Let Sophie Blackall Find Your Missed Connection

Although I am an adult, I refuse to ever give up my devotion to illustrated stories. Sophie Blackall's Missed Connections: Love, Lost & Found, if one of my favorites of the moment. Sophie is such a fantastic illustrator, and her book- a visual journey through the world of Craigslist's Missed Connections ads- is a heartfelt depiction of the search for love and relationships in this massive and sometimes alienating city. Her simply stylized illustrations paint beautifully fleshed out stories gleaned from the short, black and white pages of the classifieds. While I have my attractions to gloom and darkness just like the rest of the world, I think that seeing the warm glow and depth of such superficially pedestrian things as Craigslist is a pretty special ability, and I love that Sophie Blackall is able to do that. Just check out some of her inspiring excerpts. My favorites are the Bear Costume and the Music Girl and Boy. Can you help falling in love with these strangers yourself?

You can buy Missed Connections online, or in virtually any bookstore in NYC. I've seen it at all of my favorite shops- Book Court, Spoonbill, McNally Jackson, and more. Also, if you are an NYC resident, keep an eye out in the subways. You may have already seen Sophie's recent MTA poster- and my favorite of all of them- which you can also purchase from their website here.  

Plus, make sure you check out Sophie's Blog, and her Missed Connections Blog. They're both fantastic.

Have you searched for your missed connection today?...


*All illustrations in this post were by Sophie Blackall.

The Raging Battle of Brian Profilio

The Hunter ~ Brian Profilio

I'm lucky to be surrounded by a number of talented artist friends of different walks, and today I have the distinct pleasure of highlighting one of those people who is not only dear to me, but also very deserving of attention. Many fans know Brian Profilio as the long-time drummer for the genre-twisting, dark-side-luring, Budos Band. What you may not know, is that Brian is also a gifted fine artist. Having known him for several years now, I have watched him pass tedious tour hours sketching detailed illustrations in the back of a van, and I have seen his enormous aptitude for drawings, paintings, and other creations. Thus, I was particularly excited when, recently, he held an art show in his hometown of Staten Island,where he finally shared with the world many of his nefarious and highly skillful works of art.

Wight Night ~ Brian Profilio   

            The Budos Band ~ 2011 Tour of the South

You might have seen some of Brian's mythic and dastardly creatures without knowing it. Wight Night, above, was a tour poster for The Budos Band's tour of the south last year. And as a matter of fact, many other Budos Band posters, t-shirts, and collector's items were painstakingly drawn by him. Here are just a few.

The Budos Band with Pablo @ Bowery Ballroom, 2010

The Budos Band @ SF and LA, 2011

The Budos Band with Charles Bradley @ Music Hall of Williamsburg, 2011

Brian's bent for the grave and rotten is readily apparent. Like in his music, there is a veil of beastliness that shrouds all of his works. However, the complexity of each piece reveals a story that is far richer than what you might simply call "evil." Can't you sense the raging battle being wrestled in the eyes of the notorious characters below? The portraits are so well crafted they practically seem like photographs from a sinful tale in motion.

Captain Ahab

 Dracula

Captain Ahab

You may not be as attracted to the morbidity of humanity as Brian is, but it's hard to deny his utter capacity to render his wild imagination. When I saw The Groundskeeper (below) at his Enter the Summoner's Circle Art Show, I was floored by his ability to work with light. The photo doesn't do the actual piece justice. When you see it in the flesh, seeing every infinitesimal nuance sends shivers up your spine. 

The Groundskeeper

Grave in the Tree

Cthulu

Brian has a huge body of work that is not yet floating around in the public eye. Personally, I was sucked in by a painting of an icy landscape illuminated by a cold moon that was at this show, but that I haven't seen since. However, you can keep up with him best on his blog, which he seems to be updating, or, of course, on The Budos Band Facebook page which gets constant updates.  

Brian Profilio, photo by Kisha Bari

Have any thoughts to add about Brian Profilio's artwork? Share them here!

*All photos were taken from Brian Profilio's blog and The Budos Band's Facebook Page, except for the final photograph which was taken by Kisha Bari.

Natalie Stopka is Otherworldly

Handwoven Book by Natalie Stopka

I'm a nostalgic person. I loves antiques, bookshelves filled with books (no Nook for me), and handmade journals I can fill with scribbles. I like stories, and colors, and textures, and tactile objects. And for these reasons and more I've become terribly smitten with bookbinder and illustrator, Natalie Stopka's handmade creations. Her collection of journals, albums, print folios and more, are the careful products of hand dyed fabrics, vintage textiles, and impeccable bookbinding techniques. 

Pair of Tweed Pocket Journals

Years ago I traveled to Italy where I first fell in love with fine bookbinding. I couldn't get enough of the handmade journals I encountered everywhere I went. I think in Natalie Stopka I've found a stateside alternative equally deserving of admiration. All of her works elicit an aura of other-worldliness, an attractive lightness. It's as if her cozy, Tweed Pocket Journals make writing all the more inspired and satisfying.

Ombre Linen Book in Peach and Grey with Lined Pages

Hand-dyed and hand-bound, this Ombre Linen Book is awe-inspiring. I would love to spend afternoons sitting in a cafe with this airy little journal. I can already imagine how it must feel to run your fingers along the marvelous fabric.  And speaking of marvelous...

Journal in Heather and Gold Marbled Silk

This stunning Journal in Heather and Gold Marbled Silk is made from dupioni silk that was hand-marbled by Natalie. Can you believe your eyes? If that's not sufficiently impressive, check out Natalie's handiwork in the Guest Book below. That is a hand stitched, gold thread, chevron pattern you see before you. Wow. 

Guest Book in Espresso and Gold Chevron Embroidery

Apart from having an Etsy shop called Natalie As Is that will leave you ooh-ing and ahh-ing, Natalie also has a fascinating blog where you can see all her latest artistic endeavors. It's a beautiful site and will let you further appreciate the incredible handmade specimens she produces. I can't wait to see what these exquisite marbled papers I found on her blog will end up on.

What do you think of Natalie Stopka? Do you know any outstanding textile printers and bookbinders you'd like to share? I'll leave you with this sweet, little art folio as a parting image. Can you feel yourself fall into another time? I can.

Print Folio, How-To

*All photos were pulled from Natalie Stopka's Etsy Shop and Blog.