Tuck's Paintbox Postcards with watercolors included. Encouraging Juvenile artists from Great Britain in the early 19th Century.

One of the earliest and most successful commercial products created to encourage juvenile artists was the Tuck series of paintbox books. The company printed dozens of books with pre-printed images to be painted “within the lines” but the best were those which were enhanced with additional contributions by the artists. The books came with watercolor paint included! Far more personal than a standard card. The examples here, dating from 1905 to 1915 or so, come from the “Tuck’s Postcard Paintbox” series standard card. Hand-painted and mailed! Interestingly, the company also published the “psychedelic” cats of artist Lois Wain in his less trippy days…he was in their stable. Three hand-painted postcards from the Tuck Paintbox series Collection Jim Linderman Dull Tool Dim Bulb

Antique Folk Art Paper Shadow Puppet Figures late 19th - early 20th century. Collection Jim Linderman

Shadow puppets and shadow play is an early art form with many relatives. Paper cuts. shilouette cuts, even the more common hand shadow which is known as ombromanie. Often associated with Asian cultures,there are plenty of Western examples. In an earlier post on the blog I discussed hand puppetry and much of what was said relates to those fellows. “…the early practitioner who would travel from gig to gig (or birthday party to school assembly) often had a patter to go along with the work...moral tales, jokes, and frequently an agenda of either the person paying for the show or the artist. But it wasn't necessary. The mere, temporary existence of the work was enough. Like the chalk talkers I love so much, the art form was often, and is today when you can see it, frequently hijacked by the religious prothelesizer. Get thee before a light! I don't think they do any "in and out" shadows with a circle and a thrusting digit, but that is probably the most popular example today, and usually made in a dorm room or, if you can find a spot, a well-lit corner of the local tavern.” These are early examples found as a group, cut by an expert and lovingly preserved. The notables include Shakespeare, Christ and “a monk” of unknown name. Six late 19th, early 20th century hand cut shadow puppets of paper. Collection Jim Linderman

The Jordan line of Dreamed up Automobiles from the 1950s. Vintage Scrapbook with original drawings

Dream Automobiles! Robert Jordan creates his own line of imaginary automobiles in the 1950s. A 6" x 8" handmade booklet with cutouts from popular magazines on the front and back covers...but the real interest here is the wacky transportation vehicles Young deamed up. "Droom" is Dutch for Dream, and "Tekeningen Cahier" seems to translate to "booklet of techinical drawings" and that's what we have. Even a few amphipbious hot rods! Robert Jordan Handmade book of drawings c. 1950 collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb

Back to School Drawings. Students from the 1950s draw the Family at Dinner collection Jim Linderman

Well, the assignment is "My Family at Dinner" and the paper is manilla. I like to think of these drawings as being on the cusp of perspective. Being only an amateur scholar of children's art, I can't evaluate these much, but it appears ta few of the artists might need a bit of attention. C. 1950 Children's drawings from a classroom, ages up to 11 years old. Collection Jim Linderman / Dull Tool Dim Bulb

Popular Culture Perceptions of the ARTIST Studio tour of Vintage Sleaze Paperbacks with Depictions of an Artist

Over the years while collecting obscure Vintage Sleaze paperbacks for a project, I accumulated a whole pallette of cruddy books based on the public perception of the passionate pleasures available to painters. Here are a few from the 1950s and 1960s...Share them all with your artist friends! See available books and affordable ebooks by Jim Linderman on BLURB.COM

Homer Tate Self-Taught Artist who Created the Thing!

Artist Homer Tate made the thing. Even though "The Thing" was supposed to be a mystery and a secret, it is likely the most famous thing Homer Tate ever made.  Homer made sideshow gaffes he sold to carnival and sideshow businesses. Shrunken heads and such created to lure rubes inside. Sales of his animal hide "human mysteries" were good.  I am sure you have seen some on those "wacky true history" shows. He'd make a thing for 25 bucks.

The Thing is on Wikipedia! 

I am afraid Homer's lesser known paper mache tableau "old west" tourist attraction things don't get seen as often. They filled his place.  I don't know where they are.

Courtesy of the Library of Congress and photographer Russell Lee.  Yes, the same Russell Lee who created some serious photos.  Taken 1940.  Complete photo set HERE at the Library of Congress website.