Sick nostalgia

Kitsch Vintage Gas Mask War Baby by curious_goods

Is this Norman Rockwell on LSD? A 50s propaganda artist trying his hand on being cute? Cold War's latest trend?
I don't really know... What I do know is that it's strange, funny, surreal and kitschy and I want one right away! I found it in Curious Goods, a store full of strange ephemera and unusual nostalgic pieces. I'll be coming back for a closer look, since they offer a gazillion amazing designs thought lost in the annals of time!

Kitsch Vintage Comic Aman 'We Must Punish Them' by curious_goods
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Mondo weird

Kitsch Vintage Movie Mondo Something Weird Girl by blackandwhiteonly

Being a fan of old kitschy b-movies I couldn't help but adore this old school design that gets it's inspiration from 60s b-movie posters. You've got your semi-nude girl, your psychedelic typeface and the concentric cycles to make your eyes hurt plus a title that promises weirdness. What else would you want, right?
Well, you might want all these on a great Speck iPad case... The ultimate shop for vintage goodness, Black and White Only, just took care of it. Ain't it groovy?

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Of sights unseen

Sight Unseen by BIFOCUS

Mysterious, poetic, dreamlike, strange, philosophical. These are the words I would use to describe this unique card from Understated Junkyard Extravaganza, a shop that -far from being a junkyard- offers a different view on things.
Their cards look like a daydream. Their products are not products, they are small surreal fragments whose copies you may buy.

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Faraway dancer

frayed dancer by KathleenMLowe
More 1920 Cards

This is a photograph that traveled through time -all the way from the roaring '20s- to end up on this greeting card from Kathleen MLowe. Kathleen finds hidden gems of yesteryear, like this dancer from Ziegfeld Follies. A haunting pose, a beautiful woman with a sad face, fine elbows and exquisite legs. I guess it would be considered too risqué back in the days. Now, it's a stylish memento of the beauty of a long gone era with just the right gothic undertone.
This is just a sample of the vintage treasures you'll find in Kathleen's store (and of her unique, bohemian view and aesthetics).

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Blast from the past

Cracked Mirror Poster Print by camcguire
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I found several great things while perusing CAMcGuire's store. I first discovered her through her great Dear John letter card (which you can see in my Top 10 unusual Valentine's day designs list). I couldn't help noticing some real gems in her vintage inspired style.
First, this absolutely great photograph with a detail from a cracked mirror of an abandoned truck. I love this photo. I love the balanced frame, the cracks, the rusty metal, the sense of the past, of human absence and of a whole life passing through the stuff we own and use. It's one of these rare posters that tell stories.

Retro Cassette iPhone Case by camcguire
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Then I saw this old tape on an iPhone case. A great idea, executed in a stylized, rough way that brings a completely new look (well, always in an old-school concept!) to an object that lacks the patina of time. Nice work from a store full of oldie treasures!

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The ghost in the machine

Freaky by tnmpastperfect
Browse other iphone designs

A pretty face, serious and intense. Most probably, belonging to a woman who paid Charon's fare a long time ago. On a dark, solemn background.
What on earth made TnM Past Perfect's MarShelle to make an iPad case out of this one? I may never find the answer but I tell you this, folks: I love it! It's dark, it's beautiful, it's weird and reminds me of yesteryear's séances. This case will enshroud your precious gadget with a gothic aura and her eyes will leave those around you speechless.

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Flying saucers scaring white folks

Scared White Folks by FbodStudios
See more Fbodstudios Postcards

This brilliant postcard works on so many levels:
It conjures a humorous nostalgia for cheap sensationalist book covers from the '50s. It parodies both the flying saucer craze and the stereotyped "white folk's interests" theme that has white people complaining for stupid things and being smart in useless stuff. It pays a funny homage to Frank Scully (the writer who single-handedly created the UFO crash mania back in 1949) by using the original cover from Scully's Behind the Flying Saucers book.
Kudos to FBod Studios for offering this gem.

[And, yes, F.Scully was the inspiration for Dana Scully's name.]

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Lemon tea

Anyone for Tea? Greeting Card by FirstNightDesign

Many have tried to express themselves using a grungy neo-vintage look, but very few have succeeded in standing out from the crowd. First Night Design manages to do just that with well-thought designs like these two presented here. The first one is used for a fine greeting card with tea-related elements . Their combination (especially the use of the samovar on the right) gives a unique collage.

Postcard Lemons Postcard by FirstNightDesign

The second one I like even more. It's a great postcard with an excellent composition that balances the handwriting with the remarkable lemon photographs in the center. A postcard I would be really happy to receive!

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The one (or, maybe, two!) that got away

URANIA 2011 NEXT Calendar by FrancoBrambilla
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This is a superb addition to the recent Top 15 Zazzle Calendars for 2011 post. I wish I had seen it earlier but it's never too late for presenting great artwork. The Urania 2011 Calendar is full of Franco Brambilla's science fiction illustrations and, man, is he great!
Franco is an Italian illustrator and founder of Airstudio creativity lab, with a rampant imagination and incredible skill. Don't miss his store or you'll miss out on stuff as astonishing as this:

2011 Invading The Vintage by FrancoBrambilla
Make your own calendars at Zazzle

His Invading the Vintage series is based on the idea of aliens invading vintage postcards. And it's very, very good!

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Top 15 Zazzle Calendars for 2011

You got that right folks! These are the best calendars in the whole zazzledom , according to Surreality Watch. Yes, it's a subjective list and, yes, your favorite may be left out but that's how it goes.
I should note that the items of this list are in random order. They are all winners, anyway! So, here it goes:

(1)

Playroom_Nightmare[1], Playroom Nightmare, 2011... by paintingmaniac

This includes fourteen of Leah Saulnier's surrealistic and playful paintings. She is absolutely great!

(2)

CHERNOBYL 2011 EN by SPERRZONE

An eerie, ominous collection of photographs from Chernobyl. Industrial archeology by SPERRZONNE.

(3)

Silent Ghost 2010/2011 Calendar by chimaerastudios

A comic book calendar from Chimaera Studios.

(4)

In the Year 2011 by lizwiil

A surreal-pop calendar featuring Lizwiil's unique art.

(5)

MID-CENTURY BOOGIE 2011 calendar by LiliChin

A trip through furniture design's finest moments (plus a Boston terrier!) as proposed by Lili Chin's Boogie Wonderland.

(6)

Surrealism art calendar 2011 monthly wall calendar by artsgrie

Fantasy meets surrealism in George Grie's magnificent landscapes.

(7)

GRAFFITI 2011 by EMangl

Graffiti and urban art through the lens of Emangl.

(8)

Skeleton Calendar 2011 - Antikamnia - Crucius by VintageCabaret

Vintage, 19th century artwork with the skeleton characters of Luis Crucius. Found in Vintage Cabaret.

(9)

Dinosaurs Conquering 2011 by tyskkvinna

Fun micro-photography with dinosaurs roaming the Earth, by Lis Bokt.

(10)

The Kitsch Bitsch : Living Retro 2011 Calendar by kitschbitsch

Colorful, kitschy retro fun from Kitsch Bitsch.

(11)

arteology 2011 by arteology

Hand drawing and digital art in this unusual calendar by Gregory Gallo's Arteology.

(12)

Observations From The Urban Landscape 2011 Calenda by DeborahJulianArt

City life and photography. Nice work by Deborah Julian.

(13)

Workers United 2011 calendar by patrimonio by patrimonio

Patrimonio's tribute to the working life, with illustrations in the old propaganda-poster style.

(14)

Casey Shannon Studio~ 2011 Calendar by CaseyStudio

A collection of Casey Shannon's ink paintings. Tender sumi-e!

(15)

2011 Black & White Photography Calendar by RocklawnArts

Wonderful black and white photography by Claire E. Skinner's Rocklawn Arts.


[Did you like this list? Comment your heart away and tell me what you think!] 

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Going quack to my roots

Quack t-shirt by surrealitee
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I consider my roots to be graphic design with an unexpected, somehow surreal, touch. That's exactly where I am with this newest creation, the Quack design. Based on an old optometry drawing of an eye, it transforms this to duck's head.

Quack bumper sticker by surrealitee
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In most cases, it's available in both transparent (the medium's material shows through) or a cardboard-textured background. I do believe that each has it's own charm.

Quack travel mug by surrealitee
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For more of my work you can always peruse Surreality or my Surrealitee Design webpage.

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Art deco pop

Flora Deco by surrealitee
Buy vinyl 3 ring binders on Zazzle

An art deco floral motif provides inspiration for this colorful roundel. It's great both as a standalone design and combined with this fine, discreet gray background.

Flora Deco by surrealitee
View more tshirts designed online at zazzle

I like the way the vintage elements blend in a contemporary, pop-ish way. The color combination is great, too!

Flora Deco by surrealitee
Design a cooking apron on zazzle

It's been a long time since I added a retropop design and I'm really satisfied with this one. I believe you'll see more artwork along these lines in the future, quite possibly with a more surreal touch. Look for more products with the Flora Deco design in Surreality.

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Raider of the Lost Premakes

What if famous blockbusters, such as Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars or Forest Gump, were filmed much earlier than they did? What would their trailers look like?
This is the question asked -and promptly answered!- by a film enthusiast with a great knowledge of Hollywood's golden era. Painstakingly researched and created, I present you with some pseudo-vintage genius from whoiseyevan's channel!
The premakes are fake, of course, but his unique idea, humor and hard work is real and very entertaining.

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Something to cool you down

Pluto Postcard by stevethomas
Create Custom post cards online at zazzle.com

August is so hot and scalding, it's time for something cool and soothing, don't you think? How about vacationing on the snowy mountains of Pluto? Steve Thomas is willing to take us there with this ice-cold illustration (a great way to brag about your summer endeavors to your friends that stayed behind!). Based on old poster aesthetics -like most of this great artist's work- it makes for an amazing postcard.

Fantasy travel poster - elves by stevethomas
Browse Artsprojekt Posters

For those of you who prefer a more classic destination, Surreality Travel Bureau proposes legendary Rivendell, and this great poster by Steve brings it right to your home! Surreal ideas, excellent execution and a fine sense of humor guarantee an unforgettable time when visiting Steve Thomas's store.

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Grumpy bag

Mr Grumpyhead by tartanphoenix
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Would you fancy a grumpy, miserable little fellow on your tote bag? It could, actually, prove to be a great idea, since we're talking about a hilarious and well-crafted vintage illustration. This guy's expression is priceless!
I found this black and white bag at the Tartan Phoenix shop, a place where vintage designs abound.

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Pianos and fish

untitled classic by RetroPunk
Many more t-shirts online at zazzle

Here is a cool juxtaposition of retro elements, conspiring to bring urban coolness to your upper body.The fish and the piano make for a crazy t-shirt, indeed! Found in Retro Punk, a store where retro garbage and punk trash reign supreme -and that's absolutely fine in my book, considering the many interesting designs they offer. If you take a pleasure at finding hidden treasures in the pop-culture environment of our collective unconscious, you'll be in the right place.

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Bottle of Sin

Bottle of Sin t-shirt by surrealitee
Get a tee shirt at zazzle

The latest addition to my own Temporal Disorder product category comes in a bottle. It's a small glass bottle (the kind used for china ink) containing pure, undiluted sin!
When it comes to being bad, Surreality's Bottle of Sin is the brew of choice.

Bottle of Sin bag by surrealitee
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I consider this a surprising mixture of retro imagery and mischievous ingenuity. You really should own one. It's the world's finest, after all!

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Chess revisited: The playful cat

Chess Cat postcard by lodgehouse
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This vintage painting combines cats and chess -two of mankind's favorites in a single artful postcard. I wonder if the depicted feline concentrates on it's next move...Anyway, it's only one of the eight "Naughty Cats" available at Lodgehouse, although I believe it's the more intriguing of the series.There is a sense of hidden menace in here -or maybe I am biased by the cat's predatory nature.
Some may find this cute, I find it both cute and disquieting. You can't beat that, now, can you?

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