Henry David Thoreau dropped the gauntlet with Walden in 1854, and it is more relevant than ever.
To Live Deliberately is our illustrated edition of Thoreau's most well known essay, Where I Lived and What I Lived For. Accompanied by 30 illustrations, the essay challenges the trappings of modern living and embraces an ascetic rejection of the material and the trivial in exchange for a reconnection with nature as a path toward self discovery.
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 find art prints, books, notebooks, calendars, and paper goods for thoughtful living and inspired gifting.
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.
Introducing a series of 18x24 museum style posters designed in the traditional exhibition style. Each large format art print commemorates iconic authors, beloved books, and poignant quotations, offering a bold and timeless keepsake for literature and design enthusiasts.
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.
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.
Obvious State Illustrated Classicsis an evolving series of visually reimagined beloved works. The pocket-sized editions feature the selected works of celebrated authors such as T. S. Eliot, Edgar Allan Poe, Walt Whitman, Sara Teasdale, Henry David Thoreau, Robert Frost, Emily Dickinson, John Keats and Pablo Neruda. Each edition is illustrated by Obvious State Co-founder, Evan Robertson.
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!
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!
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.
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!
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.
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...
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...
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:...
