Quite possibly the richest source of book-related design and illustration in the universe
Naoyuki Katoh SF Illustrations
1 August 2023 @ 6:00 pm
Images found in two 1980s books, Naoyuki Katoh SF Illustrations I and II (there's also a volume III), which I occasionally have for sale at 50 Watts Books.
Naoyuki Katoh, Voyage of the Space Beagle, c 1980s
Naoyuki Katoh, c1980s
Naoyuki Katoh, c1980s
Naoyuki Katoh, Voyage of the Space Beagle, c 1980s
Naoyuki Katoh, c1980s
Naoyuki Katoh, c1980s
Kozo Yokoi
9 September 2022 @ 6:08 pm
(Find me at 50 Watts Books.)
Here's a real find (for me at least): an illustration from a 1925 issue of Kodomonotomo. I had never seen work by this person (I think I'd remember!): Kozo Yokoi (1889–1965), who went on to a career as a painter (dubbed "the Japanese Rousseau"). I scanned these from a 2017 book on Kodomonotomo. I'll see what else I can dig up.
A Tiger in the Land of Dreams
29 August 2022 @ 7:37 pm
A look inside the 50 Watts edition of Tiger Tateishi's incredible A Tiger in the Land of Dreams
A Tiger in the Land of Dreams
by Tiger Tateishi
Translated by Yosuke Kitazawa
ISBN 9781957625003
32 pages, 7.5 x 10.25 inches, full color, hardcover
Publication date: Fall 2022 (now shipping!)
A Tiger in the Land of Dreams is the first English-language edition of a legendary picture book from 1984. Tiger Tateishi, well-known in the worlds of art and comics, takes us on a journey through a surreal land with Torakichi, a constantly-morphing green tiger. The artist saw this strange tiger as a combination of an animal and a plant. Suitable for all ages, but this is the type of book you buy for the dreamy artwork.
A Tiger in the Land of Dreams
by Tiger Tateishi
Translated by Yosuke Kitazawa
ISBN 9781957625003
32 pages, 7.5 x 10.25 inches, full color, hardcover
Publication date: Fall 2022 (now shipping!)
A Tiger in the Land of Dreams is the first English-language edition of a legendary picture book from 1984. Tiger Tateishi, well-known in the worlds of art and comics, takes us on a journey through a surreal land with Torakichi, a constantly-morphing green tiger. The artist saw this strange tiger as a combination of an animal and a plant. Suitable for all ages, but this is the type of book you buy for the dreamy artwork.
50 Watts Books - Our First Publications
12 April 2022 @ 10:05 pm
While running the bookstore over the last year, I've been working on four books at the top of my list of dream projects. These books have fascinated (and confused) me for years -- longtime followers of the blog might recognize some -- and I'm excited to put them into the world.
To follow their progress and be alerted when preorders begin, sign up for the 50 Watts Books email list. I'll also keep this page up-to-date. Booksellers, please get in touch!
I will be selling some rare books by Tiger Tateishi and Kiyoshi Awazu to raise printing funds.
Animal Land Where There Are No People
by Sybil and Katharine Corbet
A 50 Watts Production (which has been in the works for 10 years): we've given a colorful twist to a book originally published in Scotlan
Animal Land Where There Are No People
by Sybil and Katharine Corbet
A 50 Watts Production (which has been in the works for 10 years): we've given a colorful twist to a book originally published in ScotlanBookstore Image Dive 1
8 March 2022 @ 5:55 pm
(Find me at 50 Watts Books.)
Nicole Claveloux, c1974, for a French edition of Alice in Wonderland
found in Les images libres - Illustrations for Children, 1966-1986
A selection of images found in books on the shelves at 50 Watts Books. Books go in and out of print, and I look forward to revisiting a post in a few years to marvel at what was available.
Nicole Claveloux, c1971 for Le Chat de Simulombula
found in Les images libres - Illustrations for Children, 1966-1986
Nicole Claveloux, c1974, for a French edition of Alice in Wonderland
found in Les images libres - Illustrations for Children, 1966-1986
A selection of images found in books on the shelves at 50 Watts Books. Books go in and out of print, and I look forward to revisiting a post in a few years to marvel at what was available.
Nicole Claveloux, c1971 for Le Chat de Simulombula
found in Les images libres - Illustrations for Children, 1966-1986
A Dream Within a Dream
7 March 2022 @ 9:52 pm
(Find me at 50 Watts Books.)
Jan Konupek, from the cycle Dream Land, 1940, found in Edgar Allan Poe and Art in the Czech Land
Some images from A Dream Within a Dream: Edgar Allan Poe and Art in the Czech Land, a recent publication now available at 50 Watts Books
Frantisek Kobliha, The Black Cat, 1950, found in Edgar Allan Poe and Art in the Czech Land
Jan Konupek, from the cycle Dream Land, 1940, found in Edgar Allan Poe and Art in the Czech Land
Some images from A Dream Within a Dream: Edgar Allan Poe and Art in the Czech Land, a recent publication now available at 50 Watts Books
Frantisek Kobliha, The Black Cat, 1950, found in Edgar Allan Poe and Art in the Czech Land
Posters by Ghobad Shiva
5 January 2022 @ 9:33 pm
(Find me at 50 Watts Books.)
silk-screen prints from 1975
Posters by Ghobad Shiva (born 1940) found in the book Music Posters from Pre-Revolution Iran, 1960s-70s. The section opens with some quotes by Shiva:
"Posters offer a vast field to every graphic designer. While you present the information, you find an opportunity to add your individual artistic and intellectual view, what you seldom enjoy in other graphic media."
"I spend more time on designing a poster than I do on other graphic works because you send a poster into the streets, where it generates thought, for which a graphic designer is highly responsible."
"I believe you must turn the voices and melodies of music into a visual format. This is an Eastern view. Eastern artists almost
silk-screen prints from 1975
Posters by Ghobad Shiva (born 1940) found in the book Music Posters from Pre-Revolution Iran, 1960s-70s. The section opens with some quotes by Shiva:
"Posters offer a vast field to every graphic designer. While you present the information, you find an opportunity to add your individual artistic and intellectual view, what you seldom enjoy in other graphic media."
"I spend more time on designing a poster than I do on other graphic works because you send a poster into the streets, where it generates thought, for which a graphic designer is highly responsible."
"I believe you must turn the voices and melodies of music into a visual format. This is an Eastern view. Eastern artists almostThe Fake Kyoto Collection
18 October 2021 @ 6:16 pm
(Find me at 50 Watts Books.)
Some blown-up details from Imiri Sakabashira's The Fake Kyoto Collection, a Japanese book from 2020.
Born in 1964, Imiri Sakabashira is part of the Japanese underground generation centering around publications like Garo and AX. His work has been exhibited in the Trancepop Gallery in Kyoto and the Billiken Gallery in Tokyo.
Some blown-up details from Imiri Sakabashira's The Fake Kyoto Collection, a Japanese book from 2020.
Born in 1964, Imiri Sakabashira is part of the Japanese underground generation centering around publications like Garo and AX. His work has been exhibited in the Trancepop Gallery in Kyoto and the Billiken Gallery in Tokyo.
Tomi Ungerer's Nonstop
13 October 2021 @ 6:42 pm
(Find me at 50 Watts Books.)
How it begins
From Tomi Ungerer's final picture book, Nonstop, published by Phaidon in 2020. Find it at 50 Watts Books or on Bookshop.org (I'm a regular affiliate there, not a bookstore affiliate).
My summary: Vasco's shadow helps guide him through a crumbling world where "birds, butterflies, and rats were gone" and "flowers had turned into memories." Along the way he rescues Poco, the little green child of Nothing, and they eventually find a gigantic cake in the desert (a happy ending!). I love this book.
How it ends
How it begins
From Tomi Ungerer's final picture book, Nonstop, published by Phaidon in 2020. Find it at 50 Watts Books or on Bookshop.org (I'm a regular affiliate there, not a bookstore affiliate).
My summary: Vasco's shadow helps guide him through a crumbling world where "birds, butterflies, and rats were gone" and "flowers had turned into memories." Along the way he rescues Poco, the little green child of Nothing, and they eventually find a gigantic cake in the desert (a happy ending!). I love this book.
How it ends
Marina Shirakawa's Yokai Picture Book
12 October 2021 @ 7:19 pm
(Find me at 50 Watts Books.)
Details from a book collection of Marina Shirakawa's yokai drawings. Shirakawa (1944-2000) also features prominently in an anthology of mushroom-themed manga from the same Japanese publisher, ele-king books/P-Vine.
Details from a book collection of Marina Shirakawa's yokai drawings. Shirakawa (1944-2000) also features prominently in an anthology of mushroom-themed manga from the same Japanese publisher, ele-king books/P-Vine.
In a range of forms, the Edinburgh-based artist explores the possibilities of pattern.
Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Vibrant Patterns in Frances Priest’s Ceramics Emanate Historical and International Influences appeared first on Colossal.
Explore the world from perspectives usually reserved for air travelers and birds.
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The YouTube series began in May 2020 with the simple premise that great art can be explained clearly and concisely in 15 minutes.
Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Explore Centuries of Art History 15 Minutes at a Time in James Payne’s ‘Great Art Explained’ appeared first on Colossal.
The seminal work of architect Jean Balladur, modernist resort La Grande Motte was once panned by critics.
Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Photos by Charly Broyez and Laurent Kronental Celebrate Architecture Ahead of Its Time appeared first on Colossal.
The line of linkable digital speakers is an eclectic octuple of wooden characters.
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LaMonte’s sculptures explore ideas around femininity, resilience, and conventions of beauty throughout history.
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Don't forget to update your portfolio.
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For Elodie Blanchard, textiles hold boundless narrative potential.
Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Elodie Blanchard Revitalizes Fabric Scraps into Vivid Patchworks of Trees, Bouquets, and Goddesses appeared first on Colossal.
Using 3D modeling software and Frank Lloyd Wright's archives, the Madrid-based designer creates realistic renderings of unrealized structures.
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How do stories shape collective experience and societal progress?
Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article In a Baltimore Exhibition, the Transformative Potential of Today’s Griots Emerges appeared first on Colossal.