Southern Gothic Wine
by E. Charrow on 02/20/2009 | 2 Minute Read
Southern Belle Shiraz
Poor Thing Grenache
Didely Bow Riesling
The truth is if James Jean designed a garbage bag I would probably be completely in love with it. These wine bottle designs for The Greatful Palate keep in the tradition of James Jeans artistic style while still addressing the concerns of the brand.
I
worked with the Grateful Palate a while ago on a series of wine
labels, and they are finally available for sale. The theme was Southern Gothic, and I brainstormed some concepts
with owner Dan Philips and designer Beth Elliot. They gave me a lot of
creative freedom, and the typography was expertly done by Jeff Keedy. There are little bits of foil printed in the intricate framing
elements.
I researched the imagery and stories from the region
and time period to get inspired: some immediate triggers were kudzu, sprawling oak
trees, and antebellum images like the Southern Belle.
"Southern Belle" was created to resemble fine china. One tradition of
Southern Gothic literature is to subvert traditional stereotypes of the
antebellum period. The element of hypocrisy plays a huge role in these
characters. I also have an interest in exploring gender issues, though
subtly, in much of my work. The first bottle is the "promiscuous belle"
wielding her deadly charms on her suitors, the second bottle is the
"mourning belle" with all the skeletons of the past emerging from under
her dress, and the last bottle is the "homemaker", who tries to contain
and control appearances on the estate as if it were a doll house.
"Poor Thing" depicts a forest populated by a trio of characters
representing thwarted desires, draped with kudzu. A bloated cupid draws
back his bow, perhaps in an effort to protect the angel from a hound
that has become a hunter. Meanwhile, the oak trees are weeping while
witnessing this sad romance, redolent of the heat and humidity of the
South.
The "gut bucket" blues became the inspiration for the "Didley Bow"
series. I always liked the idea that music could be cobbled together
from the simplest of materials, so the characters are all connected to
something elemental, if not being elemental themselves. Being somewhat
of an amateur musician, I used colors that were evocative of the music,
acidic yellows and reds, in addition to bruised purples in the line
work.
These wines are finally
available at $39.95 per bottle, and you can purchase them by contacting
the Grateful Palate's retail manager, Tim Coles, at 707.673-9339, or by
email, tcoles@gratefulpalate.com