Wee trains and big knives...

Hello Lovelies~

I hope you are all doing well! It has been warmer (40's) in Maine this week and I got out there and shot some stuff despite the muddy flood conditions. I think I'm starting to get a feel for my new camera and I truly love it. I posted some of my new shots to my Flickr album for your enjoyment. One of my favorites is the top one, I don't know if that's gum, or candy or what, but it had melted through the ice and I thought it was beautiful for some reason...

Oh, and this shot, entitled Real Toy Train, is actually being sold as a print in my shop!

I have started using Stumbleupon lately and I have found some great things out there you guys. First, the art of KeFe, a creative duo out of San Francisco blew my mind. I truly haven't seen a woman depicted in this particular way ever. I love the eyes. And they sell originals on their site too. Beautiful work that almost made me sell my dignity to come up with the money to buy a piece...

And while we're on cute, feminine art, allow me to introduce you to another artist I found recently: Mizna Wada. Why do I love her work? Oh, because she mixes cute little girls and murder seamlessly and with a real eye for composition and color. I mean, take a look:

And to completely switch gears (you're used to that by now, right?) I have a movie recommendation for you: Machete. Now, this movie is really violent and some people hate that, so if you're one of those people, you may stop reading. For the rest of you, who, like me, realize that Alex Rodriguez is merely mocking slasher flicks and 70's grind house features, this is a good one. Between the male lead's face, the gratuitous sex and violence and the soundtrack, I was laughing during the entire thing. Maybe there's something wrong with that. But if that's wrong, I don't want to be right you guys... Check it out.

Because the only thing worse than the violence are all the bad wigs.

Until next time: unpleasant dreams...

Oh the Weather Outside is Frightful...

Hello Lovelies!

How are you all doing this fine Monday? Things are moving at a mad pace over here as usual. Over the weekend, I helped install the window decorations my art co-op designed for the holidays. There is a window contest Portland-wide each year and we're hoping we win. We decided to do a twisted take on Christmas with killer toys, Gift-Safe Kid Traps and a Santa worm train. The worm train (which will actually run when it's done) is the last piece to install this week. Take a peek at our windows and if you're local, come out and see it in person December 3rd for the First Friday Art Walk! I'll show the train in action next post... he's really cute.

Santa Worm Train unpainted

And, the Zom-B-Vex calendars are coming in this week! These 15-month calendars feature every shot in the Zom-B-Vex series professionally printed in hanging wall format. They're hilarious and unique (much better than the calendars at the mall). Supplies are limited, so get them while they last!

Speaking of great gifts, I've decided each week in December to post both a neat gift and a neat store that I've found for that hard-to-buy-for person your list. Hope it helps!

This week's great gift is for sci fi and classic movie fans. I'm sure you've all heard of Fritz Lang's Metropolis. (If not, you're going to want to get on that.) Some of the movie was lost for years, but it has recently been found according to this article and now the film is complete. This complete version has been restored and remastered and you can now buy it for the geeks on your list! I personally can't wait to see it...

...even though this robot may well be the best part of this movie.

The shop of the week is the Museum of Unnatural History. This retail storefront is actually attached to the Washington DC location of 826 National, a non-profit that helps 6-18 year olds develop their expository and creative writing skills. (The products of course support the centers, there are 9 nationwide.) With great packaging and design, creative product names and unique store fronts, this non-profit is doing great things in a great way for a great cause. Stop by if there's one in your city, or browse online.

Until next time: unpleasant dreams...

Alice and the Dust Train...

Well Hello Lovelies!

Whew, the weather here in Maine has been misty and rainy for almost two weeks and while it does wonders for my work (because I always imagine my characters in this sort of setting), it doesn't do wonders for my mood. But alas, I'm grateful for the inspiration. Let me start off by sharing a little bit of excitement, one of my photographs made it to the front page of Etsy! Yep, my Skydiver print has done me proud and it has convinced me to keep taking those photos and listing them for you fine folks.

Moving on, as I mentioned in my last post, I have been busy working on a new painting for the gallery and July's First Friday Art Walk in Portland. It is finally done so take a peek at From the Dust to the Grave, a fun little romp inspired by the art of Joseph Mugnaini. Joseph collaborated a lot with Ray Bradbury, illustrating some of his most famous book covers including Fahrenheit 451 among others. Both are favorites of mine. Make up any story you wish when you see this. I like to think that this run-down and eccentric train is taking these monsters to a ball far out in a barren wasteland where ghosts and witches and creatures of all kinds dance and celebrate in a dark mansion until dawn.

And, as many of you faithful followers know, I am a huge fan of Alice in Wonderland. I did a photo illustration series based on this story and I find the imagery and characters in general one of my biggest inspirations. I also adore Tim Burton's work so you can imagine how overjoyed I was when I found out he was doing Alice in Wonderland slated for release next year. Well, some promo shots have been released and uh... IT LOOKS AWESOME! Oh. My. Goodness. Seriously. Johnny Depp's makeup? Needless to say, this is going to be a version that resembles none of its predecessors. Sigh. Love all of them.

And let's wrap up with some more strange news folks, shall we? Sigh. You are not going to believe this one kids. Apparently, a couple in Shelbyville, Tennessee has been charged with assault against each other... using Cheetos as weapons. (For those of you not from the US, Cheetos are puffed cheese snacks.) Now, I don't know how one commits assault on another person using a snack but it can be done because both were arrested and charged. I don't think that's what they meant when health experts said excessive snacking wasn't good for you.

Until next time: unpleasant dreams!