bunnies after hokusai

This is the cutest thing I have seen in a long time, people!

If you love is so much that you want it in paper form, you can buy a poster version of it here.

girl in the wind

This image has haunted me for years… I saw it once in a book in Dunedin Public Library, and it has been part of me ever since, but I never knew who drew it or where to find it.

I just love her red coat and the largesse of the tree, and the fact that it looks like it might be a windy day. I like that she is alone.

For years now I’ve trawled through children’s illustration websites trying to work out who the artist was. I remembered that the woman who drew it had a triple barrel name, but couldn’t remember anything else, except that I found the picture in a book collecting that artist’s work. Eventually I worked out that it might be by Nancy Ekholm Burkert… the name just sounded and felt right, but the rest of her artwork is different from this – less bold, more soft and pastel, and I was still dubious. But I ordered her collected art, opened the book at random, flicked through a few pages and there she was – my red girl and her tree… found.

now, where to hang it…

I just bought my first fine art print!  I have been obsessing over dkim’s prints for ages and will one day have a house full of Charley Harper.

But for now, I am the soon-to-be proud-owner of a Julie Morstad.

This is the artist that did the cover and liner note illustrations for Neko Case’s spectacular (and much cherished) album Fox Confessor Brings the Flood, and I’m pretty sure she is also responsible for the super awesome video clip for the first single from Neko’s current album, Middle Cyclone. If ever a music video was made for me it was that one: kestrels, bookcases, girls in knee high socks, a killer whale, and a beautiful siberian tiger.  I discovered today that she has also done a stunning set of ABC cards that I simply must own.  Isn’t the U for Umbrellas one delightful?

Obviously, I am a fan.  I am really excited and can’t wait for my new print to arrive.  It doesn’t even go with my room, really… but I have always loved it.  I first saw this particular illustration at tinyshowcase and have been rather obsessed with it ever since.  I do love tea, afterall… and am an expert dish stacker from way back.  I know this is only the beginning of an owning-art obsession… I am going to have to make friends with a picture framer.

Nothing else much to report.  I haven’t done much this week except go to work, come home and cook, make and enjoy sprawling all over my beautiful stripey red bed, watch Dollhouse, and hang out with Dave.  All incredibly rewarding activities, to be sure.