One more

I like this one—

From the very interesting Pit i cuixa, by Joan Casaramona.

Jumping Jack Flash

Is it just me, or do we see more of these paper puppets (aka "jumping jacks"—or, in French, "pantins") around this time of year?  Here are some that have caught my eye lately:

from Karolin Schnoor

A recent favourite, seen at the fabulous Kickcans & Conkers

from Renaud Perrin

from Cornelia O'Donovan

From Herzensart (includes a tutorial and image to download)

maude's shop, via slow progress

Another big favourite, originally found here 

Gifted, part 2

More inspiration for wrapping your presents...

from Design Sponge

from natasha

from a bit of this, a bit of that

from papernstitch

Merry Christmas!

Gifted

Are you in the spirit yet?  If you are like me, wrapping gifts happens at the very last moment.  Here are a few fresh approaches to wrapping your packages— 

Bottle-swirly!  I love this playful idea from taet-tat

found on tea for joy

forgot where I saw this but I love the branch idea!

Christina Heaston's lovely idea..

what possessed me!

from martha stewart, via billy kids

And finally, a tutorial from design sponge— featuring recycled paper....

Invent

From marvellous Maira Kalman.

Winter Solstice

(From ilovedoodle)

Today is the Winter Solstice — the year's shortest day and longest night — so let us settle down for the duration.  I don't know about you, but it is my most productive time of year.  

William Blake wrote, "In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy."

I leave you with a few wintry images to enjoy...

(from Camil Tulcan)

(From Mique Moriuchi)

(from Northern Soul)

Stay warm, and enjoy the season!

PS.  One last thought:  Pietro Arentino (a 15th century poet) wrote, 

"Let us love winter, for it is the spring of genius."  

Get busy!!

Armenian legends, illustrated

Tzeh, the Russian illustrator's collective, is having an exhibit on the legends of Mount Ararat — stunning imagery  from Armenian tales, myths and stories.  It has been made into a book, and also cards!  It's the crème de la crème of Russian talent, including work from Irina Troitskaya and Victoria Semykina, among many many others.  Beautiful work, definitely worth a look!  Here are some that caught my eye:

 

 

 

 

Exhibit runs until 20 December in Moscow, see tzeh site for details.

It is also possible to order a copy of the book.

via Irina. 

Alzbeta Skálová

I have just discovered the work of Czech illustrator Alzbeta Skálová.  She does, among other things, wonderful children's books, which are published by Baobab Books.

She studied art film and illustration at the University of Prague, also doing a year in both Paris and Baltimore.  She's won many prizes for her illustrated books since beginning her career.

This one, in watercolour and gouache, is from Back to Africa (Baobab Books, 2005)— a book  I recently bought about animals from the Prague Zoo who escape and return to Africa.

(2009 book cover for Albatros, the legendary Czech children's book publisher and one of the founding members of the Bologna Book Fair)

   

She does some design on the side too— very appealing children's room items! For Sofistick.

Alzbeta is also a member of Koprbooks — an illustrator's collective in which many good artists participate.  Definitely one to watch!

Fallin'

Happy autumnal equinox! 

To celebrate the beginning of my favorite season, here's an image from Iranian illustrator Mehdi Mo'eeni.  It is from his book  LEAVES which won the prize at Bologna Book Fair in 1985.  Via the wonderful blog Animalarium.


More leaves:

Javier Jaen Benavides via accidental mysteries

Left: as seen on design*sponge

Right: from kris's color stripes

Left: tardamucho

Right: from typogabor's blog (Westvaco inspirations for printers)