Denver Art Museum. Neo-classical Chaise Lounge, circa 1810. I could find a place for it in my house, just give me a minute. Isn’t that color delicious?
I. Love. This.
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Category Archives: Gallery
You Say “Creepy” Like It’s A Bad Thing
I really like creepy artwork. I don’t know why, but I always have. I grew up in a kind, loving home with very soft things around me; why do I like art with a dark twist? I was never part of the “goth” crowd, I don’t like the current vampire trend, but a well-inked drawing with twisty lines will turn my head every time.
Being October, I have popcorn balls, orange/red/yellow leaves, and Halloween on the brain. So in honor of a month where this kind of artwork is unusually acceptable (and delightfully ubiquitous), here are some bits that I find deliciously creepy.
- I tweeted a couple weeks ago about an Israeli artist I found on Etsy, Baba Yagada. Her work is nothing short of outstanding. She has several things in her Etsy shop, and her website is full of more creepy awesomeness. “The Hut” is my favorite piece:
- Another artist I am loving right now is Jeannie Paske of Portland, OR. Her Etsy shop, Obsolete World, is full of gorgeous, colorful artwork. I can’t get enough of it. I had a hard time picking a favorite, but I’m going to go with Away From the Order of Days.
I could stare at this for hours. I love her use of color, and I can feel a story emerging when I look at this. Love, love, love. - As for artists known through the ages, the first that comes readily to mind is Edward Gorey. Where did he come up with this stuff?
- Tim Burton ANYTHING. His website is a trip! Check it out! I love his characters, but more than that, I love the settings he puts them in. The music is always perfectly intriguing, and no matter how creepy the artwork, the stories always have an endearing quality. His movies are the ones that I will pause and rewind and watch over and over again.
- Coraline, by Henry Selick. I found myself watching the intro over and over again. Delicious artwork.
- Last, but not least, Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events. What most captivated me was the ending credits. Gorgeous, gorgeous work.
The gate in Alice in Wonderland below is a prime example of the way he adds creepy detail to a setting.
Enjoy those twisty lines! Grab a black marker and doodle! Fall is a wonderful time to explore the beautiful, dark side of illustration. Have a happy, creepy October.
Inspired in Europe
As many of you know, my husband and I recently went to Europe for a couple weeks. I was so, so, so inspired there. The ages-old artwork was astounding! I took a bunch of pictures, hoping to have a reminder of all that inspiration once I returned home. So many things I want to draw! And everywhere I turned, I saw patterns. Patterns, patterns, oh look! patterns! It was good for my artistic soul.
Here is a photo gallery of just the pics of things I found inspiring. There were no rules to what and why I’d take a pic; if I liked it, if it caught my eye, if it made my brain whirl, I took a pic. I tend to notice very small things, or very large things. My mind has always aligned the things around me, so sometimes, I’d just notice the shapes made by several buildings or objects all together, from whatever perspective I was able to see them. I hope you’ll enjoy them and feel inspired, too!
Elizabeth on Alluminare!
The lovely pattern, Elizabeth, is now available for purchase on Alluminare.com!
Elizabeth is a lace-inspired pattern, named for the queen herself. Dainty, but regal, she holds her head high in either large or small scale.
They just started carrying these awesome table lamps. I love the shape!
Here is Elizabeth, as custom fabric:
Elegant and sweet, I love this vaguely damask-y, lacy pattern! Always such an honor to be listed as one of Alluminare’s World Class Designers. 
Not at all a coincidence, I sent the pattern in on the Queen’s official birthday, April 22. Happy birthday!
New Pattern Collection: Boojie
Boojie, a new pattern collection, was inspired by a friend’s adorable baby girl. Available for license. Coming soon to Spoonflower.
Valentine’s Day 2010
A little pattern or two:
*Coming soon to Spoonflower
And a print:
Available as a card on Cafepress and as a print on Etsy.
I could definitely be persuaded to update the colorways on these for specific uses. Talk to me.
FTC disclosure: if you buy my stuff, I make money.
Inspiration
It’s not really a New Year’s resolution so much as a “what I need right now”, but I’ve decided to look around more. I am so inspired by other designers!!
Yesterday, I spent a good chunk of time staring at Letterhead Fonts. Lots of typographic eye candy. Check ‘em out.
I also stared at Jessica Hische’s website. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend you refill your coffee and click here. You’ll stare for a long time. Gorgeous work.
And one of my favorite, favorite things to look at is Patty Young’s designs. I love, love the colorways she uses.
What inspires you? What do you find yourself staring at?
Images from Letterhead Fonts, Jessica Hische, and Patty Young. I am not affiliated with any of these individuals or companies, only hold them in high regard.
Crafty Wallpaper Contest: The Results!
The wallpaper craft is finished! Yipee! And I have the pictures to walk you through the steps.
(*NOTE: I am not a photographer. I apologize for this in advance.)
Cool Picture Framed Art
1. Buy nine – 1 foot square frames and spray paint them black.
I modified this step. I bought 32′ of 1×2 and mitered the ends to create 8 1′ frames, and spray painted the sides black. The reasons were cost and functionality. Frames can be expensive, and finding eight with flat faces was going to be costly and difficult. When you can’t find what you want, make it yourself, I say!
2. Carefully cut out a bunch of 1-foot x 1-foot squares of wallpaper – it’s ideal because you don’t need to trim or break the pattern.
I modified this step as well. It made more sense to me to paint the design on the front of the paper and then cut the squares. Thank you, thank you to Design Hole and Alluminare for the wallpaper! The paper is really strong and durable – believe me, I’m clumsy and I didn’t even nick it! – and the surface texture is great for painting.
3. Tack the squares to the front of the frames (and only the fronts, no wrap-around).
I used Tacky Glue. I love it! It is super strong and dries clear. I just like the stuff – no kickback for me if you buy it because of this site.
4. Arrange the frames into a 3-foot × 3-foot grid and secure them together (temporarily, carefully). Find a simple, graphic design and paint it in white across all the pieces.
Modified: see above.
5. Separate the pieces, affix to the wall in the same grid order, but about 1 to 2 inches apart on all sides.
(This is where my sucky photog skills really show off.)
And wah-lah! Wallart.
What’s that you say? Where’s the rest of the wallpaper? I’m glad you asked!
Before & After: The China Cabinet
I had some leftover wallpaper, so I decided to use it in this china cabinet spruce-up.
Before
After
Even put crushed velvet on the doors. Now, all those heirlooms have a proper place!
Freebie
I thought it would be fun to use Linoak on Seventh for my Twitter background. And then I thought about how fun it would be if anyone who wanted to do that could. So, without further ado, your Happy Halloween present.
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Just right click and save! If you’d like some fabric, wallpaper, pillows, or light fixtures, hop on over to Alluminare and go at it! (Sans skulls, of course.)
All images ©2009 Libby Unwin.