Friday, November 27, 2009

"The Believer" Art Issue 2009

I bought a copy of "The Believer" magazine's 2009 art issue the other day. First of all, the cover has very funny Charles Burns version of an Edward Hopper painting. Inside, there is a huge Jerry Moriarty poster and an interview (by Chris Ware) of the eccentric artist, illustrated by examples of his paintings. I always liked Moriarty's work, "Jack Survives", back in the days of RAW Magazine. (RAW was a large-format comics anthology edited by Art Spiegelman and Françoise Mouly from 1980 to 1991.) Buenaventura Press recently published The Complete Jack Survives as a hardcover book.
In this same issue of "The Believer", there is another cool interview with one of my favorite comic artists, Aline Kominsky-Crumb (creator of Love That Bunch, The Complete Dirty Laundry Comics and editor of Weirdo). This is a great ART issue with much, much more, but
if I told you everything my blog post would be way too long and gushing, so here's a link to see for yourself:

Thursday, November 26, 2009

1920's Board Game Art



My friend Janet alerted me to this vintage shop on Etsy called
Above are two games from the 1920s available in their shop (follow link). The cover graphics on old games are really interesting...especially this one called "Hokum" which I had never seen before!
Hokum is "The Game for a Roomful", not just a style of blues music.
(Thanks, Janet.)

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Free, Signed Pencil Drawing with Purchase 11/25-12/7/09

Glimpse of Amy Crehore's Studio
Happy Thanksgiving! I did this special offer last year and I'm doing it again: I will include a small pencil drawing of a little pierrot, a cat or a monkey (your choice)- inscribed with your name and signed by me (Amy Crehore)- with any purchase of limited edition print(s), t-shirt or fine art (includes fine art ukes) from Nov 25- Dec 7, 2009 (limited to one drawing per person). Some of my signed, limited edition prints have special sale prices, although some do not (due to limited quantities). All items have free shipping in the USA! All items have been printed and produced by skilled professionals. Postcards are usually included, too, as well as certificates of authenticity.
Here is the link to my website
(click on the bar at the top of the home page to view different items):

Email amy@amycrehore.com to inquire about pricing on my original fine art pieces.
When ordering a print or t-shirt using paypal, please include a note to me with a name (for the inscription) and your image preference for the free pencil drawing.

Pigs and a Clown- Map of the States 1884

Click image to enlarge
"Puke, Sucker, Bug Eater or Fly Up the Creek" are all nicknames of the states on this fancy, illustrated map. It's brought to you by H.W. Hill & Co. Decatur Illinois, sole manufacturer of Hill's hog ringers, Hill's triangular rings, calf & cow weaners, stock rings, &c. Copy of this map mailed for 5 one cent stamps. Map of the United States showing the state nicknames as hogs. Lithograph by Mackwitz, St. Louis, 1884.
Thanks, trialsanderrors at flickr

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Andrew Warhola said....


Andy Warhol, famous artist, said some really choice things. He was such a comedian. I never tire of reading Warhola quotes (even if I do get tired of looking at his art):
"I've decided something: Commercial things really do stink. As soon as it becomes commercial for a mass market it really stinks."
"If you want to know all about Andy Warhol, just look at the surface of my paintings and films and me, and there I am. There's nothing behind it.
"Since people are going to be living longer and getting older, they'll just have to learn how to be babies longer."
"Fantasy love is much better than reality love. Never doing it is very exciting. The most exciting attractions are between two opposites that never meet."
More:
Maybe this is why Andy is so lovable. It's his personality.

Monday, November 23, 2009

I'm a New Gigi Fan



(All images above by Josh Gosfield)
Who is Gigi Gaston? A mysterious French pop star from the 60's who disappeared without a trace. She is also the subject of a gallery show in NYC which closes in a couple of days. I just got wind of Gigi yesterday. Her creator is none other than the wonderful artist Josh Gosfield who somehow managed to invent and "nail" this female character from the 60's by producing a collection of bogus, yet authentically-vintage-looking, tabloid newspaper clippings, magazine covers, paper dolls, rock posters, album covers, music video and even a film trailer. There is a review of the show by Ben Davis ("Lost in Time") on ArtNet .
GIGI, THE BLACK FLOWER, an exhibit by Josh Gosfield at Steven Kasher Gallery, October 22 to November 25, 2009. 521 W. 23rd St., New York, NY 10011.
Je Suis Perdue :watch the music video with Gigi's hit song ("I Am Lost")
Gigi Trailer is the key to understanding the life of Gigi Gaston (it brings to mind that clever and crafty Woody Allen film, "Zelig")
Gigi Exhibit images at Steven Kasher Gallery, NYC
I may be a new Gigi fan, but I have been a long-time fan of Josh Gosfield's art. What could be more fun or more hokum than this gallery show? I'm just sorry that I can't see it in person. But, at least we have the internet.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

The Dark Side



I am currently painting a dark painting for a show, so I thought I would return to my blog archives and re-blog one of my most popular posts (June 2007): Demons Like You Have Never Seen Before. Above, are a couple of images of monsters from Cornell University Library 's collection of fantastic images.
The Art of Amy Crehore