spiralbound_

SEEING DOUBLE

Absolutely LOVING this print by Leesa Leva who I found while experimenting with pimping myself on a VIRB, a social networking site. Well, as one of my favorite male muses, Jack White, says 'you can't be a pimp and a prostitute, too.' So, I don't think I'm cut out for the myspace, facebook thing....but Virb showed promise...and hopefully soon, they'll have more robust sections for fashion, art, culture...right now, they're centered on music. So I'll give it a try in the spirit of experimentaiton...but all that really happened was I ended up killing 4 hours trying to figure out how to make my page look good, only to still have no friends. sigh.

But! More Importantly!! Onto Leesa. I'm loving her new work-- and I would definitely hang this in my apartment.  I'd love it in a larger than life size. To me, this piece does something really important. Something I always look for in art. I ask myself 'Could this Have been made at any other time in history??' Well, with this piece, I say nope. It's today...in a nutshell.

The siamese-splitting of the Olsens is pretty ingenious, I think. I love the way she's really concentrated on the difference in their faces. Also, the rorschach bloom in the back is really great. I just adore this powerful and arresting piece.

Below are more pieces of Leesa's work, and you can read more about her on her VIRB page, I love Birdy.
 

THE NEW DEAL

So...when I was interviewed for the Etsy Storque last week, one of the questions that was asked was 'do you have any new features planned for spiralbound_?"

I thought about it...and this is what happened. The New Deal: Each week, I'm going to try to find 2 wonderful items to feature here on spiralbound_. One will be a high-end item, and the other will be a comparable handmade alternative.

Here's the first installment!
Chanel No 5
Classic. Classic. I could bathe in this and never have enough.
Price $155

vs

Signed 5 x 7 Chanel No 5 Print by emmakisstina.
Beautiful for your boudoir. Handmade.
Price $15.00

POSTERS MEXICAN

There was something about these posters at Menta's Shop on Etsy that I just enjoyed so much. Can you see it too?
Anyway, Menta offers some really great posters made by her own hands, and also by other up and coming mexican artists. I especially love the Hotel drawing, above. It's great the way the block of dark, dark shading excite the page. I am not sure but this may be one I have to buy.

GOLDEN GIRL

I just finished this illustration called "Goldfish" yesterday and wanted to share. I was really happy with the way the 2 pieces hair sort of looked like the whiskers on a koi...and probably, I should have gone further with that...so right now, there's a subtle goldfish reference. And, I couldn't resist using the spiralbound_ feathers in the back. I love the texture they create on the page...and much of the content/color was inspired by things I've been posting here.

Oh, Oh Stiiiina!

(The title of this post is supposed to be sung to the tune of 'Oh Sheena')

HI Everyone!...
Anyway- a little message popped up in my inbox from Stina Persson-- who I have never met. This Swedish illustrator's work is really gorgeous, whimsical, and feminine. I love it, especially her 'Girls'. The use of the white paper is really, really masterful without feeling unspontaneous....so pretty.

You may view her work, and learn more about her at StinaPersson.com Enjoy!

Oh, Cecilia

So, I was reading the NYT Magazine this weekend, and trying, as I usually do, to put a dent in the crossword, and I came across the prettiest illustration...so I made a mental note to look up the illustrator and post her work here...

After a little research, I realized that she has been featured (and rightfully so) in a few other blogs-- but oh heck, what's one more! Her work is wonderful...sort of a cross between an impressionist sketch, an Alphonse Mucha and a store mannequin.

You can view more of Cecilia Carlstedt's work right here. Enjoy! ...I did.

Wild Child

Sometimes, taking a trip through the kid's section of a used bookstore can be just the thing...I had almost forgotten about these wonderful, tiny books by Maurice Sendak...But today, I'll be wandering around with the "Alligators All Around" song in my head. A happy song in your head can sometimes be the best accessory....

Not to mention, looking at vintage children's books, from a design standpoint is amazing. Texturally, and printing-wise, they have a certain something that many modern kids books just don't have....there's an honesty to the binding, the printing, the colors, and the typography that today's books have to struggle to achieve. Just opening one makes me feel like a better, less complicated person.

Zine Queen

Love these zines by Alilson Cole. Find her work on comicsoflove.com. Beautiful illustration and line quality. Great, quirky, cerebral, sort of gloomy style to these simple little drawings.

Also, her links page
isn't a bad place to start looking for more cool comics.

Makes me wanna Draw!

Not too sure who this illustrator is, but I came across her site today, which is called 'Jujus Delivery Service' and her work is just beautiful. Little pictures of children, animals, and random creatures....so lovely. She also makes T-Shirts which are absolutely dreamy (and, longer than regular T's, which I love.)

You can find the site at http://www.jujus-delivery.com/

What a nice little way to refresh yourself during the day....So far, my favorite one is a character drawing of a little whale wearing a sailor's hat. It also seems that Juju does amazing, pastel-toned murals, and is also part of a great 2006 calendar which features her own work, as well as the work of other European illustrators. What fun!

I am feeling extra-sensitive today, and it's all I can do not to just break down in tears while I look at these sweet little doodlings....ah, to be home with a cup of tea and a pen and paper...Maybe later...But I'm feeling inspired NOW.