Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Delightfully Dark Art


In my travels around Blogland, I have stumbled upon all sorts of artistic treats and the latest wonderfully creepy discovery is the work of a Danish artist called John Kenn Mortensen. His day job is as a writer and director of children's television, but in his free time, he creates amazing, dark illustrations on humble post-it notes.


John Kenn Mortensen describes his art as:
"A little window into a different world, made on office supplies."



A book of John Kenn Mortensen's post-it monsters will be coming out later in the year, but you can also see his work on his blog, Don Kenn Gallery.
Posted by Little Gothic Horrors at 8:31 PM
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51 comments:

  1. I love his sketches. I think Justine over at Justine's Halloween introduced me to them. Their a great example of creepy and cute combined.

    Ali

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    1. Hi Ali,

      Oh, I've only just discovered his work by happy accident. I was googling something on Edward Gorey, and John Kenn Mortensen's art popped up. I love it when that happens! :D

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  2. I have never come across this artist! He is amazing! And I myself have a bit of a post it fetish, they cover my computer screen at home and at work and in my purse plus wherever else I stick them! Thanks for the introduction.
    ♥ K

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    1. Hi Sweet Nothings,

      Yes, he was new to me too. I'm always doodling on notepads, but I don't think I'll ever view post-its the same way after this. :)

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  3. I like these! Do you ever notice how children's writers are abit creepy? lol. Road Dahl, Maurice Sendek.....I like it!

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    1. Hi The Powder Room,

      Haha. Yes, children's book writers do seem to be a bit on the creepy side... or at least, the best ones are! ;)

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  4. Ooh! More ammo for my nightmares! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Hi Mr. Macabre,

      My pleasure, I couldn't wait to share these tiny nightmarish treats! :)

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  5. Fantastic! I'm sooooo getting into the Halloween mood. I do every July and the fever gets worse and worse as time gets closer.

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    1. Hi Autumnforest,

      Haha. I know just what you mean, although Halloween fever is a perpetual state with me! ;)

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  6. Oh wow!! This is so totally up my street Emma! You find the best people/art/stuff! Definitely checking out his blog! I agree with Autumnforest - it would put you in the Halloween frame of mind! ;)

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    1. Hi Siobhan,

      Haha. Thank YOU for sharing in my enjoyment when I use this blog as an outlet for my unbridled enthusiasm whenever I stumble across little goodies like this!

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  7. that's just the coolest thing ever. i will never look at my post its the same way...

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    1. Hi pensive,

      Yeah, I'm going to feel positively inadequate next time I use a post-it to jot down something as banal as a telephone number. ;)

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  8. Amazing artwork and so detailed even though it's drawn on tiny post-it's ! Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Hi linnea-maria,

      My pleasure! :) Yes, the detail is extraordinary when you consider the small area he has to work with.

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  9. Wow, very cool. The detail is incredible, right down to the tiny toys hanging in the trees, and on Post-Its no less! I'm loving this guys style. Thanks for posting!

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    1. Hi Seeing Things,

      Or should I say, "The Artist Formerly Known as Art Bliss"! ;) It's good to have you back in Blogland. I'm going to head on over to your blog shortly.

      Yes, the detail is incredible. I have to keep reminding myself that these pictures would be pretty close to actual size. I loved this guy's art the moment I set eyes on it. :)

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  10. Yeah, the post it thing makes it all the more!! Great find.

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    1. Hi Annie,

      I'd still love these illustrations if they were on large canvases, but knowing they're on tiny post-its makes them extra special!

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  11. OMG! I absolutely love these! I love your blog because you share so much awesome stuff with us all! I'll definitely be keeping my eyes open for that book!

    The second to last image reminds me of Der Kindestod from Buffy, you know the one in the episode 'Killed by Death' with the protruding eyeballs that suck the life out of the sick children in the hospital! So very similar, even the setting with the child in bed!

    Ooooo and the second one down on the left looks a bit like short squashed versions of the 'Gentlemen' from Buffy too, looming over the town of Sunnydale with their little fingers waving in anticipation of a nice juicy human heart!

    Maybe John Kenn Mortensen is a Buffy fan too! xxx

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    1. Hi VainGlorySinner,

      Ha! Great minds! The Gentlemen and Der Kindestod were EXACTLY what I thought of when I saw both those illustrations! Two of the creepiest villains ever on 'Buffy'. I think you're right about John Kenn Mortensen being a fan of 'Buffy' because the similarities are so strong.

      The 'Post-it Monsters' book is apparently being published in the UK by Random House and will be available in (northern hemisphere) autumn. Perfect for Halloween! :D

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  12. These illustrations are wonderful! So dark and beautiful yet simply drawn.

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    1. Hi Christel,

      I agree! I love it when I chance upon stuff like this! :)

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  13. You always seem to find the most interesting stuff. I love these!

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    1. Hi Adsila,

      Thank you, I love them too! These finds are so often just serendipity. I'm looking for one thing and then something catches my eye, and before I know it, I'm off on a tangent. I usually end up forgetting what I was looking for in the first place. Haha.

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  14. I have seen his work before....I really like the "floating Skull-Heads" His work has a "child-like" Creepiness to them ....and I Love his style that he uses.... Cool Post

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    1. Hi Dr. Theda,

      Yes, these images really are the stuff of children's nightmares, and I don't think those primal fears ever really leave us, no matter how much we may try to suppress them.

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  15. How cool! Those drawings must be quite detailed to fit on little post-it notes. I feel like I've seen his work before. Maybe I have one of his drawings on my Pinterest page. Just checked, and yes I do! In my "Ghostly" folder I have this: http://pinterest.com/pin/192951165255597942/

    This looks like his style, anyway. These had a ghost-like look to me, but I suppose they could be a lot of creatures.

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    1. Hi Justine,

      I checked your pin and yes, it's definitely the same guy. :) Like VainGlorySinner mentioned, those particular skull head creatures he draws are reminiscent of The Gentlemen on 'Buffy'. I'm going to have to repin that picture you found. I really like that one!

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  16. "Monster Brains" did a Great Post of his work a while back ...just check out their "archives"....

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  17. I am doing a post on his "Floating Skulls" Check it out if you wish.. Your "fiend" and Follower ...the Doctor

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    1. Hi Dr. Theda,

      I'd love to see your post! I'll head on over to your blog to check it out. :)

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  18. Dear "Little Gothic Horrors" ...I always try to post a "Shout-Out" about the really Cool post on the blogs of my Followers.... You have no idea how much my followers mean to me.... So no problem and as always ...Keep ur the great posts at your Blog...
    Your "fiend" ...the Doctor

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    1. Thank you, Dr. Theda! That's so nice of you! My followers mean the world to me too! :)

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  20. You find the most wonderful artists!!!

    Happy Weekend dear Emma!

    LuLu~*xoxo

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    1. Thank you, LuLu! You have a wonderful weekend too! ❤

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  21. These pictures make me with is was already Halloween! Awesome images!

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    1. Hi Kweeny,

      Well, it's not long to go now! I've got so many little projects I want to get finished before Halloween. I've really got to get my act together! :)

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    2. True enough! I am already seeing Halloween stuff in Michael's. Can you believe it? Also, guess who loves you? Me! http://kweenytodd.blogspot.com/2012/07/kweeny-gets-new-blog-award.html

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  22. I've just been through your entire blog, what pure awesomeness!
    You do find the most wondrous things and they are a great source of inspiration and awe.

    I wish I could draw so flawlessly, but my technique with a pen still leaves to be desired after just working with pencil for so long :)

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    1. Hi Laury,

      Thanks so much for your kind words! I really appreciate them!!

      I find working with a pen hard too. You've got more control with a pencil, plus the freedom of knowing that you can correct any mishaps. I'd definitely love to master drawing with a pen. The John Kenn Mortensen illustrations are very inspiring! :)

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  23. A Liebster award for you!
    http://jennyshouseofhorrors.blogspot.com/2012/07/another-liebster-blog-award.html

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    1. Hi Screaming Goregasm,

      Thanks so much for thinking of me! I'll head on over to check out your post! :)

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  24. Oh! I love his work, wonderful creepy faces!

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    1. Hi Knock Knock Street,

      Yes, all his work is fabulous and he's so prolific! It was hard deciding which illustrations to pick for this post. :)

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  25. Delicious, i like your point of view.

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