Ancient Sketchbook

Shown here are 2 pages from Stephan Schreiber's practice sketchbook book for illuminated manuscripts (West Germany). See more of this amazing sketchbook full of ideas and miniature designs from the year 1494 (!) on BibliOdyssey. Lovely to see the process.

The Art of Amy Crehore

Cat Masks

There's a group on flickr that has a fascinating set of cat masks. Have a look:

Cat Masks and Make Up

The Art of Amy Crehore

Treasures under the Bed

Check out this gold cup that a guy had hidden away under his bed- a gift from his grandpa. It's ancient and it's worth a million dollars. He abused it as a child, thinking it was only a nice old cup from grandpa. Also, this Freemason padlock sold on ebay for a nice chunk of change. I love the designs on both of these objects. Reminds me, I have started to sell some things on ebay from under my own bed. It's better than a yard sale and, lord knows, my house full of junk...er, I mean treasures.

The Art of Amy Crehore

(Images via dinosaurs and robots and boingboing )

On the Same Wave Length

"Creation" painting copyright Amy Crehore

Attempting the impossible, La tentation de l'impossible 1928, Rene Magritte, Tokyo

I just discovered this Magritte painting on the Femme blog. I have a couple of books on him, but I don't recall ever seeing it before. It's not in my books. I like it! It sort of reminds me of an early "Little Pierrot" that I painted (2004) called "Creation".

The Art of Amy Crehore

(Thanks to Femme for the Magritte image)

New Work

Detail of sketch by Amy Crehore 2008

Here is a detail of a sketch for one of my new paintings. I don't want to show the whole thing yet, it would give away my "punch line". I am happily finishing up 3 new works on linen canvas this week. Everything takes longer than I think it will, but in the end it's worth it. I'm using lots of layers of oil paint and striving for some seamless designs. As I work, I am transported back in time to early primitive Italian art, Bosch, Remedios Varo and growing up in N.J.-- all at once! I need to start blogging more about my own art now. Things are happening this summer: a New York show and a show in Las Vegas. More about all that later.

The Art of Amy Crehore

Rude Girls

"Smoking" photo copyright Raleigh Powell. This Rude Girl image is from 1959.

My photo of the day is by Raleigh Powell.

The Art of Amy Crehore

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PCL Link Dump

I don't know why I hadn't run across this blog before. Thanks to STWALLSKULL, I just spent half hour checking it out. And you should, too, because there are all kinds of fun, retro links and images on here: Easy Dreamer Blog
(PCL Link Dump)

The Art of Amy Crehore

The Hokum Scorchers' version of the "Jackson Stomp"

"Feed the Kitty" sculpture by artist Amy Crehore - used for the Hokum Scorcher's tip jar

I just changed the song on my website player. Listen to the "Jackson Stomp" performed by Lou Reimuller of The Hokum Scorchers. This is Charlie McCoy's arrangement that he recorded in 1930 with Walter Vinson as the Mississippi Mud Steppers (C. Davenport tune - "Cow Cow Blues"). Read more about Charie McCoy here and on Big Road Blues blog.

Lou Reimuller recorded this amazing song using a National mandolin and a National guitar in 1992. (The Hokum Scorchers put this song on their "Feed the Kitty" tape.)

Follow this link and scroll down for song:

"JACKSON STOMP" - HOKUM SCORCHERS

The Art of Amy Crehore

Song has changed by the time you read this. Every Sunday, a new song is uploaded on my website player.

Sad Lion

I love the sad look on this lion. Have you ever noticed that cats' faces are usually sad-looking? Unless they are yawning...then they look like they are laughing. Book cover image 1880 and an inside page from "The Alphabet of Animals" by Ernest Griset. From Baldwin Library, U. of FLA - a vast resource of children's books.

The Art of Amy Crehore

Vintage Exotica Art and More

The Studio Magazine 1925
J. Kirilenko 1944

There are some really nice paintings in the collected sets of

Mica12244art on Flickr

Like this gem: Page of Vintage Exotica

It's great to see all of these images together in thumbnails and even better to watch the slide shows.

The Art of Amy Crehore

Vintage Children's Books

These children's book covers are from the late 1800's. If you want to see more, the Baldwin Library of Children's Literature (at the University of Florida) has a digital archive of children's books that you would not believe:

"This is the product of Ruth Baldwin's 40-year collection development efforts. A great strength of the collection is the many English and American editions of the same work. Other strengths of the collection include 300 editions of Robinson Crusoe, 100 editions of Pilgrim's Progress, fables, juvenile biography, 19th century science and natural history, 19th century alphabet books, moral tales, fairy tales, 19th century juvenile periodicals, 19th century boys' adventure stories, 20th century boys' and girls' series, Little Golden Books, and juvenile publications of the American Sunday School Union and other tract societies."

Have fun looking, you won't be sorry-

Baldwin Collection of Children's Literature

(Thanks to Internet Weekly)

The Art of Amy Crehore

Sam Chatmon and Hokum Music

In 1990, the Hokum Scorchers recorded a song called, "The Leads All Gone". It was originally done by Bo Carter (a.k.a. Bo Chatmon) in 1931 as "My Pencil Won't Write No More" and later it was recorded in 1980 by his brother Sam Chatmon on Flying Fish Records as "Pencil Lead Blues".

Here is an actual YouTube video of Sam Chatmon in 1978 performing a song called, "That's My Gal". For more performances by Sam on YouTube follow this LINK

If you would like to hear the Hokum Scorcher's perform "The Leads All Gone" (1990) follow this link and scroll down for music player. Lou Reimuller is singing and playing the National guitar and kazoo and I am singing, playing washboard and kazoo. (I switch this song every Sunday.)

The Art (and Music) of Amy Crehore

The Hokum Scorcher song on my website will be a different one most likely by the time you read this.

Nude Daguerreotypes

These images are in the collection at the Metropolitan Art Museum. Here is a description of "Two Standing Nudes" 1850 by Félix-Jacques-Antoine Moulin from the Met site- 'Although Moulin was sentenced in 1851 to a month in jail for producing images that, according to court papers, were "so obscene that even to pronounce the titles … would be to commit an indecency," this daguerreotype seems more allied to art than to erotica. Absent are the boudoir props, gaudy jewelry, and provocative poses typical of handcolored pornographic daguerreotypes and the stiffly held classical poses of photographic "academies" ostensibly intended for artists as substitutes for the live model. Instead, Moulin depicted these two young women utterly at ease, as unselfconscious in their nudity as Botticelli's Venus.'

The other image is by an unknown photographer, made for a stereoscope in 1840. It's a miracle that these pictures are in focus and natural looking. They had ways of shortening exposure time and arranging devices for sitters to remain still.

The Daguerreian Age in France: 1839–1855

The Art of Amy Crehore

Old Bird Cages

I have a bird cage in one of my new paintings, so this morning I thought I'd look up vintage cages. I have pretty much painted mine already and it's very simple, but this site has some interesting and ornate ones to look at (with a link to more). Thanks, Bernard Williams, for the 3 photos above.

Cages Through the Ages

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What's up with me?

Logo for Tickler Ukuleles by Amy Crehore
Since this is first and foremost a blog for my new art, I thought that I would update you on what I have been doing. Let's see, the #2 Tickler Ukulele is in it's final stages. Yippee! Light at the end of the tunnel. I know it has taken longer than expected and I apologize to anyone who has been waiting to see it.There are so many cool details on this ukulele. It is my first real attempt at industrial design. A new model, a new uke design. I believe that uke lovers will get a kick out of it. It's both traditional and all new.
Also, I have been working on finishing 3 brand new oil paintings for my NYC show in July. I'm rotating them as I paint. Layering and adding color. These are all based on my Little Pierrot series and I am excited about them. (I will be showing six paintings altogether at Ad Hoc Art this summer. Can't wait. There will be four other great women in this show with me. I will blog more about it as the time draws near.) I will show you bits and pieces soon!
And, I have been sending Tickler t-shirts all over the place it seems. Yesterday, I sent one to Scotland. Quite a few have gone to the UK now. I actually lived in Teddington, England for a brief period myself. I should pull out some photos from back then and blog them. So much to do, so little time.
Also, I have a print sale going on right now. Monkey Love Series 20% off through the end of May. Free shipping. I have 3 of the original paintings out at M Modern Gallery in Palm Springs at the moment. (Click on "links" at their website to see the Tiki Anniversary Show)
The Art of Amy Crehore

Waitress With Poodle

Waitress&Poodle Photo copyright Raleigh Powell

My favorite Richmond, VA photographer took this great image of a waitress with a poodle outside of the Village Restaurant (?) in 1974. Thanks go to Raleigh Powell for this "photo of the day". Yes, Richmond is a colorful town...especially in black and white.
The Art of Amy Crehore

P.S. If you like my blog, click on "vote for me". Thanks!

Smoking Monkeys

I found these smoking monkey (cigarette) posters on that great blog Japonisme .

One even features a pierrot. The other shows a lady-monkey courtship. Well, what do ya know? I guess it's not so weird to date a monkey after all. I don't know why some people were so shocked by my art. So normal...ha ha!

The Art of Amy Crehore

Al Moore's Calendar Girls

I like this one. Nice natural style -1950's. Calendar girls for Esquire by Al Moore:

ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Archive

(Thanks, dinosaurs and robots)

The Art of Amy Crehore

Hokum Scorchers Perform "Pick Poor Robin Clean"

Luke Jordan's gravestone photo by Kevin Cleary, deadbluesguys.com

Listen to the Hokum Scorcher's 1990 traditional version of Luke Jordan's "Pick Poor Robin Clean" from 1927. The lyrics remain the same. Luke Jordan (1892-1952) was a blues guitarist and vocalist of some renown in his local area of Lynchburg, VA. Lou Reimuller is singing and playing the National guitar and kazoo and I am singing, playing washboard and kazoo. Follow link and scroll down for music player:

"Pick Poor Robin Clean"

The Art (and Music) of Amy Crehore

This song changes every Sunday evening and it will probably be different by the time you read this.

Flashlight Museum Website

Davy Crockett and Zorro - 1950s to early 1960s. Flippo lights.
Circa 1905 porcelain stick pin with a clown's head. The wire leads to battery case that held a 2 "AA" battery pack.
1905-1920 stick pins
The Gem-Lite was made about 1933 through 1935 and used 2 "AA" cells -Art Deco purse lights.
Stuart Schneider is an interesting man with an interesting website full of old flashlights and flashlight history. It also appears that he is a lawyer and he has a few other "museums" on his site as well. (Some people pack a lot into a single lifetime.) But, for now, I will just direct you to the flashlight museum because it is so cool and it will take up a bunch of time just looking at and reading about these beautiful objects.
Flashlight Museum

The Art of Amy Crehore

Mojo Repair Shop

Early 60's surf music, dirty blues from the 1920's-1950's, newish garage punk from Japan, The Troggs, the Shaggs, James Brown, Screaming Jay Hawkins, The Rutles (?!), Psycho-Sonic Garage Punk Blasts from the 60's, etc. This blog makes us "aware". Cool album covers. Eclectic, odd assortment of hip, humorous and dirty music choices. The Hokum Scorchers say two thumbs up for:

Mojo Repair Shop

The Art of Amy Crehore

Vintage Newspaper Illustrations

"O. Henry's Unknown Side," Magazine Section, New York WorldMay 24, 1912
and from the Chicago Tribune, "A Few Snake Stories," November 18, 1894

STWALLSKULL (that fabulous blog) alerted me to the American Newspaper Repository which is now housed at Duke University. There is a nice gallery page on their website (where I found the images above):

American Newspaper Repository

also check out the

Cartoon Reasearch Library at Ohio State University

The Art of Amy Crehore

Tiki-time

The Creature, painting by Amy Crehore

Wish I could go to Palm Springs this weekend. Tiki Caliente is gearing up and they are all a buzz on the Tiki Central forum. Wildsvilleman (this guy really looks wild and cool with his fez) and M Modern Gallery are putting the event on together. There will be lots of activities, vendors, booze, special t-shirts, etc. I went to Palm Springs for the Blonde Bombshell show 2 years ago and it was so much fun.
A couple of blogs have blogged about the upcoming M Modern 5th Anniversary Tiki show: Teddy's wonderful Pop Drawer and a Japanese blog called Doodle Art Journal which is part of A2 Cafe Website (a cool place to find modern pop art). STWALLSKULL also picked up my link. I think I need to have a print done of this image (or another one) featuring a ukulele. Here is a link to Tiki Magazine - they will also be at the event in Palm Springs.
The Art of Amy Crehore

Maker Faire is a BIG Hit

I wish I had gone to the Maker Faire this past weekend at the San Mateo County Fairgrounds in California. The event attracted an unheard of 80,000 people, double the number of last year. The New York Times has some great photos including this one of people riding around in cupcakes. I wanna do that! Read John Markoff's article:
New York Times
More links to articles about the faire on the Make Blog
I think they are onto somethin'. People just love making and inventing things. It's fun.

The Art of Amy Crehore

Hokum Scorchers Sing "Let's Get Drunk Again"

Bo Carter trading card by R. Crumb

Listen to "Let's Get Drunk Again", originally done by Bo Chatmon in 1938 (a.k.a. Bo Carter). This song was recorded by the Hokum Scorchers for their first tape in 1990. Lou plays the National Guitar, Amy plays the washboard w/cups and they both sing on this number.

Follow this link and scroll down for music player.

Hokum Scorcher's Song

The Art (and Music) of Amy Crehore

This song changes every Sunday Night, so it will probably different by the time you read this.

Amy Crehore in 5th Anniversary Show at M Modern Gallery, Palm Springs

"The Teaser" painting copyright Amy Crehore, oil on stretched linen
"The Examiner" painting copyright Amy Crehore, oil on stretched linen
"The Nibbler" painting copyright Amy Crehore, oil on stretched linen

I will be showing and selling three of my original paintings from my "Monkey Love Series" in the 5th Anniversary Show at M Modern Gallery in Palm Springs, CA. Each painting has a beautiful black carved frame. The exhibit opens at 7 pm on May 9th, 2008 and continues through mid-June. The theme of this group show is Tiki and it makes up part of a huge Tiki celebration in Palm Springs called "Tiki Caliente" taking place that weekend (May 9-11, 2008). M Modern has a big new gallery and there will be two solo shows opening that night as well : Derek Yaniger and Lyle Motley.

Here is the list of participating artists in the 5th Anniversary Show:

Amy Crehore, Anthony Ausgang, Atomikitty, Bosko, Brandon Steen, Brett Hess, Chris Reccardi, Crazy Al, Dale Sizer, Dave Calver, Dave Pressler, Derek Yaniger, Donella Vitale, Gollyan, Heather Watts, Jacklyn Presant, James Naccarato, Jasmine Worth, Joe Vitale, Joey Remmers, John Bell, Jophen Stein, Ken Ruzic, Lynne Naylor, Mark Bodner, Mark Covell, Miles Thompson, Naoto Hattori, Netherland, Nicole Steen, Pizz, Roger Webb, Sam Gambino, Sarah Joncas, Shag, Thorsten Hasen Kamm, Tiki Tony, Pesci One, and more.

If you would like one of these original paintings, it might be your last chance to get one. The others in my Monkey Love Series have already sold (more than a few to notable people).

contact: M Modern Gallery

The Art of Amy Crehore

(Check my website for Monkey Love print sale during month of May)