Little Pierrots in the Old Days

Chicks57 has a collection of over 1,200 vintage little girl postcards on flickr. In this amazing collection I found some "little pierrots". I know that I have probably blogged about these postcards before, but they are fascinating and extremely beautiful. So have another look during the holidays:

LINK

The Art of Amy Crehore

Torture Garden Cover, 1955

octave mirbeau, torture garden, 1955
Originally uploaded by A Journey Round My Skull

from a Journey Round My Skull
Cover of a Book by Octave Mirbeau

Ernst Haeckel's Kunstformen der Natur (1904)

Plates from Ernst Haeckel's Kunstformen der Natur (Artforms of nature) (1904)

See more beautiful plates at:

Wikimedia commons

Thanks, lolaleeloo2 's flickr

A Little Pierrot by VARGAS

VARGAS
Originally uploaded by mica12244art

Look what I found! Vargas painted a little
pierrot and a naked girl, too! Small world.
Thanks, mica12244art on flickr.
How funny.

Little Orphan Otto

Did you know that "Little Orphan Annie" was titled "Little Orphan Otto" in the beginning? The strip started in 1924 as a "crudely drawn melodrama" by Harold Gray. Annie and her dog both have those trademark eyes... which lack pupils. link

Thanks, mardecortesbaja

The Art of Amy Crehore

Cabaret Performers

Cabaret Performers
Originally uploaded by stevechasmar

I could not resist the helmet-hats.
Thanks, Steve.

Sadie Magazine Interview and Cover

The new issue of Sadie Magazine is here and my "French Bubble Gum Encore" is on the cover. Featuring interviews with Sherman Alexie, Amy Crehore (me), Swoon, Mya Stark, and more!

SADIE MAGAZINE

The Art of Amy Crehore

I Like Bubbles

This is perfect! Girl Blowing a Bubble from YouTUBE

Hoops, I Like Hoops

Originally uploaded by ggaabboo

This photo by Mai Mano (1910) is gorgeous.
Follow links for more.

Extended Holiday SALE: Crehore Limited Edition Prints and Uke T-shirts

"Roaming Tomcat Rag" by Amy Crehore (Blues Gal Series)

Due to popular demand, I have decided to extend the sale on my website of limited edition, signed prints and Tickler Ukulele Artist T-shirts until Jan. 1, 2009. Blues Gal, Monkey Love, and Little Pierrot prints are still on sale! Free postcards come with everything and there is free shipping on the prints, plus I will include a small, signed drawing (limited one per customer).

Sadie online magazine has a brand new interview with me. Also, Inked magazine will have a feature/interview with me in their Feb. issue about my solo show, "Dreamgirls and Ukes", to be held at Thinkspace Gallery in Los Angleles, CA (opens Feb 13, 2009). Here's a Sneak peek. The Hokum Scorchers Band will play at the opening (follow the link to hear some tunes). Please order things in the next few days if you want them to be there for Xmas....otherwise, I can't guarantee it.

The Art of Amy Crehore

These items were featured on boingboing , the directory of wonderful things

the curvy tree

the curvy tree
Originally uploaded by signs and wonders

In Case You Missed...

Detail from New Painting by Amy Crehore

If anyone didn't get to go to Art Basel Miami this year, Arrested Motion blog has many photos of the event including the two shows that I had paintings in: Thinkspace and Mark Murphy Design (at Gen Art Vanguard).

Also, the painting shown above will be in my solo show that opens on Feb 13, 2009 at Thinkspace in Los Angeles. I am just giving you a sneak peek of it here (this is my Juxtapoz ad). For recent "in progress" studio photos of my upcoming show, a statement about what will be in the show, a bio, etc. please visit Thinkspace (Sour Harvest) blog here. Hand-painted vintage ukes will be featured in this show along with many brand new oil paintings. I will also be playing music at the opening : (link).

Thanks to Art NYC, boingboing, ukehunt and ukulelia and a few others for blogging about it.

The Art of Amy Crehore

NEWS: Rediscovered Masterpiece,"View" by Morris Hirshfield, to be Shown in NYC

"View" painting © Estate of Morris Hirshfield (Robert Dennis Rentzer, Executor). This painting will be shown in NYC at Galerie St. Etienne.

Morris Hirshfield, the great self-taught painter, was born in 1872 in a small town of 1000 inhabitants in "Russia-Poland" near the German border. He came to America at age 18 and worked as a tailor and a manufacturer of ladies slippers. In 1941, only four years after taking up painting at age 65, Hirshfield had a major retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art. He completed 76 oil paintings before he died in 1946.

In 1945, Hirshfield was commissioned to paint a cover for a popular arts and literature magazine called "View" (shown above). The artist gave the original oil of "View" to his grandson Dennis to make up for an earlier painting called "Dog and Pups".

The five year old had asked him to paint a picture of "Sultan"(the family dog), but was upset and disappointed by the result. "Dog and Pups" had three dogs in it and the dogs looked nothing like his dog or any other dog he had ever seen. The paisley coats painted on the dogs were a stylistic flourish of Hirshfield's, influenced by his former career as a tailor. The “View", by contrast, featured one of the painter's trademark nudes and his grandson really liked this gift, but Hirshfield explained to Dennis that, although the "View" painting was now his, he had to put it away for him until he was older because it was a "naked lady".

Morris Hirshfield and his grandson Dennis - Photo courtesy of the Rentzer family
"Sultan", the family dog- Photo courtesy of the Rentzer family

"Dog and Pups" painting © Estate of Morris HIrshfield (Robert Dennis Rentzer, Executor)

At age 16, Dennis foolishly sold “Dog and Pups” for a car, a decision he lived to regret. He spent the next forty years tracking down the painting, and finally succeeded in getting the owner to sell it back to him. Having reclaimed his grandfather’s original gift (inscribed to him), Dennis is now able to part with “View,” which was discovered in Hirshfield’s basement many years after the artist’s death.

From January 7 through March 14, 2009, “View” will be featured in the exhibition “THEY TAUGHT THEMSELVES: American Self-Taught Painters Between the World Wars” at the Galerie St. Etienne in NYC. For pricing or other information, please contact gallery@gseart.com. The Galerie St. Etienne is located at 24 West 57th Street in New York City; Tel. 212-245-6734

Galerie St. Etienne

Morris Hirshfield's works hang in famous museums all over the world including the Galerie Maeght (Paris, France), the Guggenheim, The American Folk Art Museum, The Museum of Modern Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

I want to thank Dennis, Morris Hirshfield's grandson, for contributing facts and photos to this article. Dennis, who is actually Robert Dennis Rentzer, is now an attorney practicing in California: www.lawcal.com

The Art of Amy Crehore

Too Many Parties

too
Originally uploaded by Trubluelou

There is a strange contrast here.
Notice the two ukulele playing gals with overalls
and then take a look at the illustration
closely. Funny! Thanks, Trubluelou.

Cat Playing a Banjo - Cabinet Card

Cat Playing a Banjo - Cabinet Card * New Scan
Originally uploaded by photo_history

News: Murakami Dressed in Ball of Flowers!

Murakami painting

Artist Murakami was captured dressed in a ball of flowers costume (just like his paintings!) by Supertouch blog at Art Basel Miami this year. Follow the link to view him from the front.

He gets the Little Hokum Rag seal of approval. I saw some of his art in NYC last summer.

Wish I could go to FLA just to see that. Alas, I am working too hard on my upcoming show to go anywhere. But, I will have some paintings in the Gen Art Vanguard part of the fair in Miami from Dec 4- Dec 7, 2008 for anyone who happens to go (represented by both Thinkspace and Mark Murphy).

The Art of Amy Crehore

You Never Can Tell...

Mica12244art on flickr

Don't Miss "Gen Art Vanguard" -Dec 4-7, 2008 Miami, FLA

"The Song of the Firefly" by Amy Crehore 2008 SOLD (Murphy Design)
"The Caged Wonder" by Amy Crehore 2008 (Thinkspace Gallery)

CLICK to ENLARGE

"French Bubble Gum Encore" by Amy Crehore 2008(Thinkspace Gallery)

CLICK to ENLARGE

If you are in Miami for Art Basel this week, I will be represented in Gen Art's Vanguard Fair by both Thinkspace Gallery and Mark Murphy. These are the paintings that you will be able to see and purchase of mine. (Full list of artists here and here .)

The Art of Amy Crehore

Gen Art is proud to announce the launch of the Gen Art Vanguard New Contemporary Art Fair presented by FAGE® TOTAL and directed by Francesco LoCastro happening alongside this year's Art Basel Fair in Miami. The four-day art fair taking place from December 4-7 brings together the top galleries, artists, and individuals who are defining the New Contemporary art movements from Pop Surrealism and New Brow to Urban Contemporary.
Gen Art Vanguard

Whistler's Jug Band 1930

This is great. I have the Yazoo video tape at home, "Times Ain't Like They Used to Be" with this clip from 1930 and the one I blogged earlier from 1928....and many more. You can obtain one here: Yazoo.

Hokum Music on YouTube

Eddie Thomas and Carl Scott play "My Ohio Home", 1928, uke and washboard, recorded in Richmond, VA.

"What's the Matter" Memphis Jugband Song performed by the Hokum Scorchers

Image of the Memphis Jug Band from R. Crumb's "Heroes of the Blues" trading cards. LINK

This Hokum Scorchers' song is a version of "What's the Matter"originally done by the Memphis Jug Band in 1929. Lou Reimuller is playing the National guitar, kazoo and vocals and I am on the washboard, kazoo and vocals. We recorded this in 1990 for our first Hokum Scorcher's album. Hokum Scorchers are now on myspace, so follow this link to hear the song,

plus 5 more:

Hokum Scorchers
The Art (and music) of Amy Crehore

Giving Thanks for all the Good Things

This charming little postcard is from Riptheskull Thanksgiving postcard set on flickr. It's an amazing collection! Thanks so much for collecting them and posting them on flickr, Riptheskull. I also want to thank Thinkspace Gallery. They blogged my studio photos this morning along with a new article about my upcoming show, "Dreamgirls and Ukes"(Feb 2009). Just follow the link to read about it. Boingboing picked up the story, too. I'm grateful for that as well. And....I'd like to wish all of the readers of this blog a very Happy Thanksgiving! Luv ya, me.
The Art of Amy Crehore

Photos of Os Gemeos Street Art

Brasilian artists OS GEMEOS and NINA visited Cuba a few years back and left their marks. JASON NOLAN documented the murals for Supertouch blog. Follow this link for a series of some of the most beautiful photos you've ever seen. I was able to see an exhibit of Os Gemeos artworks over the summer in NYC at Deitch and it was simply amazing -

CUBA ROADTRIPPING

The Art of Amy Crehore

Crehore Studio Photos

Detail of a new painting by Amy Crehore 2008

I just put a set of studio shots on flickr of my work in progress.

This is for my "Dreamgirls and Ukes" show coming up Feb 13, 2009 at Thinkspace Gallery.

My FLICKR

The Art of Amy Crehore

Olive Ann Alcorn, 1925

Olive Ann Alcorn, 1925
Originally uploaded by Gatochy

Speaking of Cats in Art

"Maiko Tiger"painting copyright Moira Hahn
"Bat Luck" painting copyright Moira Hahn

Aren't these beautiful? Moira Hahn is currently showing her watercolors at Roq la Rue in Seattle until Dec. 6 (shown above are two from that show) and she is also in the upcoming "KNOW" exhibit curated by Mark Murphy (Art Basel Miami). If that isn't enough, she is having a solo show at Koplin Del Rio in Culver City, CA opening January 10th, 2009. I am hoping to swing by and check it out when I go down there in February. Can't wait. "Moira Hahn celebrates the mythology of Persian miniatures, Tibetan Thanka paintings, Japanese Ukiyo-e prints, Indian animal drawings and Chinese guardian figures" ...with a twist.

Moira Hahn

Eva Natus-Salamoun, Czech Ilustrator

This is a sweet little romantic drawing by Eva Natus-Salamoun, born in 1936. This one is from the blog, Lezinfo . And, there is even more of her whimsical, fairy-tale folk art on:

A Journey Round My Skull

(Thanks, Will)

The Art of Amy Crehore

Sneak peek

It looks like I may not have time to finish painting Tickler Uke Number 2 anytime soon. I've been working too hard on things for my Feb. show in L.A.

Here's a sneak peek at the Jux ad for my show . (Click to enlarge)

More details coming!

The Art of Amy Crehore

What am I listening to?

link

One of my favorite albums from Yazoo with the Robert Armstrong cover. It's perfect to paint by. No singing, just pure guitar music. Listen to a few more tracks and buy the album here:

Yazoo

His name was Salvatore Massaro a.k.a. Eddie Lang (1902-1933). He died tragically at a young age during a botched tonsillectomy. He was a jazz guitar virtuoso. Read more about Eddie.

The Art of Amy Crehore

Ukulele Headstock Designs

I like looking at ukulele headstocks.They come in all shapes and sizes. Beautiful. Here's a handful of old drawings of different headstock designs on a great uke website: Nalu-Music Link

Art Basel Miami with Thinkspace!

(Click to enlarge)

I am fortunate to be included in an exhibit called "Looking Glass" with Thinkspace Gallery in the Gen Art Vanguard New Contemporary Art Fair this December during Art Basel in Miami, FL.

I will be showing two of my new paintings with beautiful frames:

"The Caged Wonder" and "French Bubble Gum Encore".
The ‘Looking Glass’ exhibit will offer a sampling of new works from artists that are showing with their gallery in Los Angeles during 2009 and 2010 and beyond.
Gen Art Vanguard New Contemporary Art Fair

Charcoal Studios in the Wynwood Arts District 2135 NW 1st Avenue, Miami, FL 33127

Runs 12-04-08 through 12-07-08
Allison Sommers http://www.flickr.com/photos/on_a_boutade
Amy Crehore http://www.amycrehore.com/
Andrew Hem http://www.andrewhem.com/
Andy Kehoe http://www.andykehoe.net/
Anthony Pontius http://anthonypontius.vox.com/
ARMSROCK http://www.armsrock.blogspot.com/
Audrey Kawasaki http://www.audrey-kawasaki.com/
Bo130 http://www.bo130.org/
Brandi Milne http://www.brandimilne.com/
Brian M. Viveros http://www.brianmviveros.com/
Camilla d’Errico http://www.camilladerrico.com/
Cherri Wood http://cherriwood.livejournal.com/
Damon Soule http://www.damonsoule.com/
Dan-ah Kim http://www.dkim-art.com/
David MacDowell http://www.macdowellstudio.com/
ELBOW-TOE http://street-fodder.blogspot.com/
Ekundayo http://www.ekundayo.com/
Esao Andrews http://www.esao.net/
Fafi http://www.fafi.net/
Imminent Disaster http://www.flickr.com/photos/disasterstrikes/
Joao Ruas http://souvlaki.jp-ar.org/
Kelly Vivanco http://www.kellyvivanco.com/
KMNDZ (aka Johnny Rodriguez) http://www.kmndz.com/
KuKula http://www.kukulaland.com/
Matthew Feyld http://matthewfeyld.blogspot.com/
Michael Alvarez http://www.michaelalvarezart.com/
Microbo http://www.microbo.com/
Mr. Jago http://www.mrjago.com/
Paul Barnes http://www.paul-barnes.com/
Peter Taylor http://www.handmadefeat.com/
Reuben Rude http://www.reubenrude.com/
Robert Pokorny http://www.ripgallery.com/Site/Home.html
Sarah Joncas http://www.teapartylove.digitalinkz.com/
Seth Armstrong http://www.setharmstrong.com/
Stella Im Hultberg http://www.stellaimhultberg.com/
Stephen Smith (aka Neasden Control Centre) http://www.neasdencontrolcentre.com/ncc.html
Timothy Karpinski http://timothykarpinski.com/
Tony Philippou http://www.tonyphilippou.com/
Yosuke Ueno http://www.spaceegg77.com/

Check out their current Drawing Show curated by Audrey Kawasaki (they had lines around the block at the opening for this one):

THINKSPACE

My New Painting for Murphy's 2nd "KNOW" Exhibit in Miami

The frame is actually more bronzy-gold antiqued color, but this sort of gives an indication.

Here is my oil on linen, "The Song of the Firefly", featuring a girl and her uke, 6" square with a 10"x10" ornate gold frame. Copyright Amy Crehore 2008. Contact Mark Murphy if interested.

This is for Mark Murphy's KNOW exhibit. He will be at Art Basel Miami again this year and he invited me to participate. He has gathered together many artists for his KNOW exhibit to be held at Gen Art Vanguard New Contemporary Art Fair - Charcoal Studios in the Wynwood Arts District 2135 NW 1st Avenue, Miami, FL 33127

12-04-08 through 12-07-08

Follow this link to see some more of the art and for contact info:

Curated by Mark Murphy

Featuring:Jennybird Alcantara : David van Alphen : Ana Bagayan : Robert Bellm : Jonathan Bergeron : Mike Bertino : Cathie Bleck : Jonathan Boam : Darren Booth : Brandon Boyd : Katherine Brannock : Calef Brown : Ryan Bubnis : Marc Burckhardt : Christopher Buzelli : Ray Caesar : Luke Chueh : Dave Chung : Robert Connett : Molly Crabapple : Amy Crehore : Brian Despain : Xiaoqing Ding : Leslie Ditto : Doodles : Ekundayo : P-Jay Fidler : AJ Fosik : Andrew Foster : Ken Garduno : Ill Gill : Matt Haber : Moira Hahn : Robert Hardgrave : Ryan Heshka : Vincent Hui : Jordin Isip : Jason Jacenko : Levon Jihanian : Ron Job : Dan Kennedy : Kinoko : KMNDZ : Zane Kozak : Kukula : Travis Lampe : Daniel Hyun Lim : Tommii Lim : Jen Lobo : Lola : Dan May : Brandi Milne : Mark Murphy : Joel Nakamura : Andrew Neyer : Clinton Neuhaus : Kathie Olivas : Brandt Peters : Jenn Porreca : Luke Ramsey : relAx one : RG : Mark Ryden : Chris Ryniak : Erik Sandberg : Mijn Schatje : Jeffery Scott 92501 : Kim Scott : Jeff Soto : Nathan Spoor : Matt Stallings : David Russell Talbott : Yoko Tanaka : Gary Taxali : Peter Taylor : Jon Todd : Joe Vaux : Alexei Vella : Jonathan Viner : Marco Wagner : Cynthia Walton : Nicholas Wilton : Martin Wittfooth : Davey Wong : Johnny Yanok : Marco Zamora : Chet Zar

More of my art here:

The Art of Amy Crehore

Nice Old Drawings

Click to enlarge

" 'General Jackson Slaying the Many Headed Monster'Lithographic cartoon; Andrew Jackson, Van Buren and assisting personage in uniform battling with serpent with numerous caricature heads. Artist unknown, Henry R Robinson (publisher); 1833."

More drawings here:

BibliOdyssey: Military Caricatures

The Art of Amy Crehore

Ladies and Their Fame

acjnakedladies
Originally uploaded by carbonated

Great set on flickr (by carbonated) that goes on and on. (Click link above)
Includes lots of Alfred Cheney Johnston photos.

"View" Arts Magazine

I love this cover painted by Morris Hirshfield in 1945 for"View"arts magazine. Kind of sexy, yes? So modern. That fabulous blog, A Journey Round My Skull , has 13 more by famous artists like Georgia O'Keefe, Andre Masson, Duchamp, Fernand Leger, Man Ray, Calder, etc. Just follow the link. Cool.

The Art of Amy Crehore

Alice in Different Styles

Mabel Lucie Attwell
A.E. Jackson

Gwynedd Hudson

Arthur Rackham

Here are some beautiful interpretations of Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland from early 20th century illustrators.

More links at this site: Alice (by David Neal)

The Art of Amy Crehore