Art Hero: Alphonse Mucha

Alphonse Mucha (1860- 1939) is one of my all time favorite artists. I love his style and his incredible ability to capture so much emotion in each person he draws. His work is such an inspiration to me. I love that his work is mostly illustration. It amazes me how incredibly beautiful he makes the most simple things. There is a sort of comfort in his work and a beauty that will ever go out of style.

I've seen a lot of people that try to imitate his work but it never seems to quite get it right. It must be something about the colors he chose or the movement of his backgrounds. The characters he drew had the incredible fluidity which really shows off his talent.

In a ideal world, companies would be trying to create works of art with their packaging. There is some amazing package design being created today but I doesn't always seem to always reach my grocery shelves, but wouldn't you buy more stuff it was packaged like this?

Poster for Amants, Theatre de la Renaissance

Poster for Chocolat Ideal, 1897


Poster for Chocolat Masson, 1897


Poster for Flirt Biscuits, 1899

Moravian Teachers Choir, 1911

Poster for Moet & Chandon Champagne, 1899
Nestle's Food for Infants, 1897

Poster for Bagnolet Soap Factory, 1897

Here are a few the amazing (and very large) paintings he created as part of The Slav Epic Series...the details are so incredible.


Master Jan Hus Preaching at the Bethlehem Chapel-1916
Defense of Sziget Against the Turks 1914


 Holy Mount Athos-1926

Here is Alphonse in his studio working on The Slav Epic



Here is the lovely photo of man himself, he had a pretty interesting an sad life. He died of pneumonia after being arrested by the gestapo after being denounced as a 'reactionary' for his views... I recommend the book Alphonse Maria Mucha: His Life and Art by Jiri Mucha (written by Alphonses' son) to learn more.

Hope you enjoyed the work of one of my illustration & art heroes!

Falling into Fall

I love fall it is my favorite time of year. I love gearing up towards Halloween and getting ready to share in some spookiness. I love seeing the colors of the leaves change. I will admit, I do miss seeing the wonderful yellows, oranges and reds now that I live on the west coast. It is here but it is not quite as vibrant. But still, there is that wonderful crispness in the air that I love. I feel more alive with it. And for some reason, it seems to propel me to do a lot work. Which is a very good thing, and I have been in the dream mode of creating all sorts of new art lately. Now to just get it down on paper.

Here are some lovely paintings & photographs that get me into a creative Autumn mood:

Alphonse Mucha, Fruit


Can't you smell the crispness of the air here? Autochrome via George Eastman House

Amy Hughes by Charles Lutwidge Dodge(Aka Lewis Caroll)
Another wonderful one by Alphonse Mucha, "Autumn" from the Four Seasons

Autumn Gold by John Atkinson Grimshaw, 1880



"I Wait" by Julia Margaret Cameron
Autumn by Giuseppe Arcimboldo



I'm quite excited about these season of changes.  It will be a very busy one full of work, mini-trips (Virginia City & Tahoe) and fun. San Francisco's summer seems to happen in the fall.  I better get into my Halloween mode soon too. What will I be this year? I better get planning...

What are you getting excited for in the next few months?

Hope you enjoy the fall!