3 minute read
Arcane Tinmen ApS
by Ian Spiegel-Blum
If you’re anything like us, you can’t help but see dragons everywhere you go. See a beautiful crimson sunset glowing against the horizon? Probably a dragon getting ready to unleash a stream of searing hot fire just beyond the clouds. Come across a sculpture garden in a local park? Beautiful, but would be a tad more memorable with a giant freaking dragon made of twisted metal. Call it an occupational hazard, but at Dragon Shield we have dragons on the mind. And so, is it really a surprise that when looking at the great artistic masters like Leonardo da Vinci, Johannes Vermeer, and the Japanese woodblock Ukiyo-e artist Hokusai that our thoughts immediately went to, “these are great, but you know what might make them even better?”
Alas, the Dragons in Art series was born. (Read more about the original pieces in this excellent article by Donnie Caltrider: Dragon Shield Art Sleeves, Volume 2 – Hipsters of the Coast: Hipsters of the Coast).
Our newest addition to the series, releasing November 5th, includes The Girl with the Pearl Earring, Abbey in the Oak Wood and The Great Wave. When selecting pieces to dragonize, one must ask oneself a series of questions. First, what makes this painting a masterpiece? Is it recognizable? Does it tell a story on its own? If so, how might adding a dragon benefit or, in rare cases, detract from the original? Take Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring” from our newest release. The original painting is known for its riveting beauty and the intense yet mysterious look of its subject, as much as the pearl earring she wears. The bold colors and juxtaposition against the black background make her instantly recognizable anywhere in the world and inspiring to millions.
It might sound silly, but we have to ask the question, “How might a dragon enrich this painting?” In this case, we liked the idea of adding another subject to the frame, of giving the girl a confidante to whisper to, while expanding the mysteriousness of her world to include fantastic beasts. Our hope was to create something new, a piece that provides a window into a world wholly different from our own, but without losing the charm of the underlying masterwork. We think our artist José Muñoz did a fantastic job.
As for the sleeves, our newest dragons in art come in Brushed texture. Brushed makes it possible for us to print all the way to the edge with art or a beautiful colored frame. Brushed texture is the perfect match for art as it feels just as if the last brushstroke has finally dried up, making it the natural choice for stunning pieces such as these.
Art pieces are collector’s items, and our Dragons in Art series is no exception. In addition to the three pieces in our new line, we have released eight previous designs – all in limited edition. Some are still available, so if you want a collection like no other, ask for them before they sell out too (like the Mona Lisa and Starry Night). • The Astronomer Sleeves + Playmat • Hunters in the Snow Sleeves + Playmat • The Oxbow Sleeves + Playmat • Whistler’s Mother Sleeves + Playmat • Poppy Field Sleeves + Playmat • Among the Sierra Nevada Sleeves
Have any suggestions for pieces you’d like to see dragonized? Reach out to our art director at info@arcanetinmen. com to let us know your ideas. Until next time, keep an eye out for dragons, and for beautiful art wherever you go.
