THINGS I LIKE: Bounty of the Bowerbird

Bowerbirds are incredible creatures. My mom always said you should never marry a man with design ideas - in hopes of getting to make all the decisions yourself.*  Yet these guys would seem the exception to the rule! The males have a sharp eye for design, composition and a penchant for blue, all in hopes of winning the ladybird after their own heart.

Then again, once they court their lady Bowerbird, she has to build the nest and raise the babies herself. Lesson to the ladies: don't go after the flashy guys! They'll just start showing off for someone else. Find the bird with a good book collection.

* This was before I met my filmmaker / illustrator beau who is filled with design ideas. He even proposed next to a Bowerbird nest he had built for me in the middle of Prospect Park, Brooklyn!  Luckily, he also has a great library so I'm not too worried.

Photo source here

Photo source here

Photo source here

Photo source here

Photo source here

Photo source here

THINGS I LIKE: Estelle Hanania

I recently discovered the beautiful, mysterious and whimsical work of French photographer Estelle Hanania. The images below are from two series 'Demoniac Babble' and 'Parking Lot Hydra', both documenting men in costume at carnivals. In her own words, "I'm attracted by a feeling of disorientation and excitement that you can find in these gatherings and costumed traditions... I love this kind of situation where everything gets confused and uncertain, but you still can define the most familiar shape which is the human figure, vanishing."

More of her work can be seen here.

Demoniac Babble 2007

Parking Lot Hydra 2009

illustration friday

Hello there!

It's been a while since I've been taking part in Illustration Friday and it felt like it was time I got back into it. It's a great concept and a great community. This weeks theme is 'star gazing' so I thought this watercolor would fit nicely.

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Have a great weekend!

© Copyright 2010 by Vanessa Boer. All rights reserved.

No part may be reproduced without written permission.

THINGS I LIKE: Dalton Ghetti

I am a fan of all things tiny and artist Dalton Ghetti has taken miniature to a whole new level. Ghetti started carving bark as a kid, then moved on to soap and chalk before settling on pencil graphite. He uses only three tools for his teeny-tiny sculptures: a sewing needle, an exacto and a carpenter's pencil. Without the use of a magnifying glass he carves these incredible Lilliputian works of art.

THINGS I LIKE: La Cueva de Los Cristales

I know sci-fi tries to tell us otherwise, but I think we definitely lucked out with this planet of ours. It's the coolest! Have you ever seen images of crystal caves? Not just hippie-dippie street vendor crystals meant to re-align your chakras while simultaneously emptying your wallet. Seriously awe inspiring, giant crystals, people!

Here are pictures (from our brainy friends over at National Geographic) of the most incredible crystal cave discovered as of yet. It took hundreds of thousands of years to grow these crystals and some are as tall as 36 feet! Incredibly, these aren't photoshopped. Behold!! La Cueva de los Cristales!

p.s. By the way, I love that everyone in the pictures looks like a sort of bored construction worker while they are probably some sort of genius / scientist just trying to look cool.

THINGS I LIKE: The Mighty Eyjafjallajökull

Iceland has been the object of my affection for many years. The natural beauty there is wild, vivid and unparalleled. Here is a beautiful time-lapse film of (the icelandic volcano with an ice-cap hat) Eyjafjallajökull by filmmaker Sean Stiegemeier. This is the infamous volcano that was getting so much bad press due to the wild amounts of ash whirling around the planet and lots of stranded travelers. But if you take a moment to appreciate it for what it is, a mountain with smoke and lava pouring out of it while our planet's plates shift, it's pretty incredible.

I saw this film a couple months ago but I think about it all the time so figured I ought to share it. The soundtrack is a beautiful and perfectly apt song by the Icelandic singer Jonsi (of Sigur Ros). It feels like that song was meant to score a volcano. See for yourself.

Iceland, Eyjafjallajökull - May 1st and 2nd, 2010 from Sean Stiegemeier on Vimeo.
p.s. I definitely recommend you watch this in full-screen. Just click on the 4 arrow icon at the bottom right of the video.

Photograph by Rakel Osk Sigurda, NordicPhotos, Getty Images

THINGS I LIKE: Ben Javens

I recently came across the work of English illustrator Ben Javens. It was an unlikely spot but I was stopped in my tracks while buying soymilk at the market. Ben was hired to completely redesign 8th Continent soymilk packaging and man, oh man, it worked! I wish everything in my fridge was this awesome!

He has a definite 60s influence but there's something all his own. He has a great palette and clean design but manages to keep the handmade quality in each print. I really love his work so here are a few more for you to enjoy!

For more of Ben Javen's work, check out his site or his agency Unseen Agency

who happen to represent a whole slew of really great artists!

THINGS I LIKE: Inspiration Station!

Hello there,

I recently missed the one night only showing of 'The Tale of the Fox' (Le Roman de Renard) at BAM. It's a famous stop motion film from the 1930s made by Polish-born (French-raised) Wladyslaw Starewicz and his wife Irene Starewicz. Say that three times fast! It's an incredible film and very rarely screened. Luckily, I found it broken down into parts on youtube. What a treat!! Wes Anderson pays homage to this film with small references in 'The Fantastic Mr Fox' - another gorgeous film.

Enjoy!

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

NEW WORK: Abe's Peanut is out!!

Here are my illustrations for the great new children's magazine Abe's Peanut. It was such a pleasure working with writer Lisa Tharpe and the magazine founders (and sisters) Anna and Tess Knoebel. For more information go to abespeanut.com

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The promo image for issues sold in stores

Fox, Hedgehog and Willow Warbler, in pre-finger puppet form.

Fox's den on the left, library lawn, Willow Warbler's nest in the trees and Hedgehog's burrow (where the treasure can be found).

Chatting with Hedgehog in the woods.

Hedgehog's bejeweled burrow, with Eames rockers to boot!

© Copyright 2010 by Vanessa Boer. All rights reserved.

No part may be reproduced without written permission.

Fun Finds

I have a pretty solid collection of vintage children's books and nothing makes me happier than a new addition!

Yesterday I happened upon some real gems at a book seller's table in Williamsburg (Brooklyn). This image is from 'The Animals' Boat Ride' - a Rand Mcnally Junior Elf Book. I saw this picture and didn't need to look further, I had to own it. I even waited until I got home to look at the rest. Don't you wish you lived in this world? Which one are you? I am definitely the raccoon.

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And look at this guy! Did anyone ever look better in a red striped shirt?

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