Good Books: Julia Rothman and Lee Crutchley

I got a couple of arty books recently and thought I should blog about them seeing I think I found them on Pikaland.

I had seen the Julia Rothman book Farm Anatomy all over the internet after it came out late last year and had a feeling that I would really like it. As farm kids we would often hear stories about 'city kids' thinking milk came from a factory and we all thought this was totally hilarious and maybe a bit untrue. But the truth is, when it comes to farming it is a bit of a mystery to a lot of people. The book has so much good information and I don't think there would be a household where it wouldn't come in handy because everyone consumes things that start off coming from some kind of primary producer. It has recipes, how to instructions on a whole bunch of stuff (who hasn't wanted to build a barrel smokehouse?) and information that I am sure will help if you ever a) go on Farmer Wants a Wife or b) get asked what a wether is*.

I had to include the shearing picture from the book, coming from a sheep farm.

The other book I got is by Lee Crutchley and is called Quoteskin Volume 1. It started as a way for Lee to stay creative and draw while looking for work after returning from time spent overseas. It features illustrated quotes from all sorts of places (Tegan and Sara below) and it was created with 'no master plan and no intention to create ultra finished illustrations'.

What I like about this and a whole bunch of other books out there (and TV, Film, Music and Art) is how Lee put his work on the internet, gained a following and then got to turn it into a book. Rather than trying to turn it into a book in the first place and probably having to change a whole bunch of stuff to get it to appeal to demographics and make money. Isn't it great how the internet can give people the power to put stuff out there and gain an audience on their own terms?

I found this on my phone when getting the pictures I took of the books and thought it was farmy appropriate. She has grown so much since last Christmas!

*This is not a wether, this is a gilt. A wether is a castrated male sheep.

Batman!

You don't want to know how long we have been meaning to make this card. Considering how close Batman station is to our house it is actually a bit embarrassing. But it is here with some usual yellow shorts action. We have him available on Etsy and at our markets this week, The Suzuki Night Market at Queen Victoria Market from 5.30pm-10pm tomorrow night (Wednesday) and the Rose Street Market on Saturday and Sunday from 11am - 5pm.

The internet. And Cats.

Over the weekend I was looking around the internet, getting lost on those Tumblr pages that just have loads of weird/funny pictures. Those places are dangerous, suddenly you're on page 22 and in this half asleep stupor and the only thing that will get your out is a brisk walk and a slap on the face.

Sometimes these "sessions" get you something really good like the website Kitties and Bullshit. Not sure what the bullshit is because I only saw amazing but then I'm kitty obsessed so it could be a blog about cats sitting in bullshit warming their paws and I'm going to love it. The site has = three simple boxes ticked, there is drawing, there is cats and there is familiar song lyrics. It's by a Brooklyn based illustrator called Sofia Falcon. You can view her portfolio here.

Image Source: Kitties and Bullshit

What's on offer

Romance comes in all different shapes, sizes and gestures and while some people have specific tastes, other find those things utterly distasteful. I remember reading an article a few years ago about how a woman found getting the flowers and the chocolates rather offensive viewing the generic gift as a reflection on herself. I remember thinking, sure it is predictable, but you have chocolate and that is a good thing.



Our new 100% total romance card is a bit of a nod to those generic notions of love, the 12 dozen roses and the box of fancy chocolates (the ones you eat in one go because if you don't they will call your name all night long). He is available on Etsy with his cute little bow tie (what is it attached to?? I like to think he double sided sticky taped it on) ready to impress you with his skills.

CATS!

Since shifting office and coming back to work after Christmas I've been designing new cards. Around mid November I realised I wouldn't have time to design anything new and to just focus on everything else December throws at you. I didn't realise taking time off from doing a job that really is the whole foundation of our business would have such an impact. It's almost like I forgot what it was that I did and was coming up with ideas for cards that were pretty craptastic. On Saturday I dropped Gareth off at Rose Street and got to work in the office on my own with only the internet to distract me. Then I came up with this card:

At first I thought I couldn't make it, it was too ridiculous. But once I drew it, coloured it and printed it I got the giggles. Then I remembered that this was what it was all about. I showed it to Gareth that night with the warning that he was going to hate it, but it was my new favourite card. He smsed me on Sunday to say someone had bought one. Mullety cat man is available on Etsy. Or in your dreams, he can deal with both.





As an aside, can you imagine if the Katy Perry song was the same lyrics as this card? I think the world would be a better place.

Even your SMS are not safe

My sister sent me an SMS last week with a line about the box office of her heart and I wrote back saying I was using it for a new card. People often ask us where the ideas for the cards come from and usual we say anywhere and everywhere. Some cards don't have a cute story, others have totally funny 'this happened to our friends and they needed an apology card' story.

Our box office guy is available on Etsy and we will also be at Rose Street both Saturday and Sunday and at the North Melbourne Market on Sunday.

Tennis and Sunburn

Yesterday I went along to day two of the Australian Open with a bunch of friends. I'd not been for a couple of years but ended up in the same spot watching the Frenchman Gael Monfils playing again. I took the photo below on the phone and changed it using the Tilt Shift Focus app, one of the really fun (as long as you have the right picture) photo apps.

I don't know what the temp was but I think it was around 35 degrees, so I made sure I was prepared for some sitting around in the sun by eating lots of food, drinking lots of water and getting drenched in sunscreen. Having skin that would make Antarctica look tanned I burn in about 10 minutes so the old SPF 30+ is mandatory. I do always end up missing spots and find those odd little patches of burnt skin both funny and annoying.

Speaking of tennis, we have had this card for a few years and it is still a favourite. I like the big hair and have to admit I was sad I didn't get to see the Williams sisters and check out what fashions they had this year. I hope it was an early '80s retro theme with big hair, that would be amazing!
If you're in Melbourne get along to the tennis, it is loads of fun. As I said to my friend yesterday, sitting in the sun drinking beer, does life get any better than this?