HOMEGROWN GREETS

The golden age of DIY Christmas cards was in the 40's, 50's and 60's, well before photoshop or animated greets and they reflect an ingenious home made spirit.
The top card was made by my parents circa the mid 40's and is joined by other examples of this great tradition.

have a Murray Xmas and a snappy holiday season ...

"SURREAL SANDWICH" department

 city windows and their reflections become the instant surreal sandwich department...

WINDOW SHOPPING

As a country kid I've always been captivated by the bright  lights and dazzle of the big burg.  I include in that category the art of the window dresser.  I came across these last week at Fishs Eddy, a favorite dinnerware store on lower Broadway. The owner, Julie Gaines has a first rate collection of of vintage thrift portraiture and it was put to good use for these seasonal windows.

"PORTRAITURE" from the streets

Portraiture is, as always, a classic motif.  Here is a small sampling from New York's always 
abundant, gallery of the streets ...

"LET'S EAT" food art signage

As we approach our national food centric holiday, enjoy these favorite samples of
hand rendered signage.

...and a Happy Thanksgiving to all! ...

"AUNT GERT GETS DOWN"

a little follow up to last weeks celebration of NYC's  aerosol artistry ...

   

AEROSOL GRAFF IN NYC.

Traditional aerosol graffiti began in NYC during the 70's, spreading out from the Bronx, across the five boroughs and eventually transforming into the global phenomena it has become today.  Some of the finest examples of this art can still be found in pockets around the city, especially in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens.. Last week I watched a small crew working a long factory wall in the Bronx. Kids would pull up on bikes and skateboards to watch the masters (and local heros) as they balanced on stepladders with little more than a rough sketch, creating intricate freehand pieces that would often stretch 15 to 20 feet in width and height.   Hats off to them!

"OPEN MIKE NIGHT" AT THE COMEDY SHACK

"TRICK OR TREAT"- Vintage Halloween Snapshots

Halloween, the favorite national holiday of dentists, kids, pagans and party goers is sliding up quickly.
Here is a small snapshot selection of kids in treat seeking missile mode ...

  
                      

HALLOWEEN POSTCARDS

during the golden epoch of postcard history (roughly 1900-1920) millions of holiday greetings were sent . As a lover of all things Halloween, here are few samples of some of the fantastical illustrations that emerged during that era.