I love this project by illustrator Jed Henry to take contemporary, iconic video game figures and render them in the traditional Ukiyo-e style of woodblock prints. They are beautiful — combining the exquisite technique of Japanese printmaking and modern fantasy images. The worlds are not so far apart according to Henry — who notes the […]
Ukiyo-e Heroes by Jed Henry and Dave Bull Read More »
I am so happy to celebrate St. Brigid’s Feast Day — especially as I have learned that in addition to being an excellent dairy maid (and therefore patron saint of farmers), she was especially fond of beer. We have been learning how to home brew beer (first batch was a successful dark beer with a
The Feast Day of St. Brigid Who Loved Beer Read More »
Canadian Inuit artist Kenojuak Ashevak died last week (January 8, 2013) at the age of 85. She was recognized as one of the notable participants in the West Baffin Eskimo Co-operative studio, also known as the Kinngait studio. She contributed original art for a new print every year from 1959 up to 2012 for the
Remembering Kenojuak Ashevak: Inuit Artist Read More »
Alicia Baladan is an Italian illustrator whose work has given me yet another reason for massively improving my Italian. I love this work — with its beautiful palette of colors and evocative imagery. Her latest children’s book “Una Storia Guaraní” is about the Guaraní Indians of Uruguay and their sacred and incredibly useful relationship to
Alicia Baladan: “Una Storia Guaraní” Read More »
Here is a wonderful animated film of Emily Dickinson's poem "I Started Early — Took My Dog," to celebrate the poet's birthday, December 10, 1830. The film was created for the Poetry Everywhere series from PBS and the Poetry Foundation. The lovely animation was done by Maureen Selwood and the poem was read by actress Blair
“I Started Early — Took My Dog:” Happy Birthday (A Day Late) to Emily Dickinson Read More »
I found these beauties sorting through yet another still-packed box in the garage. I was given these Mexican paper dolls when I was quite young and have fond memories of spending hours studying their regional costumes. One folded the arms behind the back, creating a cone shaped figure and then slid the ends of the
Trajes Tipicos Mexicanos: Vintage Mexican Paper Dolls Read More »
It is easy enough to get lost in Ann Siems paintings, a world of verdant gardens, ghostly lace, and beautiful folkloric portraits. Siems paintings employ different elements of 18th and 19th century art. Her subjects are stylized childhood figures, with pink-cheeked and smiling faces, that stare wide-eyed at the viewer. By contrast, the figures inhabit
Anne Siems: A World Of Wonder Read More »
*Please note that posters in the comments provide links to pages that no longer exist — sadly! Yale at one point removed the archive of images from public view. I am sitting at my desk transported by the digital images of the Voynich Manuscript, created sometime between the late 15th century and early 16th
The Voynich Manuscript: Magic, A Garden of Women, and a Secret Language Read More »
Marly Youmans' Thaliad offers a healing balm to the swath of nihilistic post-apocalyptic fiction for young adults. Told in free verse reminiscent of heroic epics (Homer meets Gerald Manley Hopkins), Thaliad recounts the aftermath of a fiery apocalypse and the perlious journey of a band of children led by a girl whose prophetic visions
Marly Youmans and Clive Hicks-Jenkins Collaboration: Thaliad Read More »
“To the wise, life is a problem; to the fool, a solution.” Marcus Aurelias. I love this image of the dancing fool by Hans Sebald Beham (1549) and I am working to find a way to get him into Zizola’s novel. His body is so expressive — ears back, head turned toward the sky, the
