Thursday, April 15, 2010

Vintage Images from the Circus


Spider Woman and friend.
Originally uploaded by DoubleM2
Most of these images are advertisements for circus and theatrical acts, primarily French, circa 1885-1925.
Thanks to DoubleM2 for an incredible collection
on flickr.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Seeing the End in Sight

Detail of not-quite finished painting by Amy Crehore (click to enlarge)
I've been playing around with my new camera. This is a quick macro close-up shot of just a portion of one my new paintings. It's a distorted photo, but the face on the larger figure is pretty sharp, so I like it. I am still touching up her hair, but basically this painting is done. I am now seeing the end in sight to a few new pieces of art which took me quite a while to paint. Hope to be blogging them in the near future. I think this one is called "The Angel at Gossamer Creek" ...if I don't change my mind.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Hand-lettered Gibson logo on UB-1

I took this close-up with my new, little digital camera. The Gibson
UB-1 banjo-uke that I have at home (above) has a logo on the headstock that is hand-lettered in what looks to be metallic gold enamel paint. This uke is probably from around 1926. Some earlier, higher grade models of the Gibson banjo uke have lettering made of pearl inlay (placed on a slant). Later models of this same uke have what appears to be "The Gibson" in a stenciled typeface which looks different than this typeface.
The L-1 Gibson guitars from this period have hand-lettered silver logos.
The thickness of the lettering varies on these instruments and there is no mistaking that a small brush and a steady hand did this work. I can just picture the artist sitting in the factory doing this particular job as I have done it myself on my own fine art ukes (link, Tickler link)
In the late 20s, Gibson also offered a few fully hand-painted models such as the Pointsettia Uke (recently on ebay) and a guitar with an Italian street scene painted on it.
I love the fonts and hand-lettering of the 1920s. And I love the early vintage instruments of Gibson.

Thursday, April 08, 2010

Angel Zarraga, Painter of Nudes 1886-1946

Desnudo de Espalda con Caracol. 1926.
La femme et le pantin. 1909.

La bailarina desnuda. 1907.
Angel Zarraga was a sensitive Mexican painter in the classical tradition. His symbolist compositions were exhibited all over Europe and, later, in New York. He lived in France for a long time, but returned to his homeland in 1941 after an economic downturn in the art market.
LINK, LINK
I like these nudes. Very interesting. He liked Giotto and so do I.

The Art of Amy Crehore

Sunday, April 04, 2010

"I Got Your Ice Cold NuGrape" performed by the Hokum Scorchers



Okay, this song is a jingle written for a brand of soda that came out in 1921 called NuGrape. The Hokum Scorchers are both singing with Lou playing the National guitar (the NuGrape Twins did the original version). Lou and I recorded this in 1995 for our "Yanna's Donut" tape.
Have a listen and find out "what makes your lips go flippity-floppa" in 1926: Hokum Scorchers
(follow this link and scroll down for music player)

Saturday, April 03, 2010

Happy Easter!

This is the most perfect "Easter chick" Via wackystuff on flickr.
I've been super busy finishing up a couple of paintings and a couple of painted instruments.
I have a new camera and some ideas, so stay tuned. Happy Easter weekend to everyone.
Remember, you can carve your own niche just like this girl in the egg.