Seeking a more grown-up artistic outlet after years of creating
illustrations for children’s books, Brooklyn-based artist Sophie
Blackall found inspiration in an unlikely—dare we say even dodgy—place: the
Craigslist Missed Connections site. “I collect other
people’s discarded shopping lists and the things left between pages of
books,” Blackall explains. “I’m a terrible eavesdropper. When I
stumbled upon Missed Connections it was the perfect fit. Small glimpses
into strangers’ lives, packed with mystery, pathos, beauty and humor.”
Since last March Blackall has whipped up about twenty-five drawings,
each depicting an oddly whimsical subtext to postings that often ring
with, well, more desperation than romance. Says Blackall, “I look for
the lyrical, “Billowy Red Scarf Girl” or the funny, “Hipster Chick Who
Passed Gas.” Rendered in lovely jewel colors with a Gorey-esque
attention to detail, Blackall’s “MC” drawings will be collected later
this year in a coffeetable book. Until then, however, the
Australian-born artist is selling signed $40 prints on
etsy, and more
are available to view at
missedconnetionsny.blogspot.com.
Seeking a more grown-up artistic outlet after years of creating
illustrations for children’s books, Brooklyn-based artist Sophie
Blackall found inspiration in an unlikely—dare we say even dodgy—place: the Craigslist Missed Connections site. “I collect other
people’s discarded shopping lists and the things left between pages of
books,” Blackall explains. “I’m a terrible eavesdropper. When I
stumbled upon Missed Connections it was the perfect fit. Small glimpses
into strangers’ lives, packed with mystery, pathos, beauty and humor.”
Since last March Blackall has whipped up about twenty-five drawings,
each depicting an oddly whimsical subtext to postings that often ring
with, well, more desperation than romance. Says Blackall, “I look for
the lyrical, “Billowy Red Scarf Girl” or the funny, “Hipster Chick Who
Passed Gas.” Rendered in lovely jewel colors with a Gorey-esque
attention to detail, Blackall’s “MC” drawings will be collected later
this year in a coffeetable book. Until then, however, the
Australian-born artist is selling signed $40 prints on etsy, and more
are available to view at missedconnetionsny.blogspot.com.
