Saturday, November 29, 2008
Final Pick - Magnetic Rocks
I wrote about these last year too, but I am mentioning them again because I like them so much. These rocks are surprisingly magnetic, and snap together from improbable distances. They sell them by the bag at the gift stores the New York Hall of Science and the American Museum of Natural History. A great stocking stuffer.
I wrote about these last year too, but I am mentioning them again because I like them so much. These rocks are surprisingly magnetic, and snap together from improbable distances. They sell them by the bag at the gift stores the New York Hall of Science and the American Museum of Natural History. A great stocking stuffer.
Holiday Pick Number 5- ABCs of Art Poster
I would be remiss if I did not attempt to plug my own poster as well. You can find my ABCs of Art poster at the gift stores of the New York Historical Society, the San Francisco MOMA, and the Albany Institute of History and Art. The Historical Society also has some NYC posters left, which I am no longer able to sell.
You may also, of course, purchase my posters directly from me. I don't technically count as a nonprofit, but it's close.
I would be remiss if I did not attempt to plug my own poster as well. You can find my ABCs of Art poster at the gift stores of the New York Historical Society, the San Francisco MOMA, and the Albany Institute of History and Art. The Historical Society also has some NYC posters left, which I am no longer able to sell.You may also, of course, purchase my posters directly from me. I don't technically count as a nonprofit, but it's close.
Holiday Pick Number 4 - Arts for Transit Posters
The New York Transit Museum store sells copies of the Arts for Transit posters that you see in the subways. These posters are great for a kid's room. I own the Hand Poster by Dave Calver and the Subway Whale by Peter Sis. Dave Calver has actually done several NYC Transit posters. Check out his web page - it's pretty amazing.
The New York Transit Museum store sells copies of the Arts for Transit posters that you see in the subways. These posters are great for a kid's room. I own the Hand Poster by Dave Calver and the Subway Whale by Peter Sis. Dave Calver has actually done several NYC Transit posters. Check out his web page - it's pretty amazing.
Holiday Pick Number 3 - "Make Your Own Damn Dinner" Mug
I admit that I was a bit surprised to find this mug at the gift store of the New York Public Library. The Library sells other mugs too from the same series. The description reads as follows: "Classic photos of glamorous ladies from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s grace this coffee mug with modern attitude." I think I need to get one or two for my cousin-in-law Ed.
Also at the NYPL is this recycled coin pouch made from recycled and repurposed paper. Choose from candy wrappers, newspaper, NYC Subway maps, or barcodes. For each handbag sold, the manufacturer promises to plant a tree somewhere around the world.
I admit that I was a bit surprised to find this mug at the gift store of the New York Public Library. The Library sells other mugs too from the same series. The description reads as follows: "Classic photos of glamorous ladies from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s grace this coffee mug with modern attitude." I think I need to get one or two for my cousin-in-law Ed.Also at the NYPL is this recycled coin pouch made from recycled and repurposed paper. Choose from candy wrappers, newspaper, NYC Subway maps, or barcodes. For each handbag sold, the manufacturer promises to plant a tree somewhere around the world.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Holiday Pick Number 2 - World's Fair Memorabilia
For history buffs, ephemerists, and Men In Black fans, the Queens Museum of Art has a large collection of 1939 and 1964 World's Fair memorabilia. Unfortunately the on-line store doesn't have any pictures, so you will have to trust me and visit the store in person. However, it's worth the trip. The museum is located in the New York City Building, which was built for the New York City pavilion of the 1939 World's Fair. And while you're there, check out the Panorama of the City of New York, built by Robert Moses for the 1964 World's Fair. Here are museum hours and directions.
For history buffs, ephemerists, and Men In Black fans, the Queens Museum of Art has a large collection of 1939 and 1964 World's Fair memorabilia. Unfortunately the on-line store doesn't have any pictures, so you will have to trust me and visit the store in person. However, it's worth the trip. The museum is located in the New York City Building, which was built for the New York City pavilion of the 1939 World's Fair. And while you're there, check out the Panorama of the City of New York, built by Robert Moses for the 1964 World's Fair. Here are museum hours and directions.
Holiday Picks
It's Black Friday, and time for my 2008 Holiday Picks! With this year's economy in mind, I am highlighting my favorite items from local museum stores. By shopping at these stores, you can buy your gifts and help museums at the same time.
For my first pick I give you the Pow! t-shirt from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This was the official shirt from the Met's Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy exhibit that ran over the summer. I thought the exhibit itself was small and overhyped, but I love the t-shirt. And now it's on sale!
It's Black Friday, and time for my 2008 Holiday Picks! With this year's economy in mind, I am highlighting my favorite items from local museum stores. By shopping at these stores, you can buy your gifts and help museums at the same time.For my first pick I give you the Pow! t-shirt from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This was the official shirt from the Met's Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy exhibit that ran over the summer. I thought the exhibit itself was small and overhyped, but I love the t-shirt. And now it's on sale!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Albany Times Union!
My friend Adria informed me that my ABCs of Art poster made it into my hometown paper, the Albany Times Union! The Times Union ran a story featuring the gift stores of local nonprofits. (Buy your holiday gifts from these stores, and you will help the economy at the same time.) One of the stores mentioned was the gift store of the Albany Institute of History and Art. The Albany Institute was actually the first museum to carry my poster. And if you look carefully, you will see my poster in the picture, holding up a children's Envirosax bag. The caption mentions the bag, not my poster, but it's still pretty cool. Here is the full TU story.
My friend Adria informed me that my ABCs of Art poster made it into my hometown paper, the Albany Times Union! The Times Union ran a story featuring the gift stores of local nonprofits. (Buy your holiday gifts from these stores, and you will help the economy at the same time.) One of the stores mentioned was the gift store of the Albany Institute of History and Art. The Albany Institute was actually the first museum to carry my poster. And if you look carefully, you will see my poster in the picture, holding up a children's Envirosax bag. The caption mentions the bag, not my poster, but it's still pretty cool. Here is the full TU story.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Happy Birthday Magritte
It's Rene Magritte's 110th birthday today. This animation is by Peter Puntman. Check out Google's tribute also.
It's Rene Magritte's 110th birthday today. This animation is by Peter Puntman. Check out Google's tribute also.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Ed Valentine Book Signing
My cousin-in-law Ed is having his one-act play "Women Behind the Bush" published in the "Best of En Avant Playwrights" anthology by United Stages. Please join us for the playreading and book signing at Barnes and Noble this weekend:
Where: Lincoln Triangle Barnes and Noble, 1972 Broadway, New York, NY
When: Sunday, November 23, 3 -5 PM.
Hope to see you there!
My cousin-in-law Ed is having his one-act play "Women Behind the Bush" published in the "Best of En Avant Playwrights" anthology by United Stages. Please join us for the playreading and book signing at Barnes and Noble this weekend:
Where: Lincoln Triangle Barnes and Noble, 1972 Broadway, New York, NY
When: Sunday, November 23, 3 -5 PM.
Hope to see you there!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Letter P
I used Peanut Butter Crunch for P. This is my favorite of the Cap'n Crunch varieties. I am actually impressed with how many flavors there were, and how strong the marketing was for each cereal. Here are some examples of the Cap'n Crunch commercials:
Original
Peanut Butter Crunch
Crunch Berries & Cinnamon Crunch
Punch Crunch
Vanilly Crunch
Choco Crunch
Christmas Crunch
I used Peanut Butter Crunch for P. This is my favorite of the Cap'n Crunch varieties. I am actually impressed with how many flavors there were, and how strong the marketing was for each cereal. Here are some examples of the Cap'n Crunch commercials:Original
Peanut Butter Crunch
Crunch Berries & Cinnamon Crunch
Punch Crunch
Vanilly Crunch
Choco Crunch
Christmas Crunch
I'll probably use Vanilly Crunch for V.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Letter O
I skipped ahead to O because I still need more reference material for my N. For O I used OJ's Cereal, which was an orange-flavored cereal made by Kellogg's from 1985 - 1986. Its mascot was OJ Joe, who rounded up oranges and branded them.
I skipped ahead to O because I still need more reference material for my N. For O I used OJ's Cereal, which was an orange-flavored cereal made by Kellogg's from 1985 - 1986. Its mascot was OJ Joe, who rounded up oranges and branded them. I don't actually remember this cereal, but there is an on-line petition to bring it back:
This petition has been created by "The OJ's Preservation Society", a grassroots organization chartered to raise awareness of delicious Kellogg's "OJ's" cereal to a whole new generation of hungry cereal consumers. We believe that "OJ's" represents a high-water mark of cereal achievement, and are still mourning the 1986 discontinuation of Kellogg's "OJ's" from supermarket shelves. Breakfast, we fear, has never been the same.
They have 334 signatures so far.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
Idea
For my next project, I am going to illustrate the Bill of Rights using pictograms. This will be a continuation of my Ten Commandments project which I finished over the summer. I realize that I still have 13 letters to finish of my current project, but as a general rule I get the most new ideas while working on something else. This is frustrating in a way, but I've learned to manage it by not allowing myself to start a new project until the last project is complete. Otherwise I would never finish anything.
So in this spirit, I will put my Bill of Rights project on hold, and continue drawing the letter N of my breakfast cereal alphabet. How's that for a sentence?
For my next project, I am going to illustrate the Bill of Rights using pictograms. This will be a continuation of my Ten Commandments project which I finished over the summer. I realize that I still have 13 letters to finish of my current project, but as a general rule I get the most new ideas while working on something else. This is frustrating in a way, but I've learned to manage it by not allowing myself to start a new project until the last project is complete. Otherwise I would never finish anything.So in this spirit, I will put my Bill of Rights project on hold, and continue drawing the letter N of my breakfast cereal alphabet. How's that for a sentence?
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Keith Haring's Ten Commandments
Keith Haring's Ten Commandments will be on display at Deitch Studios, Long Island City from November 8 - December 21, 2008. Here are the details.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
The First 13
I am now halfway done with my breakfast cereal alphabet. Here are the first 13 letters again:
I am now halfway done with my breakfast cereal alphabet. Here are the first 13 letters again: A - Apple Jacks
B - Boo Berry
C - Cookie Crisp
D - Dino Pebbles
E - Eggo Cereal
F - Froot Loops
G - Ghostbusters 2 Cereal
H - Honey Nut Cheerios
I - Ice Cream Cones cereal
J - Jets Cereal
K - Special K
L - Lucky Charms
M - Maypo
Now on to the next 13.
Letter M
I used Maypo cereal for M. I didn't know much about Maypo, but here is a history of Marky Maypo, and here is a Maypo commercial from the 1950s. The man on the couch in the commercial looks a lot like Mr. Wilson from Dennis the Menace.
I used Maypo cereal for M. I didn't know much about Maypo, but here is a history of Marky Maypo, and here is a Maypo commercial from the 1950s. The man on the couch in the commercial looks a lot like Mr. Wilson from Dennis the Menace.Saturday, November 01, 2008
SCBWI Contest
The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) hosts regular writing and illustrating contests on its website. I strongly encourage you to check out this month's writing contest, which is to summarize a famous children's book in 4 words. You can enter as many times as you want. Here are my entries:
The Three Little Pigs: Three pigs kick ass.
Walter the Farting Dog: Hero dog farts prolifically.
Nancy Drew (any of them): Hero sleuth endangered. Again.
Have fun!
The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) hosts regular writing and illustrating contests on its website. I strongly encourage you to check out this month's writing contest, which is to summarize a famous children's book in 4 words. You can enter as many times as you want. Here are my entries:
The Three Little Pigs: Three pigs kick ass.
Walter the Farting Dog: Hero dog farts prolifically.
Nancy Drew (any of them): Hero sleuth endangered. Again.
Have fun!
