Living Things Series Combo Savings

The Little Otsu Living Things Series is our collection of limited edition mini art books in which different artists each explore one idea based around the theme of living things. SAVE OVER 28% when you buy all eight! Regularly $6.95 each; get any 2 books for $6 each, Volumes 1-4 or 5-8 for $5.50 each, or all 8 for only $5 each!

The first in this series is by Lizzy Stewart and is called "A Guide to Eastern European Wildlife." Bursts of color shoot from the mouths of wolves and bears look on as carefully rendered unknown European towns are off in the distance. There are birds in flight and an owl on a perch, buildings on the backs of deer and tiny animals wearing tiny hats; all beautifully drawn in interchanging full and single color.

The second volume in the series by Jo Dery is called "Pheromones: a chemical conversation" and is an exploration of how animals use pheromones differently to do things like mark territory, attract mates and even attack enemies. Jo's beautiful watercolor drawings of sea urchins and amazing line drawings of beetles meet dogs, cats, gulls and even people in this factoid-filled and often humorous book.   

The third installment in this series is by London artist Hannah Waldron and is called "The City." A loose narrative connects these images of urban life and can be wildly detailed or entirely impressionistic, but grounded in her creative use of patterns. Mixing the mediums of watercolor and collage, Hannah captures both the imagined minutiae of city living and the teeming life of the city itself.

The fourth is by Chicago artist Lilli Carré and is called "Shifting Shadows." Skillful drawing meets absurdist situations in these amusing shadowy depictions that will often take multiple viewings to capture all of their nuance. Lilli plays with light, shadow cast, kissing shadows, shadows with a life of their own, surprising shapes and sizes all to wonderful effect.

The fifth installment is by Portland, OR husband-and-wife duo APAK and is called "Mushroom Folk: A guide to the secret world of fungi and their friends." Get a glimpse into the nocturnal activities of the invented denizens of the undergrowth from Music Makers to Water Sprites to Illuminators. Ayumi and Aaron combine their imagination and talents to create adorable characters and otherworldly flora that are not only beautiful, but effuse a deep appreciation for nature.

The sixth is by Kentucky artist Becca Stadtlander and is called "Winged Creatures of the Natural World." Becca's masterful use of colors, textures, and brushstrokes brings all sorts of birds, insects, bats, and even a flying fish to life right in front of you. Her detailed images fill you with wonder at how she's equally adept at capturing both moments of tranquility and of frenzy.

Volume 7 is by London artist Liam Stevens and is called "Amazon." Liam takes an ambitious approach to the form with amazing dioramas of layered papercut Amazonian plants and animals drawn in his playful style. These rich full-color scenes are countered with more spare line drawings where you get to appreciate the nuances of his stroke which bring such character to his comical rainforest denizens and impressions of the habitat.

The latest installment is by Minneapolis artist Jessica Seamans and is called “A Brief Sampling of Cryptids, Folkloric Beasts & Mythological Animals.” Jes delves into the imagined creatures from many cultures and reckons with beings ranging from flying serpents who eat the sun to sticky horses who lure children to a watery demise. Her beautiful drawings give even the creepiest of critters an allure and her mind-blowing detail make this a work to treasure.

Each saddle-stitched booklet is printed in a limited edition of 1000. Each volume is 16 pages, full-color and one-Pantone color pages printed on white 80 lb text paper for the interior with 80 lb cover stock for the full-color cover, and measures 5.875" wide x 9" tall. Printed in Oakland, CA on 100% post-consumer recycled paper with soy-based inks. Series design assistance by Dan Black.