Extreme smoker

Feeling Stressed?

{photo via Kent Vogel}

I don't know about you, but lately I have been feeling pretty stressed out ~ work, the economy, my pathetic 401K withering away. Thursday night I was doing my usual ~ catching up on email, trolling the internet, working on a crochet project ~ while watching/listening to tv. PBS had a program on stress that seemed like it might be interesting, so I turned from my usual mindless choices and tuned in. Glad I did ~ it was quite enlightening.

I have always thought that the higher up the corporate ladder, the higher the stress level(because of the responsibility) ~ thus the higher salary. Turns out, that isn't necessarily true ~ it has more to do with dominance and submissiveness. When it comes to stress, apparently baboons are very similar to humans ~ read all about it here. Especially interesting to see what happened to the Keekerok troop ~ I wonder how that could possibly be translated to humans?!

Some help for the stressed: 10 Best Stress Busters. Guess I better get started!

Ghastly masks

When I was looking for some mask inspiration I came upon this photo ~ really creepy! Unfortunately there was no information with the photo, so all I can surmise is that it was taken during wartime ~ looks like a large group of children wearing gas masks ~ maybe a youth group of sorts? Notice that everyone is dressed in what looks to be a school uniform ~ except the troop leaders. Odd and disturbing, but mesmerizing.... almost looks like a parade ~ but why would they be celebrating?

{photo found here}

Halloween mask inspiration

Hey ~ Halloween is right around the corner ~ especially if you want to make your own costume! I saw some Mardi Gras masks at one of the antique shows I went to, so that got me thinking ~ I looked around a little and found a few images to inspire you and get you thinking in the Halloween mode ~ 31 days and counting.......

{vintage masks from TiaLori}

{papier mache mardi gras masks}

{great devil mask from Top-notch Bits}

{handmade mask from Irina Troitskaya}

{how about some glamourous glitter? from Guccino}

Walking the dog

Kismet or Coincidence?!

Whether it be kismet, coincidence or just a case of great minds with the same last name think alike, I was pleasantly surprised to come upon these here. As you can see, the mark I have used in my blog title is similar ~ I am using the one below for my artwork blog which is not up and running yet.

Clip art has been around for a long time ~ these are marks used by a woman photographer in the late 1800's ~ printed on the backside of the CDV's and cabinet cards she made and sold. Mrs. W. A. Reed (Candace McCormick Reed 1818-1900) opened her own photography studio after her husband died ~ she was also a philanthropist who helped many Civil War soldiers. You can read more about women and photography at kodak girl ~ lots of great visuals and information.

{all images via kodak girl}

True-to-life tales from the 50's

Here is a set of "True-to-life stories" written by R.W. Eschmeyer in the 50's ~ six educational and entertaining tales about "fish and game animals and how they are managed for a better hunting and fishing future." As I neither fish nor hunt, I was attracted to these books because of their vintage look and funky illustrations in two colors. The illustrations are drawn by several artists: Roy K. Wills, Francis W. Davis, Maynard Reece and Edwin Fulwider ~ I liked the ones by Roy Wills the best as they are the most stylized ~ a few are shown below.

Don't know if I will ever get around to actually reading the books, but at least one of the titles would make a great name for a porn star!

{great cover designs/graphics}

{funky 2 color spot illustrations}