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The Writing Is On The Wall: Messages in Artwork

No, the end is not near by any means. I've just been noticing more and more paintings featuring writing and thought I would share a few.

 
 

Song lyrics, fairy tales, stories, a favorite quote or your own ideas would all make for an easy DIY piece of art in your home. Be sure to also check out the rest of Inger Taylor's abstract work while you on on her site.

Images: 1 via Elements of Style, 2 Inger Taylor, 3 Jennifer Ramos, MadeByGirl, 4 via delikatissen

Tags

inspiration, artwork, painting, typography

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Comments (14)

I like the idea, but it bothers me how trite the text is. I'd do it but with quasi-meaningful non sequiturs..

posted by Berae on November 19th 2009 at 2:43pm
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maybe thats the humor. i am inspired to do a journey song in calligraphy style now! thanks for the tiP! :)

posted by Hannah123 on November 19th 2009 at 3:07pm
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Too cool for Bryan Adams' lyrics? For shame!

posted by Peper on November 19th 2009 at 3:28pm
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They ARE Bryan Adams lyrics. I thought they sounded a little liner-noteish.

posted by J Dandy on November 19th 2009 at 3:35pm
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I like the first and fourth paintings but I think it has to do with the font and layout, more than the words themselves. Richard Prince had huge success by painting bad or corny jokes and observations on canvas...

posted by hessilou on November 19th 2009 at 4:20pm
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Yeah. The second one is a little sappy for me. "I found my prince"? Gag me. It might as well be the footprints in the sand thing. But I like the Bryan Adams one and the last one. Funny, whimsical, and almost a little bit touching (at least the last one is a little touching).

And, Hannah, I can totally see "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey like this.

posted by BlackFrancine on November 19th 2009 at 4:34pm
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I really love when people use words as artwork. I like the custom decals that you can make on blik to say whatever you want. I would want mine to say something ridiculous...like the lyrics to "its the end of the world as we know it.." by REM

posted by apicciri on November 19th 2009 at 6:55pm
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LOLCAT SEZ: TAIPOGRRRRFEE WANT!

posted by Djluckyonline on November 19th 2009 at 7:12pm
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My vote: go buy a canvas from an art supply store and DIY instead of paying someone else ungodly amounts of money to do it for you. I like textual artwork, just like it better when I don't pay someone else for something I could easily make.

posted by Kay McCurley on November 19th 2009 at 9:02pm
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I kind of like the idea of putting up stupid jokes, like: What do you call a fish with no eye? Fssshh.

Or puns. I have a weakness for puns.

posted by Mlle Kate on November 19th 2009 at 9:53pm
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Oh my - this reminds me of when I rented a home where Saul Bellow once lived. The landlord refused to let us go near any of his random scrawlings on every wall of the house with either an art frame (which I suggested might highlight his musings) or a paintbrush (which might have been better).

posted by keltrue on November 20th 2009 at 3:09pm
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@Hannah 123

LOL. MY favorite saying is WWSPD? (What would Steve Perry Do?) I've been looking for a laundry room art project. Journey lyrics sound like a good plan!

posted by sasharenee on November 20th 2009 at 5:13pm
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love the grey tufting!

posted by vividiti on November 23rd 2009 at 6:39pm
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I really like the first one as well. I am all for DIY approach to this style. I actually want to do a headboard piece for my apartment, just with different lyrics.

I know it is acrylic on paint. But does anyone else, with a better eye towards the process, know exactly how the first one was created? Is it a stenciling, silk screen? How would you go about making this?

I have researched the artist, Matthew Heller, online some. But still trying to figure this out. I would much rather pay $75 to make it myself and put in the man hours than $25,000 for one of his paintings.

posted by ZDIGGS on December 4th 2009 at 8:43pm
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