Inspiration Monday

Today's inspiration comes from Mary Blair. Mister gave me a book of her work a few years ago, and I was in awe. Her style is so distinct. And it seems that no matter what she was working on, she stayed true to herself.
It's fun to see her Disney concept drawings, but her books are great too. I find a lot of inspiration in her treatment of space. She does great things with pattern as well. I mean how great is that donkey! I'm also impressed with how well her work has stood the test of time, it still feels so fresh. Mary Blair, you are the bee's knees!

Tiny Tuesday

How magical are these pieces by french artist Anastassia Elias. They are made inside of cardboard toilet paper rolls! I'm so impressed that she uses a completely mundane item and turns it into such a beautiful piece of art. So small, so unexpected!

Inspiration Monday (on Tuesday)

Today's inspiration comes from Erin Tyner's  photo series, Half Awake. She takes household items and natural objects to create an environment and then places miniature scale model train figures into the scene. It has such an amazing balance of magic and loneliness. This series is so narrative and existential, I love it! It reminds me of this wonderful painting.

Tiny Tuesday

image © Sarah Neuburger, 2011.

How funny are these tiny mustaches over at The Small Object. If I had a pet and/or baby, I'd be taking some pretty hilarious photos with these little mustachios!

Inspiration Monday

I watched Suzie Templeton's Peter and the Wolf over the weekend. It was so good! The color palette was beautiful, and the lighting was gorgeous. It was so lonely, still, and full of danger. Plus, I have a penchant for purely visual storytelling so I was really tickled by the absence of dialogue.

I was so inspired by watching this movie that I made a Peter and the Wolf illustration. The original is for sale here, and prints are available here.

Button Sets

The first ever Two Happy Apples button set is now available in the shop!

Tiny Tuesday

Today's Tiny Tuesday is 'Dot. The world's smallest animation' from Sumo Science at Aardman Animations. It's a  microscopic stop-motion film that totally reminds me of Little Big Planet. I have so much respect for the artists who create stop-motion animation, it is truly a labor of love. (it took these guys an entire day to make 4 seconds of animation!) The technology they used is nuts. It's a Nokia phone with a microscope attached to it! You can see a making of video here.


I found out about 'Dot.' from my friend and fellow artist Maria Scavullo. You can check out here work here.

Inspiration Monday

 

I get really inspired by the art of children. It's so honest and unselfconscious.  I love the way they deal with space, and how they figure out how to communicate visually.  There is a great chart covering the phases of artistic development in children here.

I'm not the only one who is inspired by children's art. The people over at Aminals make adorable stuffed animals based on children's doodles. I think small bayer is my favorite, but they are all so gosh darn cute!

Tiny Tuesday

 

images © Chet and Dot, 2011.

I've always thought tiny things were especially cute. But I think its taken on a whole new dimension since I started working tiny myself. (on these little guys) I'm getting obsessed with itty bitties, and I think the best way to channel that is to share what I find here. So, Tuesdays are about to get real small in a segment appropriately entitled Tiny Tuesday. 

The inaugural Tiny Tuesday features the wee treasures over at Chet and Dot. Jenn makes such sweet work and her felted creations just make my heart jump. I completely lost it when I saw her apple! And I think her snail is just about the best ever. So small, so cute.

Inspiration Monday (on Tuesday)

image © Belle and Boo, 2011.

Today's inspiration comes from Mandy Sutcliffe of Belle and Boo. Not only has she created a wildly successful business, she makes some of the most precious illustrations around.

I love her vintage-turn-of-the-century-children's-illustration vibe. I'm so inspired by how she captures the wonder and adventure of childhood. And her colors are gorgeous! So, thanks Mandy, for keeping us connected to the sweetness of youth.