2022
Ok, well let me clarify: at this moment in time, in the space of this very second, the above page, with artworks by Charley Harper and Ruth Marten is my favorite page in The Art of Darkness.
It’s true, while I live to revel in the velvet shadows of a moonlit midnight and seek spirits in every lonely, crumbling corner, it’s not like I’m a gloomy Gus about it. If you can’t laugh at what lies waiting in the hungry maw of darkness, if you can’t giggle with the ghosts, or cackle into the nothing of the abyss–well, that’s hardly living, you know? If I have somehow fooled you into thinking I’m all about mystery and melancholy, monsters and morbidity, okay, well, that’s all true, I am. But it’s more than balanced with a significant sense of silliness, an appreciation of the absurd, and an adoration of ridiculousness. My favorite emotion to express is “demented glee”! I mean, I’m really just a goofy fucker, is what I am trying to say here.
So it would stand to reason that I have massive admiration for artists who can combine these sensibilities in their practice, and these works of the kooky and the macabre, often filled with sly, weird humor are some of my favorite canvases to gaze upon. Enter Ruth Marten and Charley Harper.
…and for more thoughts, I will direct you to preorder the book!
Alicia says
Hi! Just started reading your blog from the beginning around Halloween in 2024 (appropriate? I think so!). Only 3 more years to catch up on! Anyway, I finished reading this entry a few minutes ago, looked at more of Charley Harper's work, and realized it reminded me of these postage stamps I bought last year (yes, I still use stamps!): https://virtualstampclub.com/lloydblog/?p=14866 It's not his work, but I guess the artists were inspired by him? BTW, thank you so much for creating this blog--it's provided me with hours of entertainment and I've learned about so many artists/authors/things in general that I wasn't aware of. And now my TBR pile of books is even bigger because I keep scrolling here instead of reading them, so, thanks a lot! :P Speaking of books, here's one I've just started, and, even if I hate it, I'm keeping it for the design alone (but, so far, it's good!): https://www.amazon.com/Blood-Her-Tongue-Deluxe-Novel/dp/1728281571 OK, back to trying to catch up!
S. Elizabeth says
Hello hello! I am so happy you found me and my little corner of the internet her! And as someone who also still uses stamps, I think those are great, very Harper-esque! I have Blood on her Tongue on my TBR stack, it was sent to me an an ARC and I haven't yet gotten around to it (le whoopsie!) You're inspiring me to get to it sooner rather than later!
Alicia says
I purchased the book through the Night Worms book subscription--when I opened the package I was almost afraid to touch the book because I was all like "What the hell is that red stuff on the pages?!". But there was also coffee in the package, so I took the plunge. I've moved on to something even better stamp-wise: BETTY WHITE!!! Although, being the crusty old curmudgeon that I am, I've always been more partial to Bea Arthur's character on "The Golden Girls"--she was savage! OK, now I'm rambling, but, again, thanks for this blog: I just read your Luna Luna magazine interview from August 2022 where you talk about feeling invisible, being an introvert, etc., and it's nice to know there really are people out there who I can relate to because I was starting to wonder...Oh, and I'm a SCORPIO!