SheWalksSoftly

Image Odyssey: Jellyfish Ornaments

December 17th, 2015

I’ve never done a theme tree because I tend to decorate with the handmade ornaments I’ve made every year since nursery school, but a “sea” tree could probably look spectacular.

There are a ton of excellent jellyfish ornaments out there (something about the delicate tentacles really lends itself to gorgeous craftsmanship).

They range from incredibly intricate handmade creations to less complex mass produced versions, and use a variety of materials (glass, shells, plastic, crochet, beads…) but they’re all rather charming in their own right.

(Apologies for not citing each image source, but hand pain does not allow. Three cheers for Google image reverse search!)
Rolf von Hoerschelmann: Krampus

December 16th, 2015

Here are some unique Krampus illustrations from Rolf von Hoerschelmann. I’ve never seen Krampus with his offspring before!

These were originally published in the German political publication Simplicissimus.

Bonus illustrations:

Source
SWS Gift Guide: Stay Puft Marshmallow Mugs

December 15th, 2015

Honor your nostaligic (and/or present) love of Ghostbusters with a Stay Puft Marshmallow Mug!

I love that it has two faces (I don’t love that it’s not microwave safe…because I’m lazy when it comes to heating beverages).

But damn…it’s pretty great.

Stay Puft Marshmallow Mugs
Desktop Goodies 12/14

December 14th, 2015

Hypnokitty says…you will read the entirety of this post…

I’m not sure if this was a recurring character or a one time thing, but it’s very unusual art for a motor oil ad.

The bow really makes this.

I love this kid.

I previously considered my own cats to be pretty well prepared, but I was quite mistaken.

The most projectile vomit I’ve ever seen in an antique colorized photo.

It’s funny…because it’s true.

I’m surprised this never happened to me when I was deep in my heavy metal phase.

Nature is incredible.
SWS Gift Guide: Fluffy Forehead Fragrance Fabric Water

December 12th, 2015

“Gift guide” is a holiday feature (surprised I haven’t done it already), and technically this probably shouldn’t even count because the company does not ship to the US. But Felissimo’s Fluffy Forehead Fragrance Fabric Water is a very special product.

The chief of Yamamoto Perfumery took four months smelling the heads of cats to perfect the scent of FFFFW, and it retails for about $10.60 USD.

Of course, they recommend using it on Felissimo’s fine array of kitty cushions (which strikes me as the saddest, loneliest…and most awesome activity). I can’t say, with certainty, that I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t have two of the real thing in my home.

What does your cat’s head smell like? I’ll go first. Morbius: laundry detergent, if laundry detergent for cats existed. Nimbus: happiness and faint, pungent litter.

Source
Mark Ryden: Dodecahedron

December 11th, 2015

I hope last night was the final Mark Ryden opening in NY I’ll ever have to miss due to health (a girl can dream!). Dodecahedron is now showing at the Paul Kasmin Gallery.

The show’s press release eloquently describes it:

The vocabulary of images in Ryden’s new body of work remains consistent with his pervasive distortion of scale and his iconic fairytale-like creatures set against seductive landscapes of untouched beauty.

However, the subject of his latest series is informed by the geometric structure “dodecahedron,” a solid figure bearing twelve sides whose perfect symmetry has been the source of extensive query by mathematicians and scientists since antiquity. Drawing upon the form’s mystery and divine connotations as a source of inspiration, Ryden explores the bridge between the physical world and the intangible realm.

Ryden’s labor-intensive canvases skillfully rework centuries of art history, combining the grandeur of Spanish and Italian religious painting with the decorative richness of Old Master compositions and the lush textures of French Neo-Classicism. Expanding on these concepts, the artist’s paintings focus on “the soul confronting its physical form” as represented by his reoccurring feminine child figure, he calls “anima” or “soul” figure.

Did anyone make it to the opening or plan to see the show in person?

Dodecahedron
Dr. Mutter’s Marvels

December 10th, 2015

If you’re looking for a holiday gift for lovers of oddities and medical marvels, Dr. Mutter’s Marvels might be perfect.

The book is a mesmerizing biography of the brilliant and eccentric medical innovator who revolutionized American surgery and founded the country’s most famous museum of medical oddities.

Even having been to the museum a few times (it’s an incredible place), I still don’t know very much about Dr. Mutter himself. I’d definitely like to read this. Have you been to the museum? Read this book?

Dr. Mutter’s Marvels
Saddo

December 9th, 2015

Quick post today! Enjoy the paintings, illustrations and street art of Saddo!

Saddo
80’s Christmas Horror Movies

December 8th, 2015

Fellow horror fans…I confess I felt remiss in my duties when I discovered there were a number of 80’s Christmas Horror Movies I haven’t seen. A kind reader sent me this list.

Luckily, 80’s Horror has compiled a nice list of every Christmas horror movie made in the decade. How many have you seen?

They also note two awesome TV episodes (which were staples of my childhood): Tales from the Darkside- Seasons of Belief…

And Tales from the Crypt- And All Through the House

Check out 80’s Christmas Horror Movies.
Raymond Cicin: Ballpoint Octopus

December 7th, 2015

As a response to his artist friends insulting the trusty old ballpoint pen, Raymond Cicin collected their discarded ones and drew (on and off, over the course of a year), a 62″x64″ ballpoint octopus.

The piece is heavily inspired by the greatest marine illustrator of all time, Ernst Haeckel.

It definitely elevates a humble writing utensil, don’t you think?

Raymond Cicin