Album Cover: Rihanna - Good Girl Gone Bad

Album Cover 

Album: Rihanna - Good Girl Gone Bad

Released: May 31, 2007

Photography: Roberto D'Este

Art Direction & Design: J. Peter Robinson

Model: Rihanna

Pro Hart

Art Appreciation

Kevin Charles "Pro" Hart was born on May 30, 1928 in Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia. He was a renowned Australian artist, best known for his iconic paintings and sculptures that captured the essence of rural life, and is considered the father of the Australian Outback painting movement. 

Hart's interest in art was evident from a young age, although he received no formal art training. While working as a miner, he continued to pursue his artistic passion in his spare time. Many of his paintings, during this time, referenced mining.  

It wasn't until the late 1960s when he began to achieve widespread recognition as an artist, with his paintings and sculptures appearing in exhibitions throughout Australia.  

He's also known for his novel art techniques. One of those techniques was "cannon painting," where he filled Christmas balls with paint and fired them from a hand-held cannon onto canvas. Another technique had Hart drop lead pellets with paint from a hot air balloon onto a board on the ground. A unique way to avoid forgery of his work, Hart incorporated his DNA in paintings. 

In addition to his artistic work, Hart was also a passionate advocate for the Outback and the people who live there. He believed that the Outback was a vital part of Australia's cultural heritage, and he worked tirelessly to promote its preservation and conservation. 

Land Rights

The Opening of the Opera House

Swagman with Sheep

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.wentworthgalleries.com.au/pro-hart

https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/pro-hart-1928-2006-27-c-iwpijn3ese

https://learnantiques.com.au/pro-hart-father-of-the-australian-outback-art/

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2006-03-28/pro-hart-remembered/1718138

https://www.prohart.com.au/2016/01/15/the-pro-hart-gallery-a-different-form-of-biography/

Texas Legislators End Session Targeting Transgenders Rather Than Important Issues

Pardon the Interruption

Texas has been governed by Republicans on all levels of government for the past two decades -- Representative Pete Laney was the last Democrat to hold Speaker of the House in 2003. Since then, laws and policies have been written with conservative ideologies.

As a Texan, I align myself to libertarian ideas of limited government, economic liberty, and individual rights. However, the recent blatant attack on transgender individuals by the state's leadership and makes me question as to whether our state needs change.

Rather than prioritizing crucial matters such as common-sense gun control and other important issues, the conservative state legislature yet again focused on transgenders and limiting their rights.  

The legislature passed, SB 14, restricting transgender access to health care, which not only affects those under the age of 18, but also affects adults. Case in point, my transgender daughter, who is an adult, received a call from her provider indicating they were no longer providing gender-affirming care. This followed the state's Attorney General Ken Paxton initiating an investigation to one of Texas' largest hospitals. 

So now, my daughter will have to seek gender-affirming care elsewhere, pay out of pocket, perhaps shop the black market for unregulated hormone replacement therapy. This is absolutely concerning to her mother and me.

What's disheartening is that May 24th was the 1-year anniversary of the tragic event that occurred in Uvalde, Texas, where a gunman shot and killed 19 elementary students and two teachers with an AR rifle purchased on his 18th birthday. Rather than debate the issue, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, prevented any discussion of gun control brought up by the senator from Uvalde. Watch this video of Senator Gutierrez' passionate speech after he was silenced for suggesting an amendment on gun control.

Strategically, following the tragedy, Governor Greg Abbott made sure to remove all blame from himself and the leadership and placed any future tragedies on the school itself. In other words, the reason this issue is not being addressed is because the leadership is gambling on our kids lives. If it happens again, god-forbid, they are not to blame. 

The Texas Legislature should have prioritized a balanced agenda that respects the rights of all individuals and promotes the principles of liberty, individual responsibility, and limited government interference.

 

Scott Stantis (Dallas Morning News)

Dance: RIVER - Tula

Choreographer: Marie Bugnon

Dancers : Julie Diaz, Jeremy Marquet, Julie Nouaille, Juliette Riffé, Laura Valles, Lola Perez, Sarah Beattie

via Marie Bugnon

Cosplay is an Art: STAR WARS CELEBRATION 2023

via MaxCorp Entertainment 

Dorothea Lange

Photography Appreciation

Born in Hoboken, New Jersey, on May 26, 1895, Dorothea Lange was a prominent American photographer, photojournalist, and documentary photographer known for her powerful images that captured the human condition during the Great Depression and World War II. 

At a young age, Dorothea was fascinated by the variety of people she saw while wondering the streets of New York, a trait she would use as a documentary photographer. After graduating from high school, she began her study of photography at Columbia University under Clarence H. White. She would later get apprenticeships with several New York photography studies, including that of Arnold Genthe. 

Dorothea settled in San Francisco after her plans to travel the world was disrupted, in 1918. She found a job in a photographic supply shot and became acquainted with other photographers.

Her early studio work mostly involved shooting portrait photographs of San Francisco's social elite. She shifted her interest to documentary photography in the 1930s. Dorothea began to photograph the lives of farmers and migrant workers affected by the economic crisis. 

During the Great Depression, millions of people in the United States were jobless. Some 300,000 people migrated west to California, hoping to find work. Unfortunately, work was hard to find in California.

Dorothea captured the attention of local photographers and media for her documentary photography of the unemployed, poverty, and homeless. This led her to be employed with the Farm Security Administration. 

One of Dorothea's most recognized photograph is Migrant Mother, which became an iconic symbol of the Great Depression. As she would later write about the photograph in Popular Photography, "I saw and approached the hungry and desperate mother [Florence Owens Thompson], as if drawn by a magnet. I do not remember how I explained my presence or my camera to her, but I do remember she asked me no questions... She told me her age, that she was thirty-two. She said that they had been living on frozen vegetables from the surrounding fields, and birds that the children killed. She had just sold the tires from her car to buy food. There she sat in the lean-to tent with her children huddled around her, and seemed to know that my pictures might help her, and so she helped me. There was a sort of equality about it." 

In 1941, Dorothea was awarded a prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship for achievement in photography; however, she gave up the fellowship to go on assignment for the War Relocation Authority to document the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. One permanent internment camp she documented was Manzanar, where more than 120,000 Japanese Americans were incarcerated. Many of her photographs were seized by the military, and weren't released until 2006.

Dorothea's photographs were not only important for their historical value, but also for their artistic merit. She had a keen eye for composition and was able to capture the humanity of her subjects in a way that was both intimate and universal.

In 1984, she was inducted into the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum. 

Migrant Mother, Nipomo, California (1936)

White Angel Breadline (1933)

April 20, 1942

Sources: 

Wikipedia

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Dorothea-Lange

https://anchoreditions.com/blog/dorothea-lange-censored-photographs

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Fancy Feet

When I was a teenager, I worked in shoe sales. Back then, I was very green in life experience, but I knew when I was being hit on. Mostly cougars, 20 years older, would flirt with me. 

There was one lady, a regular customer, in particular, who asked me to pull off her boots. As I obliged, she gave me a sly grin. 

In hindsight, I should have been bold and flirted back. I could have probably had a very different story to share.

Doug Sneyd, PLAYBOY 

Harold Budd

Music Appreciation

Born on May 24, 1936 in Los Angeles, California, Harold Budd was an American composer and poet, recognized for creating ambient soundscapes.

Budd developed a fascination with music at a young age. Growing up in a touch neighborhood, he found refuge playing in bars and jazz clubs in South Central Los Angeles. He even joined the regimental band where he played drums at Presidio of Monterey (POM), when drafted into the army.

He later enrolled in an architecture course at Los Angeles City College, then switched to a course in harmony and renaissance counterpoint. This path would lead him to a career as a composer. 

Budd studied music at California State University, Northridge. He graduated from CSUN, and then went on full scholarship to the University of Southern California. After completing his education, Budd began his career as a composer, working in a variety of genres including jazz, rock, and experimental music. 

Budd's breakthrough came in 1978 with the release of his first solo album, "The Pavilion of Dreams." The album was a collaboration with the British ambient musician Brian Eno and showcased Budd's unique approach to ambient music. The album was widely acclaimed and set the stage for Budd's subsequent career.

Over the next few decades, Budd continued to release a string of critically acclaimed albums, including "The Plateaux of Mirror," "The Pearl," and "Lovely Thunder." His music was often characterized by its dreamlike quality, with ethereal textures and subtle melodies creating a sense of otherworldliness.

In addition to his work as a composer, Budd was also a prolific poet, publishing several collections of poetry over the course of his career. His poetry was often as minimalist as his music, with sparse, evocative language creating vivid imagery.

Budd passed away after suffering a stroke and from complications of COVID-19 on December 8, 2020.

Sources:

Wikipedia

Cyber Dating in the 90s

The 90's were a transformative decade for internet and technology. As more of us plugged our modem, new opportunities for communication and connection to individuals from across the world became possible. One of the most notable developments of my time was cyber dating. 

Imagine typing and typing and typing just to woo a potential mate you had zero chance of meeting. Sending pictures was a task. First you had to take a photo. Take the 35mm film to get processed and printed, which would take a few days. Then scan the photo onto the computer. You were lucky if you had a scanner because those things cost a lot. Then you had to hope you had enough memory bites left on your AOL or Prodigy account to send the file by electronic email. 

Yes. Cyber dating was a bitch.

Keith Robinson (PLAYBOY), November 1994

Body Art: Johannes Stötter - Master of the Unseen

via World of Bodypainting 

Dance: Dylan Conrique - Birthday Cake

Choreographer: Brooke Marron 

Dancers: Brooke Marron, Lizzy Russ, Jasmine Mason, Kyleen Likas, and Smac McCreanor

via Dylan Conrique

Cosplay is an Art: Fan Expo Cleveland 2023

via Kodachi 

Fashion is DEFINITELY Art: Valentino - Fall Winter 2023

Creative Director: Pierpaolo Piccioli 

via FF Channel

Gertrude Käsebier

Photography Appreciation

Born on May 18, 1852 in Fort Des Moines (now Des Moines, Iowa), Gertrude Käsebier was an American photographer known for portraits of Native Americans, and images of motherhood. She is considered a pioneer as an influential photographer who redefined the possibilities of portraiture and help shape the direction of modern photography. 

From a young age, Gertrude had a fascination towards pictures. As written by Lori Oden for International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum, she mentioned how her mother wished Gertrude would take up piano but saw no avail, "she would often see Gertrude on one knee on the floor viewing the painting through her small hands, telescope-like, talking to herself meanwhile, asking herself if it would ever be possible for her to make such a picture... Gertrude would even attempt to draw with water that had been spilled on the floor."

It wasn't until 1874 when she met Eduard Käsebier, an importer from an aristocratic German family, when she was able to pursue her career in the arts. Originally, she wanted to be a portrait painter and enrolled in the Pratt Institute from 1889 to 1893. By 1894, Käsebier was heavily involved with photography in addition to her painting and drawing.

Beverly W. Brannan, a curator described that Gertrude wanted to be associated with fine art and the upper class, but enjoyed the relatively déclassé technical art of photography. She points out that Gertrude wanted to make a living, something that received criticism, especially from fine arts photographer Alfred Stieglitz for "sacrificing art to commerce." 

From about 1898 until 1912, Gertrude, like Stieglitz, embraced the principals of the Pictorialist movement, which aimed to elevate photography to the level of fine art. Although Stieglitz praised Gertrude for her portrait photography, he made it clear to "draw a distinct line between artistic pictures and every other form of photography." 

As a female photographer in a predominantly male-dominated field, Gertrude faced numerous challenges and obstacles throughout her career. However, she never allowed societal expectations to limit her creative expression. Her legacy as an artist and educator lives on through the profound influence she had on those she taught and inspired.

Chief Iron Tall, 1898

The Picture Book, 1899

Miss N (Portrait of Evelyn Nesbit), 1903

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://iphf.org/inductees/gertrude-kasebier/

https://www.museoreinasofia.es/en/collection/artwork/picture-book

https://www.loc.gov/rr/print/coll/womphotoj/kasebieressay.html

A bad time to have "Old Milwaukee" theme in the head

 

Buck Brown, PLAYBOY (August 1994)

Travel + Leisure: Caroline

If you have time to look through some amazing nature photography, check out Caroline Foster's Instagram (@wilderness_addict). 

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A post shared by Travel + Leisure (@travelandleisure)

 

Prince - Raspberry Beret

Music Appreciation

As if directed by Prince over the radio, I eagerly waited for the ready queue after his countdown "one, two, one, two, three, four," to sing along "I was working part time in a five-and-dime..." This is a memory of mine driving with my mom in her red Toyota Corolla listening to Raspberry Beret.

Released on May 15, 1985, Raspberry Beret was a single by Prince and The Revolution from the seventh studio album Around the World in a Day. It stands as one of Prince's most beloved and iconic songs, that has an infectious melody, clever lyrics, and unforgettable hook. 

The song, which was originally recorded in 1982, was re-recorded to include a more international sound, incorporating stringed instruments, Middle Eastern finger cymbals, and a harmonica. The song is a whimsical tale of young love and summer romance. The lyrics transport us to a small town where the protagonist encounters a girl who captures his heart with her vibrant personality and unique choice of headwear. Supposedly, the song was inspired by a deleted scene from Purple Rain where The Kid and Apollonia made love in a barn. 

"Raspberry Beret" remains one of Prince's most enduring and beloved songs. Its catchy melody, clever lyrics, and vibrant energy continue to resonate with audiences of all generations. The music video, with its imaginative visuals and captivating storytelling, further enhances the song's impact and legacy.

via Prince

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raspberry_Beret

Dance: Michael Jackson - Dirty Diana

Choreography: Michael Dameski

Dancers: Jade Chynoweth, Jasmine Mason, Ashley Gonzalez, Koko Iwasaki, Jessica Toatoa, Haley Jonae, Renee Ritchie, Macy Swaim, and Jazz Smith  

via Michael Dameski

Cosplay is an Art: Katsucon 2023

via ModernAnimator 

Fashion is DEFINITELY Art: Louis Vuitton Pre-Fall 2023

Creative Director: Nicolas Ghesquière

via Louis Vuitton

Laetitia Casta

Acting Appreciation 

Born on May 11, 1978, French supermodel, actress, and singer Laeticia Casta was discovered at age 15 by photographer Frederic Cresseaux in Corsica. She quickly became one of the most sought-after models in the fashion industry. 

The 5'7" Laeticia became a Guess? Girl, in 1997, and eventually was chosen as a Victoria's Secret Angel, a title given to the elite group of models, a few years later.  

Since 1998, Laeticia has been the spokesperson for cosmetics company L'Oréal. She has been featured on over 100 popular magazine covers from Rolling Stone, Elle, Cosmopolitan, Sports Illustrated (Swimsuit Issue), more. And she has walked the runways for some of the world's top designers such as Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, and Louis Vuitton.  

In 1999, she made her acting debut in the French film Astérix et Obélix contre César. She would then appear in Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life where she played French model Brigitte Anne-Marie Bardot. 

Laetitia is also known for her philanthropy and activism. She was appointed as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for children's charity, and has been involved in campaigns for environmental protection and animal rights.

by Studio Harcourt

by Dah Leon for Guess? (1997)

by Patrick Demarchelier

by Albert Watson

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.vogue.fr/fashion/galerie/laetitia-castas-fashion-evolution

https://www.boobpedia.com/boobs/Laetitia_Casta

https://pleasurephotoroom.wordpress.com/2015/01/30/laetitia-casta-2005/

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Fred Astaire

Acting Appreciation

You've probably heard the name "Fred Astaire" sometime in your life. It's reported that Tom Holland will be playing Fred Astaire in an upcoming biopic. 

Born on May 10, 1899 in Omaha, Nebraska, Fred Astaire is a legendary figure in the world of entertainment, best known for his dazzling footwork, effortless grace, and extraordinary talent as a dancer, singer, and actor. Astaire's career in stage, film and television spanned 76 years. 

Astaire started alongside his older sister Adele as vaudevillians. Their first act was called Juvenile Artists Presenting an Electric Musical Toe-Dancing Novelty. Soon after, the duo became a sensation, and over the next decade, they traveled the world performing in theaters and music halls across Europe and America. 

The family decided to take a two-year hiatus from show business around the time Fred's older sister's height became more obvious and to avoid trouble from child labor laws of the time. 

In 1912, the siblings resumed their performances incorporating tap dancing, tango, waltz, and other ballroom dances. They became known for their impeccable timing, sophisticated choreography, and effortless elegance.

By the age of 14, Fred was taking on a musical interest and incorporating his new music and dance ideas. During the 1920s, Fred and Adele appeared on Broadway and the London stage and received high praise.

Despite the siblings' success, Astaire got a chance to pursue a solo career in 1932 when he signed with RKO Pictures. Around that time, he married Phyliss Potter, a Boston-born New York socialite, and Adele married Lord Charles Cavendish. 

Fred went on to achieve success on his own on Broadway and in London with Gay Divorce. His debut film was a musical called Dancing Lady, which played a choreographer who falls in love with a struggling actress played by Joan Crawford. He would then star in a string of successful musicals, including Flying Down to Rio, The Gay Divorcee, and Top Hat, which featured some of his most iconic dance sequences. 

Astaire's dancing was a thing of beauty, and his style was characterized by its lightness, fluidity, and grace. His choreography was precise and complex, yet appeared effortless, and with an uncanny ability to make even the most difficult steps appear easy.

Astaire appeared in dozens of films and television shows, and worked with some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry, including Ginger Rogers, Judy Garland, and Audrey Hepburn. He received numerous awards and accolades, including an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1936 for The Way You Look Tonight from the film Swing Time. 

He performed well into his 70s, and remained a beloved figure in the world of entertainment. He will be remembered for his extraordinary talent as a dancer, singer, and actor. 

via MsMojo

Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers via PepsiPrime

Fred Astaire & Rita Hayworth via SophyaAgain

Sources:

Wikipedia

Online Porn Can't Wait Until Tomorrow

The internet made porn more accessible -- unfortunately, a little too accessible. Sometimes to the point where your everyday activities are diminished because of porn. 

It's hard to set aside time to a hobby that can consume one's energy. If not careful, one can lose a whole day.

What's worse is online porn, if not controlled, can affect relationships with spouses, significant others, friends, and family. 

Whereas online porn can provide new ideas to try in the bedroom, a little too much porn can become emotionally numbing in real sexual intercourse.

I type this acknowledging that I do enjoy porn. I've been enjoying it since I was a teenager. At times, I did find myself consumed by internet porn to the point where I had to disconnect cold turkey to reset. 

If you find yourself in this circumstance, it is okay to say "I have a problem." Disconnect. Reset. If you need to, get professional help. It's okay. 

Rip Matteson, PLAYBOY (November 1995)

René Maltête

Photography Appreciation

French photographer René Maltête was born on May 8, 1930 in Lamballe, Brittany. He is known for his humorous and poetic photographs that capture the charm and absurdity of everyday life.

Maltête started taking pictures with a Pontiac Bakélite, a 6x9 folding camera, at the age of 16. He began his career as a photographer in the 1950s with a Semflex 6×6 TLR. 

His work quickly gained recognition for its unique and playful style. He was particularly interested in capturing the fleeting moments of everyday life and his photographs often feature unexpected juxtapositions and visual puns. 

Maltête's black and white photography often provided a sense of humor and irony that has a feel of timeless quality. His work has been exhibited in numerous galleries and museums throughout France and Europe.  

René Maltête passed away on November 8, 2000.

Bébé

Danger

Parc

Attention, travaux ! (1960)

Sources:

Wikipedia

http://rene.maltete.com

https://www.boredpanda.com/french-street-photography-rene-maltete/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic

Dance: Jacquelyne Boe - Birthright

Choreography: Jacquelyne Boe

Original Music: Jeremy Nuncio 

Dancers: Siri Ell, Laura Gutierrez, Kendall Kramer, Sarah Lyman and Alonzo Moore

Kaplan Theatre, Houston, TX, January 28, 2017

via Jacquelyne Boe

Cosplay is an Art: WonderCon 2023

via Flannel Ninja 

Charis Wilson

Art Appreciation

Born in San Francisco, California on May 5, 1914, Helen Charis Wilson was an American model and writer, best known as a subject of Edward Weston's photography.

At a very young age, Charis developed a reputation at school as being free-thinker, which led her to being expelled in the eighth grade. She eventually returned to finish high school. At that time, she met two famous art collectors, Louise and Walter Conrad Arensberg. It is said Arensberg instilled in Charis an appreciation of art. 

Her upbringing was challenging. Without the moral support from her father, she dealt with discouragement. She dropped out of secretarial school and then went through despair, which included deciding to abort a pregnancy. 

Wilson first met Weston in 1934. Weston wrote, "this tall, beautiful girl, with fine proportioned body, intelligent face, well-freckled, blue eyes, golden brown hair to shoulders -- and had to meet." The two formed a close relationship professionally and personally. 

Over the next several years, she posed for many of Weston's most iconic photographs, including his series of nudes and landscapes. Her striking beauty and natural grace made her the perfect muse for Weston's work, and the two worked together until 1948.

by Edward Weston (1934)

by Edward Weston (1936)

by Edward Weston (1936)

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.anothermag.com/art-photography/10115/the-edward-weston-nude-that-took-photography-to-new-heights

https://www.kimweston.com/edward-weston-charis-wilson-and-carmel

https://risdmuseum.org/art-design/collection/nude-711172

May the 4th Be With You

 

Travel + Leisure: Emmett Sparling

This is a great photo of Udaipur, India taken by Canadian photographer Emmett Sparling (@emmett_sparling)

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Kenny Loggins - Danger Zone

Music Appreciation

"Danger Zone" is a popular power ballad performed by American singer-songwriter Kenny Loggins released in May 1986. 

The music was composed by Giorgio Moroder and lyrics written by Tom Whitlock. Kenny Loggins was selected after it bounced around other singers and bands like Toto, Bryan Adams, REO Speedwagon, Corey Hart, and Starship. 

The song became Loggins' most recognizable hits, with its memorable guitar riffs and soaring chorus. 

The music video, which was released around the same time to promote the single, was directed by Tony Scott and featured footage from Top Gun with intercut shots of Loggins performing the song in a recording studio. 

via Kenny Loggins

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.songfacts.com/facts/kenny-loggins/danger-zone

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NSYNC - It's Gonna Be Me (It's Gonna Be May)

Music Appreciation

A few years ago, I noticed the local radio station playing NSYNC's It's Gonna Be Me on May 1st. At first, I didn't think much of it until memes of Justin Timberlake with the caption "It's Gonna Be May" started popping up leading to the month of May. 

It would have been funnier had the song been released in May; however, It's Gonna Be Me was released on June 12, 2000 and it's the second song in NSYNC's second studio album No Strings Attached.

The song was written by Andreas Carlsson, Max Martin, and Rami Yacoub. The lyrics describe a man who is determined to win over his lover's heart, promising to be there for her no matter what.

It debuted on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 42, where it eventually peaked at number one for two consecutive weeks. It quickly became a fan favorite and earned the group a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

The music video was directed by Wayne Isham, who is best known for popular music videos such as Bon Jovi's Livin' on a Prayer, Motley Crue's Girls, Girls, Girls, Metallica's Enter Sandman and so many more. The music video production was complex featuring the group portraying dolls that come to life performing intricate dance routines throughout the store. 

With that... Happy "It's Gonna Be May" Day.

Source:

Wikipedia