Maurice Sendak

Maurice Sendak's Where The Wild Things Are film is coming out tomorrow. The world's favourite book has had a 'wild' affect on everyone. I've seen no end of billboards, TV ads and even Urban Outfitters are getting in on the act. They have their own line of WTWTA toys, cushions, t-shirts, and other merchandise. As I also found out there is a Maurice Sendak exhibition on at the Animazing Gallery in Soho NYC, called 'Sendak in Soho: the artwork of Maurice Sendak'.



'Sendak in Soho' is the World's largest Sendak exhibition and sale of his original illustrations and etchings (they have over 200 of them). The exhibited work is a mix of conceptual illustrations and published work. It was a privilege to see the works in progress, tracings, early drafts, limited editions and etchings of one of the books I grew up with.

Those lucky enough to afford the artworks will be in for a treat, but it was out of my range especially as my favorite turned out to be $185,000...ouch. Some of the proceeds will benefit the Rosenbach Museum & Library and Jane Goodall Institute, an organization dedicated to the well-being of real-world wild things. This show coincides with the film release as well as the critically-acclaimed Sendak retrospectives at the Morgan Library & Museum in New York City and the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco. It's fitting that he has two exhibitions in his native NY (he was born in Brooklyn in 1928). You couldn't take photos inside, so here is what I could take:

"I never thought I'd sell this artwork. It holds a place in my heart almost too dear for me to part with it. But, as I age, I find myself letting go of things I never thought I would. Now, with the Wild Things movie about to be released, feels like the perfect time. Having worked with Nick and Heidi at Animazing Gallery in the past adds to my comfort in selling these pieces." - Maurice Sendak

This free exhibition runs from Oct 2 - Nov 8, 2009. In a few weeks time I will experience my first US Halloween, and I'm already betting that I will see many Max's or other characters from the book. We shall have to see!

Jan Constantine, cushion Queen!

I've been an admirer (I guess more distant window shopper) of Jan Constantine's beautiful cushions for a long time now. I've always wanted one, but could never justify spending that much on a cushion. Luckily for me, one of my best friends bought me one as a leaving present when we left the UK, more of a memento to remind us not to forget Blighty! And I was hugely touched. It now sits proudly in the middle of our HUGE American sofa. I don't have the photo of this at the moment, but here is the cushion (as always, click on the images for more details)...



They are expensive, but totally worth it. Each felted wool cushion is uniquely hand embroidered with cross stitch and blanket stitch detail. The central appliqued heart adds the Constantine touch. Jan Constantine has many other colour and textile variations of cushions, pillows, blankets, tea cosies, handbags etc. Not to mention they are all created with natural dyes and yarns. They sell a good selection of them at the V&A.

British born Jan has a design background in fashion, interiors and styling, which comes across in her collections. She has gathered most her inspirations from her grandmother and great aunts, who taught her how to embroider. I really appreciate hand crafted items and the importance of keeping skilled traditional crafts alive, which is why I like her work ethics especially as she has employed a team of talented craftspeople in Cheshire. She hopes that her items will also get handed down the generations and become heirlooms, I will do my hardest to look after mine, and keep it out of the cat's reach!

Her style also reminds me of Paul Smith's 'Love Too' needle point wall hanging (made from hand spun wool, designed by Paul Smith for The Rug Company) which for those of you SATC fans, you will have spotted it in Carrie Bradshaw's newly decorated apartment from the first film. Delicious!!

Terry Allen & Gail Anderson

Terry Allen and Gail Anderson have jointly created this lovely poster for the School of Visual Arts
in New York.

Allen illustrated the poster (in his signature retro style) and Anderson added her typographic eye to it. Strangely I can't seem to find much of a write up about Allen, but I know that he has an extensive list of clients including Perrier, Nike, Quiznos, Esquire and Forbes:


However I did manage to find out more about award winning, Bronx born Anderson. She worked at Rolling Stone magazine for many years, where her talent in conceptual typography defined the magazine’s feature pages. She now works for Spot NYC as the Creative Director. She has also co-authored with Steven Heller several times, their books include American Typeplay, Graphic Wit and The Savage Mirror.

Justin Richel - sweet things

If I said to you draw a picture which incorporates cakes, coffee and furniture you'd first probably ask why?! Secondly, you'd probably struggle to think of what to paint, but not for Jersey born Justin Richel. Richel has a thing (I'm told it's almost an obsession) for these 3 strange concoctions, so much so that the main body of his paintings are just that. He also likes to draw birds, portraits, big wigs and history - but never mixes these categories in the same piece. I'm a big fan of cakes myself, so I was immediately drawn to his works. They are all painted in gouche, beautifully intricate and playfully composed. His series entitled 'sweets' is impressive, and I salute him for taking on such a challenge and being strict with his subjects, but annoyingly he makes it look so effortless...See his website and Esty shop for more of his works.