The Maxfield Parrish Poster Book

Maxfield Parrish (July 25, 1870 – March 30, 1966) was an American painter and illustrator active in the first half of the 20th century. He is known for his distinctive saturated hues and idealized neo-classical imagery.

...Wikipedia

Understated! Maxfield Parrish was one of the most influential artists of the early 1900s. His work covered so many subjects and genres, that he is difficult to classify. Neo-classical ... yes. Arts & Crafts ... yes. Magazine cover illustrator par excellence ... absolutely. Master of color ... without a doubt.

In fairness, Wikipedia does go on to say: 

Parrish was one of the most successful and prolific of the illustrators and painters of the Golden Age of Illustration. He was earning over $100,000 per year by 1910, at a time when a fine home could be purchased for $2,000. Norman Rockwell referred to Parrish as "my idol." Parrish, although unique in his execution and never duplicated, exhibited considerable influence upon other illustrators and artists, an influence which continues through the present.

I have always loved his work, from the innocence of his "girls on a rock" images, to his compositions of people framed by fantastic architectural structures, to his whimsical knaves and princes. We have this book titled The Maxfield Parrish Poster Book. This is a later (1974) publication of his poster art ... each piece in the folio ready for framing. OK, these are not originals, but the price is right and the execution of the prints is quite good. 

Printed and published in the USA by Harmony Books (New York) in 1974 with an Introduction by Maurice Sendak. The book contains 21 independent prints, plus the introduction and a chronology. Nice find. ($49.00 in the shop.)

2015 Calendars are in!!!

We have received our shipment of desk calendars. These 2015 calendars feature vintage images in a number of themes. Made and printed right here in California! These cost just $12.95 each and supplies are limited ... last year we ran out by the end of the year. So get them while you can.

The images are printed on quality card stock and are suitable for framing or use in mixed media art or crafting projects.

These are only available in the shop ... but you can email us to purchase any of the calendars we have in stock and we can ship it to you.

Felix Doolittle's Amazing Bookplates

We just got back from the National Stationery Show in NYC where we ordered a dozen designs of bookplates made by the amazing watercolor artist Felix Fu. Felix Fu is an artist and visual storyteller who was born and raised in Hong Kong. Now living and working in Newton, Massachusetts, Felix creates tiny watercolors that capture the joy, beauty and essence of life. Charming and whimsical, his images have a nostalgic feeling that reminds one of a simpler, more magical time. Perhaps it is the flavor of the English influence in Hong Kong blended with New England tradition and a dash of child-like enthusiasm. Felix Doolittle stationery is unlike any other - each piece is like a miniature work of art.

Bookplates have been around for centuries. They have evolved through family crests and personal coats-of-arms to whimsical statements and verse. Felix Doolittle bookplates, like Felix' artwork, harken to times when we pasted a label on the inside cover of our prized books, letting anyone who perused the volume know that the book was mine! I guess I am still old-school. While I am content to read the "newspaper" and my news online, I like to hold a real book, curl up on a couch in the family room or lounge chair under the shade of a tree and enjoy the stories and adventures conjured up by my favorite authors.

The bookplates should be in stock soon, but we couldn't wait to show them to you. Feast on the images, and email us if you want to be notified when they arrive ... or come by when they are in stock. These are all printed on premium self-adhesive, acid-free paper stock. They measure 2.03" x 2.85". These little works of art are sold individually for $2.25 each. Here are some of our selections.

Handmade Leather Mini-Books, Necklaces and Key Chains

You know how I love miniatures ... and miniature books in particular. I was blown away by these little leather books made in Philadelphia, all by hand using reclaimed materials.

The artisans explain their books in this way: These miniature books are made using archival insides and vintage outsides. Inside you'll find line-free strathmore drawing paper - thick, hand-torn and hand-stitched acid-free pages that work perfectly with ink, pens both thick and superfine, pencil, charcoal and myriad other mediums. The book's covers are made using handpicked scraps and worn leather, cut to fit the appropriate size. The leather has been bartered from farms in Ecuador, ripped from old chairs in Holland, taken from boots and shoes and saddles and bags and wallets, and found in abandoned houses across the United States. They are scavenged from dumpsters and flea markets and yard sales all over the world and every book is made by hand, so no book will ever have an exact duplicate.

This is a tiny artist book, perfect for the detailed renderer or the writer of very short stories. Each journal comes completely blank, awaiting your imaginative entries. They are hand bound and covered in reclaimed leather. Size: 1 1/4" high x 1" wide with 42 sheets (84 pages). Priced at $49.95 each.

The book necklaces and key chains are also made from the same materials and they hang from either a 19” long gunmetal chain or a brass key chain. The books are just as usable as the one that is not on a chain. We have these in two book sizes: a small, 5/8" high book with 30 sheets (60 pages), priced at $49.95 each, and a medium, 7/8" high book with 42 sheets (84 pages), priced at $52.95 each.

Creative Inspirational Metal Art by Jendala

We just received our first shipment of these wonderful metal art pieces that are created by Northern California metal artist Jennifer Utsch. She envisioned Jendala art from her strong belief that there is a connection between creativity, the environment and universal growth. These inspiring pieces are handcrafted locally from salvaged and reclaimed materials. Jennifer: "I design and create all my products using the hand torch. All metal is reclaimed, mostly from sheet metal and steel cans. I then paint and assemble each piece with beads and bells selected from sustainable cooperatives in India and Indonesia."

We fell for these wonderful ornaments, magnet boards and key chains because of their wonderful colors, rustic shapes and inspirational messages. Hope you love them too!

Key Chains • $9.95 each

Affirmation Chimes and Ornament Bells from $14.95 each

Meow & Woof! Key Chains, Ornament Bells and Magnet Boards

Decorate with Reclaimed, Repurposed Barnwood and Tin

These pieces of folk art are made in the little town of Chamblee, Georgia, using salvaged bead board and antique ceiling tin, with a few vintage doo-dads added to complete the image. They are decorative and unique, good for the environment because they use reclaimed materials, good for the economy since they are made in the USA and are good for you because they will warm your heart with a smile.

The artist explains: 

We have been committed to using salvaged materials from the beginning for several reasons. But mostly because, why would you buy some new wood and work for hours to try and create this same old world charm with paint layers and sanding? It's a wonderful way to repurpose salvaged wood and tin.

 

Celtic Cross, Heart and Fleur d'Lys. ($115.00 each)

Old reclaimed barn wood is covered in vintage tin ceiling tiles to create these unique decorative accents.

 

Junk Hearts ($59.95 each)

What Valentine wouldn't love these hearts? Created from old bead board and vintage hardware, these hearts come in assorted colors.

 

Corrugated Tin Frames 5x7 ($39.95 each)

Painted Tin Frames ($59.95 each)

Picture frames made from salvaged materials, like reclaimed wood, antique bead board, used molding, ceiling tin and barn roofs create rustic, down-home places for your family memories. These eco-friendly offerings may not fit into the palette of some decorators, but they will easily fit into your home.

 

Hanging Angel ($119.00 each)

Standing Angel ($165.00 each)

These angels are made by layering antique wood to form the robes and then attaching wings that are antique ceiling tin. The patina on the reclaimed wood and antique tin is beautiful and each one is unique. These are great for the holidays, of course, but we like to have them around all year long.

Linoleum Block Prints by Shirlie Montgomery

Shirlie Montgomery (1918-2012) was a local San Jose resident ... born and raised right here in the Valley of Hearts Delight. Ms. Montgomery was a well-known San Francisco Bay Area photo-journalist. In fact she was the first such in the Bay Area. She was also a graphic artist, illustrating her photo albums, keeping sketchbooks and making block prints from wood and linoleum.

These are original linoleum printing blocks created by Shirlie  circa 1940. One is a bookplate with a candle and books; the other an Arts & Crafts inspired tree. Included with the block are sheets of artist proofs and a couple of original sketches.

These are available in the shop and online for $49.00 for each set.