'Mutts Like Me' poster from Shepard Fairey promoting shelter adoptions . . .

Mutts Like Me

This poster by Shepard Fairey has earned a permanent spot in the dog section of my sidebar. I made it clickable so that the viewer is redirected to a site with an animal adoption center locator.

Quoted from the website, "Now, Shepard Fairey, the man Time Magazine named 'Icon Maker' of the year, has used his talents to help shelter pets! The artist who made Barack Obama's face an icon through his stickers and posters has now made an icon out of the American mutt, proving that every mutt is truly a masterpiece!"

"Help spread the word on behalf of the millions of furry U.S. pets currently waiting to be adopted!"

This whole movement was started by a line in one of Barack Obama's speeches. I can't wait to see the new First Puppy. It might be two according to news reports.

My own dog Webster came from a shelter as a 9-week-old puppy. He was crouched in the corner of a cage marked "UNWANTED". The rest is history. Tabitha the cat came from a shelter too.

Go out and get your own Best Friend as soon as possible! Download and print the image to help spread the word.

Currency Art . . .

My Money, My Currency by Hanna von Goeler

I guess this artist pays a dollar for her canvases.

"My currency work originated in California, while I was studying at UC Davis. I was very interested in camouflage at the time. This interest led me to create my first paintings on dollar bills, between 1992-94, in which I camouflaged / painted images onto and into bills. A family matter led me to the east coast, and faced with the costs of living in New York City on an artist’s budget, I continued to paint on money."

via

People are Strange [Video] with Original Artwork . . .

People are strange from Denis Fongue on Vimeo.
Original artwork by Violenn Simon
Music: The Doors

Fabulous invitation designed with typography . .

I couldn't love this more.

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Merry Christmas to all travelers . . .

If you find youself away from home December 25th, try to capture the spirit of Christmas wherever you can find it.

It's out there in some of the most unexpected places!

Enjoy more vintage travel trailer art here.

Does Santa do on-site carpentry? . . .

I wonder if Santa can find room for this in his sack? Will it fit down the chimney? Will it have to be built in place? Only Santa knows!

via flickr

The Peaceable Kingdom . . .

This is a wonderful theorem watercolor I picked up at a tag sale recently. I have the perfect antique frame for it. My mother is going to love this Christmas present! It is based on The Peaceable Kingdom by Edward Hicks (very fitting since this is our family name).

Peaceable Kingdom, ca. 1830–32
Edward Hicks (American, 1780–1849)
Oil on canvas; 17 7/8 x 23 7/8 in.

Edward Hicks, a Quaker preacher and sign painter, painted approximately sixty versions of the Peaceable Kingdom. The painting represents the messianic prophecy of Isaiah 11:6: "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them." The presence of additional animals and children on the left is due to Hicks' inclusion of the seventh and eighth verses. Hicks derived the composition, a popular nineteenth-century Bible illustration, from an engraving after a drawing by the English artist Richard Westall. The theme of a peaceable community of animals was one often used as a political metaphor, and was adapted by Hicks himself. The artist sometimes included scenes of Penn's treaty with the Indians, intending Penn's flock to stand as a sort of partial fulfillment of the biblical prophecy. Image: Metropolitan Museum of Art

Look what a Kentucky Lawyer did with $10 worth of Sharpie pens . . .

I just had to post about this. Look what Charlie Kratzer of Lexington, Kentucky did to his basement recreation room using $10 worth of sharpie pens and magic markers. Before he started on this project the walls were painted a classic cream. Ten dollars later the place was black and cream and drawn all over.

There are fictional detectives Hercule Poirot and Sherlock Holmes, Winston Churchill lounging with George Bernard Shaw, and the TV squirrel Rocky and his moose pal Bullwinkle. Some of the places of interest include Blenheim Palace and the Cornell Law School (the homeowner/artist is the associate general counsel for Lexmark).

Read the entire article from the Lexington Herald-Leader and see the 360-degree scrolling movie of the whole room instead of the stills I am picturing above.

I am so impressed! This project takes tromp l'oeil to a whole new level.

Thanks, Tim.