Sam's Club vs. Neiman Marcus

The throwdown begins NOW! Seems that the giants of excess (N.M.) and the giants of not-excess (walmart) are going after the same demographic this holiday season: people with too much money on their hands.

Sam's Club is offering up this Fairytale Wedding in their catalog:

For only $198,000 you and your mate can get hitched in Walt Disney World with 50 of your closest friends and family. The reception is backstage amonst the parade floats, the happy couple is announced on a float with a gaggle of performers who sing a song made up just for them. Private fireworks, celebrity wedding planners, four days of being escorted around the parks, etc, etc.

And Neiman Marcus has this:

ACupcake Car for only $25,000. Sure it's artsy and fun and you can "putter about the 'hood." (Really? The hood?) and have gaggles of small kids following you, but you could also take that 25K and feed a small town. Good job for the artist because as we all know it's tough to make a living as an artist.

 

Happy Halloween

This photo is so frightening. I'd so much rather see people dressing up like this today than skantilly clad vixens. Sorry guys, but it's Halloween - aren't we supposed to scare people? Enjoy!

Halloween 2009 #77

Found on Steve Chasmar's Flickr page - click the photo to see more of his wonderful vintage finds

Time off...

is a rare thing for us. Ed and I are always working on something. Yesterday was a great day, met with some great people, got great advice, new leads and possibly a couple showings. I'm itching to get right back in my room and keep painting but we planned a trip down to Maryland to visit friends this weekend. And it's a great thing.

It clears my head, gets me centered and gives my hand a rest. Since we don't have the luxury of actual vacations (to hawaii, tokyo, california) I forget how essential 'getting away' is. Our friends are generous, kind, funny and always show us a wonderful time. It's not Tokyo but it's love and that's just as essential when you create for a living.

Have a great weekend.

-Kris

Something Before Your Meal?

I'm itching to get some new work to you and I really though I'd have those five new paintings scanned and back by now. But you can't rush these things and Dave at Archive Print does such a fantastic job I absolutely do not want to bother him.

But I still want to show you something new so here's a quick shot of what's lined up on my desk today: intial layout of what I'm calling "Boffo" for now, "Jelly" (edging over the line for Cuddly, but I still love the way it came out), peppermint doesn't have a name yet but coming along nicely, golf ball boy will be redone as this was a shitty panel to work with but I love the concept, "Fromage" (still needs some final touches) and "Coffee Break" all done.

Wallpaper as Art

I've had a love/hate relationship with wallpaper over the years. Growing up in the 70's it was everywhere and quite frankly, I'd had enough of it when I decorated my own home. But there is a new interest in wallpaper and I'm digging it.

Curio Wallcoverings seems to be the place to go for some amazing new designs like this Camille Rose Garcia limited edition artist series.

They also have Shepard Fairey, Adam Wallacavage and Shag designs.

They are made in a small shop in Brooklyn that's been in business for 50 years and specializes in traditional flocked wallpaper.

Ahhh...I remember my parents living room....mirrored wallpaper with green flocked bamboo stalks running along an entire wall. Or my grandparent's kitchen and dining room seen here:

Dear god it's amazing we made it out of the 70's and 80's alive.