Fancy Schmancy Easter Greetings…

Tags

Cartoon, Chocolate, Easter, Easter Bunny, Easter Eggs, Funny, Holiday, Humour, Tradition

There’s always one party-pooper, isn’t there…
(Image from here)

Here’s hoping you all get LOTS of GREAT quality chocolate eggs this Easter…

 

Andrea Dezsö Makes Me REALLY Appreciate My Mum…

Tags

Andrea Dezsö, Embroidery, Fiber art, Humour, Mothers, Sayings, Visual Art, Visual Arts

Skimpy Bikini by Andrea Dezsö
Lessons From My Mother series
cotton and metallic floss embroidery on cotton fabric
(Image © Andrea Dezsö)

It is most unfair that one artist can be so talented across so many disciplines. Andrea Dezsö is a visual artist who works across a broad range of media which includes drawing, artist’s books, cut paper, embroidery, sculpture, site-specific installation, animation and large-scale public art.

I particularly like her ‘Lessons From My Mother’ series where the Transylvanian-born Dezsö has embroidered dozens of her mother’s superstitious sayings. Each of these small pieces includes neatly stitched diagrams and begins with the statement “My mother claimed that…” followed by such homilies as “my sister was a rubber accident.”

I think I should point out that I have only included the PG rated embroidered pieces in the series – there are some that made me gasp. Some of Dezsö’s Mum’s saying are pretty graphic – and certainly made me appreciate my fabulous Mum’s pragmatism and acceptance even more…

What Kind of Man by Andrea Dezsö
Lessons From My Mother series
cotton and metallic floss embroidery on cotton fabric
(Image © Andrea Dezsö)

Herpes by Andrea Dezsö
Lessons From My Mother series
cotton and metallic floss embroidery on cotton fabric
(Image © Andrea Dezsö)

Bread by Andrea Dezsö
Lessons From My Mother series
cotton and metallic floss embroidery on cotton fabric
(Image © Andrea Dezsö)

Rubber Accident by Andrea Dezsö
Lessons From My Mother series
cotton and metallic floss embroidery on cotton fabric
(Image © Andrea Dezsö)

Wet Hair by Andrea Dezsö
Lessons From My Mother series
cotton and metallic floss embroidery on cotton fabric
(Image © Andrea Dezsö)

Smart People by Andrea Dezsö
Lessons From My Mother series
cotton and metallic floss embroidery on cotton fabric
(Image © Andrea Dezsö)

Cat by Andrea Dezsö
Lessons From My Mother series
cotton and metallic floss embroidery on cotton fabric
(Image © Andrea Dezsö)

Dezsö is represented by the Nancy Margolis Gallery in New York, Frey Norris Contemporary & Modern in San Francisco, and Pucker Gallery in Boston. If you’d like to check out the R rated versions of her ‘Lessons From My Mother ‘, or see some of other work, check out her website here.

Today is ‘Marta Altés Monday’

Tags

Art, Barcelona, Book illustration, Cambridge School of Art, Dr. Seuss, Drawing, England, Graphic Design, Humour, Illustration, London, Marta Altés

Playing with Pencil Shavings ‘Bullfighter’ by Marta Altés
(Image © Marta Altés)

Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try! (Dr. Seuss)

Who does this? Who has the imagination and whimsy to come up with the lovely idea of creating images out of discarded pencil savings? Marta Altés – that’s who.

Originally from Barcelona, Marta started her career as a graphic designer before moving to the UK to study children’s book illustration at the Cambridge School of Art. She now works as an illustrator, and by the looks of things, it was an inspired decision.

Her work puts a smile on my face…

Playing with Pencil Shavings ‘Wave’ by Marta Altés
(Image © Marta Altés)

Playing with Pencil Shavings ‘Ole’ by Marta Altés
(Image © Marta Altés)

Playing with Pencil Shavings ‘Fly’ by Marta Altés
(Image © Marta Altés)

Playing with Pencil Shavings ‘Hell Yeah!’ by Marta Altés
(Image © Marta Altés)

Playing with Pencil Shavings ‘Flower’ by Marta Altés
(Image © Marta Altés)

Playing with Pencil Shavings ‘Swan Lake’ by Marta Altés
(Image © Marta Altés)

Playing with Pencil Shavings ‘Grrrr!’ by Marta Altés
(Image © Marta Altés)

I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, it’s a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, and that enables you to laugh at life’s realities. (Dr. Seuss)

Marta’s website is just as whimsical as her playing with pencil shavings. Go check it out here.

Sharp Suits – a Creative Catharsis

Tags

advertising, advertising copy, Arts, Exhibition, Humour, Illustration, Ireland, Poster, Temple Street Children, Temple Street Children's University Hospital

Ireland’s creative community got together to release a lot of pent up anger and sadness through the medium of the A3 poster, all in aid of Temple Street Children’s Hospital.

Ad creatives, designers, animators, directors, illustrators and more took time out to dress up their favourite worst feedback from clients, transforming quotes that would normally give you a twitch, into a diverse collection of kinda cool posters.

They are worth checking out…

(All images © Sharp Suits)

The exhibition ran from the 2nd – 7th November. I believe prints are still available for a very limited time only. Send your order along with a postal address to verysharpsuits@gmail.com.

Terry Border Bends Objects…

Tags

Bent Objects, Blog, Blog Stalking, culture, Humour, Photography, Really Bent, Sculpture, Terry Border

‘Bananas in Bed’ – a Bent Object by Terry Border
(Image © Terry Border)

I’m blog stalking Terry Border’s blog, Bent Objects. It’s very clever and it makes me smile.

With some well-placed wire, creative lighting and some very canny visual puns, sculptor and photographer Terry Border gives life to everything from bananas to marshmallows.

‘Martyr-mallow – a Bent Object by Terry Border
(Image © Terry Border)

‘The Cheesey Kiss’ (after Rodin) – a Bent Object by Terry Border
(Image © Terry Border)

‘Coffee Rings’ – a Bent Object by Terry Border
(Image © Terry Border)

‘Exhibition’ – a Bent Object by Terry Border
(Image © Terry Border)

And, if you’re feeling a bit saucy, he has an x-rated version over at Really Bent, the more graphic, black sheep cousin of Bent Objects.

‘Reclining Produce’ by Terry Border of Really Bent
This is one of the tamer images!
(Image © Terry Border)

What do you think…?

Designfenzider – Contemporary Conceptual Design, Functional Conversation Pieces

Tags

Contemporary Design, Electrical, Form and Function, Functional design, Home and Garden, Homewares, Humour, Interior design, Lighting, Online Shopping, Shopping

VaseMaker by Designfenzider
Material: Porcelain
(Image © Designfenzider)

Maybe I am just a touch behind the times, but I have just discovered the genius that is Designfenzider. I think I am in love. I have a thing about functional design with a twist – and Designfenzider offers that in spades.

See what you think?

VaseMaker by Designfenzider
Material: Porcelain
(Image © Designfenzider)

The VaseMaker dissects the classic vase into its two functional elements: Support for the flower and a container for the water that sustains it. VaseMaker is a ’half-function’ object which is designed and redesigned each time it is placed upon a vessel and leaves space for the imagination and for the participation of the user. 

Miniature Lamp No. 2 by Designfenzider
Material: Porcelain shades, beech veneer base, 2x20w halogen bulb
(Image © Designfenzider)

Upside Up by Designfenzider
Material: Glass
(Image © Designfenzider)

Lamp No. 18 by Designfenzider
Material: Powder Coated Metal, lamp shade
(Image © Designfenzider)

After observing and subtracting main characteristics of ex lovers, The designer abstracted these qualities and formed them into a series of table lamps. This series of lamps serves as the designer’s private 3D black book

According to the company bio, Designfenzider’s hybrid objects combine material wit with aesthetic play; they sit on the fat, delicious line between the abstract and the functional.

I, for one, am enchanted…

You can check out the Designfenzider site here. They ship anywhere in the US from their online shop. the rest of the world needs to contact them to arrange delivery.

Eddie – the ever amazing – Izzard

Tags

Arts and Entertainment, Comedians, Comedy, culture, Eddie, Eddie Izzard, France, Humour, Performing Arts, Stand-Up Comedian, YouTube

The incomparable Eddie Izzard
(Image from here)

I think Eddie Izzard is my all-time favourite comedian. If you are unfamiliar with his work, he is well worth a look. He is an English stand-up comedian, actor and writer. In France, he performs in fluent French.  He is working towards performing in German (while in Germany). In 2009 he completed 43 marathons in 51 days for Sport Relief in spite of having no prior history of long distance running. He is prone to cross-dressing. His stand-up shows have been described as ”stream-of-conscious banter and predilection for nonsensical detours and frequent tangents.”

I have seen him perform live twice. It was not enough.

His Death Star Canteen skit – arguably his most famous – which was animated with Lego characters back in 2007, has been watched on You Tube 17,930,920 times.

If you would like to be number 17,930,921, even if you have seen it before, here’s a reminder of just how brilliantly funny he is.

(Warning: for those unfamiliar with Eddie’s work, there is some strong language!

By the way – I’m in New Zealand for the next few days, so my communication and response times may be a little more intermittent than usual.

Hope & Wendy Cope

Tags

2 black, Art, Banksy, Blog Relay, Contemporary Poetry, England, English poetry, Hope, Hope 2012 Blog Relay, Humour, Literature, Poetry, Wendy Cope

Banksy’s ‘There’s Always Hope’
(Image from here)

One of my favourite blogging buddies, Shira over at In Pursuit of More has tagged me as part of a blog relay about hope. I’m not sure I’m convinced about blog relays BUT because it’s the lovely Shira tagging me, I am giving you a perspective on hope. Hope you enjoy!

On the other hand, perhaps it is serendipity? I’ve been looking for an opportune moment to share my favouritist poet of all time here on TSL, and I reckon I have just been given a wee nudge.

Please let me introduce you to the wonderfully funny, irreverent and clever Wendy Cope. Born in England, where she still resides, Wendy Cope is an award-winning contemporary English poet.

To date, I have two of her anthologies – ‘Serious Concerns’ and ‘Making Cocoa for Kinglsey Amis’ (available from Amazon). They are both wonderful – although I think I favour the former. Just.

And, as a taster, I give you ‘My Funeral’ by Wendy Cope (previously published in The Spectator).

Wendy – if you happen to read this post – I do hope you’ll forgive my flagrant breach of copyright. I love your work!

I hope I can trust you, friends, not to use our relationship

As an excuse for an unsolicited ego-trip.

I have seen enough of them at funerals and they make me cross.

At this one, though deceased, I aim to be the boss.

If you are asked to talk about me for five minutes, please do not go on for eight

There is a strict timetable at the crematorium and nobody wants to be late

If invited to read a poem, just read the bloody poem. If requested

To sing a song, just sing it, as suggested,

And don’t say anything. Though I will not be there,

Glancing pointedly at my watch and fixing the speaker with a malevolent stare,

Remember that this was how I always reacted

When I felt that anybody’s speech, sermon or poetry reading was becoming too protracted.

Yes, I was intolerant, and not always polite

And if there aren’t many people at my funeral, it will serve me right.

Go and check out Wendy Cope’s work. Please. Even if you are not a lover of poetry yet, it is my hope that Wendy can convert you (as she did me).

Now, I’m handing the baton to these bloggers in the Hope 2012 Blog Relay:

Sparks from Everyday Sparks

BCD from Bird Cage Design

The ever enigmatic WhatIMeant2Say

B from Barbaraelka

A Wee Shout Out to Spike Milligan, a Man with a Sense of the Ridiculous…

Tags

Arts, Books, Childrens Book, Goon Show, Humour, Memories, Ophelia, Photograph, Poetry, Quote, Shakespeare, Shopping, Spike Milligan

I thought I’d begin by reading a poem by Shakespeare, but then I thought, why should I? He never reads any of mine. (Spike Milligan)

(Image sourced here)

A Silly Poem – by Spike Milligan

Said Hamlet to Ophelia,
I’ll draw a sketch of thee,
What kind of pencil shall I use?
2B or not 2B? 

One of the best books given to me as a child was ‘Unspun Socks From A Chicken’s Laundry’ by Spike Milligan. I still have it. It remains a firm favourite and always makes me smile. If you get the chance, pick up a copy. You won’t regret it. Promise.

(Back from sunny Queensland tomorrow when TSL shall resume normal broadcasting!)

Severija Inčirauskaitė-Kriaunevičienė (try to say it 3 times quickly!)

Tags

Cars, Colour, craft, Cross Stitch, Design, Humour, Lithuania, Matthew Cox, Metalwork, Severija Inčirauskaitė-Kriaunevičienė, Shopping, Textile

‘Good Morning Composition’ by Severija Inčirauskaitė-Kriaunevičienė
(Images © Severija Inčirauskaitė-Kriaunevičienė)

I may not be able to pronounce her name, but I can tell you that the work of Lithuanian artist Severija Inčirauskaitė-Kriaunevičienė blew me away the first time I saw her ‘Good Morning Composition’. I think it is such a clever and inventive concept, and shows she has a sense of humour, too.

Like Matthew Cox and his wonderful combination of mixing the tactile with the technical, Severija is interested in metal – for its sturdiness, weight and malleability, and also textiles – for their softness. She experiments with the two and “finds beauty in the banal”.

Check out some more examples of her gorgeous pieces:

‘Way of Roses’ by Severija Inčirauskaitė-Kriaunevičienė
(Images © Severija Inčirauskaitė-Kriaunevičienė)

There are a whole series of these fabulous repurposed car-doors in the ‘Way of Roses’ series.

‘Pail of Light’ by Severija Inčirauskaitė-Kriaunevičienė
(Images © Severija Inčirauskaitė-Kriaunevičienė)

‘Rococo’ by Severija Inčirauskaitė-Kriaunevičienė
(Images © Severija Inčirauskaitė-Kriaunevičienė)

Severija Inčirauskaitė-Kriaunevičienė – I love your work.

I suspect if we want a piece of Severija Inčirauskaitė-Kriaunevičienė’s cross-stitched magic here at the bottom of the world, the only way is to go direct to the artist herself. You can access her website here.

(I am off taking a wee sojourn to sunny Queensland over the next few days which means my response times to your comments may be a little slower than usual. I do love hearing from you, so please don’t stop! – It may just take me a little longer to get back to you. Cheers!)