SAVE 15% ON YOUR FIRST ORDER || 3 FOR 2 PRINTS
SAVE 15% ON YOUR FIRST ORDER || 3 FOR 2 PRINTS
Skip to content
❤️

On Love

Need a smart romantic gift? This elegantly illustrated collection celebrates the most essential of human emotions through an exquisite selection of timeless poems, literary excerpts, and quotations.

The original illustrations and bold typography bring to life the words of great writers, exploring themes of desire, selflessness, grace, and sacrifice.

LEARN MORE
"WITTY & ELEGANT"

- Los Angeles Times 

"Clever, Exquisitely Inked"

- My Modern Met 

"VISUAL PUNS"

- Flavorwire 

"GORGEOUS LITERARY ART"

- Book Riot

In Pursuit of Wisdom & Beauty

Our original artwork is inspired by beautiful language that has stood the test of time, witty insights that strike a chord, poetry that stretches the imagination, and philosophy that prompts critical thinking.

Here in our shop, you’ll discover art prints, books, and notebooks for thoughtful living and gifting.

VIEW ART PRINTS
LATEST BOOK

Marcus Aurelius

This modern pocket-edition of “The Meditations” by Marcus Aurelius combines theme-oriented organization, careful abridgment and beautiful illustration to create a refreshing and illuminating introduction to the wisdom of Stoicism.

LEARN MORE
PROJECT

Women Writers

From Sappho’s ancient call-to-action, "become a voice," to Virginia Woolf’s call for intellectual freedom in A Room of One's Own, these foundational writers had a remarkable impact on future generations. 

LEARN MORE
MOST ABSURD

Shakespeare's silliest lines, seriously considered.

The Bard wrote many a sublime line, but our focus for the Most Absurd project is on the ludicrous stage directions, cheeky insults, and laugh-out-loud observations that highlight Shakespeare's lighter side. 

If you like optical illusions, visual puns, inside jokes, random bears, cats in too-small boxes, rogue pirates, and Scotland represented as an egg yolk, this is for you.

LEARN MORE
CLIENT WORK

Publishing Collaborations

From custom book covers to postcard sets, game packaging to custom prints, here's a brief overview of some of our projects with publishing clients.

VIEW PUBLISHING PROJECTS

"Absolutely gorgeous. The quality is incredible, the art looks even better in person, and I loved the attention to using recycled materials. " - JB

View Notebooks

This order was such a thrill! There were extras included with my first purchase (several high quality postcards and a lovely note). This will not be my last order. I’m thrilled with this purchase!

Marquel

Another great Shakespeare print from Obvious State and another perfect gift for my daughter who teaches drama and appreciates the power of the arts to elevate the spirit. Thank you!

robingonring

These are such beautiful postcards and the paper quality is also solid. The only downside is that these are so pretty I am afraid I'll keep them all instead of mailing them. I'll definitely be ordering more postcards.

manasavi

This business goes above and beyond my expectations and I love receiving my packages from them! They included a gift this time with beautiful postcards including some of my fave authors quotes that I will be framing! Always packaged with care and thoughtfulness, I will continue to order from them often!

Amy

The prints look so elegant, it was difficult to choose only three among the selection on the site. We are trying to make our flat look more like home, and these prints add a very nice touch with their original design. 

Chiara Thiel
Free US shipping

Fast, free continental shipping on orders over $60. Hassle free returns.

Global Delivery

We ship internationally via USPS. Packages arrive in about 2-3 weeks. 

QUESTIONS?

Email us at hello@obviousstate.com

Recent Blog Posts

  • The Leaf-Man Cometh
    September 4, 2024 Evan Robertson

    The Leaf-Man Cometh

    Mists, mellowness & our annual calendar pre-sale! "Season of mists and mellow fruitfullness, Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;” - John Keats, To Autumn We’re officially in the zone between Autumn meteorologically, which begins September 1st, and astronomically which kicks off...

    Read now
  • Six Surprises, Just for Subscribers
    August 26, 2024 Evan Robertson

    Six Surprises, Just for Subscribers

    It's that time again! Our quarterly mystery pack. WHAT’S IN IT?Six Obvious State goods in a subscriber-only mystery pack. Each item is an original Obvious State good, and makes a great gift for you and/or your friends. The mystery pack...

    Read now
  • What's in a Quote?
    August 1, 2024 Evan Robertson

    What's in a Quote?

    Would a quotation by any other design smell as sweet? "She was becoming herself, casting aside that fictitious self which we assume like a garment.” - Kate Chopin, The Awakening Hey all! I’m excited to share a new format with you:...

    Read now
See more posts