Alfred Kubin at the Neue Gallerie

I recently went to see Alfred Kubin: Drawings, 1897-1909 at the Neue Gallerie, and all I can say is - go see it! I might not bring the little kids to this one, folks, because there is some REALLY dark subject matter, and disturbing images - but boy are they cool! 

The show is mostly comprised of small drawings and prints from early in his career, and as you look at them you see that this was a man haunted by the notion of death, and driven to compulsively describe, in meticulous detail, his nightmarish visions. The work, influenced by the likes of Goya and Munch, is beautifully executed by an obviously brilliant man. The show is up until January 26, and is a rare chance to see this artist's work in the U.S. 

Wunderkammer: A Century of Curiosities

I made it to the Wunderkammer show at MoMA a couple of weeks ago (sorry guys, it's ended now) but I wanted to make a quick note about it, because it was a really interesting, different sort of show.

Wunderkammern means 'cabinets of curiosities' and the show certainly embodied that idea; odd little drawings, sculptures, prints, etc, which combined elements from nature with science and machinery (sort of pre-Steam Punk esque, I suppose). 

Anyways, it was fascinating!

Ree Treweek and The Tale of How

I stumbled upon this amazing artist while browsing through my new favorite site, www.linesandcolors.com. Charley Parker has written much better articles than I can about this artist and her work, so check it out here if you are interested.

Most of all, I want everyone to see the video, The Tale of How, which was created in collaboration with Jannes Hendrik and Markus Smit, some seriously talented, seriously young people, who make me want to march to my drafting table and step up my game. Also on this site: other fabulous work, along with a making-of video and some great prints.

Things to See

Last night, Owen and I went to the Original Art show at the Society of Illustrators, NY, which is the annual best-of-children's-book-art show. Um, amazing! The variety of styles, and level of talent just can't be beat. Go see this show if you love children's books. Go see this show if you love narrative art. Go see this show if you love art. Go see this show if you need inspiration.

There were some familiar names, and some that I was very glad to be introduced to. Some artists that were new to me that I am excited to see more of: Nicoletta Ceccoli, Arthur Geisert, Kelly Murphy, Laura Stutzman, and Eric Velasquez. William Steig received a lifetime achievment award - I never get tired of that guy. It also reminded me that I still have a little drawing of his of an old lady strangling a lion that needs a visit to the art conservation doctor - someone pasted it onto a board with rubber cement (aka paper-eater)!

It is so special to see these works in person, and a really rare opportunity, given that they usually live in the artists' homes, or in private collections.

Also, something I want to see: Wunderkammer: A Century of Curiosities at MoMA. The website alone is pretty awesome, and might be better than the exhibit itself.

OK, so, go see art!

Steam Punk Weekend!

I went to a show in the Hamptons this weekend that completely blew my mind! Titled "Steam Punk" the show features a number of artists working around a similar concept of fusing a sort of Victorian elegance with modern machinery and a little bit (or a big bit) of the bizarre. That said, go see it if you can, it's one of the best shows I have seen. If you can't go see it, check out the following links to see some of my favorite artists, and go here to see Irene Gallo's write-up about it on Tor.com.

Sam Van Olffen . . . awesome!

Eric Freitas...freaking AMAZING working clocks!

Art Donovan...some of the coolest light/art pieces I've seen!

Look and enjoy, folks, and this is only a sampling of the truly wonderful, high quality work on display.

Open Mic Night at Walz Astoria

Last night my friend Kat McGivern and I attended the weekly Open Mic night at the Waltz Astoria, a wine/dessert/coffee bar and performance/art space in Astoria. I highly recommend checking this place out! It was a wonderful night full of lots of ridiculously talented people, really great coffee, cake, and watermelon ices. The atmosphere in there is warm, inviting and comfortable. Very familial, with a lot of performers returning week after week. Go there. Introduce yourself to Song (the appropriately named manager of the Waltz), order a drink from Song's adorable mother, have a chat with Pedro, and listen to some great music. They are also planning a series of visual art shows, with 4-6 artists or so at a time - small works only, priced $250 and under. Go hang out at the Walz and learn about it. Also, there is a great lineup of performers that are brought in on weekends, so check out the calender online at www.waltz-astoria.com.

Look at this now!

This is Eric Orchard's piece for the Totoro Forest Project. This might be one of my favorite things. Ever.

In other news, I just found my old copy of Sleeping Beauty, as retold by Jane Yolen, a wonderful writer who has worked with one of my favorite Professors (and illustrator) Dennis Nolan.


The illustrations are by Ruth Sanderson, and, though I was only three years old when this book was given to me by my grandparents, I can vividly remember loving these pictures! It is a truly beautiful book, and I am so excited to have re-discovered it!