New York City Ballet Buttons

 Edward Gorey created many designs for the New York City Ballet to be used on merchandise and for fundraising. I have identified seven designs for pinback buttons, each featuring a ballerina in various costumes. the first button shows the ballerina in warm up or rehearsal clothing. The others are dancing in full costume. Two buttons feature color in their costumes.

According to Gorey bibliographer Edward Bradford, the following button was also available with a chain so it could be worn as a pendant necklace.

 The next two buttons are internet images and are not in my collection.

A final button shows an energetic Gorey Cat in toe shoes against a vivid yellow background dancing the Kitty Ballet. Edward Gorey created several images for the Kitty Ballet.

The Kitty Ballet also had a second button design where the kitty has a "come hither" attitude and pink toe shoes. The button pictured is not in my collection.

One final design is not specifically identified as a New York City Ballet button within the image, but appears to be part of the series. It features a bat and a ballerina. This is an internet image and the button is not in my collection.

Edward Gorey House Envelope Contest

The Edward Gorey house is now accepting entries for its annual Halloween Envelope Art Contest. Now in its 4th year, the contest is open to artists and enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels. Contest rules, the entry form (which must accompany the submission), and images of past winners can be found here: Envelope Contest

The deadline for entries to be received by mail is Friday October 27, 2017.

Glen Baxter

Glen Baxter is an artist who was born in Leeds, UK in 1944. Mr. Baxter primarily creates single panel absurdist cartoon panels that are available as collected works in many books. Original artwork is available from several Fine Art Galleries in the United States, England, and France. Mr. Baxter's work often features literary, domestic, and artistic themes combined in unlikely ways with typical British characters. Another favorite theme is the American West, where cowboys interact in unexpected ways with literature and modern art.

Unlike Edward Gorey who created artwork at the size it was intended to be published, Mr. Baxter's prefers to work in a Fine Art sensibility and his pieces range in size from 10" x 15" to massive 41" x 60" pieces. He works in pen & ink and also creates color pieces in pastel and crayon which give them a distinctive look. A number of images have been available as signed, limited edition prints.

Mr. Baxter's first solo art exhibition was held at the Gotham Book Mart in 1974. Edward Gorey attended the opening and was the first person to purchase Mr. Baxter's original artwork. Mr. Gorey acquired several originals at the GBM show and these remained in his personal art collection for the rest of his life. I have seen a lovely photograph of the two artists enjoying drinks and a laugh together at the opening.

At the time of the exhibition in 1974, Gotham Book Mart published Mr. Baxter's Fruits of the World in Danger. Fruits of the World was printed in a unnumbered limited edition of 300 staple bound copies in wrappers. The slim volume shows various fruits in situations that can only lead to disaster. It has been suggested that Fruits of the World inspired Edward Gorey's Menaced Objects, Dogear Wryde Postcards which was published in 1989.

Glen Baxter has published more than 20 books, and many are in print. The most recent volume is Almost Completely Baxter, New and Selected Blurtings . Published in 2016, this book includes black & white and color works.