Dance of the Turnips by Sherri Stockdale for Eastham Turnip Festival 2015
The cover of the book “Empire of the Vegetables” illustrated by Amedee Varin
For my first post I wanted to share the weird art of Amedee Varin. These illustrations are from a book called “The Empire of the Vegetables.” Varin’s glorious anthropomorphic vegetables were a great inspiration to me when I set out to draw “The Dance of the Turnips.” From what I can tell, “The Empire of the Vegetables” was a children’s book that was written around 1850. I think these veggie people are a little too frighteningly realistic for many young children, but I am blown away by his talent…and I’m glad to see that he used his power for weirdness, as he probably could have drawn anything well. I observed his drawings and the drawings of many others to create my turnip people for the Eastham turnip festival (yes, that is a thing!) Lots of the drawings of anthropomorphic vegetables and fruits that I found were from very old books and postcards. Vegetable people seem to have had a heyday during Victorian times…and many of them are kind of creepy. I think the trick with creating these kinds of drawings is that you have to walk the line. They can easily become too scary, or on the other hand too goofy . I’ve seen it go both ways. Does anybody else out there have a soft spot for anthropomorphic vegetables and fruit? I know you’re out there ‘cuz I’ve seen your pins on Pinterest!
lettuce man walking with a purpose by Amedee Varin
not sure this lecherous looking squash guy deserves this lovely carrot lady
march of the leeks by Amedee Varin
crazy detail on this carrot head by Amedee Varin
green bearded gourd guy by Amedee Varin
aMUSEd 