Friday, December 24, 2010

Xmas Lights on Water

See a lot more photos of the Venice (FLA) Christmas Boat Parade. LINK
This looks like fun! Happy Holidays!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Flat Accordion

I'll probably be getting an ipad #2. Meanwhile, look what ipad #1 can do! Thanks, Gary P. of Ukulelia

Vaudeville at the Drug Store





I was transported back in time yesterday. Around the corner at my favorite drug store (Hirons), Whistling Mitch gave a special Christmas performance. He had a vintage Harmony ukulele, green with palm trees, you know the one. Sporting giant ears, hilarious Elvis wig or a crown of colored lights, Mitch played song after song in front of the candy racks, behind the leftover Halloween masks (now perfect costumes for New Year's Eve). I really liked it when he took out a rub vest in the shape of a neck tie and tapped out a tune with his thimbles. I was jealous and almost grabbed it to join in (washboard player that I am), but I got shy at the last minute. Here are the photos. Thanks, Mitch for an old-fashioned 5-and-dime experience.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

El més petit de tots



This figure was created by the sculptor Miquel Paredes i Fonollà (1901-1980) for the Comissariat de Propaganda de la Generalitat de Catalunya in 1937 as a symbol of the revolution and resistance of the Catalan people against fascism. It is of a child soldier who calls the fight against the rebels, with the name "El més petit de tots".
There was also a song (sheet music illustration by Lola Anglada), plus the figure could be used as a hood ornament (as shown in top image).

Friday, December 17, 2010

Monday, December 13, 2010

Illustrations of Little Red Riding Hood

Little Red Riding Hood by Walter Crane
Little Red Riding Hood by Edward Brewtnall

Little Red Riding Hood by Gustave Dore
See more by various artists at SurLaLune.
Such a classic tale. I would love to do one myself! The middle painting (above) is magical. I love all three interpretations shown here.

Wednesday, December 08, 2010

A Children's Book Author in my Family (1924)

Teddy Bear by Louis Glackens
The Sandman by Louis Glackens

"Tell 'Em Again Tales" (shown above) is the only picture book that my grandmother's great aunt, Marguerite Day, wrote. I was reminded of it today when someone on flickr (finsbry) posted an example of the illustrator Louis Glackens' work. I have one fragile copy at home. (I just saw another copy online at Aleph-Bet Books. )
I scanned a couple of loose pages: "The Sandman" and "Teddy Bear". The inscription reads "With Love From Aunt Marguerite Day, Oct. 16th, 1924". It's an oversize book and I don't want to scan anymore of it for fear all of the pages will come out. The writing is in the form of 16 poems and there are nice borders with B & W cartoon characters and some B & W pen & ink (wash) full page illustrations as well as watercolors like those shown above. Here is an example of the writing style:
The Sandman
The sandman comes
From Winky Blink town,
On a lazy white horse
He rides up and down.
He says, "Precious darlings,
With eyes full of sand,
Come ride away, off
Into Dreamland."

Now Winkety-Wink
And Blinkety Blink
Got up on their horse
Too tired to think;
In little pajamas
And eyes full of sand
They rode away, off
Into Dreamland.
Louis M. Glackens (1866- 1933) was an American illustrator, cartoonist and animator. He was the brother of the more famous William Glackens (Ashcan School painter and illustrator). Louis worked for "Puck" and was an early animating pioneer. Maybe I should add something to his wikipedia page which doesn't have much info! I seem to remember my grandmother reading these poems to us when I was little. Especially the one about the sandman!

Tuesday, December 07, 2010

Holiday Sale Extended for Letterpress Print (by Amy Crehore)

Special Holiday Sale on my new 3-color letterpress print, Shygal's Serenade: Only $45. with free shipping anywhere. (Click to Enlarge)
Each print is hand-signed and numbered by me and comes with a certificate of authenticity.
Another view of print showing texture.

"Physogs" (Card Game 1930)


Physogs
Originally uploaded by pilllpat (agence eureka)
Love this. Surreal novelty card game from the 1930s
called Physogs.
Thanks, pillpat (agence eureka).

Monday, December 06, 2010

Artist Links

"Song of the Sea" oil painting by Amy Crehore
This Japanese site has lots of interesting artists links that are fun to browse
(they include my art in their listing of favorite artists) LINK:

Saturday, December 04, 2010

Robin F. Williams Art at P.P.O.W. Gallery

"Tired Prince" by Robin F Williams 2010
P.P.O.W. Gallery (NYC) is featuring artist Robin F. Williams in an exhibition called "SEVEN" during Miami Art Week (made up of 7 galleries). She will also be having a show opening January 20, 2011 at P.P.O.W. LINK
She's a very intriguing and accomplished artist (and still so young). I would love to be able to see this show. This gallery represents so many of my favorite artists like Julie Heffernan (I received a fine catalog of her work in the mail yesterday) and Thomas Woodruff (I have his book, "Freak Parade"). What do they all have in common? Incredible painting chops and imaginations gone wild.

Friday, December 03, 2010

Carole Feuerman Makes Beautiful Bathers



Oil, Resin figures by Carole Feuerman: LINK
Not only are they realistic sculptures of the human figure, but they also appear to be wet. Her work is currently being exhibited in no less than 3 Miami fairs: Scope, INK and Art Asia.
Pretty amazing.
Read more on: wikipedia

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Never-Before-Seen Picasso Artworks Revealed


These examples are from a newly discovered trunk full of 271 early Picassos (1900-1932) that were supposedly given as gifts to an electrician, Pierre Le Guennec, who worked for the artist and his wife. The man brought them to the Picasso estate to be authenticated and now they are suing him. Darn it. Here's the LINK to more photos: Washington Post Blog
I would love to see everything in that trunk! I adore early works by Picasso (before his art got all weird and crazy). Maybe he really did give them away in his old age. Picasso did what he wanted to do. He played tricks on people including his heirs. Did you know that Arianna Huffington wrote a book about Picasso? It's a really good read. LINK

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Les Petits Pierrots

Val, my friend in Barcelona, sent me this image today. She has a knack for finding the most beautiful vintage specimens like this old sheet music for piano with art nouveau design called "Les Petits Pierrots"! Listed are five dances: 1. Arlequin, 2. Coquette, 3. Columbine, 4. Chiriana, 5. Replique . CLICK TO ENLARGE.
Val has a lot of great new finds on her flickr (Valeshel):

(Thanks Val. All my best wishes and blessings to you.)

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Artist Toshio Saeki Goes Wild on Paper



All of the above images are by "The Godfather of Japanese Erotica", Toshio Saeki.
Here's a LINK to many more images from a recent solo show at Minna Gallery in San Francisco.
Last Gasp has books.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Tickler Ukulele #3 Coming....

Here is the top and side assembly of my Tickler # 3 ukulele, a concert model being built by the luthier (Lou Reimuller) from my own design. I can't wait to paint this one. But, alas, I will have to wait because it still has a ways to go. It is coming along nicely and I'm really excited about it. There will be some extra special features on this one.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Father and Son Photographers

Nancy by Emmet Gowin (Danville, VA)
Maggie and Orbs by Elijah Gowin
Globe by Elijah Gowin
The bottom two photos were taken by Elijah Gowin, son of photographer Emmet Gowin (who created the top photo of "Nancy"). These wonderful images were made in rural Virginia. They are part of Elijah's "Hymnal of Dreams" portfolio: LINK
These B & W photos remind me of the years that I spent in Virginia and my college days at VCU. That is when I first heard of his father, Emmet, who became my favorite photographer and inspiration at the time. (Here's a link to some of Emmet's photos at the George Eastman House.) Before I was so interested in painting, I spent my days taking photographs. That was how I learned to compose things- in the view finder of a camera. What a pleasant surprise it is to find these amazingly artistic photos by Emmet's son taken in the Virginia countryside.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Paris Gallery is Aflame with Art by Burns

Art copyright by Charles Burns
Art copyright by Charles Burns
Galerie Martel in Paris has a new show that opened Nov. 17 of comic art by Charles Burns.
Here's the Link to art. He has a print portfolio available, too (revealing a definite homage to Herge). This show runs until Feb 5, 2011. Also, video interview of Charles Burns and reviews of his new book via boingboing: LINK . And follow this link: The Beat for the cover of Burn's "X'ed Out" compared with Herge's "The Shooting Star" (Tintin).

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Alec Baldwin as Mark Twain

I saw this funny sketch by Alec Baldwin the other night. It was
part of the tribute to Tina Fey on PBS.
Here is a link to Tina's acceptance speech for the Mark Twain award.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

More Studio Pictures (Crehore)


Working on two paintings simultaneously for a couple of group shows in NYC in early 2011. In the top photo, you can sort of see the process: transferred drawing and raw sienna undercoat. Going in a new direction with these two.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

My Studio (Crehore)

My easel and a few paintings (minus frames) on wall. (Click to enlarge.)
The act of painting is magic.
More photos of studio in next post.

Tuesday, November 09, 2010

Film of Animated Messerschmidt Heads by Rose and Reynolds

At Neue Galerie New York.
This video art, created by Edward Rose and Nick Reynolds, is part of the installation of the current Franz Xaver Messerschmidt exhibition which is on view through January, 2011. Nice article here. (quintessence blog)
This Bavarian born artist is known for his sculptures of heads depicting different emotions. He died at the age of 47 in 1783.

Saturday, November 06, 2010

"nude"


A new show called "nude" opens tonight.
Shown above: gorgeous cast wax sculptures with multi-colored skin at Gladstone Gallery by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone (Nov 6-Dec 23) 530 W. 21st St., NYC.

Friday, November 05, 2010

Temporary Carpets - It's Art

Brick Carpet -photo by Boudewijn Bollmann www.twistedstreets.nl
Plastic Fork Carpet
Pasta Carpet
Designers Stijn van der Vleuten & Marcia Nolte & visual artist Bob Waardenburg make these temporary carpets without a sketch or plan. They take materials like pasta, plastic forks and bricks (all shown above) and just build them on the spot, layering the materials until a carpet appears.
I have to say, they are quite beautiful! Scroll through their blog to see more.