The Artwork of Erica Il Cane

Erica il Cane is an illustration, painter, installation and mural artist from Bologna, Italy. Her style is very fairytale-esque but with slightly sinister undertones. Her subjects are almost entirely animals, but in human situations that express the darker parts of the imagination.

From her exhibit "We Were Living in the Woods":








To see more of her work, including murals and short films, CLICK HERE FOR THE OFFICIAL SITE





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X-rays & Embroidery by Matthew Cox

I love medical curiosities, and I love the dainty art of embroidery. And as it turns out, the juxtaposition of the two makes for strangely beautiful and memorable images.


These are the works of Matthew Cox. Stark x-rays combined with the warmth of embroidery.

From his website:

"Redefinition motivates me to create my embroidered x-rays. The stark clash of two such divergent materials, cloth and plastic, is the simple catalyst. One tactile and labor intensive, the other technical, and quickly a finished product. There’s a wide historical context, one ancient, decorative, and artisanal, the other contemporary and devoid of aesthetic intention. By simply placing one of these materials on top of the other the understood purpose of each is redefined.
For me, stitching has a nurturing aspect and acts as care giving or healing to the injured, a socially feminine sort of action, while the x-ray itself can be considered masculine and unemotional. Finally, my own recognition of what is beautiful [these separately became appealing to me at about the same time]. As an artist who takes on tedious, labor-intensive projects, I am also reacting to the ever-increasing presence of photography in contemporary art – by introducing the process of labor over the quick, slickness of film."



To see of Matthew Cox's work, and to learn more about him and his work in general, click HERE for his official site.


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Some Random Japanese Magazine Scans

I found this on Tumblr through SocietyCottontail (follow him!). Scan from Kansai's Girl Style Summer 2011. Great ideas for hair accents!



Adorable makeup tutorial from Majolica Majorca cosmetics. So soft and cute, and versatile for so many styles!


We obviously need furry hats.







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My Wishlist for Autumn

Carousing the internet the past couple of days, I've stumbled upon some items I need to add to my autumn wardrobe.


Until I saw this photograph, I had no idea I needed one of these furry bear ear hats. In fact, I thought they were a bit much. HOWEVER! Now that I see one matched with beautiful prints and lovely soft make-up, I NEED one.


Crystal point pendants. In the blue and green shades. I think these tend to get associated with wiccans and hipsters, but I want these (and don't care! CRYSTAL POINT NECKLACES ARE COOL *said in the 11th Doctor's voice*).


Ditto for the rings.


Red rocking horse shoes. Because only owning black ones just isn't cutting it for me. And I think red is great!


Wedge maryjane loafers. In green or brown. Because just look at them!!!!


Tapestry boots (these are by Poetic Liscence). These need no explaining! Imagine them with some patterned tights (or black lace tights!) and a flowy dress!


Nars "Outremer" eyeshadow. How will I make this crazy blue eyeshadow work? I have no idea. But something in me neeeeeeds it!

What are you lusting after for your fall wardrobe?

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Hello Darlings!/A Bit of Montreal~

After a few days of resting, I'm ready to re-join the "real world" (well, mostly).

So for the last three weeks I've been in Montreal for work. I meant to take more pictures, but like every other time I go on an "adventure", I get distracted and forget. But I do have a few! And some great shopping hauls to document this week.





My hotel was basically like a cute little apartment. By the end of my trip, it went from looking like this, to being covered in accessories, clothing, shopping bags, plushes, and Toki Doki unicorns, hehehe!






These weird little wall chairs were neat, so I made sure to sit on every one.





I love how everywhere you turn, there was history jutting out of the modern.


Panda Bar. I didn't go in because I like to believe that the inside decor was all pandas, with pandas everywhere, and bartender pandas. I don't know what that pink line is.


Awful blurry picture! There were vans everywhere with TVs on them blaring commercials. It was strange.


I just really liked this window display. Raccoons in tutus!


This was in the window display of a children's clothing store. Disturbing.


The outside of what must be the strangest vintage clothing store I have ever been in. Along with all the vintage clothing, there were mannequin parts everywhere, plushes covering everything, piles of lemons and real live bunnies. The few mannequins that were in one piece were creepy to say the least. And the owner looked like Santa.





I ate a loooooooooooot while I was in Montreal, but it seems these were the only food pictures I took. I ate one of these icecreams almost every day I worked, haha.

Other things of note: I walked by a bar that was all red-lit inside and had a giant monkey painting on the wall that looked like Hunter S. Thompson. And while I was on Sainte Denis, a punk rocker yelled "Justin Beiber sucks! Save the world man!" at me.

I wish I had thought to take more pictures! But I'll be doing a separate "Montreal Haul" post this week.

I'm so glad to be back!


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The Art of the Antique Skull Illusion

During the 1800s and 1900s, death was marked and observed in a way we don't see now. It wasn't hidden or shushed, and it's very fair to say it was an accepted part of everyday life and their was quite a lot of ritual associated with it. Depending on the era (Victorians, we're looking at you), one could say it wasn't uncommon to be fascinated with it.

This fascination with death begat the popularization of skull optical illusions; art in pictures and postcards that at first seem to be fairly common scenes, but on second glance actually form the image of a skull or death head.

I've always founds these images delightful, lovely, and fascinating myself.




































I love how the scenes are so serene and beautiful, and yet form an image so associated with darkness and death. The contrast is gorgeous.

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Just for fun:

I was playing around with "Keep Calm-o-matic" and made this:



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Inspiration Tuesday

Tuesdays on Strange Girl are now "Inspiration Tuesdays". I'll be posting interesting pictures that have been inspiring my outfits and style, which may or may not relate to Dolly Kei. So here it goes, my first Inspiration Tuesday:
























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