Archive for Books

Dr. Mutter’s Marvels

Posted in Books, macabre, medicine, oddities, wish list with tags , , , , on December 10, 2015 by shewalkssoftly

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

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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

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Halloween Countdown: Desktop Goodies #2

Posted in art, Books, craft, halloween, macabre, monsters, photography, retro, toys, vintage with tags , , , , , , , , , , on October 27, 2015 by shewalkssoftly

Who had these as a kid? (Thanks for reminding me of them, Colleen!)
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Not sure if this is what The Weather Girls had in mind when they belted out “IT’S RAINING MEN! HALLELUJAH!”
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Side note: if you haven’t seen the video for It’s Raining Men in a while (or ever), I highly recommend you go enjoy the neon chaos at the cardboard weather station.

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There’s something I really love about this. Perhaps the simplicity.
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Why didn’t I think of this? Next year…
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That Pumpkin.
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It looked so much cuter in her head when she thought she wanted to look like a doll.
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I wish they still sold these!
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Gorgeous Green Man.
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The shading on Cruella is absolutely impeccable.
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I feel this has meme potential. Why don’t more memes involve vintage monster illustrations?
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Poor kitty…
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Desktop Goodies 9/9

Posted in 80's, absurd, Books, candy coated nightmares, dolls, ephemera, humor, monsters, photography, retro, vintage with tags , , , , , , , , , , on September 9, 2015 by shewalkssoftly

McDonald’s Icecapades…how was this not traumatizing for children (or was it)?
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This looks like the Codex Gigas.
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And then we have the Holy Bible, which apparently has a wider readership than I had suspected…
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Seduction for Dummies (*groan*).
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Make sure you order a DIET soda with this to save calories.
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Puts things in perspective, no?
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So true…
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A dinosaur’s preferred travel method.
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I wish I did!
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I couldn’t find an artist for this image anywhere. Any ideas?
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Ah, finally a realistic series.
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Pants on fire!
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Superhero Bookends

Posted in Books, design, home, products, wish list with tags , , , , on July 17, 2015 by shewalkssoftly

Artori Design has come up with a novel bookend concept (some of us still have paper books!) that gives your volumes a superhero lift

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Magnets and wall mounted floating shelves help create this awesome illusion.

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What superhero would you want in your library?

Artori Design
Source

Desktop Goodies 7/10

Posted in absurd, advertising, art, Books, cats, horror, humor, japan, kitsch, monsters, oddities, photography, satire, undead, vintage with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 10, 2015 by shewalkssoftly

Apologies for skipping a couple days this week, but between huge health setbacks and mold remediation in the SWS house, things are a bit hectic.

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What happened on this beach to necessitate a sign like this (well, I guess that’s self-explanatory).
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What question did someone ask him to warrant this answer? Ideas?
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I’m assuming this is a gag product (the source where I found it said it’s unironic, which was perhaps more entertaining than the ad itself).
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Facing the shadow…
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I had to look up where this fellow came from. Now I must see Ultraman Tarou. Has anyone seen it?
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Well, that’s supportive.
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Careful, parents, it could happen to you.
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Answer: don’t.
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Now THIS cat is a work of art.
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“Hey, you’ll never believe where I’m calling from.”
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How to Talk to Your Cat About…

Posted in Books, cats, creatures, humor with tags , , , on June 25, 2015 by shewalkssoftly

With two new kittens in the house (who have completely dominated my heart and attention since they arrived 4 days ago), I realized it’s never too early to educate them on important topics.

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This collar…perfection.
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Yes, these are real pamphlets, available here.

This post is dedicated to my boy Dr. Morbius (after Forbidden Planet, as opposed to Marvel comics Dr. Michael Morbius…I can’t believe I’m geeky enough to specify that distinction) and my little lady, Ms. Nimbus.
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Lest you had any doubt that I’m totally out of my mind, their FULL names are Dr. Morbius Doodles and Ms. Nimbus Biscuit. All I can say is…you’d get it if you met them. I promise.

Camille Rose Garcia: Mirror, Black Mirror

Posted in art, Books, candy coated nightmares, wish list with tags , , , on May 26, 2015 by shewalkssoftly

Camille Rose Garcia has come out with a new book. All of her books are phenomenal, and Mirror, Black Mirror is another example of her inimitable creation.

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From the publisher:
Mirror, Black Mirror is the long-awaited monograph from artist Camille Rose Garcia. The paintings in this book represent a dynamic period in the artist’s life when Garcia fled the confines of LA and relocated to a cabin in the woods. The creative transformation that came as a result of this change is clearly reflected in an awakening of color and a new approach to pattern while still retaining Garcia’s beloved signature style.
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Garcia blends pop culture references with a satirical slant on modern society. Her layered, broken narrative paintings of wasteland fairy tales are influenced by William Burroughs’ cut-up writings and surrealist film, as well as vintage Disney and Fleischer cartoons, acting as critical commentaries on the failures of capitalist utopias.
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Mirror, Black Mirror

Kintsukuroi: Sacred Scars

Posted in announcement, art, Books, photography, surreal with tags , , , , on May 1, 2015 by shewalkssoftly

Around the time I made this post, I began to conceive of ways to creatively share the transformative metaphorical implications of Kintsukuroi (objects “repaired with gold,” considered more beautiful for having been broken).

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The result was a labor of love, drawn out over many months due to health complications, but finally taking shape. I’m partnering with the remarkable Nina Pak to create an art book with a series of human Kintsukuroi photographs; surreal, evocative portraiture of subjects with compelling markings and stories. Each image will be a vignette unto itself, inspired by the symbols, archetypes and myths to which the subject feels a particular connection.

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But I didn’t want to limit artistic expression, narrative or empowerment through this material to a book project, so I developed Sacred Scars where anyone can submit a story and be celebrated in a community of those who appreciate that we each have a unique, valuable Hero’s Journey.

There is also a Facebook Group which will offer its own exclusive content and opportunities for involvement.

If this profound topic resonates and you’d like more information; if you or someone you know has a story to tell and would like to be featured in the book or website (we are taking model applications right now!), please head over to:

SacredScars.org
Facebook Group
Mailing List

This project means the world to me, but I am admittedly a totally inept social networker and physically unable to do much promotion. I’d truly appreciate anyone’s help spreading the word via email/networks (I’ll be sending fun prizes to my biggest helpers!).

*Stay tuned for the Kickstarter! Members of the mailing list and Facebook group will have access to a preview of the campaign before it goes live.

Desktop Goodies 4/27

Posted in absurd, advertising, art, Books, clothing, creatures, horror, humor, monsters, retro, sci-fi, street art, vintage with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 27, 2015 by shewalkssoftly

WHY don’t more buses look like this? It’s such a missed opportunity NOT to paint giant teeth on all of them.
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I’m sure this valid excuse resulted in instant exoneration:
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Yeah, but the Wild Germ has anger issues…
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One must look at the tagline and consider whether it is really the kind of attention ones wants.
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What has she seen?
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…Perhaps Karloff’s carload of arsenic?
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If I ever get to space, I’m traveling via giant, helmet-clad intergalactic puppy.
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A very touching piece of street art.
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AS fellow fans of The IT Crowd know, two is the best number of eyes.
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Yep.
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The sweet, pink title image is excellent with a cat that looks exceedingly unamused.
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Scary Stories: A Documentary

Posted in Books, film, horror with tags , , on April 6, 2015 by shewalkssoftly

As a child, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark was one of my all time favorite books (thank you, Stephen Gammell, for the incredible illustration!).

Now, an Indiegogo campaign is raising money for a documentary about the history and controversies surrounding these urban legends. I, for one, would be very excited to see that.

Support the project HERE.