A night with sea dragons, drag queens, Animalia, and much more

I'm excited to be participating in Bizarre Bazaar at California Academy of Sciences' nightlife event on Thursday, December 15th. The Cal Academy is a science/natural history museum with dioramas, a rainforest section and an aquarium. The Bizarre Bazaar is a traveling arts and crafts show. Put them together, and you've got the perfect venue for Animalia's wares.

But even if you're not interested in the Bizarre Bazaar, everyone should check out the Academy's nightlife event at least one time. There's an added element of intrigue when you get to look at the fish gliding through the aquarium (or sleeping on its floor) at night time. And the shadows cast in the natural history dioramas evoke even deeper mystery at night. There will also be a drag queen performance by Peaches Christ, Slayers Club djs on the dance floor, and planetarium shows. Science + art + music––probably my favorite combination.

Renew your sense of weirdness

Even though I live in California, I'm prone to a bit of mopiness (is that a word?) during the winter months. Well, if we're being honest, I have to say I'm often prone to a bit of mopiness (it's my sad, sad nature). But in the winter it's worse. I spend my mornings in front of one of those mood lights, but often come away with nothing more than a blue pulsing after image to lift my melancholia.

However, there is one thing that never fails to improve my mood: the sheer weirdness of nature. I think the key to happiness and engagement in life is keeping our sense of wonder nurtured and alive. And in my opinion there's nothing like nature's camouflaging abilities to renew one's sense of wonder. Wow, look at me getting all deep and stuff. I mean, this photo of a leaf-tailed gecko should keep your jaw dropped for at least a week. Follow this link for more photographs that will remind you of nature's incomprehensible power and beauty. Enjoy and be happy! The world is weird and wonderful.

Holiday Pop-up store: Storefront

Animalia will be participating in its first pop up store this coming Saturday, December 3. The store is called Storefront and is put on by DNA (designers + artists). It's at 1767 Waller Street in San Francisco, and will be open from 12-6. Come on down and check out our wares!

New website, Keiko Brodeur of Small Adventure, Lee Piechocki and new tees!

It's official! Animalia has launched its spiffed up site. We still have a couple of things to flesh out, but in general we're ready to roll. Of course, it will alway be a work-in-progress and we'll continue to make improvements.

Just listed in the store:

Keiko Brodeur's (of Small Adventure) prints and cards. "Small Adventure is devoted to creating beautiful (and sometimes silly) objects and artwork that are reminiscent of reading exciting stories and playing with our friends."

A beautiful print by Lee Piechocki.

Several new t-shirts for adults, kids and babies!

Animalia on Design Love Fest

Big thank you to Bri Emery at Design Love Fest for talkin' up Animalia!