Artwork of the Week: Illustration by Luke Best

illustration by Luke Best

published in Geo Wissen, 2012

After multiple reschedulings, we finally had our yard sale this past Saturday and it was a minor success! We made 118 bucks which was way more than we expected. Besides the rush that came over me each time I made a $3 sale, I mostly just felt relief to finally exorcise the house of all our junky demons. Most surprising transaction? One chipped Martha Stewart for Kmart bowl circa 2001 for 10 cents. After the guy failed to produce anything smaller than a $20 bill, he seemed genuinely psyched when I told him he could have it for free. I hope he and his roughly used bowl are happy. Wherever they are.

You can see more work from London-living Luke Best on his website: www.lukebest.com 

and his blog: lukebest.blogspot.kr

- Cathleen 

Artwork of the Week: Illustration from Earth Songs

Illustration from Earth Songs, 1973

One of the nicest parts of my days at the beach are when we adjourn to the deck after dinner with the end of a bottle of wine and talk about what we're going to have for dinner the next night. It combines three of my favorite activities: sitting under the stars in the cool breeze, making plans, and thinking about food. Tomorrow's menu includes crab cakes and comeback sauce. It's so nice to look forward to things. 

This is an illustration from a book called Earth Songs that was published in 1973. I think. I couldn't find much about it or the person who drew it. But it's rather nice to look at, don't you think?


- Cathleen 


[Image via Cori Kindred on Flickr]

Artwork of the Week: Illustration by Rhona Garvin

Illustration by Rhona Garvin

Still beaching. I finished AOGG. A pile of tears were shed. (SO GOOD, you guys.)

Nothing much else to report. 

The drawing above was a sketch for what turned into this screenprint. I think I prefer the earlier version, though. I have always appreciated great economy of line. You can see more work from UK illustrator Rhona Garvin on her website (www.rhonagarvin.com) as well as a peek into her process on her blog (rhonagarvin.blogspot.co.uk).

- Cathleen 

Artwork of the Week: Illustration by Sabrina Arnault

Illustration by Sabrina Arnault

We are at the beach! Emerald Isle, NC to be precise. We arrived Saturday afternoon and so far my main concerns are adequate sunscreen coverage and nap schedule adherence. Sunday morning was spent trying to coax Graham away from the comforts of sandy Cheerios under the beach umbrella and into the water. Progress was made --- after 2 hours and several attempts, he allowed me to carry him in up to my waist, and even laughed when we were blind-sided by a wave on the way back to the shore. But it was all at great cost; I probably brought home a pound of sand in my bathing suit. Speaking of, I picked up a couple of solid one pieces at Target before I left. Pleasantly surprised by the selection; both fairly attractive with decent butt coverage. I recommend a look-see if you're in the market for something along those lines. 

The illustration above doesn't have a title that I could find, but it does have some serious sass. Also Sabrina Arnault's website doesn't appear to be up and running (what gives?), so you'll have to just Google her for more images.

- Cathleen 

Artwork of the Week: Loft

Loft by Francesca Buchko

10 x 14" archival giclee print

$30 via TheVintagePostbox on Etsy

Weather reports are calling for rain all week. ALL SEVEN DAYS. I wish I could face a week of being cooped up inside with a 16-month-old with 16 bite-y teeth this peacefully. 

You can see more of Francesca's work on her website, francescabuchko.com, and purchase some of her prints in her Etsy shop, The Vintage Postbox. 

- Cathleen

Artwork of the Week: Woods

Woods by Rosie Gainsborough

My mom is coming to visit in a few weeks and I've already started a massive list of things we will do when she gets here. The highlights include going to the Raleigh Flea Market, eating at the new BBQ restaurant downtown, and identifying all of the trees and new plants that have popped up in our yard since we moved in. It's been kind of a nice surprise seeing what the former tenants sowed while they were living here. But I'm having trouble discerning what was planted purposefully from what are just weeds. Micky wants to chop it all down, lay grass seed, and start fresh, which I am inclined to do considering how much easier it is to simply mow a lawn and be done with it. But the little flowers and smelly grasses (herbs?) are so nice!

If you'd like to see more work from artist Rosie Gainsborough, head on over to her blog: rosiegainsborough.tumblr.com

You can also download the above image as wallpaper for various electronic devices on poolga.com.


- Cathleen

Artwork of the Week: Telmo

An illustration by Patricia Metola from Telmo

I thought I'd post this sweet illustration in honor of Mother's Day yesterday. I had a great time with my two guys; a deliciously greasy breakfast at The Waffle House following by a walk around the neighborhood with surprise gifts from Ash that "fell" out of the stroller canopy when the sun was getting too bright. I also did some solo shopping for new patio chair cushions. That part was sort of thrilling, not having to buckle a kid in and out of the car over and over again. All in all, it was a really wonderful day. 

You can see more drawings from Telmo, a children's book by Carlo Frabetti and Patricia Metola, here.  

And more examples of the illustrator's work on her blog: 

patriciametola.blogspot.com

- Cathleen 

Artwork of the Week: My Library

My Library by Carine Brancowitz

Nothing makes you step back and assess your lot in life quite like a move. (Or an episode of Hoarders.) And by "lot" I mean "possessions" --- as in, we've got quite a lot of them. And by "them" I mean specifically "books" --- as in, why do we keep books at all? After you've read them, even if you absolutely loved the narrative, are you ever really going to read through it a second time? I know some people do, but I am not one of them. And yet! I'm saving (and moving) all of these books. For what? To pass onto my future literate children who will probably only skim stories on screens by then?

These are the thoughts that roll over me when I sit here walled in by heavy cartons. With, if I'm being honest here, no deep intention of changing my pack ratting ways. But I'm thinking about thinking about it. 

This drawing by French illustrator Carine Brancowitz made me think about it some more. She does very detailed and finely patterned work in ballpoint pen mostly. You can see more of her art on her website: www.carinebrancowitz.com

- Cathleen 

[Image via bibliolectors.tumblr.com]

Art from Anek

Blueberry

8.3 x 11.7" giclee reproduction print of original illustration 

$30 via anek on Etsy

It is now one week until we move into OUR NEW HOME and I am so excited I can barely stand it. We're in the thick of it, organizing and packing all of our belongings into brown cardboard boxes. I can't stop my mind from wandering into our future backyard, plotting where we'll plant the blueberry bushes we were already gifted (thanks, mom!). But mostly I am thrilled by the prospect of never having to move AGAIN. I know, I know --- nothing is forever. Who knows what might happen years down the line! But after relocating a fuzzily estimated 15 times in my life, I am SO ready to plant some permanent roots and put as many holes in my walls as I want, security deposits be damned!

Speaking of blueberries and hammering holes in the name of art, I love almost every single print in Anek's Etsy shop, but especially Ana Zaja Petrak's food illustrations. Any of these would make a great Mother's Day (or housewarming) gift if you are in the market.

Spaghetti

11 x 15" giclee reproduction print of original illustration

$45 via anek on Etsy

Radicchio

11 x 15" giclee reproduction print of original illustration

$45 via anek on Etsy

Botanical Chart Herbs Poster

20 x 27" giclee reproduction print of original illustration

$85 via anek on Etsy

Plums

11 x 15" giclee reproduction print of original illustration

$45 via anek on Etsy 

- Cathleen

Artwork of the Week: Girl at Van Leeuwen

Girl at Van Leeuwen by Rachel Levit

I really like portraits of people that don't include faces. I love when an artist can draw you in using every other detail of the subject, giving you an almost fuller description of the person, without relying on their most prominent feature.

You can see more examples of the artist's work, including some really lovely small ceramics, on her website: 

rachellevit.com

- Cathleen

[via doodlersanonymous.com]

Artwork of the Week: How Far is Far?

An illustration from How Far is Far? written by Alvin Tresselt

illustrated by Ward Brackett, 1964

There are some other beautiful illustrations in How Far is Far?, but this simple tear through the drawing is my favorite. 

- Cathleen 

[Source: myvintagebookcollection] 

Thanks

Arrows by Julia Kostreva

digital illustration of vintage arrows 

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

We'll be taking off the next few days to give thanks for all that we are grateful for, including YOU fine readers. 

It means more than we can ever express that you come here to see what we share everyday. We hope you have a wonderful holiday filled with much love and inspiration!

- Cathleen 

Artwork of the Week: Carnforth Railway Station

Carnforth Railway Station, N Lancashire by Andy Hornby

Falling back. The days are shorter, the shadows longer, and the air is so much cooler now. Daylight saving time ended at 2am on Sunday and even though our high-tech phones automatically adjusted themselves, all day we kept forgetting when we caught sight of the delayed dashboard and oven timers thinking we were late for things. That hot panic creeps up the back of your neck only to be quickly relieved at the realization that, "No! We've got time! LOADS of it! An entire HOUR to do with whatever we please!" It feels like a nice little bonus until you hear that familiar cry ring out just before the crack of day. No one told Graham he had an extra hour to sleep in this morning. Hmm. 

- Cathleen

Artwork of the Week: Sliced

Sliced by Quentin Vijoux

I thought since today was All Hallows' Eve eve I should post something somewhat gruesome to mark the occasion. So here you have it. 

You can see more of the illustrator's very cool work on his website: www.quentinvijoux.com

- Cathleen 

Artwork of the Week: Visit My Web Site

Visit My Web Site by Charley Harper, 2003

When we left Brooklyn, we finally said goodbye to the little cockroaches that darted across the countertops every time we flipped the kitchen lights on. The new house in Durham has it's own breed of home invaders, however. Spiders sit poised in every corner of this place. I wouldn't say that I'm afraid of bugs, in fact, most of the time I just look the other way. As long as they're not bothering me, I won't bother them. But now that there's a baby crawling around putting all of the things straight into his mouth, I'm trying to keep a tidier house. So I started dust-busting the spiders up, thinking it would be the most effective means to their end and involve the least hand-to-hand combat. Big mistake. When Micky decided it was time to empty out the Dirt Devil last week, they all came crawling out ALIVE AND WELL. I didn't see, but I imagined it probably looked like a giant spider king made of a bunch of smaller angry spiders and I was so grateful he was there to wrestle each one of their spindly legs into the garbage.

Despite my aversion to webs and the cobs that spin them, this is my favorite work by illustrator Charley Harper. The bee stuck in the bottom left of the spider's silk is the very same that I considered getting as a tattoo. 

A lithograph of his original painting is available for $75 on charleyharperartstudio.com.

- Cathleen 

Artwork of the Week: Up All Night

Up All Night by Jean-Jacques Sempe

We were up with a cold last night and the night before. It's Graham's first. The poor little guy is all mucus and mouth breathe-y. It's so sad to hear him snorting like a Gremlin in the humidified darkness of his room. Hopefully all of the saline dropping and snot sucking and nose wiping that he wails against will be over soon.

- Cathleen  

[Found on thisisnthappiness.com]

Artwork of the Week: Untitled

Untitled illustration by Jordan Crane

Thought this was a rather fitting illustration of my current state: still wrapped up in "home making." We (mostly Micky) transformed our dark beige bedroom into something crisp, clean and white this weekend, and I just bought a couple of bookshelves for my studio/guest room that I can't wait to fill with art supplies. It's been three weeks since we landed and we're nearly finished unpacking. Nearly! I also baked these cookies for our Breaking Bad screening on Sunday night. I'd never browned butter before, so I have to crow that they turned out pretty amazing, even though they were rather labor intensive. That's what's been going on here! 

You can see more of Jordan Crane's work on whatthingsdo.com

- Cathleen 

Artwork of the Week: In the Middle of the Night

Illustration by Adrienne Adams

from In the Middle of the Night by Aileen Fisher

It's official: we are moving to Durham, NC THIS Friday! So while my guys and I are busy packing up and heading down south this week, I thought I'd post some art that really resonates with one of the reasons why we chose to move out of the great big (New York) city: a yard! 

I cannot wait to finally have a yard of our very own. Where we can plant rosemary and tomatoes and blueberries. Where we can go hunting for fireflies at dusk. Where we can tromp barefoot through the grass without any fears of stepping on broken bottles or possibly human turds. 

It's going to be awesome! 

- Cathleen 

Artwork of the Week: Bird

Bird illustration by Charlotte Peys

from Observations by Elvis Peeters

Did you ever sing songs into the breeze during recess, hoping that the birds and squirrels within earshot would flock over and perch on your outstretched hand like in Snow White? No? Me either. 

- Cathleen 

Artwork of the Week: Onion

Onion print by Ryo Takemasa

8.3" x 11.7", $30.41 via Etsy

I've been really attracted to food illustrations lately (ok, always), and this onion print by Japanese illustrator Ryo Takemasa recently caught my eye. I especially love the mottled, papery texture of the onion skins, lightening in color as each layer is peeled back. His tuna slice is also rather pretty. It sort of reminds me of Eric Carle's work. You can see more of Takemasa's work in his Etsy shop or on his personal website ryotakemasa.com.

- Cathleen