Book 'Em, Mike!

photo by Dave Kinsey via FecalFace.com

The altered book ain't nuthin' new. That being said, the stuff artist Mike Stilkey is doing at the moment is totally rocking my world. I may have emitted a tiny gasp when I came across his work, I was so impressed! As a bibliophile, art lover, and color maven who organizes her book spines in aesthetically pleasing ways (nerd alert), his stuff is right up my alley. The Fecal Face interview gives a great glimpse into his studio as well. Reading and painting... can't go wrong with that.

Brad is Rad!

Simplify, simplify, simplify! This is usually good advice for any situation, and it is especially true when it comes to good design. Speaking of good design, know who gets me all hot 'n bothered? Bradbury Thompson, that's who.

Let's all get into our time machine and head back to the early 1940's when Thompson started cranking out awesomeness for Westvaco Inspirations, and pushing graphic design into the future simply by using old tools in new ways. His use of photography, typography, and color is so inspiring, Google image search his name and I promise you will not be disappointed. The above spread is my favorite, and has been since I started studying graphic design.

...Use Color for Bait.
Color, states the scientist, is a wavelength. But color is more, says the artist: color is the lighted tree at Christmas, fireworks on the Fourth of July, the Mardi Gras, the Rose Bowl game, New Years Eve on Time's Square, the flower vendor with his pushcart crowded with geraniums, the girl in a striking hat who turns heads in the Easter Parade, the first night at a smash-hit musical show, the midway at a County Fair, the crack drum and bugle corps that swings down the Avenue on parade. Color is everywhere, because, as any artist knows, the whole sweep and movement of life vibrates with color...

Some day I will find an old lady selling a bunch of mid-century Westvaco issues at a garage sale 20 for $1 and be in Bradbury Thompson design heaven; until then I will continue to be inspired by his innovation, honesty, and simplicity.

Heavy Rotation

The Blakes - The Blakes

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros - Up From Below

Crocodiles - Summer of Hate

Handsome Furs - Face Control

The Cribs - Ignore the Ignorant

When I'm too busy to update my blog, what am I busy doing, you ask? Lots of stuff - all of which is accompanied by good music. One of these days I will make my loyal blog readers a downloadable mix, until then go find these goodies at your local record store. Happy listening!