas goes to our graves with us.  In past years, I’ve been guilty of being an “idea hoarder;” what I mean by that is from time to time, I’ve conjured up numerous creative ideas–in which I failed to act upon due to a combination of procrastination, work schedules, relationships, fear of criticism and quite often for some of us, life tends to knocks us off our feet–at least momentarily.  One day I just decided that I wasn’t going to keep my ideas on the shelf anymore and that I would do everything in power to share my creativity with the world.

The following is one of my favorite quotes made by motivational speaker and author, Les Brown.  I constantly keep this quote in the back of mind to help keep me motivated, especially when my goals are not reached as quickly as expected:

How Grammy Award-Winning Artist Erykah Badu Influenced My Business Start-Up

The Official Orange Moonwerks Studios Logo

Coming up with a logo design for your business can be difficult.  Depending on the nature of your business and the mission behind it, you can spend hours or days brainstorming ideas for the logo design you decide to use to represent your brand or company.  As far as me designing the logo for my for my small business, Orange Moonwerks™ Studios, I wanted to make sure I was completely comfortable with the visual representation of the logo.  It had to be simple, catchy and easily recognizable.

Welcome to my new blog: The Perennial Aesthete

Hey good people! Your friendly neighborhood Ralph A. Gilmore is here. You might need to sit down and read up on all the awesome news I’d like to share with you in my very first post on my new blog, The Perennial Aesthete.  I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am to finally have this baby up and running!