The Origin of Art Deco

In case you thought it was just an urban legend ...

Here's the poster for the exposition that give this 1920-30s style of design its name 

Yes it really was called Arts Decoratifs but note the poster states it was also a show of industrial art and stresses Modern on the second last line of the text.

The Flapper

#Theflapper  #cover #life #artdeco #butterfly #illustration

Ever wonder about this image?

While searching for butterfly images I keep coming across copies of it and so decided to track down the original UNEDITED source.

Its a LIFE magazine cover!

Death by Design a Batman Graphic Novel

#BATMAN #Graphic #Novel

Yes Design and architecture is a theme in this story. This graphic novel takes place in a Gotham that's Art Deco Noir and every page is handdrawn and then inked and then here and there with the lightest touch of color. This simple approach combined with the artist's research creates a wonderful variety of textures and depth! Come and visit a version of Gotham that's a tribute to various themes and a great Batman story too!

Dunand and Design

One of the most famous and fabulous of the French Art Deco Crafts masters was Jean Dunand whose workshop and designs fused Asian lacquer and enamel techniques to 20th abstract designs.

Anything by Dunand is highly collectible and beautiful such as this vase above ... but ... he and other European Master Crafters tended to design and create for an ELITE MARKET unlike American Art Deco Industrial Designers or Ceramics Designers.

With the advent of 3d printers perhaps very so we can copy objects like this for a wider market ... or ... even better ... figure out how to make such objects in cheaper materials without losing any of  the loveliness?

WWW Wiener Werkstatte Women

WWW
Wiener Werkstatte Women 


ONE Mela Koehler

Let's take a break away from letters and fonts to look at design.


Before fashion photography images of the latest fashions were often spread by postcards such as these excellent works by Mela Koehler that by the way are also popular collectibles. 


Modern reproductions are available !

I've picked out three images and hope my selection tempts  you to  enjoy discovering more online or offline in museums and art books!


Wiener WERKSTATTE


This design movement business and group was based in Vienna but influenced artists designers and illustrators throughout Europe.

MELA KOEHLER


 Google that name!
Either your interest is fashion illustration collectibles postcards or watercolor you're love her work!