Chunky Halloween House: Le Chat Noir

[microjivvy]

When someone mentions “black cats” (as Sonjaboo, my partner in the Halloween Chunky House swap, did), it brings to mind two iconic images. My inspiration for this project comes from second of those two icons. More on the first later, but for this project, “The Black Cat Poster” or, Théophile Steinlen’s 1896 advertisement for the cabaret, Le Chat Noir:



The Cabaret on the right was located at 68 Boulevard de Clichy, Paris-Montmartre. What a great building for this project. Here’s my Halloween-influenced interpretation of Le Chat Noir:



The windows are isinglass (thin sheets of mica). All of the trim is wood.





One of my favorite bits:



And the Le Chat Noir Moon sign:





I loved working on this project, because everywhere I turned, I was reminded of the first iconic “black cat” image for me, my buddy-boy, Spike (1982-1991):

[BirdBones]

This is AMAZING and truly mind-boggling - I love Jugenstil and your interpretation of the house is perfect as always. I wonder if I will ever truly comprehend the awesome tininess of your creations- your partner is a very lucky person!

[bunny1kenobi]

microjivvy, this is amazing!  But then, your stuff always is!!

[wendiek]

I am in awe (as always seeing your work) with what you can do. Especially realizing that it is sooooo tiny!! Amazing, really!

Thanks for showing us your inspiration and your interpretation, I like reading that.

And I hit this rocks, because it does 

[CDEeeek]

That's amazing. I have been stashing stuff to use in some mini building art, and this has inspired me. I'd like to share some links I have favorited that I've been using for technique ideas:

http://www.militarymodelling.com/news/article/make-it-real-part-1/4083/

Also, I stopped in at the Michael Garman studio in Old Colorado City, Colorado, and his pieces are really intricate. He even has little hologram people that pop up in some of them. I could only find this link for something that wasn't retail, but if you google him, his site comes up.

http://www.askart.com/AskART/artists/search/ArtistKeywords.aspx?searchtype=KEYWORDS&artist=11008467

[jillybeans]

Oh wow, jivvy!! That is so beautiful! There is so much detail! I feel like I could sit and state at forever!

[fancybutch]

Microjivvy that is a beautiful work of art, I just love it.  And I was going gaga over it even before I realized how small it is!  holy carp.  I've always been a fan of the poster too, and love what you've done combining the influences.  You really created a wonderful feeling.

Love the picture of your cat too, I had a black cat named Diego (named after Diego Rivera) who lived with me for 14 years.

[microjivvy]

Thanks, all -- I was pretty excited to have another "black cat" lover as a partner.

@BirdBones: I had to google "Jugenstil" before I could say this, but, "me, too!" 

@CDEeeek: Thanks for the links!  Both the model railroaders and military modellers have some real artisans.

[BirdBones]

@BirdBones: I had to google "Jugenstil" before I could say this, but, "me, too!" 

You're right- I believe the "english" term is art nouveau

[CDEeeek]

@BirdBones: I had to google "Jugenstil" before I could say this, but, "me, too!" 

You're right- I believe the "english" term is art nouveau

Hey, I learned a new word today! We have neighbors just outside of town who are Amish, and this conversation above sounds like their conversations, minus the google part, of course, lol(they call non-Amish people "the english"). I will try out my new word on them!