House of Black - blog for serpenthes.com

shots. january 2012

2012-01-27T16:30:00.000-08:00

Greetings & salutations, comrades!

January turned out to be quite a busy month. My projects included business logos, wedding invitation designs, a ton of typesetting, some new sketches, a mountain of new ideas and a new print up in the shop. I'm happiest when I'm kept busy so it's been a wonderful start to my 2012.

Now, down to business...

Valentine's Day is just a few weeks away! This year I am pleased to offer an upgraded version of our Octopus friend. The Valentine version of Poulpe avec Coeur comes in a set of 5 and is matched with deep red envelopes. Each card is hand-glittered with superfine red glitter.
I personally LOVE these cards and use them year round when I really need to make someone smile. I hope you love them too!

. . . .

This year I intend on staying in better touch with you darlings.

I get occasional emails asking me the story behind some drawings. Sometimes people want me to write a little something about it before they gift a print to their loved/loathed ones.
First of all, I appreciate that those of you who like my work totally understand that each and every single drawing has a story behind it. Every figure has a name and each animal a history.
And second, I'd love to start sharing those stories with you. So stay tuned for that.

I love reading blogs that include a lot of photos of an artist/writer's life. While I've long wanted to do that on here, I am a terrible photojournalist. I mean, I have digital photos from 10 years ago that I've never organized or printed. It's pretty bad.
However! I've realized that my mobile phone is ripe with the bizarre and the boring from everyday life. You can tell a lot about a person by the photos on their phone, no?

Tom is the oldest/craziest of our household and still lives (and drinks) like he's 21. So he needs occasional surgery.

He comes out better than new. I mean look at that smile.

Modigliani's Young Woman of the People. One of my absolute favorite pieces from LACMA's permanent collection. Whenever I visit, there are specific pieces I have to drop in and see when I'm there. She's usually the first. No matter what changes in my own life, she is always there.

It's no secret that I love drawing texture more than I love drawing forms. Sometimes I start sketches just so I have a ton of fur or hair to draw. My flatmate Miss Maus O'Liam said this guy looks like "David Bowie playing Nikola Tesla in squirrel form."

The need for creative storage is constant at the House of Black. My easel is currently home to a black feather boa, East German officer's hat and many many hairflowers & facinators.

Original version of my Peacock. Print now on sale in the Etsy shop.

I tend to have a lot of projects "in the process". This is one of them. I hope you guys like dead girls!

I bake a lot. This is a Coffee Cake with Mexican Chocolate & Cinnamon swirls topped with a Bourbon Vanilla glaze. At least two people wanted to marry me after eating a piece of this.

I hope the month has treated you as well as it's treated me!
Cheers.

current sounds: Kayne West - Gold Digger
current beverage: water

Observations: 2011

2012-01-01T19:29:00.000-08:00

Greetings & salutations!
I hope you all find yourself warm, cozy and not too hung over.
In a truly fitting way to sum up 2011, I'm a day late & dollar short. Rather than start a list of unreasonable goals for 2012, I try to look back at 2011 and go over things - good and bad - to see what I learned from the experiences. I have already deemed 2012 as my year for serious self-improvement and I'd like to think that I learn from mistakes - my own or those of others.

I intend on doing a lot more sketching and drawing for fun this year. It's high time I put more focus on my style and technique rather than creating for profit. Having said that, I also plan on cleaning out the portfolio, putting a few originals up for sale and finally offering prints of a few drawings you've never seen before. So stay with me, comrades, and we'll see how it all pans out!

Til then...

11 Observations from 2011

1. Take things a day at a time. I have to repeat this to myself on a daily basis. It's easy for me (and most people, I assume) to get overwhelmed with the amount of things we have to handle. But no one is guaranteed another day, so take each day as an individual mission.

2. Dating requires a sense of humor. I never really understood going out with strangers and getting to know them with the intention of becoming something else. I've been in love several times and I was lucky enough to be friends with each of them first. But this year, I found myself curious, single (for a few months...) and decided to give it a go. The result? People be CRAZY, my friends! One definitely has to have a sense of humor to do this. Being a generally serious person, it was a bit of a shock to my system - but definitely one I am grateful for. I think I learned a lot about human beings in general and it did end up being quite fun. Though - I will admit - not as fun as finding (or re-finding, in my case) someone truly special.

3. Sometimes the problem isn't the problem - it's the way you're looking at it. Situations can be bad - very bad - but they shouldn't be allowed to bring our lives to a complete halt. A positive attitude is the first step in moving on to the next step, the next move and ultimately, the solution.

4. You owe it to the ones you love to say what you really feel. Life is too short to go around with thoughts left unsaid and opinions buried to keep things smooth. Friends are friends for a reason - I would hope we keep each other around because we better each other. I see it as a great sign of love and respect to tell someone how you really feel - whether it's a project they are working on and would like your opinion of OR something deeply personal like asking for your advice about someone important in their lives. Ultimately, I hope we just want what's best for each other. (Just wait until your opinion is asked for. Nobody likes unsolicited advice.)

5. Allow the ones you love to make their own mistakes. Just be there when they realize they were mistakes. This ties in with #4. In being true to yourself and giving that opinion or advice, know you did the best you could. Where the other person takes that information is up to them. We are each independent adults and all we can really do is be there to pick up the pieces if you end up being right and everything blows up in their face.

6. You are rarely in a victim's position unless you've decided that you are. Being a victim is in your frame of mind, not always in actuality. Horrible things happen to people on a daily basis. It's what you choose to do afterward that proves whether you're a victim or not.

7. Always take time for yourself. The older one gets, the harder this is to do. Life gets really BUSY. But it's hard to enjoy when you're burnt out or realize that it's taken up with obligations for other people. Do something good for yourself on a daily basis. Take a minute to appreciate something small. Buy yourself a latte and sit alone for a while. Take up yoga, pilates, or zumba. Allow yourself a day of laziness if you can. Whatever it is - you know yourself best. Sometimes we just need to recharge.

8. It's possible to love someone unconditionally but know they aren't right for you. Sometimes the timing is wrong. Sometimes the situation doesn't allow for you to function as a couple. Sometimes it's just not meant to be something for the long-run. It doesn't make the relationship or the love any less valid. Love is complicated and there are a lot of factors that can fuck everything up. Sometimes there are people that come in and out of our lives that are meant to take up a space in your heart. It's just part of life.

9. Life changes are good as long as you're doing them for the right reasons. The "right" reason is usually for yourself. I've always felt like one of the main purposes in life is to learn from it and to become the best person you can be... and in being the best person you can be, you're the best person for the lucky people around you. Treat yourself well and others will treat you well too.

10. I get by with a little help from my friends. I don't know about you, but I'm the type of person that handles things for and by myself. I don't like to burden other people and I don't like complaining, as it fixes nothing. I tend to take on a lot of responsibility and obligation (which is a whole other issue to be worked on this year) but every once in a while, I just need for someone to assure me things will be fine. Once, just over 10 years ago, I was moving out of Los Angeles and heading into scary new territory and a totally different life. My grandfather pulled me aside and simply said "Remember that you are never alone." To this day, I repeat it to myself and I'm appreciative that something so simple could make such a huge difference in my mindset.

11. At the same time, understand that you - and only you - are responsible for yourself. Waiting for other people to handle things or change your life is unreasonable and unhealthy. We come into this life alone and we ultimately leave it alone. We all have fucked up problems - it's important to understand that they don't own you and you can either learn from them and move on OR wallow in them and blame them for why your life sucks. And that last option sounds pretty miserable...so no more complaints & excuses, right comrades? Onward!

I hope you all have a good fresh start to the year and are feeling as motivated as I am. Cheers!

current sounds: the sound of Super Mario 3 coming from the flatmate's room.
current beverage: water

Holiday Cards 2011

2011-11-12T10:23:00.000-08:00

Greetings & Salutations to you comrades, enemies, and herpetologists everywhere!

I'm very pleased to roll out this year's holiday cards. If you've been around for a bit, you know I offer these every year - and this year I have two new designs for you to choose from! With the exception of one, I've used each one of these designs as my own personal holiday cards. I stand behind everything I create and I hope you like them as much as I do.

The Dapper Cadaver has returned! This guy gets a kick out of Christmas and I can't bear to force retirement on him just yet. As always, he is available blank or with a choice of greetings on the inside of the card. You also have a choice between rich Red or French Grey envelopes.
You can find his listing here.

Darling Olive is back as well, all dolled up for peppermint cocktails & dancing til Santa shows up (she's been trying to teach him the Charleston for YEARS!). She also has a choice of printed greetings and this year I'm happy to offer a gorgeous deep Teal envelope choice as well as our signature French Grey.
You can find her listing here.

Last year, my Abby & Sam holiday cards got a ton of attention online so I'm really pleased to offer them again this year. If you'd like a custom verse in these cards, just let me know! Otherwise, they come completely blank inside for you to write as much or as little as your black heart desires.
Their listing can be found here.

Onto new business!

Sweet Viktor Vulture is just dying to wish your friends & sometimes-loved-ones Happy Holidays. I used him as my personal cards last year and the feedback I got was just incredible! Viktor is available blank or with a printed greeting on the inside (see the listing for the greeting). You also have a choice of rich Red or our signature French Grey envelopes to make him really pop in the mail.
See his listing for more information here.

Last but certainly not least is my Maus holiday card. I created this happy fella last year for my BFF & House of Black flatmate Miss Maus O'Liam and WOW people really loved him. And honestly, how could you hate a guy so happy? I'm dead inside and even I like him. He comes with red envelopes and - like Viktor up there - the choice of coming blank or with our printed greeting inside(see the listing for the greeting).
You can find his listing here.

All of these cards are available now, glittered or unglittered. The listings all mention glitter but I know there are some (crazy?) people that aren't into it so I can always leave it off. I generally ship within a couple of days of an order and send everything USPS Priority so that you get them quick and in perfect condition.

So get to it, ladies & gents!
Naturally, if you have any questions, custom requests, or death threats, do let me know: serpenthes@yahoo.fr

CHEERS!

current sounds: Dean Martin - Sway
current beverage: smartwater

Rx 002: Pan de Muertos

2011-11-02T21:06:00.001-07:00

Greetings & salutations, dear ones.
October came and went very quickly for me, comrades. I didn't have the chance to get much done, creatively speaking. I have three more werewolf themed moves to share with you but that's for another day.

Today is Dia de los Muertos and there are wonderful celebrations going on all over Los Angeles tonight. I chose to spend my day doing two things I love more than just about anything else - baking and drawing. These are things that bring me peace and let my hands create while my mind does other things.

I intend on posting recipes a little more frequently - the older I get, the more I really enjoy spending time in the kitchen, especially when I'm baking for the people that matter to me. In our family, recipes are always referred to as prescriptions (as the Spanish word "receta" could mean both) so I'm changing the title of this column from the boring "Mmmmm" to more personally relevant "Rx".

I spent a great part of my afternoon in the kitchen, baking Pan de Muertos. My darling fella kept me company for most of the hours it took for me to bake and I always believe that a happy kitchen produces the best tasting food. And it did, I don't mind telling you, as I am half-way through a piece as I type. I made a test batch of this bread last weekend (I do this with new recipes before letting everybody try something. I have to make sure it's good!) and it ended up being some of the best bread I've ever baked. And I bake a lot of bread. It's a bit dense but the flavors are incredible - it's spiced well, subtle in sweetness and the orange zest undertones really brighten everything up and keep it from being too heavy. I do hope you'll give it a try one day, comrades!

PAN DE MUERTOS
Adapted from an original recipe found in
Frida's Fiestas by Guadalupe Rivera

Makes: 6 medium/large rolls
total time: appox 4-5 hours (3 hours rising time)
In the interest in making all that time worth it, I suggest doubling the recipe. It works well.

I found this recipe a while ago and I've adapted it a bit. The original can be found in Frida's Fiestas - a book of recipes compiled by Guadalupe Rivera, stepdaughter of Frida Kahlo. I must admit, there is something wonderful about using the same recipe that Frida apparently used in her own kitchen.

Ingredients:

4 c. flour (seperate 3 3/4 c & 1/4 c.)
3/4 c. sugar + 1 Tbs sugar
1/2 c. unsalted butter
1/2 Tbs yeast
3/4 c. milk (warm)
3 large eggs
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon*
zest of one orange*
1/2 tsp. anise seed*
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg*
1/4 tsp. ground cloves*

1 egg white
extra sugar for dusting

* The original recipe says the cinnamon, orange zest & anise seed are optional. I've added the nutmeg & the cloves. Do yourself the favor and don't leave any of these out.

Before you do anything, pull out the eggs & butter so that they are room temperature by the time you have to use them. Especially the butter, you'll thank me later.

In a large bowl, combine the milk, yeast, orange zest, 1/4 c. flour and 1 Tbs sugar. Let stand in a warm place for 30 minutes, then add the three gently beaten eggs.

In a separate bowl, combine 3 3/4 c. flour, 3/4 c. sugar, salt, cinnamon, anise, nutmeg and cloves. Add this flour mixture to the wet mixture, kneading with your hands (at this point the dough will feel very sticky, knead until it is only slightly sticky). You may add an extra teaspoon of flour at a time if needed.

Allow the dough to rest for 10 minutes. Then add the butter to the dough, working it until fully incorporated. (Aren't you glad you let the butter sit out? You'll get a forearm work out but you'll love how silky the dough becomes. I cut up my butter & put a few cubes in at a time.)

Shape into a ball, grease and lightly flour. Place in a bowl and cover with a damp towel to rise for 2 hours. (Be sure to keep this in a warm place!)

Separate dough into 6 parts. Shape 5 into balls and place on greased baking sheets. Decorate the tops of the rolls with the remaining dough by rolling the dough into coils and strips that look like bones.

Allow the bread to rise for an additional hour in a warm place. Brush the tops with egg white and dust the bones with sugar.
Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 20 - 25 minutes.

Allow to cool on wire racks or enjoy right out of the oven!

I always make a special/different roll to place on my altar. Coming from a family of bakers and artists, I know they appreciate my efforts. I hope you'll give this recipe a try - the flavors & spices are perfect any time in the fall or winter, and it's amazingly wonderful with a cup of coffee or Mexican hot chocolate.

Cheers.

current sounds: Buena Vista Social Club - Dos Gardenias
current beverage: french press coffee

Boneyard Picture Show 2011: Part 1 - The Wolf Man

2011-10-09T12:19:00.000-07:00

Happy October!
If you've been around for a while, you know.
Halloween is a Big Friggin Deal in the House of Black. I've already baked pumpkin muffins (recipe later this month!) and made several batches of Mexican Hot Chocolate - Fall is well under way!

Every year I urge you to watch a few spooky films that I just happen to adore. This year's theme is the werewolf. Over the years I've developed a serious soft spot for them when it comes to film & lore. Perhaps because they're the most human of old world "monsters"? Perhaps because I frequently see myself becoming a crazy monster & can't help it? Perhaps because I like my men a little hairy?
Ahem. I've chosen 4 films for this year - each a different interpretation of one of the oldest legends there is. I hope you'll check them out or see them again!

To start this off right...

The Wolf Man
1941
Lon Chaney Jr., Claude Rains, Bela Lugosi, Evelyn Ankers

The classic werewolf. This was when the world was first introduced to Talbot Hall, Blackmoor, and the icon of the werewolf as it is today. The monsters of back then had style - even when Talbot hit beast mode, he was usually still clad in tweed pants and a dress shirt in the morning. Would it surprise you that when I was but a child, I thought Lon Chaney Jr. was the perfect man? Dashing and tall and kind-faced...and tormented. What can I say, I've always had a type.

This is one of the first instances I can remember of blatantly rooting for the "villain". Obviously the older I get, the more "grey" the idea of a villain becomes and in fact, this is a pretty poor example of one. Sometimes bad things happen to good people. Sometimes good people have to do bad things. Doesn't make us any less human unless you are unfortunate enough to be this guy.

"Even a man who is pure at heart, and says his prayers by night,
may become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms
and the autumn moon is bright."

These days I still swoon over Larry Talbot but I can also appreciate the gorgeousness of the scenery (seriously, steer clear of those foggy moors!) and noticeably beautiful score. Incidentally, if you watch the film - do you notice the bit of music that might have been Danny Elfman's inspiration for the Batman theme song? It's in there.

Being such a nerd about such things, I adore the fact that fellow screen giants Claude Rains and Bela Lugosi are also in the film, even if it's not as the roles that made them legendary.

In my search for acceptable screen caps, I came across some pretty fantastic stuff, including this desktop background created from an old Mexican movie poster:

You can download it for yourself from CinemaIsDope here

A great shot of Chaney being done-up by movie make-up legend Jack Pierce:

And Chaney - in full Wolf mode - taking a nap on his beta.

By the way!
In 2010, Universal re-made The Wolfman starring Benecio del Toro and Anthony Hopkins. My opinion is that's a pretty good remake - it's a bit over-the-top in the story department and Anthony Hopkins chews the shit out of the scenery. But it's beautifully shot, the costuming is wonderful, del Toro makes a perfect choice for a new Larry Talbot, AND it is kind enough to give a few shout-outs to it's original including using bits of the original score and bringing back Talbot's awesome wolf head pimp-stick.

Well my little vultures, that's enough rambling from me for one day!
October is just beginning, I've a lot of things in mind for the month so do come back soon!

current sounds: TV on the Radio - Wolf Like Me
current beverage: Trader Joe's Sumatra blend

Dia de los Muertos, part 1

2011-09-26T14:00:00.000-07:00

Greetings comrades,
If you've been around for a bit, you know Dia de los Muertos is a bit of a big deal here. I've made it a point to roll out new product & art pieces in celebration of it and this year will be no different.

Just posted in the shop is a new set of fold-over notes featuring Marisol. She had been waiting patiently in my sketchbook for a few months and is now available in a set of six. These notes also come with a choice of envelopes: a rich deep red or bright aqua.

I don't know about you, but I always look on the back of a card. As usual, these are branded with the site name - I try to make them as pretty as I can!

If you'd like to see more, here is the listing: Marisol / set of 6 note cards

Since Fall has officially started, I know some of you are already thinking about Halloween and so am I. I'll be up to my usual antics on this blog during the month of October and this is the year of the Werewolf so you'll want to stay tuned.
I'm getting ahead of myself. We'll discuss that another day.

I hope to have new Dia de los Muertos pieces to show you by next week!
Cheers.

current sounds: The Godfather
current beverage: Nite Owl coffee

New notes!

2011-09-06T15:00:00.000-07:00

Hello again, Comrades!

I've added TWO new note cards to the Etsy shop!

Meet Pierre Crossbones. As any polite French pirate will tell you, sometimes you want your threats/affidavits/invitations for Tea to really stand out. These petite correspondence cards come in a set of 5 and are matched with rich crimson envelopes.

As fellow paper nerds will notice, I've switched over to a different stock for these notes. The new stock is thicker and has a glorious cotton texture to it - it almost feels like thin letterpress stock. I hope you'll love it as much as I do.

More photos & listing:Pierre Crossbones on Etsy

If swashbuckling isn't your thing, no worries. I intially sketched this inviting mug for a comrade's site (the lamentably now-extinct ExpressoNoir.com) and years later, am finding it makes an adorable little card - especially for fellow coffee fiends.
Coffee is no joke with me - I buy whole beans from distant places, I grind them only seconds before I'm actually going to use them, and I swear by my French Press.
Sound familiar? Then everyone will know this note is from you.
Sound snobbish? Well... then you've never had a cup of my coffee!

These cute flat cards come with deep French Grey envelopes & are printed on the same luxuriously textured stock as Monsieur (he'd say Captain) Crossbones shown above.

More photos & listing: Morning Poison on Etsy

I'm hoping you all had a wonderful holiday weekend and will continue taking advantage of the last bit of summer (it's supposed to be 100 here in Los Angeles tomorrow!).

current sounds: Buena Vista Social Club: Y Tu Que Has Hecho?
current beverage: SmartWater!

September Print BOGO & new site

2011-09-05T10:05:00.000-07:00

Hello fiends & friends,
I hope you are all enjoying (or have enjoyed, by the time you read this) our last bit of summer before the impending doom of fall. Don't get me wrong, I love fall. A ton! It brings me Halloween and Dia de los Muertos. But the older I get, the more I love summers and I'm sad to see it go.

Anyway, on to business:

I'm happy to announce that during the month of September, all prints are Buy One, Get One Free in the Etsy shop.
Just leave me a note with the name of your free print in the "Note to Seller" section upon checkout and PLEASE, make sure your free print is of equal/lesser value than the one you are purchasing.

Also, it's taken me the majority of this year but I've put a new face on serpenthes.com.
Take a look around if you are so inclined!
serpenthes.com

I am working on making it easy for any of you to order custom invitations through me. I've done quite a few wedding & party invitation sets in the past and I would love to be able to offer it to anyone that would be crazy enough (I say it with love, of course!) to use my work for their important events.

If you've been thinking about it, let me know! I'm available to work on these currently, I am just also putting together templates and samples to make the process a little easier. If you have any questions, send me a note: serpenthes@yahoo.fr

Cheers!

current sounds:: Dodger baseball on the radio
current beverage: Costa Rican Terrazu coffee

oh HI

2011-08-29T18:05:00.000-07:00

Hello darling comrades,
My apologies. I realized that we've not spoken since MAY. Incredible. Embarrassing too! Well, since we've been good friends for such a long time, I'll tell you this - fact of the matter is that my heart broke in June sometime and while I'm not generally an emotional being, this one REALLY hurt and it made my creativity run away from home. However, things that are worthwhile have their way of working themselves out, I am a happy girl and now I'm ready to get back to business.

I HAVE been sketching in the past month. Nothing useful yet but it's a start.
In the meantime, I'm doing boring things like organizing, cataloging & tagging. It had been too long since I did this and I am far too neurotic to restart things in the middle of a mess.

So. Be patient, little vultures, I'll have something new to show you soon. As well as some new recipes that I'm dying to share with you.

By the by, if you're curious, the above cupcake is an horchata cupake. Do yourself a favor and check out that site, Jenn is a baking genius and my first go-to for recipes.

current beverage: costa rican iced coffee
current sounds: Enrique Granados: Two Poetic Walzes (KUSC radio)

etsy shop update

2011-05-20T17:02:00.000-07:00

Hi Guys & Dolls,
May has been a busy month - working, baking, staying out of trouble (for the most part) AND I celebrated a birthday. Would it surprise you terribly that this year, my birthday fell on a Friday the 13th? I was delighted with a comfy night in with a few of my favourite people, a Jason Voorhees marathon and some s'mores.

But enough about me already. I've also been making stuff.

First, I'm very pleased to show you - I've colorized Frank & His Old Lady and they are now available as color prints. What do you think? They really look a healthy green, don't you think? I love those two.

Etsy listing for Frank & His Old Lady (in technicolor!)

Second on the agenda: For quite some time I've had requests to put my Umbrella Series on note cards and I'm pleased to offer them to you now!

This series comes as a set of six - two of each design.

I personally love the subtle richness of the French grey envelopes with the bright black & white stock...

But if you want to jazz it up a bit, I'm also offering deep plum envelopes as well!

As usual, the back of each A2 card has our simple serpenthes.com signature

I hope you enjoy these fabulous ladies!
Their Etsy listing is here: Umbrella Series/ set of 6 notes
If you'd like a special/custom order, please let me know! I'm always happy to do what I can.

Last but not least, I've gotten such great feedback that I'll continue to send a free adorable magnet along with all orders over $25 (before shipping charges)!

Many thanks for your continued support & kind words!
Cheers.

current sounds: keys clicking
current beverage: Costa Rican Terrazu by Panache. Deeeelightful.

Mmmmm, 001. cupid's cookies

2011-05-01T19:02:00.000-07:00

Greetings & salutations!
The older I get, the more I love spending time in my kitchen. I'm not a chef - nor do I ever want to be - but I love to bake. LOVE. It's fulfilling, it's therapeutic, and it makes the people around me happy (I wonder why...). It's one of the few things in life that I have a ton of patience for.

One of the earliest memories I have is baking with my mom. She is a rubbish cook (don't tell her I said that...) but when it comes to baking, the woman is magic. There are quite a few recipes that have great sentimental meaning to me. For my first installation of what I hope will be an occasional food feature, I'm going with these cookies that she would make around Valentine's Day. I made them this Valentine's for the one/ones I love and they were a major, major hit.

Comrades, it's true. I've had these photos on my digital camera since Valentine's Day. I took photos with the intent of posting this RX ahead of time so you could make them yourself. Procrastinator? Me? How dare you.
Why does it need to be a valentine's thing? Make them for an anniversary, a birthday, a baby shower, a bridal party. I mean really.
My apologies for not as many photographs as I'd like. I kind of forget to document things until I'm half-way done.

Let's get started.

CUPID'S COOKIES
from the Los Angeles Times, 1981
(sorry, I didn't make this up. I'd have given them a cooler name.)

1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
2 1/2 cups sifted flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup rolled oats
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
red food coloring
2 tablespoons powdered sugar (you'll probably use a little more)
4 ounces of milk chocolate (or dark chocolate, whichever you prefer. I did half & half)
2 Heart shaped cookie cutters - one 2 1/2 inch heart and one 1 1/2 inch heart

Preheat the oven at 350 degrees.
Beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Blend in egg and vanilla.
Sift together flour and salt.
Add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in oats.
Divide dough in half.
Add peppermint extract and a few drops of food coloring to one half of the dough until it's ask pink as you like. Leave the other half alone.
Wrap each half in saran wrap and chill for several hours. I usually leave it in for 2.
Roll out tinted dough to 1/8 inch thickness on a surface sprinkled lightly with powdered sugar. Cut with 1 1/2 inch cookie cutter.
Roll out remaining, untinted half of dough and cut with 2 1/2 inch cookie cutter.
Place cut-outs on ungreased baking sheets

Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes.
Remove from oven and place 1 chocolate square on center of each large heart.
Place small heart on top and press lightly to secure.

Transfer cookies to wire rack to cool.
Makes about 40 cookies, 20 servings.
Et voila, bon appetit.

current sounds: Arcade Fire - Haiti
current beverage H20 & St. Johns Wort

Sugar Skulls, version 2.0!

2011-04-29T13:46:00.000-07:00

Greetings & salutations ~
While I always have a relentless stream of ideas threatening to burst a hole in my skull, as of late I've been updating/upgrading pieces that are already finished. I am a perfectionist and my work is never, ever done.

In any event, first on my list:

Sugar Skull Scalloped Correspondence Cards

Next up? Angel City has been teasing me with warm weather and it's putting me in summer mode way too early. As a result, the sepia is slowly leaving my visions and being replaced with bright, over-saturated COLOR. I'm experimenting with it - adding it to a few pieces that I think would benefit from a little more dimension. I hope it works out, I'd love to show you what I'm up to.

current sounds: Eminem - Shake that
current beverage: water

April News & Shop Freebie!

2011-04-06T10:08:00.000-07:00

Hello my darlings,
I've neglected this blog and I apologize for it. March was full of quite a bit of SUCK and left me uninspired. Despite this, April is forcing me into productivity. Which is not nice, as I am just getting over the flu and today is the first day I feel somewhat human. But what can I do, I am a one-woman show. So let's get to the news, shall we?

1) I am pleased to say that I have just renewed my contract with Local Collection. They have been so good to me and I intend on creating some brand new product that will be exclusive to their shop. So stay tuned for more news on that.

2) For some time I've had requests to custom design & print invitations for weddings, birthday parties and baby showers using my artwork. I am currently working on a few designs for wedding ensembles and will have some samples and pricing to show you quite soon. I'm most excited about this prospect, comrades. I love taking on big projects! And I am truly honored when people want to include my work in their big events.

3) She's back! I am pleased to announce that our favourite inventor has returned in postcard form. These new cards are printed on glossy, gloriously thick cardstock with a rich matte finish on the back for you to scribble away on.

and finally,
4) The April shop special. Alright, it's not exactly a special, it's more of an April freebie. Look what just came in the mail!

Those petite reproductions of Abby & Sam are magnets, my friends!

I am dying to send you one SO! During the month of April, any orders over $25 (shipping not included!) will receive one of these little darlings.

Visit the shop to get going!
serpentes.etsy.com
I thank you for your patience and continued support, little urchins.

current sounds: clicking of nails on keyboard
current beverage: Trader Joe's hot cocoa, Mexicanized by me. (bet you didn't know that adding chile & spices = Mexicanized)

rising from the grave

2011-03-16T20:49:00.000-07:00

Hello dearest darlings,
Contrary to popular belief and wishful thinking, I am not dead.
Merely busy and happy but mostly busy!

I've been working on several secret projects. The problem with taking on too many secret projects is that they take up all of your time and leave nothing for projects of the non-secret variety.

I can, however, share something I finished a few weeks back:

Alls I can really tell you is that I'll have a new Etsy Anthology for this month. It's one of the few times I give myself the time of really looking through Etsy and seeing what everyone is up to.
Somewhat related, I'm discontinuing Aesthetics because...

I started a Tumblr some time ago and there are more pretty things there than I can shake a stick at. Incidentally, if any of you are on tumblr, please say hi!
serpenthes.tumblr.com

On the not-so-secret side, I intend on putting together a whole new website very soon. Also, if any of you would like to pay for prints in HOURS, I would love that. 24 hours in a day is simply not enough.

current sounds: Arsenio Rodriguez - Oye Mi Cantar
current beverage: water

anthology, feb 11: matters of the heart

2011-02-08T15:22:00.000-08:00

1) Anatomica Series - Heart Art Print by JodyPham 2) Frankenlove Frankenstein Monster and Bride art by KreepshowArt 3) Hand-Illustrated Anti-Valentine Card by TriggersAndSparks 4) Mexican Chocolate Soap by TheNorthwoodsGoat 5) Ram's Heart Under Glass by CustomCreature 6) Glittery Sacred Heart Pasties by FleurDuMal 7) Lemon Lotion Bar by OrchardFarmSoap 8) Bonnie & Clyde Calaveras limited edition gocco by MisNopalesArt 9) I Heart You greeting card by SweetPerversion

I LOVE Valentine's Day. Don't get me wrong: I've never been a typical girl about it. I don't want or generally LIKE flowers, chocolate or stuffed animals. I find holiday themed items to be a waste of space and money. Not to mention tacky. (Well, I guess I just mentioned it.)

This is not what it's about. I'm a serious supporter of loving fiercely on a daily basis and letting the important people know - OFTEN - how much they mean to me. And like birthdays and anniversaries, I'm not opposed to having an extra day a year to do something a little more special. Not to give gifts, mind you, but just to DO something nice for someone. I try to do this year-round but like most people, I get caught up in myself and sometimes need a reminder.

I'm the first to admit that most of the things here are more like my typical Monday afternoon than V-day but hey. I'm the type of person that will do something with or for a person instead of acquiring things (except for that ram's heart. Which would look spectacular on my mantle. Hint, hint.)
I mean really, what's more fun? Being given a stuffed bear with a box of chocolates or being given a bath with Mexican chocolate soap?
I'm just saying.

current sounds: A Perfect Circle - Thinking Of You
current beverage: Starbucks VIA cinnamon coffee.

February Shop Special & Invitation Debut!

2011-02-01T15:00:00.000-08:00

Greetings & salutations!
I've two major things to tell you about so let's get right to it.

First, I've just posted Invitations for sale in the Etsy shop.
Growing up, if my brother or I were going to have a birthday party, my mother insisted that we make our own invitations to mail out to family and friends. It usually involved some crude drawing of whatever theme we'd decided on. Maybe some day I'll show you my Dinosaur Party invitations from my 6th birthday.
This habit carried on through to now and I am not satisfied with picking up a generic fill-in from Target that may be decked out in flocked roses or pink dots.
Comrades, this simply isn't me.
I'm pleased to introduce the first three designs in what I hope will become a unique line of invitations for those of us that want something a little different:

Two are completely blank so you can design/print the wording yourself, right at home!
They are sold in a pack of 10 and come with rich, French grey envelopes that will really stand out in the mail.

For a long while I've had requests for baby items. I know there are moms out there that want something a little more unique so my darlings, this one is for you.

This design is sold in a pack of 10 and comes with crisp mint green envelopes. Just fill in the information and you're ready to go!

I will continue working on invites if there is interest. Is something you'd like for me to try out? Send me a word with your ideas!

♥ . ♥ . ♥ FEBRUARY SHOP SPECIAL ♥ . ♥ . ♥

I'd hoped to have some Valentines on sale this month but alas, time has not allowed for such things. Instead, I'll show you my gratitude for your existence by offering a shop special.

During the month of February, ALL single prints are Buy One, Get One Free.
Yes, tiny vultures, free. Here is the fine print:

♥ Your free print must be of equal or lesser value.
♥ Put the name/description of your free print in the "Note To Seller" section upon checking out. (Do not put the additional print in your cart, you WILL be charged!)
♥ This special does not apply to print sets

That's it!

I do hope the week has been treating you well so far. Cheers.

current sounds: Iggy & The Stooges - Penetration
current beverage: coffee. What else is there??

anthology, january 2011. winter greys.

2011-01-31T15:27:00.000-08:00

1) Classic Stole Faux Fur by KittyDevile 2) Victorian French Antique Silver Brooch by ParisPanacheAntiques 3) Leather Rose Wrap Boot Straps or Spats by ManoBello 4) Elegant Wool Coat by Xiaolizi 5) Secret Garden Top in heather by Lirola 6) The New Moon black French lace cuffs by AngelinaDesign 7) Personalized Brown Mustache Flask by TheHairOfTheDog 8) Victorian Vampire Bat Headband by Plasticouture 9) Oatmeal Cashmere Blend Cropped Cardigan by StacyLeighAtelier

My personal style changes with the seasons. When summer starts to cool and I feel the crispness of fall in the air, something clicks and I start rearranging my closet:
I push the wedge sandals, halter tops and most color to the back to make room for the fall and winter wear: black, grey, pinstripes, lace accents, tweed, fur coats, oxfords, boots, fingerless gloves, and fuzzy scarves. I exchange hair flowers & butterflies for rhinestones & pearls. The bold jewelry choices are switched out for vintage brooches, subtle exoskeletons and a lot of marcasite.
Does this make me seem crazy and indecisive? Maybe, but I'm stimulated by so many styles and pretty things that I don't see a point to living life in one costume. You should see the hats I wear around the house when I'm drawing or entertaining the Wolf. We'll save that for another day.

In the meantime, many cheers to the artisans that have provided me with such eye candy. And for everyone else, stay warm!

current sounds: Morrissey - First of the Gang To Die
current beverage: Trader Joe's Costa Rican Tarrazu coffee.

new items: Correspondence Cards

2011-01-27T12:20:00.000-08:00

Greetings & salutations!
I've been a somewhat busy bee and have just put up two new items in the Etsy shop.

It may be of surprise that I still write to people. I mean I really do, I sit down and write epic letters, small notes, post cards, or put together the occasional care package. My mother trained me this way starting at a very young age and really, who doesn't enjoy getting something in the mail that ISN'T a bill, magazine or advertisement?

The reason I'm getting into this is because the excuse I get the most about not writing is "I don't have anything to say".
Seriously? You have a Facebook, Twitter, tumblr and god knows what other kind of social networking tool - but you have nothing to say? Come on now, you can do better than that.

Personally, I prefer correspondence cards - this is what you call cards that are flat, as opposed to 'notes' or a 'note card', which are fold-over cards. Correspondence cards give you enough space to say a thing or two but they're not big enough to demand that you write a novel. I am a devout fan of keeping things short and simple. (Which I know you wouldn't guess by my rambling posts. My apologies, I write much more than I ever physically talk.)

If you've not written a friend or foe in a while, do it! Maybe someone just needs to know that you think of them every now and then. Leaving a comment on Facebook is not the same. You'd be surprised at how pleased someone will be to get something in the mail.

Visit the Etsy shop: serpentes.etsy.com

current sounds: Ice Cube - Today Was A Good Day
current beverage: Ethiopian french pressed coffee. Delightful!

Shop update.

2011-01-23T17:31:00.000-08:00

Well hello there.

It's time to play catch-up. Things in the House of Black have been in disorder since December and this week I'll finally have the time to get things re-organized, do some designing, and get to work on the new website.

I've spent the greater part of this fine afternoon locked in my rabbit hutch with my ipod, a bottle of water and a lot of work to do. It's been a good while since I've reviewed everything in the Etsy shop and I'm pleased to say that ALL item descriptions have been cleaned up or re-done. I like consistency, clarity and order - if one is missing, I am not a happy.

Now that you know I'm neurotic, we'll move on.
I've opened up the vault and put up quite a few prints that were once a limited run. This year I want to keep the shop chock full of stuff to keep you interested and this is step one.

I'm also pleased to announce that Sorry, Charlie! is now available in print form!

Be a doll and stop by to see all the (somewhat) new goodies. As I mentioned earlier, in the next week I'll be working on new design and putting that up for sale - I have some new note cards, postcards and surprises in the works.

Serpentes on Etsy

Incidentally, have you "Liked" the Facebook page yet?
Facebook.com/serpenthes
If so, you're wonderful. Why not recommend it to someone you know? Or if you are in a library or perhaps aboard a train, maybe you could tap your neighbor and suggest it to him/her? Especially if they are cute - my work is a wonderful icebreaker and an excellent judge of character. Do you really want to date someone that has no appreciation for an enourmous octopus being taken out for a walk or a giant vulture that really likes Liverpool football? I think not.
I wish you luck.

Cheers - enjoy the rest of your Sunday and have a really marvelous start to the week!

current sounds: 16 Horsepower - Low Estate
current beverage: water

favourite things. january 2011

2011-01-13T12:30:00.000-08:00

☆ In your mind, did the 30s & 40s exist in black & white? Check out these absolutely beautiful COLOR photographs taken around the country between 1939 and 1943: Captured: America in Color. I love them. Intensely.

☆ My gorgeous Tia has opened up a delightfully sweet Etsy shop! Gumdrop Glamour

☆ To amuse you: 70s Groupie Mag Star is now online. That's right, feathered hair, 70s teenybopper copy and Those Foxy Hollywood High Girls!

☆ I love Ron Perlman

☆ The Los Angeles County Museum of Art gives us a sneak peek at the upcoming Tim Burton exhibit.

☆ I know you've woken in up in the middle of the night wondering: Which Jane Austen Character Are You? (I was Elizabeth Bennett, by the by)

☆ I find the brain a very interesting thing, especially when there are specific habits or necessities that become a part of life. An interesting read: Inheriting The Hoard: A Cautionary Tale

☆ In fact, I WOULD wear these Imperial logo earrings. Ladies, there is nerd gear for you too!

current sound: Louis Armstrong - Just One Of Those Things
current beverage: Ethiopian light roast!

aesthetics. january 2011.

2011-01-05T18:20:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, friends and fiends!

Still getting it together for what promises to be a busy and exciting month. I've lots of projects underway and I'll have some cute Valentines in the shop soon.

In the meantime, a collection of wintery goodness for your eyeballs to enjoy.

above image by visualyz.com

current sounds: Goldfrapp - Rocket
current beverage: water

2010

2010-12-27T22:40:00.000-08:00

2010 was a long, difficult year of great change for me. I let go of things and people that were poisonous to my sanity and growth and even though I'm much better off, it was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. I'm fortunate that it didn't blow up in my face - it actually opened up my life to wonderful people, more motivation and a bit of hope for the upcoming year.

While I put more effort into my artistic endeavors this year, I intend on going full steam in 2011 - more drawing, more education, more projects, more pretty things for you to love and use. I hope that you'll stick around and let me know what you think!

10 Observations, 2010

1. Always trust your instincts. If you're hesitating on something that seems to be all right, there's probably a reason for it.

2. People are both very different and very similar. No matter what your scene is, what you're into and where you come from, most people feel as awkward as you do and are looking for the same thing.

3. Asking questions doesn't make you look stupid. Pretending you know what you're doing and then messing it up, however, does.

4. The things you think are making your life miserable are things to learn from, not things to destroy you.

5. Going outside of your comfort zone is a really important thing to do every now and then. Whether it works out or doesn't, you took the first scary step and that's personal progress.

6. Even if it means getting two hours of sleep, resolve issues & arguments before going to bed.

7. Friendship - even the low-maintenence type - is something that requires work and effort from both sides. And it's totally worth it if you've chosen your friends well. Make it a point to see your most cherished friends at least once a month. You have the time, I promise.

8. When you're having an absolute CRAP day, smile and be nice to someone. It's amazing how often it fixes the blues.

9. Making excuses is fine as long as you realize that they are excuses and not reasons.

10. And finally... this is something I had to learn the hard way at a very young age but has been specifically good to remember this year. It's important not to take things personally. When other people treat you badly, make snide comments, criticize you, and all those other fun things - know that it very rarely has anything to do with you. Everyone has their own problems, their own doubts, their own issues. I think it's part of human nature to take it out on the people around us and while that doesn't give everyone the excuse to be a raging asshole, it's something to consider before beating yourself up about it.

I have a few big goals for 2011, both personally and professionally.
I don't want to be that person that talks a lot and does nothing so I'm not going to get into it now but hopefully come February I'll have something major to share with you.
I'll resume normal features and whatnot in January and really look forward to showing you new work, making new acquaintances and maybe doing some collaborating.
In any event, I hope that you ring in the New Year in a happy place, surrounded by good people. Cheers.

current sounds: Gogol Bordello - Avenue B
current beverage: water

December

2010-12-17T23:27:00.000-08:00

Greetings & salutations, friends & fiends -

First of all, I want to thank you for the successful holiday season in the Etsy shop. I'm always floored by how many people want to send my weird holiday greetings to their enemies or mother. I'm officially DONE with orders that were needed by Christmas and I'm touched by how many of you are gifting my artwork to your loved ones. THANK YOU. It really means a lot.

You know, I had quite a few things planned for the blog this month: the usual columns plus some extra festive stuffs because I have to admit, over the last few years I've grown terribly fond of Christmastime again. But then I drowned a bit in a busy work season, had tons of printing and Holiday Card orders to fill, spent as much time possible with the loved ones - all of a sudden it's December 17th and my blog has decided that I don't love it anymore and put itself up for adoption.
That last bit isn't true but I wouldn't be surprised.

In any event, tonight is the calm before the storm: I have a busy week ahead full of family gatherings, lots of baking, gift-wrapping, dinner with friends, cuddling with my Wolf, secret projects, and work on top of it all. A busy life is a full life, right?
I haven't even watched It's a Wonderful Life yet and I mean really, only lots of busyness would keep me away from Jimmy Stewart.

I'm pleased to say that next year I will have three all new Holiday card designs for you to purchase in the shop. I don't want to discuss 2011 on here just yet though, that deserves it's own post after the Christmas mess is over.

In the meantime, I wanted to share a few shots of my Little Black Tree. Christmastime in the House of Black is a really splendid thing thanks to my flatmate Miss Maus O'Liam, who loves Christmas more than anyone I know and does an absolutely marvelous job of decorating. Little Black Tree, however, lives on my bedside table and is one of the few things that is all mine.
Last year it was dolled up in vintage French ribbon, pearls, black glitter Chanel ornaments and beautiful artwork by Miss Jody Pham.
This year it whined for color and ridiculousness so I went with a slight Day of the Dead theme featuring skull flower combs by my wonderful Tia and lush roses by LilaJo.

I hope the next week is wonderful, warm and productive for you all!

current sounds: hehe Keyboard Cat commercial in the other room. I love Keyboard Cat!
current beverage: none but I can't stop snacking on pretzel M&Ms!

Holiday Cards & Black Friday

2010-11-26T12:43:00.000-08:00

Greetings & salutations!
For those of you who live in the States, I hope your Thanksgiving was warm & full of good food. I spent mine with half of my family, tons of pie, TMI, the Saints and Robert DeNiro.

I wasn't going to mention the dreaded Black Friday. I work retail and that should tell you enough.
BUT. If for some reason, you find yourself shopping in Glendale or the surrounding areas, I've a bit of good news for you: Local Collection is having a Black Friday/ 30% off sale today. All artists are offering that discount - and I've got originals for sale, darlings! I'm just saying...

Moving right along!
Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, I feel safe in mentioning Christmas and Christmas-related items on here. Once again, I've put holiday cards up for sale exclusively in the Etsy shop. All cards are made of recycled paper, hand-glittered, and come in sets of 10. They've been featured all over the web and I've always gotten such amazing, positive feedback from people who have purchased them.

the dapper cadaver
Our favourite gentleman is garnished with ruby glitter on his scarf and snowy iridescent glitter on the stars. Set includes your choice of envelope color (red or French grey), choice of greeting and optional personalization.

merry & bright
Olive is garnished with snowy iridescent glitter on her fan & jewelry and teal glitter on her fabulous facinator. Set includes your choice of envelope color (Mint green or French grey), choice of greeting and optional personalization.

abby & sam
These kids are garnished with ruby glitter on Abby's jaunty Santa hat and iridescent glitter on the hat's fur trim and her leash. Cards are blank inside and include your choice of envelope color (red or French grey).

p.s: All holiday card orders made after November 30th will get a sample of next year's new holiday design!

current sounds: Cypress Hill - Black Sunday
current beverage: Trader Joe's ITALIAN ROAST!!

Anthology - November 2010

2010-11-21T16:58:00.000-08:00

1) Dia de los Muertos art print by Carissa Rose by NeverDieArt 2) Muertas Rosary with Skulls, Lady of Guadalupe & Green Glass by ArtistaMuerta 3) Day of the Dead photo print by TheStrikingViking 4) Champurrado Goat's Milk Soap by SwanMountainSoaps 5) Pan Dulce magnet set by VivaLaPress 6) Lucha Libre Blue Demon art print by ArtByLupeFlores 7)Sugar Skull Beauty and Swallows by IllustratedInk 8) TILL DEATH papel picado by AyMujer 9) Love Is... personalized Nicho by MoMuertos

Dia de los Muertos is a long time tradition here - I grew up celebrating it at home and all over dear Angel City with family and friends. As more beloved people leave this life, it becomes more and more important to me. This year it's been a little more influential (creatively speaking) than usual and I think you'll see the effect in the next coming months.

Although Dia de los Muertos is very early in the month, it reminds me of what's important year round: family, friends, love and good food. I hope that come Thanksgiving you are celebrating this life and giving thanks with those important to you too.

current sounds: Cypress Hill - Throw Your Set In The Air
current beverage: Kona coffee by Jack

Favourite Things: November 2010

2010-11-12T12:58:00.000-08:00

☆ I haven't laughed that hard in years: 26 Sexy Halloween Costumes That Shouldn't Exist

☆ Ever been curious about what you'd need to make to live in another city? Cost of Living Calculator. New Orleans is looking better than ever.

☆ I love the one made of old Russian mines, how about you? 10 Clever Desks for Creative Types

☆ I don't like beer but I love this packaging: Sweet Jesus!

☆ It's too damn early for Christmas but I cannot resist stopping and gazing at Holiday windows at major department stores. Have you SEEN what they put together every year at Neiman-Marcus on Wilshire? My god. In an even more spectacular display, take a look at last year's windows at Bergdorf Goodman.

☆ Just in case you need 7 more reasons to watch The Walking Dead (and if you do, what are you even doing here, hmmm?).

☆ I must say, I'm pretty excited about this: Leonardo DiCaprio to Star in The Devil in the White City. The book is one of my favourites ever and DiCaprio is one of my favourite actors ever.

☆ Sick of vampires yet? In case you're not experienced hunters like we are, worry not! You've probably got what you need in your kitchen.

☆ Delightful: Literature's 10 Best Dressed Authors

☆ Take a peek inside Coco Rocha's apartment.

☆ Ah with new technology comes new ways to crack oneself up. This may be my new favourite site: Damn You Auto Correct!

current music: The Animals - House of the Rising Sun
current beverage: Coffee Bean's house blend

'November has tied me to an old dead tree'

2010-11-08T15:37:00.000-08:00

Greetings & salutations, kind ones.

I must admit, November is kind of a come-down month for me. October is a month of anticipation and cute decor and (usually) lots of creativity. Once Halloween is over, the handsome Jack-o-Lanterns & skeletons are put away and we're left with the transition period full of Fall leaves and cornucopias and turkeys in preparation for Thanksgiving. I like Thanksgiving and all but this month usually just reminds me that somehow another year is almost over. It doesn't help that the shops are pulling out the Holiday decor earlier every year - November 1st is too damn soon for Christmas songs, comrades!

I digress.
I hope your Halloween and Dia de los Muertos festivities were great fun. I know mine were. Things were busy and rushed and I did little to no photo-journaling this time around. I'm hoping it doesn't mean that this year will get lost in my brain somewhere. I usually need photographs to remember things, but that's another story entirely.

I'm working on this month's Anthology and some new product to put in the shop but in the meantime I leave you with a glimpse of Halloween at the House of Black.

I converted my empty birdcage into a spider resort

The Ghost of Cary Grant (as we call our invisible flatmate) usually hangs out around here.

Back to work, I suppose.

current sounds: the wind howling outside
current beverage: caribou coffee, bold roast

Happy Halloween!!

2010-10-31T17:59:00.000-07:00

Greetings & salutations and Happy Halloween!
Things are about to get underway at the House of Black... as the sun sets, the Pack will be getting ready for a night of debauchery and decadence.

But first!
New set of notes up for sale in the Etsy shop.
The Nurse: set of 6 note cards

and also...
We must really like you. We have a mix tape for you, engineered once again by our house DJ, Miss Maus O'Liam. Whether it makes you boogie whilst getting ready or keeps company to you & your hangover tomorrow, I hope you dig it.

DOWNLOAD!

Well, darling creepsters - I hope that wherever your night leads you, you are surrounded by plenty of booze (or blood or coffee, if that's your thing) and you stay out of jail.

Don't do anything I would do!

current sounds: Sam the Sham - Little Red Riding Hood
current beverage: water!

Boneyard Picture Show, part 4 - Trick r Treat

2010-10-29T16:56:00.000-07:00

Trick r Treat, 2007
Starring Brian Cox, Anna Paquin, Dylan Baker

Well creeps, I saved the best for last. I fell in love with this film the first 10 minutes. It has a feel like the 80's Halloween films I grew up with but without the bad production budget or fashion! In fact, it's one of the prettiest Halloween-themed movies I've ever seen.

The credits alone bring back the Creepshow vibe with gorgeous comic book style artwork. It has most things your wretched little heart desires around this time of year: too much candy, wretched children in adorable costumes, sexy monsters, vintage masks, and grumpy grown-ups getting what they deserve.

Four stories, four lessons learned, and one ridiculously adorable Sam.

Also, just your luck! This Sunday, it will be running 24 hours on FEARnet.

Don't blow out the Jack O Lantern til after midnight, darlings!
Happy Haunting!

current sounds: Echo and the Bunnymen - The Killing Moon
current beverage: coffee. What else?

AESTHETICS - Halloween Edition

2010-10-27T21:16:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I've put together some pretty things to please your eyeballs.
Do enjoy.

by ghoulfriday.com

photo by SamheinWarlock

As always, if any of these uncredited images are yours, let us know.

current sounds: TV on the Radio - Wolf Like Me
current beverage: vanilla iced coffee

Boneyard Picture Show, part 3 - A Disney Halloween

2010-10-23T18:19:00.000-07:00

A Disney Halloween, 1983

There are a few things that some 80's children have in common. At some point, we saw a lot of Disney movies. Now, I'm not the type of girl that loves Disney movies or characters or anything. You will no see absolutely no trace of licensed product anywhere near my belongings. But once upon a time when I was a mere 3 years old or so, this came across my path every Halloween and to this day it remains one of my most comforting Fall films. It's a classic collection of creepy, villanous & dark cartoons spanning just about the whole history of Disney animation and it includes a couple of my very favourites. You can't tell me that the animation for Mussorgsky's Night on Bald Mountain doesn't move you. I'm dead inside and even I love it.

Did you know that Bela Lugosi was the live action reference model for the demon? It's true.

current sounds: Louis Armstrong - St. Louis Blues
current beverage: chicory cafe au lait

Anthology - October 2010

2010-10-20T15:53:00.000-07:00

Well, let's continue on with our Halloween-related nonsense, shall we?

I'm pleased to present a new monthly feature on here: Anthology.
Every month I'll showcase some of my very favourite Etsy finds. I've been a proud part of the online marketplace since 2007 and I love supporting my fellow artisans.
I've been wanting to do something like it for a while - what better time to kick it off than Halloween?

I'll admit - this Halloween has me going the minimalist route - in costume and in decor. You'll find that my picks for this month's Anthology reflect that. I'm a big fan of the subtle. With the exception of signs warning you of impending Zombie doom - those can't be subtle.

1) Poe's Raven Black Coffin by Middleburg 2) La Nuit shea butter soap by SweetPetula 3) Ghost with Boo Banner No.4 by BloomAndBarnacle 4) Little Red and Wolfboy print set by TheBlackApple 5) A Hauntingly Magical Celebration by AFancifulTwist 6) New Orleans Garden District by Laur22188 7) Dark Carnival Wolf Leather Mask by teonova
8) DANGER ZOMBIES RUN hand printed poster by YeeHaw
9) Abigail Bunny Rabbit Bandit by TheDecoratedHouse

As a side note, I'm a huge fan of The Black Apple and I am really pleased to feature this particular print set. Come the 31st, you'll find yours truly running all over Los Angeles with her own red riding hood and wolf escort.

What are your plans Halloween night?

current sounds: Tom Waits - Eyeball Kid
current beverage: chicory cafe con leche, who dat!

Boneyard Picture Show, part 2 - Trilogy of Terror

2010-10-17T01:56:00.000-07:00

Trilogy of Terror, 1975
Starring Karen Black

Anybody that knows anything knows about Karen Black.
She's awesome. She's made an amazing career of sneaking in & out of the spotlight for four decades and still going strong. You know who she is, kids, she was Mother Firefly in House of 1,000 Corpses. She's also in one of my favourite Bedtime Horror movies, Burnt Offerings. But we'll talk about that another time.

Trilogy of Terror is just that - three short stories, three twists, three creepy dames - all played by Karen Black. It was made for TV but was a pretty big deal and thus has it's proper cult following. It also has the proper 70's feel - which is sometimes creepy enough in itself.

It moves quickly and quietly through the lives of a college jerk who gets what he has coming to him by his professor, a pair of twins with very different problems, and a crazed indigenous doll that goes ape shit on it's owner.

You might recognize the creepy doll in one of the shots below. He's since become his own kind of celebrity.

current sounds: Gogol Bordello - Sally
current beverage: Cafe du Monde chicory coffee

Angel City presents Day of the Dead 2010

2010-10-16T17:41:00.000-07:00

Buenos dias (o noche, depending on where you are), queridos esqueletos -

I am pleased to present this year's Angel City collection in celebration of Dia De Los Muertos.

Calavera Mask - LA LUCHA!

These are only available for a limited time - each one is hand painted, slowly assembled and absolutely one-of-a-kind. Once they're gone, they're gone!

Calavera Mask - EL CORAZòN

Calavera Mask - FLOR NARANJA

Aside from the masks, a couple of trinket boxes - perfect for storing jewelry, very tiny rocks (hey, we don't judge your hobbies) or your secret stash.

LA CALAVERA trinket box

EL CORAZON trinket box

Since we're on the subject, these prints will be available until the end of November before they head back into the crypt.

LOS CADAVERS set of two prints

LOS CASADOS set of two prints

current sounds: Gogol Bordello - Avenue B
current beverage: nothing!

Favourite Things - October Edition

2010-10-13T10:58:00.000-07:00

It was my desire to fill this to the brim with Halloween things of the favourite variety. Perhaps there will be a second later in the month.

☆ A fascinating mini-tour of the Bestattungsmuseum (Funeral Museum) in Vienna at I Dreamed I Saw. This has definitely been added to my Places To See list.

☆ We all know that zombie apocalypses aren't related to Halloween, as they can happen at ANY TIME (are you prepared?) but are you going to survive against them? Check the survival chart.

☆ And while we're on the subject: 5 Reasons You Secretly Want A Zombie Apocalypse. (It's kind of no secret.)

☆ It's called Devils Lake, why build around it? I like to imagine it as a big black monster that's just devouring everything in it's path, growing bigger & bigger...

☆ I am a huge fan of eEvil Ink Design (who also happens to be a fellow Local Collection seller, ahem) and I'm pretty sure everyone needs their calling cards. Because sometimes, people really need to be told.

☆ I love it so. Hogwarts gets the internet

☆ We can't have you wonderful creatures roaming the world and insulting people, can we? Nine Most Devastating Insults From Around The World

☆ Like every other Angeleno, I've been going to the Haunt at Knotts for years now. But last year, my favourite Halloween-related adventure was checking out the Haunted Hayride. This year it's relocated to the old zoo at Griffith Park and seriously - if you're going to be around, check it out. It was charming old-timey fun on the Midway and deliciously scary scares on the Hayride itself.

☆ The Expendables of Horror movies? If Bruce Campbell gets his way. Yes please!

☆ I love the light and airy design of Death's Door Spirits, despite the name. Cheers to the designers for not making it look like Vampire Juice version # 3823.

☆ This is old news but Elvira's Movie Macabre is back from the dead!!!!

☆ I don't know how zombies made their way into the hearts of the world (well... by biting, I suppose) but I am extremely jazzed about the premier of The Walking Dead.

current sound: Sam the Sham - Little Red Riding Hood
current beverage: smart water

Music from the Maus O'Liam, Part 1 - Tooth and Nail

2010-10-11T16:08:00.000-07:00

We are music people here. We grew up on it, we have it on at all times, we get kind of crazy about it.
And sometimes, if we really like you, we make you a mix tape.

I'm pleased to present a guest spot by my favourite cohort, Miss Maus O'Liam.
She has put together a brilliant collection of music for you to download, love, and boogie to.
I do hope you'll enjoy.

From your guest DJ:

When the full moon appears
Every muscle and bone
Rips to make way for an
Evil new shape.
Wide will you roam
On the hunt will you go
Leaving terror and
Fear in your wake

But for the rest of the month
Ignore your vile curse
Turn your music up loud and
Enjoy this mix I did make

"Even a man who is pure in heart
and says his prayers by night
may become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms
and the autumn moon is bright."

-The Wolfman, 1941

Click here to download!
http://www.sendspace.com/file/3o5wb4

current sound: The Cramps - I Was A Teenage Werewolf
current beverage: Trader Joe's Indian Peaberry coffee (it really does keep me alive...)

Boneyard Picture Show 2010, Part 1 - CREEPSHOW

2010-10-08T17:42:00.000-07:00

Greetings & salutations, adorable vultures!
Here's the deal. In the House of Black, we watch horror films all year round. They're comfort cinema - something to put on before bed to lull me into a peaceful slumber. I'm not even kidding and no, they don't give me bad dreams. (You know what does? The evening news. Bad idea)
My best comrade and I are very organized about this kind of thing. Summer is usually the start of our horror movie season - we go into it choosing a theme for the year. We've done Summer Camp Slayings, Slashers, the ever disappointing Vampire Anthology... and this year is Year of the Werewolf, in case you were curious. (We'll chat about that another day.)
Well darlings, things are no different when it comes to the Boneyard Picture Show. Last year's general theme was Favourite Classic Horror. This year, I present four films that share three general ideas: creepy, funny and told in a short story format.

To kick things off:

Creepshow, 1982
Starring Ted Danson, Leslie Nielsen, Adrienne Barbeau, Ed Harris, Stephen King

What can I say, creeps. This is a bit of a classic.

This film is a collection of 5 short stories - penned by Stephen King (a couple were written specifically for the film) and directed by George Romero. You can't go wrong, right? Some of the imagery and ideas from these shorts have taken up residency in my brain - that usually means a job well done.

It's also one of the first movies I remember that utilizes comic book imagery as part of it's credits or overall look. Obviously there are dozens more made since then that do it better, but it takes me back to a special spot of 80's nostalgia. The film was also later developed into an actual comic book and then the first version of TV's Tales from the Darkside.

There are several Creepshow films (3 so far with another coming out next year) but the first is probably my favourite. I hope most of you have seen it, own it, love it. But if you've not, it's perfect for cozying up on the couch (or in the coffin, whatever you're into) on a cool Fall night.

Since this isn't a review (Merely a watching suggestion. Strong suggestion.), I won't ruin the stories for you by summarizing. What's the fun in that? I'm much more about luring you in with visuals and then eating your soul when you come too close.
...What?

* yes, squeamish ones, there are bugs in the last story. Lots of them.

Cheers!

current sounds:Dead Man's Bones - My Body's A Zombie For You
current beverage: Trader Joe's Indian Peaberry coffee

October.

2010-10-04T02:08:00.000-07:00

Happy October!

You may notice a new look to this little blog - I'd say it was about time, no?

In the actual House of Black, Halloween is a month long ordeal. Sometimes longer. We bake pumpkin bread, watch more scary films than usual, and dedicate a night to decorating freshly baked sugar cookies. The zombie gingerbread men by Miss Maus O'Liam and Miss Shot In Vegas are - in truth - tiny, grotesque works of art. I mean, there's brain detail.

I'm getting sidetracked.
In celebration of my favourite holiday, a print sale!
All spooky, creepy single prints are on sale for $13, sets start at $17.

I have many good things in store for October.
Happy Haunting, ghouls & boys.

current sounds: Dead Man's Bones - Dead Man's Bones
current beverage: pumpkin ginger tea

Updating

2010-09-27T17:31:00.000-07:00

I'm working (little by little) on redecorating this blog and it's look before October.

I've many ghoulish delights for you next month.
New artwork, new shop specials, and pretty things for your eyes to love.

Please disregard any unsightly colors or error pages.

current sounds: Dead Man's Bones - Paper Ships
current beverage: Trader Joe's Indian Peaberry coffee. ICED since it's 100+ today.

August Giveaway winner and Sorry, Charlie!

2010-09-11T13:15:00.000-07:00

Greetings & salutations loved ones,

First things first, the winner of the August Giveaway was Miss Meghan Murphy of NYC. Three cheers! I will eventually show you all what is in the prize collection but I'd prefer for it to be a surprise for her so no photos until after she has received it.

On to business.
I've been busy and strangely inspired lately. I've quite a few projects going for Dia de los Muertos but I've managed a sketch here and there in between.

Sorry, Charlie

This is what happens when I spend my vacation watching Shark Week specials. Little did these adorable tourists know that the first fatal shark attack recorded in the U.S. was happening right behind them.

Charles Epting Vansant, 25, of Philadelphia was on vacation at the Engleside Hotel with his family. Before dinner, Vansant decided to take a quick swim in the Atlantic with a Chesapeake Bay Retriever that was playing on the beach. Shortly after entering the water, Vansant began shouting. Bathers believed he was calling to the dog, but a shark was actually biting Vansant's legs.
Vansant's left thigh was stripped of its flesh; he bled to death on the manager's desk of the Engleside Hotel at 6:45 p.m.

On that pleasant note, a fine weekend to you all!

current sounds: Buena Vista Social Club - Hasta Siempre, Comandante Che Guevara
current beverage: coffee. Always coffee.

Favourite Things. September 2010

2010-09-03T15:41:00.000-07:00

☆ I absolutely adore (and already follow) Mark Twain's Top 9 Tips For Living A Kick Ass Life.

☆ Fellow film nerds! Television Without Pity has a Fall Movie Preview round-up. Of course there's the usual bunch of heinous/hilarious but lots of exciting things as well, no? Check out Dramas, Chills & Thrills and Sci-Fi/Action.

☆ I have to agree, the eyepatch is pretty badass.

☆ It's of no surprise that some of my favourites are on the list of Literature's 10 Best Dressed Characters.

☆ Two wrongs sometimes make a right and in this case, it's hilarious. The Babysitters Club by Bret Easton Ellis, Chapter 1

☆ I am TERRIBLY FOND of the idea of post-apocalyptic food packaging.

current sound: traffic on the radio
current beverage: Starbucks' VIA, saving my life again.

September Print Sales

2010-09-02T15:14:00.000-07:00

Time is up for the August Giveaway and I really thank every single one of you that made purchases last month. I'll announce the winner in a few days.

For the month of September, I'm having a couple of print sales!

It's true. I've been keeping things from you. Slowly but surely I've been working on my neverending "Creepies & Kids" series and I am very pleased to be able to offer some of the newbies up as prints.
I am offering these for a very limited time and most of them won't be available after September.

new! - Aaron & Austin

new! - Ahoy!

(He is the only member of our party that doesn't have an animal counterpart but he's awfully nice so I'm including him anyway.)

These two haven't been available as prints and will also go in the vault after September.

Bianca & Bart

Walter & William

But wait, there's more.

In addition to the 2 for $20, I'm doing a selection of prints that will be 2 for $30. These are amongst my very best sellers and are (in some cases) a $38 value.
"Olive" and "Miranda" will not be available after September.

Visit the Etsy shop for more details and photos:
serpenthes.etsy.com
or to the specific listings:
2 for $30
2 for $20

current sound: The Supremes
current beverage: smart water

New items at Local Collection

2010-08-24T21:26:00.000-07:00

Gin

I'm pleased to announce that earlier this week, I dropped off a big batch of originals, prints and frames at Local Collection. I'm parting with some of my very favourite works in hope that they'll find a good home and brighten up a few lonely walls.

Claire de Lune

Showtime

Along with the originals pictured here, there are a few more from the vault for sale as well as five new prints - including Miranda, who is available in print form exclusively from Local Collection.

This batch of prints also debuts the 2.0 versions of Frank and His Old Lady. As always, the pair are sold in a set and are ready to shake things up a little.

Incidentally, I'll be attending an artist Meet & Greet at the shop, this Saturday August 28th. Stop by between 3 and 6, meet local artists and pick up some truly unique things!
Click for more info:

current sounds: Dead Man's Bones - Paper Ships
current beverage: water

August News

2010-08-22T20:13:00.000-07:00

Hello there, space monkeys.
Despite my silence, there's a whole lot of stuff going on:

At some point, I gave my website a face lift. It's definitely still under construction but the bones are there. The gallery will soon be redesigned and I'll also have more information about custom print work and design.
Visit if you'd like: serpenthes.com
p.s. there's a not-so-well-hidden desktop somewhere there for you. And I do intend on making it a habit, thank you very much.

. . .

It's been a really interesting year for me, personally. Artistically speaking, it's been a slow one. Little by little, however, I am picking up the pens once again and soon we'll be good friends the way we used to.
I even did a couple of sketches:

I've started a new series that I'm really excited about and hope to be able to show you by October.

. . .

And speaking of October, I've got good things in store for you as I'll do the usual bunch of Halloween-related goodness on the blog. I'm even planning a few new projects for Dia de los Muertos in November. I stopped by the art store and found these adorable masques, how could I not pick them up?

. . .

Did you Scott Pilgrim yourself yet? Like probably everyone else on the interwebs, I spent entirely too much time playing with the generator on the film's website. I did finally see the film itself, which was incredibly entertaining. (Yes, I'm going to say it...) I far prefer the books but I'm glad the film exists. Well played, Edgar Wright!

. . .

I recently purchased the most darling necklace from the lovely Sarina over at Sparkly Sushi Productions. It's quickly become one of my very very favourites. She does beautiful work and I'm pretty sure it speaks for itself.
Visit her shop: sparklysushi.etsy.com

. . .

A quick reminder, you've only a week or so left to make an order through the Etsy shop to be considered in the August Giveaway. You can catch up and read the facts here

serpentes.etsy.com
. . .

Last and probably least, I started a Formspring account.
I'll probably regret it but feel free to ask me anything, tiny vultures, art related or not. My brain is yours for the picking.
formspring.me/serpenthes

Cheers

current sound: theme song for The Venture Brothers is stuck in my head
current beverage: water. It's still warm out.

"selecting a font is like getting dressed..."

2010-08-07T13:35:00.000-07:00

☆ Amazing artwork, including a wonderful mix of two of my favourite things - Star Wars and vintage portraits: the Art of Greg Peltz. Vader now graces my desktop at home, cheers.

☆ People that know me are used to my rants and raves about typefaces and design. BBC article asks Do Typefaces Really Matter?. (The answer is YES, OF COURSE THEY DO.)

☆ Fellow fans of Inception: Is it possible that the amazingly brilliant Christopher Nolan and Uncle Scrooge are onto something?

☆ A true feast for the eyes: Delhi Courture Week 2010

☆ I love: 50 Cigar Bands from Pre-Castro Cuba

☆ I started following Janet Mendel's blog after reading about it in the L.A. Times and it seems perfect timing: as the temperature rises for summer, so does my desire for fresh, amazing recipes. My Kitchen In Spain.

☆ Of no surprise should it be that I love Mad Men. Among the many reasons is the revival of dressing up and looking good in daily life. Costume designer Janie Bryant has designed a collection for QVC that's to debut in September: Check out a small, delicious taste.

current sound: The Supremes - Can't Hurry Love
current beverage: Starbucks' Vanilla latte

August Giveaway

2010-08-02T17:03:00.000-07:00

Well hello favourite darlings, vultures and nemeses,

July was a fairly quiet month but that's not to say that I've been locked away in the dark while my army of evil rabbits run errands for me. At least not the whole month.

I'm working on several new things and features that will be revealed to you in due time. In the meantime, something major for the month of August.
For the first time ever (and quite possibly the last, we'll see how this goes), I'll be doing a giveaway:

The rules are simple.
- Order anything from the Etsy shop during the month of August: serpentes.etsy.com
- Receive your order (and hopefully like it but hey, I'm not here to tell you what to do.)
- Wait for me to announce the winner at the end of the month.

That's it, darlings.
I'm not into jumping through hoops and I don't intend for you to have to do that either.

There are, however, two things you should note:
- The items shown above may or may not be in the strange little collection that may be yours. I have a few truly unique things sitting around waiting for a new home, sketches that have not been created yet, and perhaps even a minion to help you around the house*.
- This also extends to those of you who ordered the last week of July.

That's all for now. I thank you in advance.
Now go shopping!

*Alright, so I wouldn't expect a minion, the shipping would cost me a fortune

current sounds: The Black Keys - Strange Desire
current beverage: iced coffee. Trader Joe's French Roast

"Sorry the entire world can't all be done in stark Eurotrash Swiss type."

2010-07-01T14:18:00.000-07:00

☆ Among my few heroes: Elizabeth Taylor.

☆ What's more amazing? That this couple are hiking from Florida to South America or that they're doing it while wearing a cat?

☆ I hate Comic Sans font. A lot. As do most people with eyes and a decent sense of aesthetics. But after reading this, I kinda want to hang out.

☆ If you've been waiting to wallpaper your room with the gorgeous artwork of Jody Pham, now's the time. My Brain Twin is having an amazing sale on her Etsy shop: buy one, get one free through July.

☆ The Petersen Automotive Museum here in Los Angeles has a new exhibit that begins the 24th of this month: Automotivated: Streamlined Fashion and Automobiles. Mixing vintage fashion and vintage cars: the sure way to my heart.

☆ Speaking of the old... I adore vintage packaging. And am even more fond of vintage packaging that isn't vintage.

☆ I pick up matchbooks wherever they're available- one because I use them when my Zippo runs out of fluid but mostly because I like studying the package design. I love the simple design for La Condesa

☆ From the looks of this student's design,this brand of absinthe is aimed at vampires.

☆ I, in fact, frequently ask myself "What Would Tyler Durden Do?" and follow through. Completely unrelated, however, is a way to get your useless gossip without the queens and the asskissing. I realize I am years behind everyone else. WWTDD.com (thanks, Oliver!)

current sounds: Frank Sinatra - Come Fly With Me
current beverage: voss water

House of Black. Part 65.

2010-06-17T18:04:00.000-07:00

original post may be found at serpenthes.blogspot.com

Well hello there my dears.

Things have been pretty quiet on the creative front. With decent weather comes the bizarre desire to go outside at times, even when I don't have to. Strange, isn't it? The fact of the matter is that I am armed with many wonderful friends that make sure I stay more on the human side than robot or recluse side.
Were it left to me, I'd lock myself up, play dress up, sip cocktails and draw or write all day. But I suppose then I wouldn't drink too much champagne aboard a vintage ocean liner, watch a brass band play in a really old hotel downtown, have really amazing chats over delicious dinners, or do much else that makes life kind of wonderful.

Since I've nothing new to show you, how about I share a few more peeks into the House of Black. Everyone step inside and close the door behind you, you'll let the birds in.

The portrait is of my great-grandmother. Who to this day is someone I admire and call strength from. And the photo on the right is of me with my parents in Mexico, summer of 1983. That's right, your favourite villain is indeed sitting on a donkey. With a sombrero on. What can I say, I'm half Mexican.

My jar of black widows seem to be mummifying beautifully, don't you think?
By the way, if any of you would like to add to my collection, there's a free print in it for you.

Doesn't everyone have a copy of this?

He keeps watch over the House's protective gris gris

My amazing tia over at Amargo made this gorgeous comb for me a while back but it's so pretty I can't stand putting it away.

Mortimer has a dapper new bowler thanks to Broker's gin.

Glimpse of the vanity in my bedroom.
(gorgeous rabbit box was a gift from my brain twin and the hair flowers are by LilaJo)

What does a person's writing say about them? This is mine, show me yours!

This gift has been here since December. It's almost part of the furniture at this point.
My sister (no relation) refuses to take it home and it's become a running joke with everyone now.

Until next time...

current sounds: Doves outside
current beverage: water

make a left at the feathered dress

2010-06-04T15:02:00.000-07:00

May was a strange and draining month in both very good and very bad ways. I'm almost ready to get back to work on here. Almost.
In the meantime, Happy June and now back to your regularly scheduled timewaster.

☆ Ladies and Gentlemen: Nonsense or Makes Sense? A guy's guide to a woman's body language

☆ Want to see what designer Zac Prosen did to this duplex in NYC's Flatiron District? You really do.

☆ Detectives and Dames: A gallery of 50 Crime Rags

☆ Would anyone like to buy me Truman Capote's Brooklyn Heights townhouse? No? Fine, take a look anyway.

☆ If you're a Mark Ryden fan, watch the master at work as he paints Pink Lincoln

☆ Sometimes I'm easily amused. How many things can you do with your ex-wife's wedding dress? We're still counting.

☆ This is the type of thing that makes me feel like a kid in a candy shop: 37 Unusual Examples of Business Card Design

☆ Some of this feels like I wrote it. Men, take note: What Women Like by Christina Hendricks.

☆ One of my favourite things about my hometown is it's sordid history and the books it inspired. If you need a summer read, check out 20 Noir Essentials.

Many thanks to Miss Maus O'Liam for some of these interesting bits.

current sounds: Ella Fitzgerald: My Funny Valentine
current beverage: Starbucks VIA coffee, saving my sleepy ass

People who can’t resist anything.

2010-05-06T17:02:00.000-07:00

☆ What if nutritional information was all over every item we consumed? If it all has the gorgeously clean look of this carton of milk, then I'm in.

☆ Do sausages branded with unique henna designs taste better?

☆ Serious pleasing of the senses: the combination of porcelain and the fine lines of artwork by Zoetica Ebb on Coilhouse Magazine's miniature plates.

☆ A few of my favourite things: sexy cars, big hoop earrings, gritty diners and Posh. See the spread in the current issue of Vogue Germany.

☆ Do you judge people based on the authors they read? I think I totally do.

☆ Angelenos! Live Taxidermy demo and cannibal squirrels! I really shouldn't have to say anything else. Rogue Taxidermy show at La Luz de Jesus.

☆ Our homies at Motor City show Edward and Jacob some love, 133rd style.

☆ I think I would sew more often if I had a sugar skull pin cushion.

Want to show me something awesome?: serpenthes@yahoo.fr

'til next time.

current sounds: The Animals - House of the Rising Sun
current beverage: starbucks VIA, saving my sanity.

where thrills are cheap but love's divine.

2010-05-03T03:31:00.000-07:00

original post may be found at serpenthes.blogspot.com

Well, hello there!
I've been a stranger. A few important aspects of life have changed drastically and mostly for the better. Keeping busy keeps me happy. Being happy is new and exhausting. Creative work suffers.

I put a new set of notecards up a little bit ago but didn't post them here. Visit the shop to order or get a better look: serpentes.etsy.com

I grow restless as always. I started a major project about 3 weeks ago and as always, have no idea when it'll be finished. Eventually is a good time, don't you think?

There are a few ideas I'm curious to try out.
A glimpse of the first:

That handsome rabbit, by the way, is not part of the deal. He was just sweet enough to pose for product photos. He also has a very busy schedule but not as busy as it was in our college days when he spent many hours sitting in my messenger bag, taking notes while listening to my Illustrator professor Josef lecture on the vital importance of shortcuts.
But that's a story for another day.

In the meantime, I'll have some new product up soon.
Stay tuned.

current beverage: cafe au lait
current sound: Memphis Slim - Backwater Blues

The zoo is open for business

2010-04-07T21:24:00.000-07:00

original post may be found at serpenthes.blogspot.com

Greetings & salutations!
Since I've been quite bored with the items in the Etsy shop, I'll be releasing (little by little) more product in the next week or so. Something old, something new...

Back by popular demand, my Variety Show note card set.
They come in a pack of 8, look amazing with the french grey envelopes and will only be available for another short time.

Since we're on the theme, I'm releasing Viktor and Vincent as a print in the Etsy shop. This is one of my personal favourites in the Kid/Critter series and I hope you'll like it too:

Visit the Etsy shop

current sound: The Raveonettes - Ode to L.A.
current beverage: Mango iced black tea

A Villainous Bee

2010-04-04T02:35:00.000-07:00

original post may be found at serpenthes.blogspot.com

Good morning, comrades!
I hope your Easter Bunny brought you marvelous and sweet things. Because if he didn't, you can send him one of these:

... and let him know what you really think.

I've put a couple of new note cards up for sale in the Etsy shop, as you can see.

go shopping.

current sounds: Killsonic - El Cucuy
current beverage: coffee! despite it being almost 3am.

New Prints and an April special

2010-03-27T17:14:00.000-07:00

original post may be found at serpenthes.blogspot.com

Well hello there.
I've been inspired by my brain twin to offer Etsy shop specials every now and then.
So here we go.
From March 27th through April 30th, all prints will be buy 2, get 1 free
To celebrate, I am putting up three pieces that have not been available in print form until now.

OLIVE
Up until now, Olive has only been available in our Maison du Coco note card set. I'm very pleased to offer her as the star of her own show.

MIRANDA
(or She Hated When Attempted Murder Didn't Work Out As Planned. We're not always a fan of short and sweet)
Easily one of my favourite illustrations, Miranda has only been available on our postcards and business cards until now.

CEMETERY POLKA
One of the newest drawings, now available for hire at your funeral, baptism or birthday party.

Visit the shop for more: serpentes.etsy.com

current sounds: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Grief Came Riding In
current beverage: Mango Black & Green tea

Cemetery Polka

2010-03-21T17:00:00.000-07:00

original post may be found at serpenthes.blogspot.com

A happy Sunday to you all.
Street closures and a Marathon have forced me to take refuge from sunshine and public on this fine afternoon but I'm not minding it too much. Gives me time to catch up and share some new-ish artwork with you.

Above is Cemetery Polka. It's done in four separate parts on four very large pieces of rag paper that have been lovingly scanned and put together for your amusement.
Most of the above is true.
It's actually been put together for my own amusement and for practicing my most cherished art of detailing. I will admit it - I find great joy in excrutiating detail work. Texture, hair, fishnet, fur, shading... keeps me out of trouble. For the most part.

Aside from being very distracted with Real Life things, I've grown incredibly bored with the items available in the Etsy shop. I really hope I am able to offer some new things soon.

In the month of April, I plan on offering a few more pieces in print form and to celebrate, the shop will have a print sale.
More on that come the first of the month.

Cheers.

current sounds: 16 Horsepower - Hang My Teath On Your Door
current beverage: water

Local Collection

2010-03-19T16:54:00.001-07:00

original post may be found at serpenthes.blogspot.com

So!
A bit of exciting news I've been wanting to share with you for a while. Inhabitants of Los Angeles may now buy select styles of stationery and art prints at Local Collection in the Glendale Galleria.
The concept is dear to me - I make every attempt to buy locally or from Mom & Pop shops around the city. This shop only features art, jewelry, clothing & paper craft from local artisans. I'm honored to be among the designers invited to participate.
If you're in the area, stop by and pick up something truly unique.

In other news...

The Etsy shop will have a special for April. Stay tuned for more on that.

The site makeover is still in the process. Real Life has me extremely busy lately but when I finally finish, I hope the site and blog are a little more streamlined.

current sounds: Tom Waits - Get Behind The Mule
current beverage: columbian cafe con leche

aesthetics. march 10

2010-03-07T11:08:00.001-08:00

original post may be found at serpenthes.blogspot.com

It's been a good long while since I've shared any imagery with you.
Here's my March collection of Pretty Inspiration.
None of these images belong to me. Do enjoy.

photo taken by Stephen Fry

current sounds: Dean Martin - Just In Time
current beverage: DayQuil and water

the laboratory

2010-02-26T19:44:00.000-08:00

Just a quick word to let you know I'm in the midst of a massive web overhaul.
Until further notice, disregard any unsightly 404s, hideous color combos, or graphics that look like they've just come from under a slightly rusted automobile.

Now for a bit of the wonderful:
Sylvia has been featured in TotusMel's collection of Parasol Etsy finds!
She finds a marvelous collection every day, see the rest here : TotusMel's Wunderkammer

Have a marvelous weekend, dears.

current sound: AIR - Danger Zone
current beverage: Trader Joe's Gingerbread coffee

The Land Between Solar Systems

2010-02-23T21:23:00.001-08:00

original post may be found at serpenthes.blogspot.com

Good Evening, darlings!
I know it seems I've been MIA for a bit. I'm working behind the curtains and trying to shape up this joint. I'll be adding artwork soon and giving the website a make-over so just keep your knickers on a bit longer.

So on to the real point of this post.
I just received a new set of notecards from my brain twin, Jody Pham of The Land Between Solar Systems.
I consider myself extremely lucky to know this marvelous girl and she is a constant source of inspiration. If you haven't checked out her amazing work, do yourself the favor.

Blog: The Land Between Solar Systems
Etsy shop: jodypham.etsy.com
Facebook: tinyurl.com/jodyphamfacebook

(psssst... during the month of February, all prints in her shop ship for free.)

current sounds: Dead Man's Bones - self-titled
current beverage: water

the beauty process

2010-02-15T02:07:00.000-08:00

original post may be found at serpenthes.blogspot.com

Hello again, darlings!
The last few weeks have finally been good and productive for me.

I somehow got several new drawings done - I'll have a couple of new prints available in the Etsy shop in the next couple of days and I do hope you like them. Obviously, more of that in the near future.

Did any of you catch The Wolfman yet? I was pleasantly surprised! And loved how much of the original they kept or referred to. It very much feels like an old school horror film only updated with beautiful cinematography and design.

On to business:
I recently found my mother's old sketchbook amongst my things. I'm not sure how old it is but it's falling apart, her maiden name is scrawled in the corner and there was a sketch of my dad in the book as well. So it must be at least 100 years old.

Part of the drawing I'll show you later in the week:

My brain twin inspired me to share some process images.
Messy pencil sketches followed by basic outline and then shading/detailing.

Almost done. and a glimpse of a typical workstation for me.

I like food almost as much as I like alcohol or Russian submarines so I need to point out what's on the plate above.
It's Trader Joe's Pithiviers and quite possibly my favourite dessert in the world.
Feel free to send me some in the mail or just leave it on my doorstep.

It's getting a little chilly here in Angel City. My cold, thin Angeleno blood can't handle anything below 60 degrees. I hope all of you with crazy weather stay warm as well.

current sounds: 16 Horsepower - Black Lung
current beverage: water

favourite things. february 10

2010-02-12T13:52:00.001-08:00

original post may be found at serpenthes.blogspot.com

I know!
Things here have been a little hectic for the past few months but I'm giving this blog a fresh face and a couple of upgrades. So bear with me.

☆ Have you spotted Urban Decay's Book of Shadows in honor of Tim Burton's Alice In Wonderland? I do so love when film inspires product. I still have a tin of Nite Owl Coffee in my kitchen.

☆ I have never ending admiration for Dita Von Teese - as a performer, total embodiment of style, AND businesswoman who seems to make all the right decisions. Read her interview with Suicide Girls here.

☆ Check out this fabulous collection of Lorenzo Agius photography. I think that monocled fox is the same that was over for dinner last week.

☆ I absolutely adore this Contemporary Guide to Common Courtesy by Quite Cheeky. Rules to live by, ladies.

☆ Ruffled is aimed mostly at giving your wedding a little bit of vintage style but some of these brilliant ideas (and gorgeous photography) can inspire projects for any lovely party.

☆ Like most of the graphically inclined, I am a total fool for design and packaging. This media kit for The Kraken rum might just be the best thing I've ever seen. From the illustrations to the typestyle choices to the color palette. Cheers.

current sounds: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds: Hiding All Away
current beverage: TJ's New Guinea Peaberry coffee

"All morons hate it when you call them a moron."

2010-01-29T06:52:00.000-08:00

original post may be found at serpenthes.blogspot.com

Just a quick word to honor the man that wrote one of my favourite books on the planet.
My beat-up copy of The Catcher in the Rye is one of my most treasured possessions. What it contains, how it was given to me, the fact that it's held together by extremely crappy tape... all important.
So. Thanks Mr. Salinger, for writing one of the most influential books in my life.
I know I'll be re-visiting with Holden for the 294857th time soon and I suspect many of you will too.

In the meantime, check out this page with a huge collection of the cover designs this book has had over the years. (Thanks for the find, Gavin)

"Among other things, you'll find that you're not the first person who was ever confused and frightened and even sickened by human behavior. You're by no means alone on that score, you'll be excited and stimulated to know. Many, many men have been just as troubled morally and spiritually as you are right now. Happily, some of them kept records of their troubles. You'll learn from them - if you want to. Just as someday, if you have something to offer, someone will learn something from you. It's a beautiful reciprocal arrangement. And it isn't education. It's history. It's poetry."

Brains...

2010-01-21T17:35:00.000-08:00

original post may be found at serpenthes.blogspot.com

Hello dolls,
I have been confined to my quarters for the past week battling the plague and while I still feel a little more zombie than human, I am forcing myself to get some work done.

A couple of new note card sets are up in the shop (serpenthes.etsy.com) and can be seen below.

Until I'm more coherent:

(psssst... Motor City)

current sound: AIR - Photograph
current beverage: Trader Joe's winter spice coffee

New Notecards

2010-01-08T16:59:00.001-08:00

original post may be found at serpenthes.blogspot.com

Hello darlings.
I have new things to show you. I'm pleased to announce the Initial Series: mixing beautiful letters and specific style. Each piece was inspired by a certain place or world city... and I highly suspect this will end up being a very large series. I have a whole planet of beautiful architecture to inspire me, after all.

I have weeks of nothing being created and then all in one day I whip up 3 different designs for you. I'm exhausted and going out for my first cigarette of the day now.

Visit the shop for more

current sound: Edith Piaf - Monsieur Saint Pierre
current beverage: Trader Joe's winter blend coffee

scenes from the House of Black, part II

2010-01-02T12:56:00.000-08:00

original post may be found at serpenthes.blogspot.com

It takes me forever to put away Christmas gifts. Usually about a week or so because they need to find a proper place in my belongings.
Even though this Christmas was more low-budget than usual, so many beautiful things came my way: a bunch of peacock feathers, beautifully bottled vodka, a journal covered in F. Scott Fitzgerald's written draft of The Great Gatsby, button earrings, Marilyn Monroe films, delicate scarves, a monogrammed cigarette case, a new coffeemaker worthy of me... so many considerate little things that almost warm my cold dead heart.

Started the New Year warm and happy and in very good company. I hope that lasts all year long.

I am keeping busy with creating new things.
I really hope that 2010 is good and inspiring for all of us.

current sound: Nick Cave and Warren Ellis - Moving On
current beverage: Trader Joe's Winter Blend coffee

so long, 09

2009-12-29T22:34:00.000-08:00

original post may be found at serpenthes.blogspot.com

I have neglected December.
Time sped up, I feel, when it got to the twelfth month and seems to have passed me by and I barely remember much of it.
I was truly blessed this holiday season. With rare family time, beautiful things, wonderful alcohol and even more wonderful friends.

This has been an interesting year. I can't say I'll be sad to see it go but I can't write it off as horrible either. I feel like this is the first year I was able to really make the attempt to connect to you darlings and as always I'm left amazed at the kind words and encouragement I get from friends and strangers alike.
It's kind of horrible to have this in your blood, to have the dire need to create something at all times. But you make it easier and I'm grateful for it.

I hope you all had wonderful holidays and I wish you a simply marvelous New Year!
cheers.

scenes from the House of Black

2009-12-11T13:56:00.000-08:00

original post may be found at serpenthes.blogspot.com

I've nothing to share or update you on at the moment.
Instead I leave you with some pictures.

current sound: rain outside and Tom Waits' In the Colisseum
current beverage: coffee prepared like the Wolf's

December

2009-12-07T16:21:00.001-08:00

Original post can be found at serpenthes.blogspot.com

First, I want to thank each and every one of you that have ordered holiday cards from me - either via email or through Etsy. I'm pleasantly surprised to see so many interested and I hope they put a smile on the faces of those you send them to.

Second, I'm a little late in mentioning this, but my holiday version of 'Abby & Sam' was featured in KittyMarie's Christmas Card selections - THANK YOU!!

Third order of business: for the month of December I've lowered the prices of ALL prints to $13 with free shipping. If you want to stock up on gifts that will make the receiver arch a brow at you, now is the time to do it.
I've also extended the free shipping to all original pieces as well. Which won't be up for very much longer as they are feeling a little naked, rejected, and wanting to dive back into the portfolio.

That about wraps up our meeting for today.
Cheers!

current sound: Dead Man's Bones - Flowers Grow Out Of My Grave
current beverage: coffee. what else.

Website update

2009-11-27T20:00:00.000-08:00

Greetings & salutations, darlings.

I'm hoping that all of you in the States had a fine Thanksgiving holiday, that none of your turkeys rebelled and attacked you, or that you at least got to sleep in late.

I have finally done a semi-yearly update to the website, adding pieces to the Portfolio section. It appears that I've been busy this year like I haven't been in the last several. I think I have a couple of you to thank for this, I have some truly inspiring friends.

serpenthes.com

So take a gander if you wish.
Thank you for your attention.
We will now return to your regularly scheduled program, already in progress.

Favourite Things. November 09

2009-11-24T20:37:00.000-08:00

☆ I am absolutely in love with the photography of Rimel Neffati. Her ghostly images fill my brains with tales and nostalgia.

☆ Pantone packaging on potato chips?! I’ll have mine in 326 C, please.

☆ A dear friend showed me these gorgeous Old Movie Ticket invitations. The combination of typestyles really knocks my stockings off.

☆ Have you ever wanted to see NYC through the eyes of a taxi driver?

☆ I'm not into weddings myself - but I work with lots of brides and I see a lot of really BORING weddings going on. It REALLY pleases me to see some gorgeous and UNIQUE weddings still happening: Offbeat Bride. Especially this one.

☆ This seems like a swell party: Olaf Breuning's skeleton art installation. I may ask those guys to head to my place next. (cheers, Emily!)

☆ Internet radio is good!! Tune in to Klang and Mer's Excellent Adventures every Tuesday. (except for this week, which is on Friday night. I like to confuse you.)

current sounds: tele in the other room
current beverage: nothing.

the Holidays in the key of Black

2009-11-19T16:22:00.000-08:00

Greetings & salutations!

It's taken me a good while to get my act together but finally I offer you Holiday Cards by Serpenthes.

But wait, you say. I'm not even through Thanksgiving and you're talking to me about holiday cards? Yes I am. But consider that I work in the stationery industry and it's been pushing the holidays since the beginning of August when it was 100 degrees here in Los Angeles.

Your cheeky comments aside. I think holiday cards give everyone the chance to send their greetings, catch up on news (no essays, please), or just let your friends & family know that you're thinking of them even if you refuse to visit and prefer to stay by the fire with a bottle of Gentleman Jack.

You can find them all in the shop:
Serpenthes on Etsy
or contact me directly for orders: serpenthes@yahoo.fr

Cheers!

current sounds: Muse - Starlight
current beverage: Costa Rican Terrazù coffee

Pretty Inspiration - November 09

2009-11-15T16:48:00.000-08:00

current sounds: Styx - Renegade
current beverage: water

Originals now up for sale

2009-11-08T14:28:00.000-08:00

Greetings & salutations!

Here in the House of Black I do Spring Cleaning in the Fall. Nothing is safe! Not even my sketchbook.
So!
I've put several original drawings of mine up for sale. I don't intend on ever making prints of any of these so once they're gone, they're gone! You can find them in both Etsy shops:
Serpenthes on Etsy
Angel City on Etsy

Quick sidenote: I'm working on Holiday cards that I'll put up for sale very very soon. Stay tuned...

current sounds: Dean Martin - Sway
current beverage: Hawaiian hazelnut coffee

original post can be found at serpenthes.blogspot.com

2009-10-31T17:18:00.000-07:00

Greetings darling werewolves, mummies, creeps, and psychopaths of all ages!

My Halloween gift to you.
13 tracks that have a bit of spooky, a bit of relevance or just a little piece of my cold dead heart.

Have a wonderful night!

Spooky Films We Love - Part 3 - Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein

2009-10-30T18:18:00.000-07:00

Oh, what can I say my darlings. One of the few consistent things in life is my inconsistency. Didn't get to one movie a weekend but that's life. But worry not. I saved my absolute favourite one for last.

Abbott & Costello meet Frankenstein, 1948
Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Bela Lugosi, Lon Chaney Jr., Glenn Strange, Lenore Aubert
IMDB page

In this villain's lair, you know it's fall time when I start watching this film. It's corny, hilarious, and features three of the most famous movie monsters all in one film. Bela Lugosi as Dracula, Lon Chaney as the Wolfman and Glenn Strange as The Monster. Even my brother likes it and he hates everything.

I hope you that wherever the night leads you, you all have a simply marvelous Halloween!

Spooky Inspiration - Part II - Oct 09

2009-10-28T10:28:00.000-07:00

Enjoy, dear vultures. Hopefully these images please your eyeballs like they do mine.

all images belong to their respective owners/creators.
None belong to us at serpenthes.com

new Day of the Dead note cards

2009-10-25T16:21:00.000-07:00

Greetings & salutations,

I realize that yes, it's true. I have ignored my Angel City shop pretty bad. I'm surprised nobody has called protective services yet.
I lost someone incredibly dear to me this year and while it's bad for me, it's good for you! Years that involve loss often result in home altars, new artwork and inspiration. This is the first of note card designs I'll be making for Angel City. Just in time (ok, a little late) for Day of the Dead.

As always, if there's something you'd like to see or have an idea we can create, I'm all ears. Though not literally because that would be kind of strange.

Introducing Señor Cadaver & his woman, Doña Muerte.

current beverage: TJ's coffee
current sounds: Oingo Boingo - Dead Man's Party

Favourite Things. October 2009

2009-10-17T11:27:00.000-07:00

☞ I was fortunate enough to catch Edgar and Edgar at a recent art/craft show. Absolutely GORGEOUS set-up and some really fine jewelry as well. I do adore when artists can package themselves well. It was a feast for the eyes.

☞ Obscure Hollow is a collection of beautiful imagery from a wide array of horror films. Not just good film taste but quite possibly the only place to turn to for my own home décor inspiration.

☞ If you’re still looking for a costume (I arch a brow at you), perhaps some beautiful new canine teeth or some red-eye contacts will inspire? Check out Vamp Fangs.com for some fine fangs to tide you over until you’re turned and get your real ones.

☞ So usually people think it’s Halloween year-round in my home. I don’t really see why, I think the life-size skeleton that resides in one of my armchairs is just a mooch. In any event, if you feel the need to spruce up the homestead by bringing in something that once had a pulse, I direct you to Skulls Unlimited. Exquisite quality and prices.

☞ I quite enjoy Dapper Cadaver’s “Setting the Scene: 5 ideas for Haunted Halloween Scenarios”. Makes me wish I was having a party this year.

☞ Alright alright so these aren’t exactly Halloween related… but they are so amazingly gorgeous I can’t resist gushing about them. Royal Steamline offers some of the most beautiful & unique invitations I’ve ever seen. My personal favourites include Mécanique, Tell-Tale, Coney Island, and 10/6.

☞ I’d be a liar if I said that the public obsession with vampires doesn’t bug me. Somehow (and it’s silly, I know) I feel somewhat robbed of the lore and stories I’ve held very close to the heart – things that have made me the dead-inside blackheart I am today. I have to raise a suspicious eyebrow if I hear a teenager say “I love vampire books!” because no- you probably don’t. You probably like Twilight and that’s not a vampire story, that’s a Mary Sue romance novel that happens to have vampires in it.
There is, however, a bit silver lining.
With so many Vampires on my tv and in my books, we have amusing things like Television Without Pity’s “Vampire Diaries: The Diaries of Other Vampires Revealed”.

☞ And of course, True Blood. Which has burrowed under my skin and become something I adore that can do no wrong. You can pick up your own bottle of Tru Blood. Though I don’t recommend warming it up first.

Almost as important (and in some ways, more) as Halloween, there's Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).

☞ If you happen to be in Los Angeles next weekend, make a beeline over to Hollywood Forever cemetery for the annual annual Dia De Los Muertos celebration. The altars there are some of the most beautiful and extravagant that I’ve seen. It's pretty touristy and does get crowded at night and it's annoying to have the entire world infiltrating into my neighborhood but there’s a strange primal magic to being in a crush of people, surrounded by the dearly departed, and many beautiful glowing altars.

☞ For some authenticity and more beautiful artwork Self Help Graphics in East Los Angeles throws a good party on the actual Day of the Dead (November 2nd). This is one that I’ve frequented for over a decade and it never ceases to inspire. And since you’re in the neighborhood you might as well end the night at King Taco on 3rd & Ford, which is a few blocks away. If you’re going to do something, do it right.

current sounds: Goldfrapp - Happiness
current beverage: none. but am off to brew up some Peaberry coffee, methinks.

New items on Etsy

2009-10-12T17:32:00.001-07:00

Hello my darlings,
It's a mighty fine and rare day here in Angel City - the sun is nowhere to be seen, it's 64 degrees and it's supposed to rain this week. This pleases me and ultimately makes me feel a bit better about cutting myself off from civilization and designing to my shriveled black heart's content.
One would say it's foolish for me - and for that matter, anyone who enjoys the doomy & gloom of an overcast day - to live where I live. I'm working on it.

It's been productive week for me and I've just posted a couple of new note card sets up on Etsy. Take a gander:

Tiny Bunny Black

Tiny Octopus

Cheers!

current sound: The Raconteurs - Blue Veins
current beverage: Trader Joe's Java

Spooky Films We Love - Part 2 - The Raven

2009-10-11T12:15:00.000-07:00

In continuing our favourite Classic Horror Films, this week's feature stars one of our favourite actors EVER, Bela Lugosi.
It was extremely hard for us NOT to choose the 1931 version of Dracula. But I realize that almost everyone has seen it (as they damn well should) and although I would love to feature just about every Lugosi film ever, we don't have 30 years so I've chosen my second favourite.
I also suspect it's the first film by our house-crow, Mortimer.

The Raven, 1935
Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Irene Ware
IMDB site

A wealthy judge coaxes the brilliant but eccentric neurological surgeon Dr. Vollin (Lugosi), who also has an obsessive penchant for Edgar Allen Poe, out of retirement to save the life of his daughter, a dancer crippled and brain damaged in an auto wreck. Vollin restores her completely, but also envisions her as his "Lenore," and cooks up a scheme to kidnap the woman and torture and kill her fiance' and father in his Poe-inspired dungeon. To do his dirty work, Vollin recruits a wanted criminal (Karloff), and turns him into a hideous monster to guarantee his subservience.
Written by Kevin Rayburn via IMDB

current sounds: nothing
current beverage: coffee, of course

Spooky Films We Love - Part 1 - House On Haunted Hill

2009-10-04T17:06:00.000-07:00

I have a few rituals for Fall time. They include baking more, bringing my coats out of hiding, pushing sandals to the back of the closet, drinking many pumpkin flavoured beverages. But my absolute favourite is brushing the dust off the classic horror tapes (yes, tapes) and spending many an October evening with Bela Lugosi, Vincent Price, Lon Chaney, Jr., or any of the Universal Monsters. This tradition was started by my mother, who has done this since I was a wee girl and is still adding to her collection to this day.
I love horror films. For the longest time, I stuck to the classics: black & white, muffled sound, awesomely terrible 'special effects'. Over the last couple of years, my wonderful partner-in-crime has broadened my horizons to the decades between then and now and these days I am thrilled to watch such junk as Sorority House Massacre 2, Slaughter High or Motel Hell - all brilliant in their own ridiculous way and highly recommended.
I still have so many to see that horror films have become a year-round frequent in this house. Of course, if you have any suggestions, do let me know. I'll watch almost anything.
In any event!
For this month, I've chosen to do a weekly spotlight featuring my favourite classic horror films. There is something comforting and wonderful in their simplicity, in old ideas of what used to be scary. If you've not seen them, I hope you will. And if you're an old fan like me, maybe it's time to dust off your tapes and enjoy them again.

House On Haunted Hill
1958
IMDB link
Screencaps by The Ghosts Are Moving Tonight

Millionaire Frederick Loren (Vincent Price) invites five guests over for a party in a house with a bloody past. His guests are offered $10,000 each - if they can survive the night...

current sounds: Bauhaus - Stigmata Martyr
current beverage: virgin blood. Oh alright, nothing.

Spooky Inspiration - Part 1 - October 2009

2009-10-04T16:06:00.001-07:00

Greetings and salutations!
It seems only appropriate that this month's batch of gorgeous images is our 13th.
In celebration of October, our collection will be appropriately themed.
Do enjoy, creepy darlings.

Above foto by (and of) brilliant artist @grisgrimly

current sounds: Leadbelly - The Bourgeois Blues
current beverage: none

Happy October!

2009-10-02T13:19:00.000-07:00

Greetings and Saultations, creepy creeps!
It's October again and it's one of our favourite months.
What's not to like? The fabulousness of fur coats and winter fashion. The impending doom of Halloween. The return of Pumpkin flavoured lattes.

This October we've got some good stuff planned. Themes to the columns we already take part in and the addition of a few more things.

Oh, and new artwork. Very soon I am to unleash a gorgeous new series (if I do say so myself) upon you all.

Along with all of the treats mentioned above, we're just getting settled into our new blog place. So please, don't mind the dust. It'll be pretty soon, I promise.

Stay tuned!

... introducing our new friend, Tiny Octopus

2009-09-09T09:54:00.000-07:00

Hello my darlings.
I've just put some new notecards up in the Etsy shop.

TINY OCTOPUS Correspondence Cards

The Etsy listing

current sound: Leadbelly - Out On the Western Plain
current beverage: iced Montana coffee

Pretty Inspiration. September 09

2009-09-05T14:49:00.000-07:00

I don't see how it's possible that September is upon us already.

None of these images are mine.
If they're yours and you need acknowledgment, do please let us know.
Otherwise, enjoy.

current sounds: David Sedaris - Dress Your Family in Courduroy and Denim
current beverage: black & white mango iced tea

Etsy Treasury

2009-09-01T02:24:00.000-07:00

Greetings, tiny vultures!
Just a quick word. Our Variety Show set of notecards featuring our favourite critters and children has been chosen and included in the treasury put together by Etsy user CreepyCrawlies.
We are huge huge fans of her work and are pretty honored to be among such gorgeous creations.
Cheers!

Favourite Things. August 09

2009-08-31T08:43:00.000-07:00

image by elamond.com

☞ This is quite possibly the first and only time I've had a slight desire to grab my brain twin and visit Bolivia. It is home to the world's first cocaine bar.

☞ An anti-requiem by New Orleans writer Louis Maistros on the 4th anniversary of Hurrican Katrina: "In New Orleans, a cemetery is a place where life is welcome..." . Visit his website at LouisMaistros.com

☞ While the look is not one I personally choose for myself, I applaud ModCloth's contribution in bringing fashion back to classic and chic and away from drapey rags and 80's neon See their collection entitled "A Mod Affair"

☞ Elum Designs makes exquisite letterpress invitations, stationery, journal and note sets. My personal favourites include their Empress, Gilded Frame, and Bone China invitation suites. Even Marie Antoinette would be pleased with such finery.

☞ As Fall nears, so looms the monster that is Halloween season. For those of us that enjoy zombies, bloody films and Halloween year-round, there's Spooky Little Girl - keeping track of the dead and undead in Los Angeles and beyond.

☞ Speaking of Halloween, Etsy has their Halloween Preview up for a looksy. There is some typical kitsch but also a few gems worth your eye (and money).

current sound: oldies radio
current beverage: water

Pretty Inspiration. August 09

2009-08-07T07:50:00.000-07:00

While I like a variety of things, a great many of this month's collection are the brilliant photography of Helmut Newton, one of my favorite photographers of all time.
Cheers, Mr. Newton. You make my eyeballs extremely happy.

current sound: Sixteen Candles
current beverage: Costa Rican Tarrazu coffee. with milk and sugar.

New Items - POSTCARDS

2009-08-03T10:17:00.000-07:00

Hello my darlings,
I've been a busy bee.
I've added 3 sets of post cards to my Etsy shop.
For two of the prints, it's the first time they are available in print form.
Take a gander:

MIRANDA or: She Hated When Attempted Murder Didn't Work Out As Planned

TO THE FAIR! 1893

ZOMBIE WITH PEARLS

current sounds: Leadbelly - In New Orleans
current beverage: h20

BUNNY BLACK new note cards

2009-07-26T09:01:00.000-07:00

Hello my darlings.
Just a quick note, I've put a new set of cards up on Etsy.
This is the first of the BUNNY BLACK series that's been going through my skull for a while now. It's based on my own personal stationery tastes. More of that in the future.
For now:
Etsy listing: grab them while they're hot

Cheers.

current sounds: The Munsters, season 2
current beverage: Maus O'Liam's sweet tea

Pretty Inspiration. July 09

2009-07-25T11:16:00.000-07:00

photo by curiousex

Favourite Things. July 09

2009-07-13T10:22:00.000-07:00

☆ Tom Waits - our favorite human in existence here at serpenthes.com - was recently interviewed by Beck. Read the 2-part interview here

☆ Some amazingly beautiful imagery is found in Baldovino Barani's editorial The Vampire and the Nun. For other tasty eyeball treats, poke around the Haute Macabre site.

☆ I am so terribly fond of beauty, brains, the iron fist, and desire for world domination. Political-intern-turned-actor Misha Collins makes Twitter worth keeping around.

☆ As always, Chanel takes my breath away with the Fall 2009 couture collection

☆ What do you mean you've never seen Squirrel Armor? Hasn't everyone?

☆ Amber - bassist extraordinaire and good friend to us at Serpenthes.com - recently purchased her first house. Now she is making it her own. She takes us with her on this adventure through her blog, Bye Bye Rent

☆ Two of the most important things I've learned as I get older:
1) people treat you badly because of their own problems. It's very rarely personal.
and 2) your parents are people. And just like everyone else, they make mistakes and are learning as they grow. It's not good to hold things against them or take their mistakes personally either. Gala Darling wrote an excellent article entitled Help! My Mother is Evil! that can put some things in perspective for you.

☆ Television without Pity put together an amusing bit they call Public Enemies: Depp and Bale's Dueling Set Diaries

☆ While we're on the subject of film. I am a huge huge fan of Simon Pegg - and his blog

☆ Crane & Co - who after 208 years, still makes the most exquisite stationery & paper - is starting a new line of stationery and is looking for artists & illustrators to design for their new STUDIO collection. More information and FAQs can be found on their website

☆ While we're on the subject of fine stationery, the NY Times recently did an article on The Lettered Set: fine stationery in the time of e-mail. It's not that uncommon, my darlings. A written note means infinitely more than an e-mail.

current sounds clicking of the keys
current beverage water. it's much to warm for anything else.

Night at the Onyx

2009-06-26T05:23:00.000-07:00

hello guys & dolls.
a couple of things:

New product up on the site. This set is near & dear to the ticker: Night at the Onyx

Fellow artist/brain twin/favourite human Jody Pham of The Land Between Solar Systems was the very first to pick up a set and featured them on her site.
Pay her a visit. And check out her Etsy shop, she has an incredible amount of gorgeous jewelry just waiting to join your collection.

Cheers!

Etsy favourites, June 09

2009-06-15T19:33:00.000-07:00

So I do plenty of "buy my stuff" on here... I think... maybe not enough?
In any event, I love Etsy. I can't express this enough. I buy a good portion of my jewelry on there (at least the daily use things. Not my diamonds or anything...) and all of my art.
So today, I applaud the artists/crafters/creationists that grace my page of favorites.
Cheers, darlings.

Etsy
Buy Handmade
serpentes

Pretty Inspiration. June 09

2009-06-07T04:27:00.000-07:00

I have, in the works, several new sets of stationery coming up. Along with a few more paper items you cannot live without. Soon.

For now:

from the blog of elyse sewell

from the blog of elyse sewell

artwork by jody pham

from the twitter of dita von teese

photo by 0to60studio

photo by ani neptune

photo by serpenthes

"good girls go to heaven, bad girls go everywhere"

2009-06-05T15:46:00.000-07:00

Hello, tiny vultures.
I have several things to tell you.

1.) I have FINALLY updated serpenthes.com with artwork from this year. I know. It's almost half-way over. Well, you know, I have a job and things to do.
So please. Go there. See stuff. I doubt I remembered to show each piece to you.
serpenthes.com

2.) My piece entitled "To The Fair! 1893" has been featured on TotusMel's Wunderkammer as part of her "Lovely Steamy Ladies in Art". Cheers! We are grateful.

3.) Meet the newest member of our troupe.

current sounds: nothing
current beverage: nothing. but have I mentioned my serious addiction to gummi worms?

Favourite Things: June 09

2009-05-31T18:02:00.000-07:00

FAIL
Didn't do a Favourite Things for May. Ah well. The four of you that read this will have to deal with having two in the month of June.

Happy June!

☆ Some Girls Wander - the fashion blog of artist Emily Martin of The Black Apple fame. She looks like she walked out of a story book and seeing her gorgeous clothing combinations puts me in a good mood.

☆ I am in love with soaps from Villainess. I am picky about soaps - I can't stand glycerine or floral smells. These are uniquely scented, oil based and amazing. Their Grundy scent puts me right back in New Orleans.

☆ I have been baking since I was about 4. In another lifetime, I would be a baker or own my own pâtisserie. If ever I need cheering up, I head to Cake Wrecks.

☆ Speaking of lifting the spirits, I've been checking in with this site for a few years now and it never fails. Overheard In New York. You can't make that up.

☆ As always, Chanel makes my eyes water with their Fall 2009 runway. Gorgeous.

☆ I will be brutally honest, I'm not into wilderness and I tend to roll my eyes at nature and most animals. I will, however, be adopting a Great White Shark soon. Because I love them, I do.

current sounds: Muse - Supermassive Black Hole
current beverage: water

Vincent & Victor

2009-05-22T13:23:00.000-07:00

You see, this is why I usually post everything at once. If I have several pieces of artwork to show you, I might remember to post the first. Maybe even the 2nd. But it wasn't until today that I remembered that I had one more piece to show you.

This is probably my favorite of the whole animal/kid series so far.
Probably.

Vincent & Victor
black ink
9 x 12 inches

current sounds: Dodger baseball
current beverage: rum and coke

Pretty Inspiration: May 09

2009-05-05T15:05:00.000-07:00

Where thrills are cheap, and love's divine

as always, images above do not belong to me. comment if you need credit

Z is for Zombie

2009-04-29T15:50:00.000-07:00

Some more new work.
I like zombies. We go way back. Also they prove easy and fun to draw.
That's about it. I may do a whole set of them, who knows.

Zzzzzombie
9 x 12 inches
black ink

current beverage: water
current sounds: the clawing of undead hands against wooden floorboards