Digital Treat: Thanks to Cambridge University we can now see inside the world’s first multicolored printed book August 10, 2015 – Posted in: book arts, Books and Technology, Illustration, Painting

The book is called Shi zhu zhai shu hua pu, ‘Manual of Calligraphy and Painting’ and was first published in 1633 in Nanjing. The book is comprised of eight categories – birds, plums, orchids, bamboos, fruit, stones, ink drawings (round fans) and miscellany – and is illustrated by 50 different artists and calligraphers. It is the earliest known example of multicolor printing in the world: printed by the technique of polychrome xylography known asdouban invented and perfected…

Bookish gems from the inaugural Seattle Art Fair August 3, 2015 – Posted in: Art, Books and Art, Conceptual Art, Exhibits, Painting, sculpture

The first ever Seattle Art Fair is in the books and by most accounts it’s another feather in the cap for the Emerald City. The tech boom with its inherent money showers combined with our proximity to Asia make for an enticing mix and when Paul Allen throws his hat in the ring usually something good happens. I have been saying this for a while now; there are few cities in America as well positioned as Seattle to become…

Books by the Glass April 6, 2015 – Posted in: Books and Art, books in design, Painting, product design

Next time your on the hunt for a cool gift for your bookish loved one or for something to spruce up your reading life perhaps some painted wine glasses by Renée at Kudos Kitchen would do the trick. Painted on demand by Renee the glasses would surely add some color to the festivities. Salute! Harry Potter Mary Poppins Breakfast at Tiffany’s inspired by 50 Shades of Gray Book Club Kudos Kitchen by Renée pictured at top: Pride…

R.B. Kitaj: First Series – Some Poets January 6, 2015 – Posted in: Art, Books and Art, Content, Painting

Charles Olson R.B. Kitaj was one of the most significant painters of the post-war period. His collage-like figurative paintings were a major influence on the British Pop Art scene. Lucky for us much of his work also has literary underpinnings. Educated in the U.S. Kitaj spent most of his adult life in London. He returned to the US in 1967 to teach at the University of California Berkeley and then the University of California Los Angeles before returning to London in 1972. It was…

Wood + Paint = Books: The Work of Nathaniel Russell October 27, 2014 – Posted in: Books and Art, Content, Painting

For his latest show at the Mollusk Surf Shop in San Francisco Nathaniel Russel unveiled some new work that’s right up our alley; a series of paintings on wood that resemble books. The show runs through the end of the month and there is a good chance it may sell out. Enjoy! The artist’s blog Exhibit page at Mollusk