Wild about Marushka

We can't remember the first time we came across Marushka prints, but we do know that it was love at first sight. And we know we're not alone. In fact, two homes we've featured in recent AT House Tours had Marushka prints in them (Serena and Mason, Phillip, we're talking about you!).

Marushka, a design and silk screen textile manufacturing company that was based in Spring Lake, Michigan, began making their iconic and affordable silk screen prints in 1972. The simple, stark and graphic prints depict the landscapes and wildlife that were common sights along the Lake Michigan shoreline, including sea grasses, sailboats and birds.

Sadly, the last Marushka print was produced in 1989, before the company became Michigan Rag and focused more on apparel. The company continues to screen some revived Marushka prints today, under the name Marooshka, via The Art Farmer.

For those of you who love the hunt of thrifting, original Marushkas can still be found in many thrift stores today. Otherwise, you can find them on eBay. Or, just admire from afar via Marushka Central and this great blog dedicated to Marushka.

Images from Marushka Central and Marushka blog.

Comments (6)

i have a couple of marushka prints on canvas that my wife bought before we met. I love them and she keeps trying to get rid of them saying that they were cheap... from salvation army, but i like them too much.

posted by mozmun20 on November 7th 2008 at 9:45pm
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I like the sailboats

posted by Lizzykewl on November 8th 2008 at 11:07am
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There's a reason these have ended up in thrift stores...

posted by hollandstudio on November 9th 2008 at 7:24am
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i have one of these! i bought it at a yard sale this summer for 50 cents. my hunband agrees with hollandstudio however and doesn't appreciate the simplistic beauty of them. ;-)

posted by brand-eye on November 9th 2008 at 9:00am
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These were the pre-cursors, or "inspirations" for all those artists today screenprinting silhouettes of plant and animal life.

www.thebitterfoodie.blogspot.com

posted by thebitterfoodie on November 10th 2008 at 3:49am
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I have about 8 of these in my bathroom!

posted by alisong on November 10th 2008 at 5:31am
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