As an ex-New Yorker, I’ve always been fascinated by beauty of the city’s manhole covers. I love the simple geometry found in many of the designs. New York City now has to step up its game. After seeing these beautiful Japanese manhole covers from the book Drainspotting, I think Con Edison needs to go back to the drawing board.
If you’re inner geek needs more drain images, check out drainspotting.com.
I feel like one of the luckiest women in the world. My husband usually makes me feel this way, but this time my feeling is caused by another man. This past weekend I got to spend time with author and illustrator, Scott McCloud and his adorably cute daughter, Sky. Scott and Sky came to China for a series of presentations and workshops relating to the Shanghai Student Film Festival (S2F2).
Scott has written a series of books related to comics. His books Making Comics, Reinventing Comics and Understanding Comics are an essential addition to any art library.
I feel incredibly lucky because Scott came into my 5th grade classroom and did a lesson on how to draw facial expressions. My kids ate it up!!!! I can’t tell you how many of them took their sketchbooks home that night and drew their little hearts out.
I stopped in our counselor’s office the other day for a little post Christmas holiday chat. On her desk I noticed a book called Don’t Laugh at Me. I immediately fell in love with the book’s illustrator, Glin Dibley. I think his sense of color is very interesting. I really like how he paints cool colors around the eyes with pink noses. I hope you enjoy his work as much as I do.
Each time we come back to the States David and I stock up on certain things to bring back to China. I usually buy loads of shoes and pants and David buys electronic gadgets. (I hope you’re having fun with your new itouch, babe.) In addition, we always make a stop or two at bookstores.
This time around David found an amazing book called The Arrival by illustrator and writer, Shaun Tan. This beautifully and imaginatively illustrated book tells the story of a man who leaves his family and impoverished community in search of opportunities in a foreign and strange land. Along the way the man meets people who help him settle into the new world and share stories from their lives.
This book touched me for several reasons. Being first generation American, it made me imagine what my father and grandmother might have experienced when they left Austria and arrived at Ellis Island. It also made me think of my own experiences with living in China. There is a section of the book where the man is being introduced to strange and exotic foods. His reaction is exactly what I feel every time I go grocery shopping!
I’m going to begin this post by taking this opportunity to rave about my husband’s thoughtfulness and his web surfing skills. I got an early Christmas gift from him the other day. (Yay! I love early presents!) He had created a book of our trip with his family to Cambodia and Thailand. Now, I’m not talking about a collection of photos put into plastic sleeves or even a crafty scrapbook. He created a beautiful, hard bound, full color real book! It could have easily been found on the shelves of Barnes and Noble under their travel section.
He used a website called http://www.blurb.com/. Blurb is a great website that allows you to self publish your own books! You choose the format, the theme, the size and then supply your own text and images. The possibiliteis are endless! Not only is it great for family presents, but has so many applications for teaching and education. Teachers and students could create their own textbooks, step by step instruction manuals, how to draw books, teacher and student portfolios, and annual collections of student images. The list goes on and on!
I’ve been so excited by this website that I have been consumed like a crazy woman putting together our vacation photos. Next, I think I’m going to create a family cook book!
When I first saw Obama speak during the Democratic National Convention I called my mom during his speech and told her that I was going to marry him. Things didn’t quite work out between Barack and I. The fact that he was oblivious to my existence kind of put a damper on any potential amore. Oh, and the fact that I was dating my future husband had an impact as well.
Despite the heartbreak, I was very excited to see him eventually become the Democratic nominee and equally happy that IDW Publishing decided to do a comic about him (oh, and one on that other guy). For the article about the soon to be released comic book, click here.
Sadly, the comics do not picture Obama and McCain duking it out while wearing flowing capes and spandex. Instead, the text tells their life stories. What saves the disappointing plot line is the fact that the covers are done by one of my favorite comic book artists, J. Scott Campbell, creator of Danger Girl.
I really hope this comics speaks to those who are usually alienated by politics and encourages them to get involved and vote (for Obama). Can you sense my liberal bias?
While driving home after having some yummy mussels and fries with friends, my husband and I were listening to WHYY’s Radio Times. They had a fascinating interview with the author of The Forgers Spell: A True Story of Vermeer, Nazis, and the Greatest Art Hoax of the Twentieth Century, Edward Dolnick. To describe it would be a great disservice. Take my word for it, either download the radio show or buy the book right away.