“The strangest of all the phantasms described is, perhaps, the Youaltepoztli, literally, “the night hatchet or axe.” It manifested itself by causing loud intermittent sounds resembling those produced by the blows of an axe in splitting wood. These ominous sounds were audible at dead of night in the mountains, and inspired terror, for they were […]
Youaltepoztli: The Night Hatchet Read More »
I am swooning over these gorgeous illustrations from the Czech children's book The Forest Story," written in 1929 by Josef Kozisek and handsomely illustrated by Rudolf Mates. I would so have loved as a child to receive such a gem of of a book. (Via Will Schoenfeld's amazing 50 Watts, a website dedicated to sharing
A Forest Story And The Lush Illustrations of Rudolf Mates Read More »
Here's my favorite band t-shirt from Los Zebras, a Milwaukee Norteño duo. You can buy it at CafePress. It comes in a variety of colors (though note that American Apparel can run on the small side) and is available along with other cool items, like the tote bag, which is also awesome. You can hear
Two of my favorite films this week that make me wish I could write like these artists paint: Above: French street-artist team of Supakitch & Koralie have filmed in time-lapse the entire process in the creation of one of their maginificent murals. (DO adjust the screen to full size just so you can see
Friday Films: Feed Your Art Appetite Read More »
As it turns out, Hans Christian Andersen produced really wonderful, whimsical, and beautiful papercuts when he told stories. He also produced lovely Christmas ornaments out of colored paper. I always think of his melancholy fairy tales — and was surprised by the humor and quirkiness of these delicate pieces. Happily, you can see a lot
Hans Christian Andersen’s Whimisical Paper Cuts Read More »
I rejoice at finding wonderful items on the internet, but I am also pleased in being found. I recently received a terrific email from a middle school English teacher whose sixth grade class was tackling poetry with some difficulty at the start. This is what she wrote to me: After teaching all kinds of dry
A Return to How They Drank In The 40s Read More »
For Catholics, the month of May is associated with special devotions to the Virgin Mary and I have been waiting to share these beautiful Marian emblems I found a while back, painted in 1654 by Kaspar Meglinger. Melinger is perhaps more noted for his paintings of The Dance of Death, but these emblems — all
The Marian Month of May: Emblems of the Immaculate Conception of Mary Read More »
I received my reversion of rights letter on Saturday for my young adult novel Hannah's Garden and am now very excited. I have sent to this place, to have the novel returned into a file that I use to upload to an e-reader. I am also working with a couple of local artists to get
Hannah Comes Home and I Encounter Svetla Dorosheva Read More »
Here is the small mural in the old kitchen — over the stove no less! I love the charming look of the either Franciscan or Dominican style monk — pan and spoon in hand. Pierre was himself quite a good cook, sharing in the cooking duties when he was with Rosalie Murphy of Santa Fe's
Pierre Menager’s Murals Painted in 1937 Joesler House: The Kitchen Read More »
love calligraphy that serves to do more than to write words — but rather, playfully suggests visual puns and curious designs. Letters can be either re-constructed to resemble an object (and a sentiment suggested by the object) as in the lovely piece of Arabic calligraphy below creating a coffee pot out of the Arabic phrase,
