Tag: candy coated nightmares

Laura Plansker

October 27th, 2008

Laura Plansker designs incredible dioramas; absurd, humorous, sad, subversive…interpretations of fairy tales and imaginary worlds.

The image above is also part of a small series of Feral Foes, the finely decorated, gun and poison toting harbingers of death.

Her Tiny Tenants series of photo dioramas is a children’s book concept (which I truly hope gets published). Incredibly well done little scenes are accompanied by anecdotes. For example, “The Meat Eaters”:

View in context of book

Have a look through her wonderful work.
Baby Alive Part 2

October 22nd, 2008

The absolutely incredible retroCRUSH (a treasure trove of vintage goodness) actually featured the obscenely artificial Baby Alive food packets I recently mentioned.

Here they are, shown in mixed glory on the refill packets (I remember the “Yummy Banana” having a distinct bright yellow shade though):

And now for your additional amusement, a Baby Alive comic, a.k.a. advertisement, also from retroCRUSH (click to enlarge):

I love the final exclamation: “WE EVEN GET TO CHANGE HER DIAPER!” Oh kiddies, just wait…I don’t speak from experience, but I’m pretty sure the act of diaper changing does not remain thrilling privilege it appears to be.
Mari Shimizu

October 12th, 2008

I had to navigate a number of Japanese sites (despite the fact that my computer doesn’t read Japanese characters) to track down a little gallery of Mari Shimizu’s work.

Her doll creations are phenomenal. Ethereal, haunting, beautiful, unsettling…some expressing powerful emotion, others transfixed in a lifeless plastic stare that uncomfortably juxtaposes their lavish surroundings.

The photography techniques add much to the display of her projects. She seems to carefully choose the lighting and tone, whether a warm glow or harsh blinding daylight, creating an effect that’s almost cinematic.

Highly recommended if you enjoy this type of craft.
C.A.V.E. Gallery: October

October 5th, 2008

Today I went to the wonderful “October” group show at C.A.V.E. Gallery. It was a feast of mixed media pop surrealism and creepy eye candy.

My favorite pieces in the collection were dioramas and sculptures. There were some extraordinary creatures!

But there is a lot to be said for the fabulously unnerving paintings in the show as well.

I posted an album of selected works here, so have a look!

Each month, C.A.V.E. has a new themed group show, and I look forward to seeing November’s exhibit.
Dan Kennedy

September 28th, 2008

My love of strange art is most likely why I have absolutely no need for drugs. Dan Kennedy sends me on an “art trip” with his tightly packed brightly colored amalgams of pop culture.

His newer work is even more psychedelic:

And every now and then, you find a simple quote-turned-painting. When I get home to NY (and my craft supplies), I’m putting this one on a T-shirt.
Jason Freeny

September 21st, 2008

I’ve referenced Jason Freeny’s work over the years. How could I resist art so clearly obsessed with anatomy AND candy?

This was the image that first introduced me to his unique brand of genius:

And…

Are these the textbook images pulled from some fictional world in which gummi bears teach biology? Don’t you wish YOUR textbooks looked like this?

I was drawn back to Freeny’s site after Random Good Stuff posted his new Anatomical Skateboard Deck.

Sadly, if I tried to skateboard I’m sure my guts would be sprawled on the sidewalk in a much less appealing configuration.

Artists often simply go for the gore with medical imagery, but Freeny uses smooth surfaces, bright colors and a good sense of lighting. I enjoy the rather ominous sense of sterility…as if medicine is a giant mechanized entity.

Well, it is.

If I could give one suggestion, it would be to take “Visible Vinyl” (below) from a print to an actual model. I’d want one. Pretty badly.
Snugglepot and Cuddlepie

August 30th, 2008

During the 1920’s, May Gibbs wrote a series of books: The Gumnut Adventures, featuring amazing (and mildly disturbing) characters such as “Snugglepie and Cuddlepot:”

And Obedelia:

May Gibbs (1877-1969) emigrated to Australia from England with her parents when she was four years old. Part of her childhood was spent at a farming homestead in Western Australia where Gibbs’ love of the unique species in the Australian bush developed. The nuts, leaves and flowers she discovered as a child provided a lifetime of inspiration for her iconic and imaginative illustration work.

Children everywhere couldn’t help but wonder when they saw such things, whether Gumnut Babies really did live there, especially when they could actually see their scribbly writing on the trees. Gibbs took what every child could easily find and gave it a fantasy life of its own.

I can’t help but wonder if this series resulted in hordes of very paranoid, frightened children.

You can actually buy the book on Amazon.

Source and more pictures/info.
Creamy the Tragic Frozen Treat

August 23rd, 2008

As a lover of contradiction, I can’t help but enjoy Gary Baseman’s latest limited edition toy, Creamy.

If you like your ice cream dazed, drooling and metallic (with a questionable “accident” leaking from the bottom of his cone), Creamy is your man.

Source
Sweet Wishes

August 21st, 2008

Here is a video collaboration from the absolutely unparalleled Mark Ryden (whose brilliance could inspire and fill an entirely separate blog) and the talented Marion Peck. The poor production just amps up the vintage charm.

Come for the sparkling tapestry of sweets…stay for the teddy bear vomit.
My Little Zombie Pony

August 14th, 2008

I must give credit to dbx1 (whom I don’t know personally) for getting around to this project before I ever got the chance, and doing a lovely job.

Bravo!