Photo of the Day- How to play two ukuleles at the same time

This guy figured out how to play two ukuleles at the same time. Charles Russell 1939, barbell instructor with his two ukes. Photo credit: NPR link

Ripley's Believe it or Not

Thanks, Internet Weekly

A Taste of Pompeii in NYC

Photos by Toni Dalton

Artist Julian Schnabel’s Palazzo Chupi in the west villiage (NYC) was painted “Pompeii red” when it was built. Here's what it looked like in 2007 (left) and here's what it looks like today. Perfetto! I love it. He has a painter's eye for this stuff, although some in the neighborhood don't like it. LINK

The Art of Amy Crehore

Flying Underwear

Distinguished people with Anti-Gravity Underwear looking at art that is hanging high on the

walls of this salon-style art gallery.

And here we have Edison's Anti-Gravity Underwear for kids.

The London Punch makes fun of Edison in 1879 over at

Ptak Science Books

The Art of Amy Crehore

Talk About Comics at Whitney Museum

Page from Kind-er-Kids

Art Spiegelman, Chris Ware and Gary Panter talked about early comics last week at the Whitney Museum. There is currently a Lyonel Feininger retrospective at the museum called "At the Edge of the World". “The Kin-der-Kids” and “Wee Willie Winkie’s World,” the comic strips that Lyonel Feininger debuted in 1906, formed the basis of many of his subsequent paintings!

Here's the audio from their panel discussion at the Whitney:

I am quite interested in the history of comics myself and I even published my own comic book in the early '80s. There were 5 issues of "Boys and Girls Grow Up", one per year. Last Gasp was our distributor. Scroll down to see a couple of the covers that I created:

Amy Crehore Comic

I still have some copies of my comic books in mint condition. They were quite limited. Maybe I will have to do another give-away on this blog. Stay tuned.

Photo of the Day - 1925 Flotation Device

Thanks, Ebert !

Link to my website of art and music:

The Art of Amy Crehore

Messing with masterpieces - enough already!

This gorgeous Gauguin painting was attacked in April at the National Gallery in D.C. by a lunatic and....

Two 17th century Poussin paintings got vandalized with red spray paint just last week at the National Gallery in London. Here's a photo of some of the damage.

LINK

Rainbow Toad Found After 87 Years

Thanks, Internet Weekly! Read story- wired.

Crehore Studio Photos 7/23/11

Detail of my new painting shown above - it's a large version on linen of the little oil sketch I did called "Blue Whale Cove". I am continuing the theme of the cove w/ figures.
Someone was talking about Lucian Freud's paint brushes the other day. Here are mine. I use every size, shape and type of brush to create my paintings. My medium is fine oil paint, usually on linen. I basically work wet-on-wet.

The Art of Amy Crehore

RIP Lucian Freud

A great, great painter has died.

Anthropomorphic Furniture

Anthropomorphic chairs by Dorthea Tanning at

ANTHROPOMORPHE

Read about: Anthropomorphism

For paintings, drawings, prints and more by me:

The Art of Amy Crehore

Painting progress (Crehore)

My painting progress is documented on twitter: LINK

The Art of Amy Crehore

Stu Mead Paintings

Stu Mead is a great, creative artist. I discovered his art a couple of years ago in a book and was intrigued. Only more recently did I take a good long look. He knows exactly how to put a picture together. With a few brush strokes, he is able to capture just the right expression on a face. He can make us laugh at every turn. His art is a bridge between the worlds of comics and fine art. Art history and the history of graphic design/illustration/comics are his references. It's got a balance of all the right elements and originality to boot.

Thanks for being you, Stu.

STU MEAD

P.S. If you don't mind pervy humor, pick up a copy of the new "Men Beg".

(Art by Stu Mead and Frank Gaard)

T. Lux Feininger, Bauhaus Photographer RIP

Bauhaus Band 1928 (J. Paul Getty Museum)

Dance in Metal 1928 (J.Paul Getty Museum)

Charleston on the Bauhaus Roof 1927 (Metropolitan Museum of Art)

T. Lux Feininger, son of Lyonel Feininger, died at age 101 last week. Above are some of his photos taken at the Bauhaus while he was a young student there.

Read New York Times obit: LINK

Some of his paintings are here.

"Fantastic Flying Books..." on iPad

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore iPad App Trailer from Moonbot Studios on Vimeo.

Illustrator & animator William Joyce did something rather fabulous for the iPad.
Thanks George Coghill!

Laura Levine-Musicians

I know my friend Laura Levine is excited about her upcoming show of musician portraits from the 1980s/early 90s. She recently had her photographs featured in a MOMA show and now she is having a one-person show in NYC. There will be over 5o portraits of many of your favorite musicians from that era.

Here's the info:

Steven Kasher Gallery

(Please follow the link to see a selection of the work)

July 21, 2011- August 19, 2011

Opening reception: July 21, 2011 6-8 pm

521 West 23rd St.

Tues. - Sat. 11am- 6pm

Working on something new

Amy Crehore Studio Picture July 11, 2011

The Art of Amy Crehore

Photo of the Day- Man with Pet Owls

Click to Enlarge

From Roger Ebert's Journal

Cabinet Painted by Sir Edward Burne-Jones, Designed by William Morris (1861)

Painted pine, oil paint on leather, brass, copper, 1861.

"This early masterpiece of the Arts and Crafts movement exemplifies the collaborative endeavors of William Morris and his circle to improve design standards. Morris believed that a return to the principles of medieval production, with fine artists creating functional objects, would help overcome the evils of industrialization. This cabinet, one of several in which Morris enlisted the participation of Sir Edward Burne-Jones, is an attempt to erase the distinction between the fine and the applied arts. The painting on leather with a punched background is itself a craftsman's medium. Although the cabinet is usually described as in the "medieval style," it is actually a vivid example of the ability of the Morris firm to convert the eclecticism that marked much art of the late nineteenth century into an original and modern style. Although Burne-Jones' painted figures are in medieval costume, much of the decoration is equally Oriental in inspiration. Philip Webb's straightforward design, however, which boldly displays the casework skeleton on the exterior, anticipated the emphasis on structural elements that would inform the design revolution of the next century." source: MET Museum

Mercurial Face of Scarlett Johansson

Thanks, Rick Morris facebook

Camping in 1890 (from my family archive)

"G" Tent- Camping 1891(family photo, Amy Crehore)
"Dew Drop Inn" 1890 (family photo, Amy Crehore)
PLEASE CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE
Ever wonder what it was like to go camping with the whole family in 1890? Stripes must have been "in" at the "Dew Drop Inn". See the girl playing her tennis racket like a guitar in the top photo? I found these two gems in a box of ancient family photos. I am related to some of these people. (Photos were taken in 1890 and 1891.)
The Art of Amy Crehore

Erwin Blumenfeld's Experimental Beauty Films 1958-64

'A montage of Erwin Blumenfeld's experimental beauty films. The series of shorts, titled "Beauty in Motion," were shot between 1958 and 1964 and pitched to clients including Estée Lauder and Helena Rubinstein. Originally a Dada artist, Blumenfeld began working for Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar in the late 30s.' LINK (nowness.com)

Fred Astaire in "Swing Time", 1936

Swing Time 1936- Bojangles of Harlem
starring genius Fred Astaire
Here's a link to a longer version
Thanks, Angyl!

2 NEW Limited Edition Prints by Amy Crehore

"Homage to the King of Cats" by Amy Crehore

Limited edition signed print

"The Waiting Pool" by Amy Crehore

Limited edition signed print

PLEASE CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE!

It's been a couple of years since I released any prints of my paintings. I am excited to be releasing two new prints today. Only 50 in each edition. A big cat, girl blowing a horn, bathing beauties, ukulele music, a miniature horse. Perhaps you will see something you like.

If you order a signed giclee print by July 4th midnight (PST), you will have a chance to win one of my letterpress prints.

Here is the LINK to buy the new prints.

The Art of Amy Crehore

Cameos Made from Oreo Cookies

There are more images on this LINK

Judith G. Klausner, artist

Thanks, boingboing.net

Airship Harmonicas from the past

This image is from an interesting blog called How to be a Retronaut. ("Ever get the feeling you're living in the wrong time?") See more Airship Harmonicas like this one here.

Thanks, boingboing.net!

FOUND! Little Laura Dukes Playing Ukulele 1970s

This video made my day! They called her "Little Bit". I had no idea that there was a film of Little Laura Dukes, my favorite ukulele player! I blogged about her once and did this painting of her in 1993. Here is a LINK to my blog post (and my painting with complete frame).

Thanks, Kirk Taylor for alerting me to this video and thanks bobany1 for providing video.

Read more info on Little Laura Duke's life here, also!

Oh Me, Oh My, Oh Gosh!

Coolness! Thanks, AnnePC facebook.

Coney Island Beach & Boardwalk Scene

CLICK TO ENLARGE

LINK Strobridge Lithographing Company

Thanks, Internet Weekly!

Happy Father's Day

In memory of my amazing father. Thanks, Dad.

Frauenfelder's Gweek podcast is going strong...

Have you heard of Gweek? It's a podcast.

The editors of Boing Boing talk about and interview the creators of comic books, science fiction, videogames, movies, and more. Mark Frauenfelder says about Gweek #7: "In this episode of Gweek, Rob and I spoke with Adam Parfrey and Jodi Wille, proprietors of the non-fiction book publishers, Feral House and Process Media."

We have "Lexicon Devil" (about The Germs) and "Apocalypse Culture II" at home.

Both books are published by Feral House.

Here's the link to Gweek on itunes: LINK

Adrien Brody as Salvador Dali

Adrien Brody was fantastic in the new Woody Allen movie, "Midnight in Paris" (which I went to see on my birthday). It's a great movie with some wonderful sequences that transport us back in time to the art/literary world of Paris in the 1920s. Brody simply nailed Salvador Dali with an over-the-top performance that was pitch perfect. Of course, he had a wealth of references to study such as the 1968 French commercial for Lanvin chocolate or this 1957 "What's My Line? , not to mention beautiful old photos like this one of Dali posing with a rhino. Brody also looks a lot like the lanky artist which doesn't hurt. And did you know that Hitchcock's dreams in Spellbound 1945 were designed by Dali? (follow links to view). What a perfect casting choice. I always liked Adrien Brody ever since I saw him in The Pianist.

Black Ace Bottleneck Blues

Thanks, Jad Fair (facebook)

It's a MeduSirena Day

MeduSirena Marina

Sea No Evil Art Show 2011 is happening June 25th

"Blue Whale Cove"- oil painting by Amy Crehore 2011 SOLD

I shipped off my little painting (in antiqued gold frame) to Riverside, CA for the Sea No Evil Benefit to be held June 25, 2011 at 6pm. The band She Wants Revenge will be providing music that night. For more details about the show:

LINK

Here's a video about this year's show and the wonderful people behind the scenes:

The Art of Amy Crehore

The Fair Brothers at Yard Dog Gallery, Austin, TX

Crossroad 2 by David Fair

Pow Pow Ow by Jad Fair

Opening Saturday, June 11, 2011 (my birthday) in Austin, TX is an exhibit at

Yard Dog Gallery

by David and Jad Fair.

Each brother has a distinct style of paper cutting.

Each brother has a great sense of humor. I love them both! This sounds like fun.

Exhibit will be up through July 10.

Jad & David Fair (Half Japanese) will perform at the opening,

accompanied by guitarist Mark Jickling.

1510 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704

Parades of Pink Flamingos

Each day, as I take my hike up the hill, I notice more houses sporting parades of pink flamingos in their front yards. Sometimes one house will trade them off to another house, but there are at least three houses right now with these crazy decorations. I was puzzled about it and wondered if the purpose was to scare the deer away from eating flowers. Then, after searching online, I found a forum that mentioned "pink flamingos are uglier than wild turkeys and would scare them off". We have had many wild turkeys roaming the neighborhoods and grazing on lawns for the last year or so. There was even an albino turkey in the pack. I thought they were sort of cute, but I guess it has gotten so bad that the neighbors became desperate to try anything to make them go away. Even if it means having dozens of tacky plastic flamingos in their front yards! Hope it works. On the way down the hill, I saw the turkeys doing their thing.

The Art of Amy Crehore

Hobo Clown Film by Allison Schulnik

I'm blown away by the beauty of this animation. See her paintings here: Allison Schulnik

Jared Joslin Paintings in Chicago

Painting by Jared Joslin

If you are in Chicago, go see Jared Joslin's solo art show "Stop, Look and Glisten" at Firecat Projects, 2124 N. Damen Ave.- it opened May 27th and will be on view until June 18th.

It looks like a magical show with a magical theme.

His website has an abundance of super nice paintings:

Jared Joslin

Post about the show & more paintings on Hi-Fructose

La Biennale di Venezia

What is this? It's art, of course! Some things look a little more like science projects.

"A man jogs on top of an overturned armoured tank in an installation by artists Jennifer Allora and Guillermo Calzadilla (U.S.A.) during the 54th International Art Exhibition in Venice on June 2, 2011."

Interesting tidbit: These two artists live in Puerto Rico. She went to the U. of Richmond (VA).

I wonder if the man on the tank had an understudy, just in case he got tired of jogging.

I went to the Venice Biennial once a long time ago. I think it was Jasper Johns' year when he was awarded the grand prize for painting. There were only 40 countries represented then.

Link: Slideshow

Biennale WEBSITE

"Blue Whale Cove", New Crehore Art for Sea No Evil Art Show 2011

"Blue Whale Cove" by Amy Crehore 2011, oil on wood, 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" SOLD

Here is my "Blue Whale Cove" framed, 12" x 13"

I created this small piece especially for the Sea No Evil Art Show 2011 - an "Art Benefit to Preserve and Protect the Oceans of the World" to be held on June 25, 2011 6pm at Riverside Municipal Auditorium in Riverside, CA. Captain Paul Watson will be speaking. For more details (tickets):

Sea Shepherd Art Show

Artists include: Amy Crehore, Ana Bagayan, Camille Rose Garcia, Cathie Bleck, Chris Anthony, Clayton Brothers, Eric White, Friends With You, Gretchen Ryan, Jeff Soto, Korin Faught, Nate Frizzell, Shepard Fairey, Tara McPherson and LOTS more (over 100).

For complete artist list click here .

The Art of Amy Crehore

Sneak Peek: New Aaron Smith Art

"Zhooshy" 2011 by Aaron Smith

"Left Handed Likely" 2011 by Aaron Smith

Here are a couple of juicy new oil paintings by Aaron Smith. These will appear in his upcoming solo show at Sloan Fine Art: "Coterie of the Wooly-Woofter". Looking good! I love the way that he handles the paint and his selection of subject matter. Wish I could go.

Sloan Fine Art, 128 Rivington Street, NYC

In the project room: Anthony Iacono, "Victor Victoria". Opening Receptions: FRIDAY, June 3rd, 6 to 8 pm

Exhibitions run June 2nd through 26, 2011 Gallery hours are Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 6