I love these illustrations by Gustave Verbeek and Peter Newell

You can find out more about these two illustrators by clicking here and here.

They were artists once, and young

Awhile back I bought a slender book of art and ruminations from handicapped children that was put out by the Easter Seals people. The publication date of the book was 1977 so most of the kids who did these art pieces are now grown up or passed away, some of them had serious incurable illnesses. Their art leapt off the pages of that slender book and into my heart and mind. Here's some of my favorites from the book which was entitled An Exceptional View of Life:

I love the pattern and repetition in this one.

The fact that a handicapped child made this one just blows my mind. It's one of the most mature pieces of art I have ever seen.

Life on chicken island wasn't easy but somehow the chicken made due.

This one reminds me of Diego Rivera by way of Edward Munch.
I love the scale and composition of this one. And the fall colors as well.

A different view

I love these Soviet era paintings about World War 2. They give a whole different view on the conflict that shaped so much of the 20th century and it shows that the people who lived in the USSR were just like us, decent folks who loved and fought for their country even if they didn't always agree with their government. You can see more of these great paintings by clicking here.

Who's swagging me now?

My old buddy from college Yvonne is swagging me now. She sent me this little art piece that I'm going to frame and hang in my home office. You really can't fully appreciate how cool this piece is because my scanner did not pick up all the nuances and material thatthe artist put into it. Nonetheless, thanks a million Yvonne! You're the best!

Artsy photo of the week

The art of Rocco Negri and Taro Yashima

I just finished uploading a new Flickr set and you can see it by clicking here. It's a set of art from children's picture books and so far it includes two artist's work, Rocco Negri and Taro Yashima.

Negri did these wonderful woodcuts for an adaptation of Androcles and the Lion. While I never cared much for stories where humans and wild animals interact and become "friends," I certainly can appreciate the artistic merits of this fine little book.


Taro Yashima did these wonderful colored pencil illustrations for his book about the village he lived in as a child. His words and pictures really take one back to pre war Japan and to a more unhurried, unspoiled time.
I recommend that you click on the All Sizes tab on Flick when you look at these pages from these children's picture books so that you can appreciate the artistry involved. These men have produced some beautiful art and I'm glad I could help keep it alive.

A bit of culture for you, the unwashed masses

We are nothing if not swanky smart monkeys here at Monkey Muck HQ. We don't just sit around and write biting political satire all day and night. Sometimes we get off our simian butts and play golf, sometimes we do housework, and sometimes we throw down some culture on your asses. Enjoy the following clip and see if you can name all the paintings or the artists. Bonus points for any post we read in the next 24 hours on any blog rolled blog that mentions 'Christina's World.'