Odd Curiosities

I must point out that like most artists, I have more than one artistic perspective, but I admit that I have always been especially drawn to all things odd and curious..........which, of course, in one way or another has a major influence on what I create. Around the time of Halloween seems an appropriate time to come clean with this confession. After all, Halloween knows no boundaries when it comes to the odd and curious.
One such library I would be interested in visiting would be the Welcome Library. Now that sounds inviting doesn't it with the word wellcome? It was in fact founded by Henry S. Wellcome, a wealthy, eccentric businessman who made his fortune in pharmaceuticals. The Library, when opened in 1946, became an unparalleled resource of over 2 million items spanning 3,000 years. It contains rare and surprising objects from anthropology, fork art, alchemy, and witchcraft, with a mix of more traditional medical archives.

Here are a few oddities from the archives that may lead to future art inspiration................................?????????????

This is A Malingerer's Guide........disguised as a book of matches these little bits of propaganda were air-dropped during World War II. They were a guide on to how to fool medical officers, so you could come home alive...pointing out that the war was nearly over, and no one would blame you for not wanting to be one of the last to die. Maybe this was a pre-sixties war protest.

I like the idea of doing a little matchbook of instructions in this format.........or maybe a flipbook.

This is wound man........with multiple injuries..........looking for symbolism here......and something scary.

Illustration of the parts of the body.......... architectually...... interesting concept.

Manuscript amulet to be worn for protection...........Amulets are fun to make........like the idea of animaluts.......

Artistic microscopic look at the water from the River Thames.............this has lots of possibilities.

Religious body parts............. pieces of eight?

AND NOW>.....From the Library, or Otherwise?......Inspiration, or Inspired Curiosities?

A CATABULL.....relative of the cannibal.....keeping score......

Catatonic 2.............

Eye-Cons...


Markey de Salude............Steals the hearts and tosses the rest away!

Chick's Peep Show.............

I would be that person who would sign up every time for the tour of weird, and wacky museums, and libraries of the world for artistic inspiration. It would take a big chunk of time, because there are many of them. Care to join me?