inspiration monday

Sorry, for the serious lack of posting. Blogging is still something I am getting into the habit of doing, so as soon as I get busy it's one of the first things to go. So more blog consistency is high on my list of things to improve!

Anyway, this week's inspiration monday artist is Oliver Jeffers. His books are full of adventure and wonder, and his illustrations are simple and sweet. But, he also has amazing paintings which are very different from his illustration work. My painting is also quite different from my illustration, so I really like seeing an artist who has found success creating various types of art.

inspiration monday

This week's inspiration comes from Austrian illustrator Lisbeth Zwerger. She's illustrated so many classic books; Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz, Swan Lake, The Little Mermaid, The Nutcracker, Aesop's Fables. The list goes on and on. I actually had a lot of trouble deciding on what images to include because they are all so stunning. 

Her work feels both light and heavy, ethereal and dark. Her work is so still and quiet.  And her color is gorgeous, she is so judicious with red. So today, I raise my cup of tea to the exquisite Lisbeth Zwerger.

what a tiny octopus!

I have never been of the opinion that octopuses are cute per se. Actually, if I ever encountered large octopus, I think I would be pretty frightened. But this photo definitely changed my mind about an octopus's capacity for cuteness.

It also directly supports my long held theory that the smaller something is the cuter it is. Is there something that you think is super cute when it's small?

inspiration monday

from Safety Can Be Fun by Monroe Leaf, 1938.

Today's dose of inspiration comes from, Munro Leaf. He is best known for writing the ode to individualism, Ferdinand the Bull, which was illustrated by Robert Lawson and later animated by Disney. 

But it is his book, Grammar Can Be Fun, that really caught my eye and made me appreciate him as an author/illustator. There is a great post with lots of Grammar Can Be Fun illustrations here.  His enitre Can Be Fun series is a hoot and includes such gems as: Arithmetic Can Be Fun, Safety Can Be Fun, Manners Can Be Fun, and Science Can Be Fun.

I feel really nostalgic when I read his books. They make me think of the youth oriented Coronet Instructional Films that were shown in schools in the 40's and 50's. Some amazing examples of these short films can be seen in the Prelinger Archives.

the dentist

A few weeks ago I went to my dentist to address some tooth sensitivity I was having. I thought I would just need to get a filling fixed, but ended up getting a surprise root canal! I was nervous about it since root canals have an awful reputation, but it actually wasn't too bad. Anyway, since I had the root canal I needed to have a crown put on. And so that's where I've been, at the dentist getting a shiny new tooth!

inspiration monday

©1964, renewed 1992 by Evil Eye, LLC. 

Today's inspiration is Shel Silverstein. He always gets it spot on, his illustrations are just detailed enough to tell the story with out feeling fussy or over done. I grew up with his children's books and a little while ago I discovered some of his more adult material. Which is full of truth, and humor, and heartbreak. It's not just the technical aspects of his work I admire, I am also very inspired by the scope of his creative expression. From music, to theater, to children's books, to playboy he's done it all with cleverness and integrity. And with that, I bow my head to you, Mr. Shel Silverstein.