Ink Vanilla

Happy Halloween!

Edgar Allan Poe Boxes

Click image for larger version (applies to rest of photographs)

Wood Box Set

Hand-painted large box has picture of Edgar Allan Poe and protected beneath glass lid. Interior is lined with printed script paper (portions from 'The Raven' poem) and has brief description of Poe on lid (see closeups below). Measures 6" x 6" x 3.5".  Small box with glass lid contains bird nest and feather and is also lined with paper. Measures 4.5" x  4.5"  x  3".  Set also includes miniature accordion book  with poem "The Raven". Book measures 4" x 4"when closed but once opened to its full length will expand to 22.5 inches.

Boxes were painted and distressed using milk paint then treated with matte varnish for protection. Also  when varnish was applied, made sure there were no visible distracting brush strokes. Very beautiful finish.

Price: $475.00 plus shipping. (Sold as set only)

If interested in purchasing this unique set of boxes plus miniature book, please email me. I normally accept PayPal but happy to arrange other payment options. When shipped, the accordion book rests inside large box and tied with black raffia ribbon. Also, my signature and copyright information is printed onto labels and attached on bottom of each box and book.

Note: Picture frame with raven artwork seen in background, not included.

Lid Tops...

 What the boxes look like inside...

   

Large box is lined with script printed photo paper including brief description of Poe. Small box also has lined paper and contains a nest with Spanish moss holding bird  feather. Also attached to nest with twine is hand-written piece of paper with line from poem... Quoth the Raven "Nevermore."

The Miniature Book...

Cover

Hand-painted front & back covers were made with medium-weight matte board. Both are painted identical. Decorative pendant which has been distressed, frames picture of raven printed on quality photo paper. Brass spine has also been distressed to lend an aged appearance.

      

Interior of book  

Original version of poem  "The  Raven" printed  on  quality  photo  paper. (I'll try to re-edit these photos of book's interior pages so you can see better and larger closeups.)

Note: Photographs at top of this post (1-3), don't necessarily depict actual colors of boxes and book. These boxes have a translucent black sheen. To see near-actual colors is probably better to view photos depicting (What the boxes look like inside). And the book is much richer in appearance with a slightly darker metallic sheen. Sorry about this, but had a difficult time with lightning and all sorts of other problems while photographing! Strange gray fogginess developed. No matter, best viewed with 1024x768 or higher screen resolution  including Firefox or Safari browsers. Then again, really depends on how well your computer's calibration is set.

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Just A Reminder:

These boxes are the first items created for online shop eventually showcased at my impending website. So busy creating that I haven't had time to finish my website nor yet on a name. Until then, I'll post more items to show here on this blog such as a few shadow boxes (three-dimensional scenes); also silhouettes depicting Victorian people; and some other unique items. Prices will vary according to time and labor including material costs. Some items will either be simplistic, others elaborate.

To Whom It May Concern:

For everyone who emails about Edmund Dawkins and when the book is going to be ready... the storyboard is nearly completed. Then I might create handmade printed miniature version and sell it.

Also, for those who are emailing about hiring me to illustrate their books in progress....please take note that publishing companies prefer to use their own in-house illustrators or well-known illustrator's. Nevertheless, thanks for the offers.

Mr. Poe & The Raven

Edgar Allan Poe

Here is the final digital version from previous Edgar Allan Poe sketch (see last post). If you examine both you will definitely notice a major difference.

This digitization was a very slow and tedious task. Although I'm not a professional digital artist and have previously created digitally, this is my first really major digital painting in Adobe Photoshop. I think the end result turned out fairly well. Admittedly, he looks ten times better via my Epson printer onto premium photo paper! Web images never give justice to artwork. Anyway, I'm ready to transfer Mr. Poe  onto one of the nesting boxes which will soon be available for purchase.

The Raven 

Here is the other digitized image depicting the raven. This little fellow will be used on another box corresponding with Poe's famous poem "The Raven." In regards to using this image, I have another idea which deals with creating a hand-made small booklet utilizing the poem. Suffice it to say, the raven would be included on the front cover or however I see fit.

But before I attempt this, I need to check with copyright laws for permission to use the poem. While researching this matter, I've noticed that his poems which were published before 1923 are public domain. But it's most likely illegal for selling. Copyright laws are very confusing. Needless to say, I want to be positively sure it's permissible in accordance to copyright laws. So yesterday, I contacted several people whom hopefully will provide some answers. I'll let you know the outcome.

Next post will show you the completed boxes. But this may take longer then anticipated. Still waiting for shipment of items to be placed inside them. Also ordered small antique miniature legs  which if they look right I'll attach to bottom of boxes.

Cheers!

P.S. Today marks the mysterious and untimely death of Edgar Allan Poe. He passed away on October 7th, 1849 at five o'clock in the morning in a Baltimore hospital.  To learn more about this  master poet and  storyteller please click on links: Edgar Allan Poe Museum  Poe Stories  The Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore

Last but not least...an enjoyable and informative interactive site: Knowing Poe

To view my other digital art: CLICK HERE

Edgar Allan Poe & Raven Sketches

Here is the next phase of sketching Mr. Poe including raven for nesting boxes.

Prior to these particular sketches, I used charcoal but disliked the outcome. Therefore, decided to render them with graphite and colored pencils. In addition I used ink and wash. Once completed they were photographed and transferred into Adobe Photoshop for digital rendering.

Next post will show the final result of these as digital paintings.

Edgar Allan Poe: Sketch

Working steadily on producing new shop items and building website which will showcase the creations for purchase. Meanwhile . . .

Here is first pencil sketch I began a few days ago depicting master ("American Shakespeare") poet and author Edgar Allan Poe. Loosely based on early Daguerreotype photographs, I wanted to convey an image that was of my own perception rather then use a public domain image readily available to everyone. Once the sketch is completed it is then transformed into a digital piece and printed on high quality photo paper. Final resting place... hand-painted photo-frame nesting box. There will also be another box (smaller) depicting a raven corresponding with one of his most famous poems, "The Raven". Inside each box lined with beautiful script paper are some other interesting additions.

In the following days, I'll share some more images as the sketch develops into digital piece. Then Sunday October 7th (the day Edgar mysteriously died in Baltimore, 1849) you'll see the finished boxes! Well, should both be completed minus the antique knobs and a few other items waiting to receive in the mail.

Cheers!