Word of the Day: Flounce

Flounce \FLOUNS\

verb:
1. To go with impatient, exaggerated movements.
2. To throw the body about spasmodically
noun:
A strip of material gathered or pleated and attached at on edge, with the other edge left loose or hanging.

Flounce may have emerged from the Scandinavian flunsa, "the plunge, hurry" but the first record of these is 200 years later than the English word.  The English bounce may be in influence.

What's Popped Up: M.C. Escher Pop-ups by Courtney Watson McCarthy

Our friend Courtney Watson McCarthy brings M.C. Escher's graphic art into pop-up 3D splendor in this beautiful coffee table book from BlueRed Press Ltd (2011). The book includes descriptions of the artwork and quotes from Escher himself. 

Word of the Day: Altiloquent

Altiloquent \awl-TIL-uh-kwuhnt\ adjective

High flown or pretentious (of language)

Altiloquent comes from the Latin roots atli meaning 'high' and loquentem meaning 'speaking'.

Artist Watch: Isaiah Zagar

I recently visited Philadelphia's Magic Gardens, a mosaic wonderland on South Street created by artist Isaiah Zagar. Glass bottles, bicycle wheels, hand-painted tiles, mirrors, and sculptures cover the walls and floors, both inside the building and in the courtyard. Outside, Zagar created a maze of walkways that feel like a world away from the city outside. I was enchanted.

If you find yourself in Philly, I recommend a visit! 

Word of the Day: Mensch

Mensch \mench\ noun

A decent, upright, mature, and responsible person.

Origin: Mensch entered English from Yiddish in the 1950s.  In Yiddish, it meant "man, human being" and had the posivitve associations that carried into English.  It is related to the German word mensch.

 

What's Popped Up: Father's Day Card

A friend of ours created a Father's Day card this weekend using one of our pop up templates, and we just had to share it with all of you!

She used the Chewbacca DIY Pop-Up and modified it to her liking! Can you spot the resemblance?

 

 

 Happy Father's Day to you all!
~Jess

What's Popped Up: Max's Machines

Willy Bullock's Max's Machine (Scholastic 1999) is more than a pop-up book; it's an engineering feat. Max is a mechanic who pulls levers and pushes buttons he probably shouldn't, including the ejector button on his plane! On each spread vehicles pop-up and, with the help of giant pull tabs, lift, tilt, and fly.  My favorite is the dump truck. Pulling the tab makes the back of the truck tilt back and "dump"  the dirt out. It's a nice big book for curious little hands.

Word of the Day: Melismatic

melismatic \mi-liz-MA-tik\ adjective

Characterized by the singing of several notes to one syllable of text, for emotional impact, as in blues or other musical styles.

Melismatic comes from the Greek word melisma "music"

Artist Watch: Edholm Ullenius

Edholm Ullenius is a studio of two people, Sissi Edholm and Lisa Ullenius.  They are based out of Stockholm and have worked with a wide range of clients like Ikea and Paul Smith.  Their work is graphic but incorporates whimsical little line drawings and sometimes it's reminiscent of Matisse's paper cut outs.  Edholm Ullenius' work has been on multiple surfaces including fabric, bottles, packaging, and tote bags.  Check out more of their work on their website.

 

 ~ Jess

What's Popped Up: National Geographic's Undersea Animals

Undersea Animals is one of my all-time favorite pop-up books. First published in 1987 by the National Geographic Society, it was engineered by John Strejan and James Diaz, illustrated by award-winning artist Jerry Pinkney, and written by Jane H. Buxton. I particularly like the pop-up of the giant kelp; two plants slide past each other as the page opens, and it's a nice effect. The book has lots of fun pull tabs and wheels that make the creatures move.  Pinkney's art is stunning. This one is a pop-up classic!

Word of the Day: Tutelage

Tutelage \TOO-tuhl-ij\ noun

1. The act of guarding or protecting; guardianship; protection.
2. The state of being under a guardian or tutor

Artist Watch: Carl Samson

Gifted portrait painter Carl Samson began is training at the age of 14 and never looked back!  He's won numerous awards for his work along the way.  One of our favorites is his stunning rendition of Queen/Senator Padmé Amidala from the prequel Star Wars films (a popular subject here in the studio). 

Take a peek at this article on the Artist Network about Samson's process here.

And to learn more about Samson and his amazingly real portraits, click here!

~Jess

Word of the Week: Flibbertigibbet

Flibbertigibbet \FLIB-ur-tee-jib-it\ noun

A silly, flighty, or scatterbrained person, especially a pert young woman with such qualities.