SheWalksSoftly

J.C. Leyendecker

January 8th, 2009

As long as I’m posting about bygone holidays, let’s take a look at J.C. Leyendecker’s tradition of “New Years Baby” Saturday Evening Post covers.

Something about the combination of babies and war motifs is particularly disturbing.

Even the benign themes can be mildly uncomfortable to look at.

However, Leyendecker was responsible for images that now hold archetypal status in our culture. For example, we take our modern concept of Santa as a jolly fat man from his illustrations. He had a tremendous influence on painter Norman Rockwell.

I actually enjoy the intense, glowing hyper-realism of Leyendecker’s work.

See the New Year magazine covers here. You can actually trace the major socio-political themes of last century in succession through these covers.
Xmas Cake Wrecks

January 8th, 2009

Yes, I know. Christmas is long gone. But we don’t always play by the rules here on SheWalksSoftly. This post got lost in the holiday shuffle and is simply too entertaining to toss out.

Mercy Xmas, indeed! Is this unfortunate reindeer clutching his gut in abject agony, or is he holding a pile of something extremely unsavory?

This next one would go great in the wiry arms of my infamous Evil Santa:

If this one looks a tad “off,” it’s because the center of Santa’s face is stuck on upside down (though arguably this fellow has even bigger problems):

Maybe he’s born with it…maybe it’s Maybelline…

I can’t tell whether Santa fell off the roof, or is trapped in a glass case in some kind of horror flick scenario:

This one, on the other hand, is clearly a homicide:

I wish I could think of something clever to say about this lumpy, swirly abomination, but I suppose it speaks for itself:

From the fantastic Cake Wrecks, of course.
Walmor Correa

January 7th, 2009

Brazilian artist Walmor Correa takes his inspiration from a strong science background, during which he practiced sketching the anatomy of laboratory creatures.

He paints “improbable beings with a spine-tingling familiarity about them,” evoking vintage anatomical charts with detailed fictional taxonomy.

Clearly, I’ve been fascinated with fantastical imitations of biology lately. The art world is home to fictional creatures aplenty, most often depicted on a surface level. Developing an anatomical study adds dimension, and seems to give life to these imaginary beasts.

See more on the artist website.
Best Sea Creature Ever

January 7th, 2009

I found this on Cute Overload and it made my evening.

I have no idea what its proper name is. All I know is that this creature is amazing and it needs a soundtrack. Perhaps a Ru Paul techno track. It is…dare I say…the Diva of the sea.

If you know the identity of this fellow, do tell!
Japanese Blood Mascots

January 6th, 2009

I admire the ability of Japanese culture to depict any object or concept with otherwordly cuteness. These adorable bloody-eared mascots are designed to recruit blood donors.

Kenketsu-chan (“blood donation girl”) is the official mascot for the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. She comes from Help Island, where rainbows transport her to those in need of blood. Her ears diminish in size when people don’t donate.

Kokoron-chan is the local mascot of Iwate:

And one of my personal favorites on the right side, Chiipitto (“blood cupid”) works around Hiroshima:

(on the left above, we see Aipii who works the blood drives in Ehime)

I think Chiipitto needs to be turned into a kitschy plush toy. I’ll get working on that!

More pictures and info here.
Prague Toy Museum

January 6th, 2009

When I finally make it to the Czech Republic one day, I’m definitely stopping at this toy museum (after the Seldec Ossuary of course).

I have a fascination with decaying dolls; the way these pristine and beautiful creations weather the passing of time.

I love these deep sea divers:

There’s even a robot section!

See more in this flickr set, via the incredible Curious Expeditions blog.
Xiaoqing Ding

January 5th, 2009

Xiaoqing Ding combines her traditional Asian art training with mythology, fairy tales and modern themes.

Some images are colorful and whimsical.

Some invite me with their warm glow…

And some strike me in sentimental ways…

(“Sister Flower,” above, would make a lovely greeting card. I can think of a few wonderful sisters to send it to)

I’m not sure if she has a personal website, but there are many images on her myspace page.
Almacan: Mechanical Mirage

January 5th, 2009

Mechanical Mirage is a fantastic collection of digital surrealist/cyberpunk portraits.

Such wonderful cyborgs and hybrid robots…

I love the anachronistic feel of these images; 3-D puzzles of vintage mechanical objects, mixed with a futuristic splash of sci-fi.

Check out the gallery for more.
Tobias Cohn

January 4th, 2009

Seventeenth and Eighteenth century physician Tobias Cohn published the Ma’aseh Toviyyah in 1707, covering theology, astronomy, medicine, hygiene, Syphilitic maladies, botany, cosmography and the four elements.

I looked up the information after coming across this illustration:

The House of the Body is an allegorical design comparing the organs of the body to components of a house.

I wish I had access to his other illustrations. I’m sure they’re rather intriguing.
Cartoon Skeletons

January 4th, 2009

Thanks to Matt P. for reminding me that I had planned to do a cartoon skeleton post. We’ll start with Michael Paulus.

In the artist’s own words: I tended to take for granted the distortions and strange bodies of these entities.These Icons are usually grotesquely distorted from the human form from which they derive.

I decided to take a select few of these popular characters and render their skeletal systems as I imagine they might resemble if one truly had eye sockets half the size of its head, or fingerless-hands, or feet comprising 60% of its body mass.

(I love the skeletal arm stumps!)

See the rest here.

Now for a three dimensional representation of cartoon anatomical structure, I bring you Hyungkoo Lee, “pop palaeontologist” extraordinaire.

Cartoon characters are not real; they are two-dimensional exaggerations of human behaviour. Yet, over time, they have entered the pantheon of global popular culture and are more recognizable than the real personalities that shape our world (Just consider the multi-national empire that is Disney).

Our own predisposition to anthropomorphize furry (and feathered) creatures allows us to endow them with personalities that reflect our own and to place them in situations that mirror the trials and tribulations of our daily lives. So, if these cartoon figures can represent us in a simplified, yet extreme form, it follows that this form can be deconstructed and analyzed. –Source