Strawberryluna

Kay Nielsen: Illustrations of Gorgeous Form & Light in “East Of The Sun & West Of The Moon”

Kay Nielsen illustration from “East of the Sun, West of the Moon”1914, via Brain Pickings.

‘And then she lay on a little green patch in the midst of the gloomy thick wood.’

As a lifelong lover of fairy tales & folk tales (quite literally, I have never grown out of my adoration for their magic and storylines ever). Like many others, I have been fascinated by the illustrations that have come to accompany theses tales in the past couple of centuries. How lucky we are in this way to have not only the tales, but books beautifully illustrated by visionary artists illuminating twists, turns, and the drama of these ancient stories.

One of my many favorites is the Danish genius of form & light, Kay Nielsen (1886 – 1957) who worked both in his native Denmark as well as the UK and the US in his career. He illustrated many books and set decorations, as well as his noted work for Disney, but today I am highlighting his unbelievably epic and lovely work in one book, “East Of The Sun, West Of The Moon”, (this version published in 1914)as it is staggering in its detail, drama and use of light and texture.

Following are some of my favorite examples from 3 pretty great sources: Brain Pickings, 50 Watts, and the Flickr feed of the National Library NZ on The Commons all of which are amazing resources and well worth your time and support.

Kay Nielsen illustration from “East of the Sun, West of the Moon”1914, via 50 Watts.

‘He too saw the image in the water; but he looked up at once, and became aware of the lovely Lassie who sat there up in the tree’.

 

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Illustration by Kay Nielsen in “East of the Sun and West of the Moon”, 1914, via National Library NZ on The Commons

‘On that island stands a church; in that church is a well; in that well swims a duck.’

 

Illustration by Kay Nielsen for “East of the Sun and West of the Moon”, 1914 via Brain Pickings

‘The King went into the Castle, and at first his Queen didn’t know him, he was so wan and thin, through wandering so far and being so woeful.’

 

Kay Nielsen illustration from “East of the Sun, West of the Moon”1914, via 50 Watts.

‘So the man gave him a pair of snow-shoes.’

Illustration by Kay Nielsen in “East of the Sun and West of the Moon”, 1914, via National Library NZ on The Commons

Illustration by Kay Nielsen in “East of the Sun and West of the Moon”, 1914, via National Library NZ on The Commons

‘He took a long, long farewell of the Princess, and when he got out of the Giant’s door, there stood the Wolf waiting for him.’

Published in 1914, this version of “East Of The Sun, West Of The Moon” marks a high point in the American era known as the Golden Age Of Illustration (roughly from the 1880’s through the early 1920’s). We will we publishing more posts from some of our favorites from that time in the near future. Thanks for reading & I hope that you enjoy!

New art print release: Rose Red!

Rose Red, my new 2-color hand pulled silkscreen print.

Rose Red, Dark, sweet, and full of secrets. Rose Red is the 2nd in print in my fairy tale inspired print series, (my now sold out print, The Lady & The Wolf was the first). I’ve been fascinated by, OK possibly addicted to, fairy tales and fables since I was very young. Their allure has yet to lose it’s magic, especially the older versions of fairy tales with darker themes and symbols.

These days, many people know these stories best as tales for children, however many of our most loved fairy tales have much more brutal original tellings than you might imagine something fit for little kids. I read folk & fairy tales obsessively, the darker the roots of the tale, the more I love it. It’s super interesting how the same stories appear in similar versions and places for both children and (especially originally) for adults as well.

Rose Red is my 2-color, all hand silkscreen printed art print using scarlet red and velvety black hand-mixed and non-toxic water based silkscreen inks. And yes! Edition of 200. Size: 16 x22 inches (39.4 cm x 55.9 cm.) Paper: no acid, archival Cougar, White 100lb cover weight. $25

Fresh off my press, hand printed and now available for purchase here at my website and also here in my Etsy shop.

Neato extra! This design is also available as a free iPhone & iPod Touch wallpaper at the super cool Poolga.com right here.

Are you a print nerd too? Check out some process photos from my Flickr account below.

 

Getting all set up to print Rose Red.

 

1st color of my hand silkscreen printed art print, Rose Red.

 

2nd and final color of my silkscreen printed Rose Red art print.

 

 

 

 

New art print released! “The Lady and The Wolf”

My new 2 color, all hand screenprinted art print "The Lady & The Wolf" (Click for more info or to purchase.)

Been  busy busy busy printing like crazy lately! This is my newest art print and new release “The Lady & The Wolf”, a 2 color hand screenprinted re-telling of Little Red Riding Hood. But you know, for grown ups. Little Red Riding Hood here, is all grown up, but in no less danger.

This is the first print in an ongoing series of my interpretations of the folk & fairy tales I grew up reading, but for grown ups working with themes of sex, death, & the supernatural.

I’ve been fascinated and in love with folk & fairy tales my entire life. These days, many people know them best as tales for children, however many of our most loved fairy tales have much more brutal original tellings than you might imagine something fit for little kids. I read folk & fairy tales obsessively, the darker the roots of the tale, the more I love it. It’s super interesting how the same stories appear in similar versions and places for both children and (especially originally) for adults as well.

“The Lady & The Wolf” is my 2-color, all hand screen printed art print with scarlet blood red and semi-transparent midnight black hand mixed and non-toxic water based inks. Black over prints red in parts, blending the where the Lady ends and the Wolf begins. Edition of 75. Size: 16 x22 inches (39.4 cm x 55.9 cm.) Paper: acid free & archival Cougar, White 100lb cover weight.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask. This limited edition screenprint is now available on my website HERE.

And, if you like process photographs, check out my Flickr account page here (or click the images below) with photos of the print being made! A few selections are below for you.

1st color (red) screen and films for registering for my screenprint "The Lady & The Wolf". (Click for more info or to see more photos.)

1st color printed for my new screenprint "The Lady & The Wolf". (Click for more info and to see more photos.)

2nd color ink (black) in the screen and ready to print. (Click to see more photos or for more info.)

All done! The screen has ink for the next print, ready to rock. (Click to see more photos or for more info.)

I hope that you dig. If you wish to purchase this limited edition print click here, or have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them or ask them.

Cool Fairy Tale & Folk Tale links for you:

Sur La Lune – An ever growing collection of Fairy & Folk tales from around the world, complete with classic illustrations.

Professor D.L. Ashliman’s fantastic Folklore  & Mythology Electronic Texts page –  I took as many of his classes as I could as an undergraduate at the Univ. of Pgh. He’s super.

A brief history of the Fairy Tale, including their not-neccessarily-for-children origins.