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Tuesday, August 05, 2008

My Sister, My Love

Design by Allison Saltzman
Painting by Martin Mull


I pause everytime I see this book, which means I stand still quite a bit, as this seems to be in every bookseller's window and on many a "recommended reads" table. Until last night I hadn't picked it up. I'm not sure why I hadn't, as the illustration (painting, actually) is the kind of slightly washed-out mixed-media-looking riff on American life I tend to like.


The painting by Martin Mull (yup, that Martin Mull) is a great choice for Oates' tale of a JonBenet Ramsey-type murder and of family life that's gotten very ugly.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Huh. This looks a lot like Henry Darger - an outsider artist who did a whole series called 'Story of the Vivian Girls, in what is Known as the Realms of the Unreal, of the Glandeco-Angelinian War Storm, Caused by the Child Slave Rebellion.' Sets of collages and paintings from children's books, original art, and lots of text.

Seen some at Museum of Outsider Art in Balt, but it looks like there's a nice set in a Chi. gallery. Go see it - it's completely mindbending.

Anonymous said...

I love that typeface! Any idea what it is?
Thanks in advance!

Joseph said...

Lorelei: yeah, it is sort of Darger-ish. And funny footnote to the painting: it's owned by Marg Helgenberger...

nate s. said...

It looks like either Neutraface or Metro.

Ian Koviak said...

Very nice. Kind of busy, but nice nonetheless.

Keenan did a series of covers that had this ripped/layered poster look. Also very nice.

http://www.keenandesign.com/keenan%20series%20maig.html

Anonymous said...

@nate s
Thank you very much!

Anonymous said...

CSI Marg? Get out! Well, if Leonardo DiCaprio can fund a wing of the Museum of Outsider Art, maybe freaky art is just trendy. Like in Junebug.

Anonymous said...

great design. i like it

Anonymous said...

lovely book design