I'm jumping up and down in celebration because one of my favorite artists/authors/all 'round Bon Vivant heros has released her new book. Well, soon. Look here. Anyway, if you've never met the amazing Maira Kalman, go hang out with her name on Amazon, wikipedia, google and many of our favorite Blogs. Her fabulous painterly, journal-ish approach to art just keeps me coming back for more. On her New York Times Blog (that ended in 2009- "And the Pursuit of Happiness") we see example after example of dry subjects injected with visual and intellectual Pa-ZAZZ. I love her. She's also a very New Yorky New Yorker, another one of my favorite things.
So taking time out from exposing you to my new obsession with painting tools and making tiny things large, I wanted to grab you by the elbow and walk you over to Maira's new Thang. By the way, creative teens seem to love her work, so if you need holiday ideas.....
I love this woman.
I want to paint like her.
A new book, goodness I haven't even got her last one...
Posted by: grrl+dog | October 12, 2010 at 04:09 PM
Her exhibit is leaving San Francisco, but will be in Los Angeles through early next year. A definite must-see for all Maira fans.
Erin in Morro Bay
Posted by: Erin Perry | October 12, 2010 at 04:24 PM
I want to paint (my version of) like her, too and have her gift for tying fact, information, to visual art and making it all seem magical. Until Erin mentioned it, I wasn't aware that she had painted a version of "Keep Calm and Carry On." Would love to have that in any form.
Posted by: Marylinn Kelly | October 14, 2010 at 05:48 PM
I was lucky enough to be gifted with a Maira KEEP CALM & CARRY ON tee shirt from Steph Hilvitz. She brought it back for me from the Maira Kalman Philly show. There are many days when I have to look down at my shirt, read it and remember!
Posted by: Lisa Hoffman | October 14, 2010 at 06:47 PM
I LOVE Maira, she inspires me with her art as well as her facile use of handwritten elements in graphic design. Thanks for the heads up, Lisa!
Posted by: JeriAnn | October 16, 2010 at 09:39 AM
oh yay...Maira!
and I have a wonderful Keep Calm and Carry On T-shirt drawing that I look at everyday :)
x..x
Posted by: Stephanie | October 18, 2010 at 04:31 PM
Yes, yes and YES!!! Got my copy in the mail this week from Amazon...thing weighs a ton! It's so jam packed with juiciness. I love the illustrations of course, but her point of view and writing are what give it such zing! It reminds me that we all need to share our wacky view of the world! Thanks for sharing...and we really should plan a trip to see her show! xoxo
Posted by: Fran Meneley | October 19, 2010 at 08:50 AM
Her art is so unique and so, well, her! Looking forward to her book. Thanks for the heads up!!
Posted by: Seth | October 22, 2010 at 02:52 PM