The Drawings of Winnie Truong

I love that Winnie Truong's "About" section of her website declares only: "b. 1988 Toronto, Canada." So with that introduction, we know that Winnie is, in 2010, a mere 22 years old and might pronounce "about," "aboot." Oh, and she's an intensely talented artist whose massive line drawing portraits (4'x6', pencil and chalk) delve head first into discomforted notions of beauty via the exploration of hair and teeth. With names like "Lady Gymkata" (the skill of gymnastics, the kill of karate?) and "Virility and Grace," musings on Samson-like strength seem fortified. And yet my mind drifts to thoughts of teratomas, and vagina dentata. Truong is currently being shown at Katherine Mulherin in Toronto. [via Design Porn]

Ktichen Thoughts

It's a beautiful Saturday morning in San Francisco, sunny and warm with the arrival of our elusive Indian summer — a curious term with a curious etymology, but a time that nonetheless makes us natives break out the shorts and sandals for their twice-yearly airing. Sitting here in the loft after a wonderful breakfast of huevos rancheros, putting the plates back on the shelf and finishing my french press, I was reminded of a post I put up on CRAFT back in the spring (the other nostalgic season) on kitchen thoughts ... I hope you'll investigate, and share some of your favorite kitchen items.

Yelena Bryksenkova: Sketchbook

St. Petersburg-born, Midwest-raised Yelena Bryksenkova creates storybook-style illustrations full of a certain folklore nostalgia. Her sketchbooks reveal a lush inner landscape brimming with musings, portraits, meals, notable fashion, historic figures, and the view out the window. They remind me of Maira Kalman's illustrations, both in aesthetic and theme, as they remodel everyday subjects into curious delights. Thank you for letting us be a part of your world, Yelena.

Deth P. Sun: Sketchbook

Berkeley, CA., artist Deth P. Sun is one of those kids that has no doubt been doodling since conception. He was probably the extra quiet guy in the corner of class, head down, meticulously filling in the margins with a continuous brain dump of characters, words, and random compilations. I covet this sketchbook. I also (not so) secretly wish Deth did children's books for adults.

Deth is part of a group show, Look Alive, at Double Punch right now if you want to see some of his work in person. I also encourage you check out his food journal zine, The Various Things I Eat, and all his illustrative goodies on Etsy. On a personal note, Deth and I worked together ever so briefly at Utrecht in downtown San Francisco back in the day. My favorite moments were when Deth answered the phone:

"Thank you for calling Utrecht, this is Deth."

French Paper Pop Ink Soap Packaging

You know you do it. You buy the beer with the Coney Island mermaid, and the bubble bath with the 50's looking Dirty Girl. Maybe you buy them because there are boobies involved, but really you buy them because you'll keep the packaging after you're done with the product. Good packaging is perennial, and I am a huge fan of French Paper's Pop Ink soap packaging designed by the Minneapolis creative CSA Design. [via Lovely Package]

Vintage Sewing Pattern Goodness

Here's a little eye candy for your Friday. I neither know how to sew nor draw fashion illustrations, but I am completely enamored with the elegant designs of vintage sewing patterns. Most of these are from the 50s, with a few hits from the bookending decades. See? High-waisted skirts are where it's at!

Shout Out to Charley Harper: One With the Birds

I was drawing birds a couple weekends ago and thought I'd give a shout out to American illustrator Charley Harper (1922-2007). Harper is best known for his highly stylized nature drawings, full of elegant geometry and bold portions of color that capture the remarkable personalities of so many feathered friends. When asked to describe his visual style, Charley responded:

When I look at a wildlife or nature subject, I don't see the feathers in the wings, I just count the wings. I see exciting shapes, color combinations, patterns, textures, fascinating behavior and endless possibilities for making interesting pictures.

The above images are from a series created for Ford Times between 1954 and 1956. You can see more here. And if you're in Cincinnati you can see the Ford Times covers in person until September 5, 2010!

Keegan Meegan Press & Bindery

Keegan Meegan Press & Bindery from :::MAGNETIC ARCHIVES:: on Vimeo.

I have something magical for you today — business cards being printed on a 1920's press. Mesmerizing. It's been a long 2 weeks, full of new information and problem solving. We discovered our beautiful hound mutt, Townes, has epilepsy. Watching him suffer through a series of seizures creates pause on thoughts of motion — fluid vs. spasmodic, rhythmic vs. arrhythmic — and the level of consciousness involved in making deliberate vs. involuntary movements. I won't belabor a juxtaposition, but suffice it to say this stunning (and I use the word to its full effect) video is itself a meditation on harmonious motion. The music [Do Make Say Think] pairs perfectly to the synchronized workings between man and machine. Watching Wenkman's measured hand load paper in time to the press as the counter clicks onward and the gears orbit ... is trancelike.

KeeganMeegan Press & Bindery in Portland, Or. was co-founded by Katy Meegan and Keegan Wenkman in 2007, and is best known for its hand-illustrated letterpress work. They also do design, bookbinding, and silkscreening. Be sure to check out Wenkman's illustrations at One Foot In Front (below).

Fine Little Day: Wooden Spoons

I love everything Elisabeth does, but these wonderfully fanciful wooden spoons caught my eye today. What a great idea for repurposing old kitchen wares, and easy to do with kids too! (The painting part, not the carving.) Made me think of heading to the thrift store tomorrow to see if they have any lying about.

Poppy(shop) June 4-6!

It is my distinct pleasure to (help) announce the upcoming, up and coming, pop up shop, Poppyshop! which boasts "a mix of vintage and handmade finds, new and mid-century furniture, art and home accessories". The first run will be in Oakland CA in less than 10 days, and will include paintings from Alison Kendall, furniture from Thomas Wold, works by Marina Luz, and felted housewares from Papaver Vert, among many others. Hello lover!

Come check it out Friday through Sunday, June 4-6, from 11am-6pm @ 3217 Lakeshore Ave in Oakland. In the meantime you can find them on Facebook. I believe this store will be a nice segue to Indie Mart on Sunday.

Molly Hatch Ceramics

Ceramicist Molly Hatch grew up in close connection with nature and the practice of making: "My childhood was spent on an organic dairy farm in southern VT and a Quaker community in central VT. My love of ceramics comes from a family history of using our hands to make objects for use and contemplation. In my ceramic work, I aim to keep the family tradition of making the things we need and things we desire. I aim to design new objects and redesign old objects in the hope that the folks using my work will begin to see art in the everyday."

Hatch's style is unified but seems to draws from a number of world sources — there's a little bit of Delft flair, and references to traditional Turkish pottery illustration. Her newer floral work screams everything I look for in the thrift store for my disparate ceramic plate collection. And I just love the frames she's created to display her pieces, as if the wall was an extension of the art. If you're in the Bay Area this Saturday, April 24th, swing by LOLA in Berkeley to catch a glimpse of her new show. Be sure to take a look at her blog, and her Etsy, which is due to reopen sometime this spring. Check back if you're interested in placing orders! [via Design Sponge]