Mr. Peanut Speaks

After 95 years of silence, they have given Mr. Peanut a voice. It's the voice of Robert Downy, Jr. Here's an article about it with a photo of the new animated Mr. Peanut.

I don't really care if Mr. Peanut can talk, I just wish he still looked the same as the old vintage sign that I have at home (shown above). What a beautiful silk-screened face he has. I'm not sure how old my sign is, but I'm partial to this particular "look". Of course, I realize that Mr. Peanut has gone through many changes over the years. If you google him, you can find them. 

 According to wikipedia, Planters Peanuts was founded in 1906. In 1916, a contest was held to design a logo for the company. A 14 year old school boy won the contest by drawing a peanut man. Later, a graphic artist added spats, top hat, monocle and cane. 

The Art of Amy Crehore

NEW! Boing Boing Monkey T-shirt Designed by Amy Crehore

I'm so excited about this brand new Boing Boing t-shirt that I designed. It is available now in the Boing Boing Shop in Ash Grey, White and Natural. Mens and Womens sizes S, M, L, XL, and 2XL. 
  LINK TO BUY


Originally, I painted this particular monkey (wearing a plaid jacket & tiny derby, smoking a pipe) on a vintage banjo-uke and called it the "Squirm". It was part of my solo art show, "Dreamgirls and Ukes", which took place in Los Angeles in 2009. The monkey was perched on a lump of grass, floating in a cloudy sky. I also drew him in ink (sitting on a cloud) for the very first Cloudy Collection print set.
For this brand new Boing Boing Monkey t-shirt design, I created a special typeface and hand-lettered the words "Boing Boing". You may have seen my "monkey love" paintings featured on Boing Boing in the past. I want to thank everyone at Boing Boing for making this t-shirt happen! 
The Art of Amy Crehore

Progress and Process in Painting (Amy Crehore)

 Blocking in some shapes.

Adding color to background.

Here, you can see my progress with the new painting. This is just the beginning. Some interesting things are happening as I go along. It's fun to document the steps. I have no idea how this will end up. I am "creating" as I go and enjoying the process. Each painting is really an experiment. I do not have a specific chronological order of doing things. The design elements are leading me around the painting. Around and around I go. Adding layers of paint. I'm loving the contrasting colors shown here. But, it will change a thousand times before I am done. I based this composition on a drawing that I made in pencil first. (See my previous posts here and here.)

The Art of Amy Crehore

The beginning of a new painting....

I'm using a red undercoat for this new painting. The beginning is always fun. 

The Art of Amy Crehore

(See my previous post for pencil drawing of this image)

What am I working on? Drawings, Paintings

 Amy Crehore Studio Nov 17, 2011

Drawing of Figures on Rocks by Amy Crehore 2011

Here are some quick photos (taken with my ipod touch) of my studio with my large cove  painting on my easel (which I am still working on) and a new drawing that will soon become a painting. You may wonder what happened to my custom-built Tickler Uke #3. It has some really unique features that I'm so excited about it, but I simply can't jump the gun by showing it just yet. The luthier is a perfectionist. Good things come to those who wait! 

The Art of Amy Crehore

Article/interview w/artist Amy Crehore, INKED magazine (Feb 2009)

 CLICK image to ENLARGE (to read)

In case anyone missed it when it came out, INKED magazine did this wonderful feature on my art with an interview for their Feb 2009 issue. It's nice to look back on good things.

The Art of Amy Crehore

Neo Rauch at David Zwirner

 Die Warte, oil on canvas by Neo Rauch 2011

Fundgrube, oil on canvas by Neo Rauch 2011 

The artist Neo Rauch is currently showing at David Zwirner in NYC (533 West 19th St.) Nov. 4th thru Dec. 17th, 2011. The show is called "Heilstatten". 

LINK to more images. 

Shown above are two paintings that demonstrate his amazing ability to meld narrative, surreal images into utterly fascinating, nostalgic works with a command of colors and highly unusual compositions. My eyes immediately travel to the the familiar-looking bright yellow forsythia bushes in Fundgrube (like those in my own backyard) and the green tornado of a figure in Die Warte (my favorite color is green, especially that green). But, there are plenty of things going on in his canvases to keep you transfixed and unsettled for hours, trying to figure out what the hell is going on. Neo Rauch's skewed perspectives are wonderful things.

UPDATE: Here's an interview w/ Neo Rauch that I just found in the Art Newspaper, if you are curious.

The Art of Amy Crehore