Norman Rockwell Reference Photos

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1u/nr_zpsb643bde8.jpg" /><img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1u/nr1_zps3e4f1edf.jpg" /><img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1u/nr8_zpseaebc5a6.jpg" /><img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1u/nr13_zpsd411d538.jpg" /><img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1u/nr5_zps528cbbff.jpg" /><img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1u/nr11_zps544d2443.jpg" /><img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1u/nr10_zps508e6379.jpg" /><img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1u/no_zps8fcc9b7b.jpg" /><br />I can remember the first Norman Rockwell illustration hanging in my house as a kid. I used to study their outfits and expressions--the girls seemed more real than photographs of people. I think it's this sense of exaggerated emotion that makes Rockwell so popular. When he paints a Thanksgiving feast it's too idyllic to be real, but it strikes a familiar note; we know what that turkey tastes like and the feeling of being surrounded by family and someone returning from a long trip. There's always a lot of debate over whether Norman Rockwell is an artist or an illustrator, but the point seems mostly moot. The distinction between the too seems as much based in snobbery as skill and message. Anyway, I recently stumbled across these reference photographs Rockwell used for his paintings and was drawn to his ability to capture details and expression while adding artistic flair.<br /><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 3679px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 26px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 3679px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><br /><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/" style="background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; line-height: 0; min-height: 20px; min-width: 40px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a></div>

Norman Rockwell Reference Photos

I can remember the first Norman Rockwell illustration hanging in my house as a kid. I used to study their outfits and expressions--the girls...

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A-Z Unusual Words

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/art%20posts/aa1_zpsc4bf43a5.jpg" /><br />Biblioclasm: the practice of destroying, often ceremoniously, books or other written material and media.<img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/art%20posts/aa2_zps7a7f0fab.jpg" /><br />Fanfaronade: swaggering; empty boasting; blustering manner or behavior; ostentatious display.<img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/art%20posts/aa4_zpsb83739d7.jpg" /><br />Infandous: unspeakable or too odious to be expressed or mentioned.<img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/art%20posts/aa5_zpsd1abe72c.jpg" /><br />Jettatura: the casting of an evil eye.<img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/art%20posts/aa6_zps1c7185aa.jpg" /><br />Montivagant: wandering over hills and mountains.<img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/art%20posts/aa7_zpsb822299b.jpg" /><br />Ostentiferous: bringing omens or unnatural or supernatural manifestations.<img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/art%20posts/aa8_zpsda6b777a.jpg" /><br />Recumbentibus: a knockout punch, either verbal or physical.<img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/art%20posts/aa9_zps9c06f332.jpg" /><br />Scripturient: possessing a violent desire to write.<img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/art%20posts/aa10_zps2db5ca72.jpg" /><br />Zugzwang: a position in which any decision or move will result in problems.<br /><br />I really dig these bold graphics representing an a to z collection of rare and lost words by <a href="http://theprojecttwins.com/projects/a-z-of-unusual-words/" target="_blank">The Project Twins</a>, an artist duo from Ireland. The images illustrate the meanings behind the words in a clear, colorful way. The list appeals to both my nerdy side and my taste in aesthetics; exactly the sort of work I'd long to frame and hang on my walls. Also, new favorite word: recumbentibus, no I just have to figure out a way to work it into everyday conversation. </div>

A-Z Unusual Words

Biblioclasm: the practice of destroying, often ceremoniously, books or other written material and media. Fanfaronade: swaggering; empty boas...

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Conversation With Smaug

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1v/tk6_zps6852b369.jpg" /><br /><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">It's been too long since I read The Lord of The Rings and it's one of my goals this year to re-read the whole series. The new Hobbit movie is definitely one inspiration bring Tolkien back into my radar, but these illustrations by the author are an even bigger influence. I'm incredibly jealous of people with the talent to not only create entire worlds in words, but also capture them in beautiful watercolor scenes. When the Hobbit was published in 1937 it included ten black-and-white pictures, two maps, and binding and dust jacket designs with runic writing all by Tolkien. Later, Tolkien also painted five scenes for color plates, which also reveal a different vision of Middle Earth than we will find in Peter Jackson's movies.</div><img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1v/tk5_zps4c77fd66.jpg" /><img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1v/tk2_zps737d457e.jpg" /><img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1v/tk3_zpsa254b621.jpg" /><img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1v/tk4_zpsfa21d468.jpg" /><img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1v/tk7_zpscf3588ee.jpg" /><img border="0" src="http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z301/theclotheshorse/1v/tk1_zpsef5d968b.png" /></div>

Conversation With Smaug

It's been too long since I read The Lord of The Rings and it's one of my goals this year to re-read the whole series. The new Hobbit...

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