Cosplay is an Art: Fan Expo Chicago 2023

 via Chris Gallevo

Fashion is DEFINITELY Art: Tony Ward Haute Couture Fall/Winder 2023/24

Designer: Tony Ward

via Fashion Feed 

Travel + Leisure: Old Hotel Belvédère by Ryan Ditch (@ryanditchphoto)

 

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T.C. Cannon

Art Appreciation

Born on September 27, 1946, in Lawton, Oklahoma, Tommy Wayne Cannon was a trailblazing Native American artist whose exceptional and forward-thinking work made an enduring impression on the contemporary art scene.

A member of the Kiowa Tribe and Caddo Nation, Cannon drew inspiration from the artistic legacy of the Kiowa Six, a group of Native American painters who significantly contributed to the development of the Southern Plains Flatstyle of painting. In 1964, Cannon enrolled at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, immersing himself in a diverse range of artistic influences and styles, further perfecting his skills. Post-IAIA, he pursued studies at the San Francisco Art Institute but put his artistic pursuits on hold to serve in the army.

During his service in Vietnam, Cannon's perspective was profoundly influenced by his experiences and the countercultural movements of the 1960s. His artwork often vividly portrayed daily life, the haunting realities of war, spiritual themes, and the myriad challenges faced by Native Americans in a rapidly changing world. 

Following military service, Cannon collaborated with fellow artist Fritz Scholder (Luiseño) in a notable two-man exhibition at the Smithsonian Institute's National Collection of Fine Arts, titled "Two American Painters."

Sadly, Cannon's journey was cut short when he was involved in a fatal car accident on May 8, 1978. Despite his short life, his influence on the art world remains deep and transformative. He played a crucial role in elevating Native American art to the mainstream and challenging stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding Native American culture. 

Self-portrait (1975)

His Hair Flows Like a River (1973-1977)

Rain Priest (1973)

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.pem.org/exhibitions/t-c-cannon-at-the-edge-of-america

https://gilcrease.org/exhibitions/cannon/

Finding Mr. Right During Cuffing Season

P.S.A. Cuffing season has begun. This is a period of time when single people look for short term relationship to help get through the colder months. 

Joseph Farris, PLAYBOY (August 1994)

 

Body Art: Yeska - Zulema Gómez

Artist: Yeska (https://www.facebook.com/yeskaartistaplastico)

Model: Zulema Gómez 

via Puebla en Moviemiento

Dance: Kendrick Lamar - United in Grief

Choreography:  Paris Cavanagh 

Dancer: Mia Van Haarlem

via Paris Cavanagh

First Day of Fall

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Maps

Music Appreciation

One of the best memories I have is playing with my kid Rock Band on PlayStation 2. The song we would jam to was Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Maps. She on the drums and I on the guitar singing, "Wait, they don't love you like I love you."

Released on September 22, 2003, American indie rock band Yeah Yeah Yeahs, released Maps as the lead single from their debut album "Fever to Tell." Written by the band's lead vocalist Karen O, the song expresses a feeling of longing for a lost love. 

The music video, which was directed by well-known director Patrick Daughters, features the band playing in a cafetorium. Guitarist Nick Zinner and drummer Brian Chase start with the song's signature guitar and drum riff. Karen O. holding the mic starts, "Pack up. I'm straight. Enough..." The song increases in intensity of emotion.

via yeahyeahyeahsmusic

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://imvdb.com/n/patrick-daughters

Hans Hartung

Art Appreciation 

Born in Leipzig, Germany, on September 21, 1904, Hans Hartung was a German-French painter acclaimed worldwide for pioneering the gestural abstract style known as art informel. 

From a young age, Hartung admired the works of Rembrandt, Lovis Corinth, Oskar Kokoschka, and Emil Nolde. He began experimenting with abstract painting at the age of 17. Later, in 1924, he pursued studies in philosophy and art history at Leipzig University before enrolling in the Fine Arts Academy of Dresden, where he meticulously studied and replicated paintings of renowned masters. 

In his early twenties, Hartung relocated to Paris, where he delved deeply into the principles of harmony and proportion, including the golden ratio. At 25, he married the Norwegian abstract expressionist artist Anna-Eva Bergman. 

In the 1930s, the Nazi regime in Germany condemned Hartung's work as degenerate due to its association with Cubism. During a visit to Berlin to sell his paintings, he narrowly escaped arrest and fled the country. 

Upon returning to Paris, Hartung experienced a turbulent period, culminating in a divorce from Anna-Eva, which plunged him into depression. His art evolved into a more abstract form that struggled to find buyers. A turning point came when the sculptor Julio González generously offered Hartung his studio, reigniting his artistic journey. Eventually, Hartung married González's daughter, Roberta, in 1939. 

During World War II, Hartung joined the French Foreign Legion and suffered severe injuries, resulting in the amputation of a leg. After the war, he was granted French citizenship and honored with a military medal. 

 In 1947, Hartung held his inaugural solo exhibition, showcasing his distinctive gestural paintings characterized by suspended areas of color and sweeping calligraphic brushstrokes, solidifying his reputation in the art world.

P20-1984-H9 (1984)

T1964-H47 (1964)

T1985-E9 (1985)

Untitled (1939)

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.hans-hartung.com

https://www.artnet.com/artists/hans-hartung/

https://www.perrotin.com/artists/Hans_Hartung/308#biography

https://www.simonleegallery.com/artists/hans-hartung/

https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803095923283

Joke: Lonely Minnesotans

Sick of the city, Sam quits his job and moves to Minnesota, as far from humanity as possible. He sees the postman once a week and gets groceries one a month. After six months of isolation, someone knocks on his door. A huge bearded man is standing on his porch. 

"Name's Lars,''the man says, "from down the road. Having a party Saturday. Wanna come?"

"Definitely," says Sam. "After six months out here, I'm ready to meet some people."

"Gotta warn you," says Lars, "there's gonna be some drinkin'."

"No problem: I can drink with the best of them," says Sam.

"More 'n likely gonna be some fightin', too."

"Well, I like people," Sam says. "I'll be there."

Lars stars to walk away, then turns back. "I see some wild sex at these parties, too."

"Not a problem," says Sam. "I've been alone for six months! Just one question, though: What should I wear?"

"Whatever you want -- just gonna be the two of us."

- David Priest, USAF 

https://hotpot.ai/art-generator

Source: 

Maxim Magazine, OCTOBER 1998 #12 issue

OUT North Texas: Metro Rail Tracks by Antonio Bonner (@antoniobonnerphotography)

Source: OUT North Texas, 2022

Yoga: Boho Beautiful Yoga - Morning Yoga Workout

via Boho Beautiful Yoga

Dance: Billie Eilish - Ocean Eyes

Choreography: MIA

via GNI Dance Company[지니댄스학원 컴퍼니]

Cosplay is an Art: Colossalcon 2023, Sandusky, Ohio

via ModernAnimator

Barenaked Ladies - One Week

Music Appreciation

Barenaked Ladies, the Canadian alternative rock band, released their hit single One Week on September 19, 1998. The song, notable for its catchy tune and pop culture references, reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained there, coincidentally, for one week.  

The music video was directed by Jesse Dylan, the song of legendary musician Bob Dylan, and features the band performing the song in a bright-lit room, with the band members partaking in humorous scenes.

The video's fast-paced editing style perfectly matches the frenzied tempo of the song, with quick cuts and transitions that keep the viewer engaged. The camera work is also impressive, with several long takes that showcase the band's energetic performance.

via Barenaked Ladies (Official)

Terence Donovan

Photography Appreciation

Terence Daniel Donovan, born on September 14, 1936, in Stepney, London, made his mark as a celebrated fashion photographer renowned for encapsulating the true essence of his subjects. His photographic legacy remains an enduring source of inspiration, leaving an indelible influence on successive generations of photographers and creatives.

Donovan developed an interest in art and photography from a young age and studied at the London County Council School of Photoengraving and Lithography. 

Growing up amidst the transformative aftermath of World War II, Donovan ingeniously incorporated the scarred industrial landscapes into much of his fashion photography, thus establishing a trend followed by photographers.

The 1960s marked Donovan's breakthrough, a period characterized by profound societal shifts and artistic exploration. Alongside contemporaries David Bailey and Brian Duffy, he formed the iconic "Black Trinity," a group that would redefine fashion photography and play a pivotal role in shaping the vibrant scene of Swinging London during that era.

Throughout the 1970s, Donovan's lens graced the pages of various fashion magazines, and his creative talents extended to directing TV commercials and even the feature film "Yellow Dog."

Further demonstrating his versatility, Donovan directed two iconic music videos for pop sensation Robert Palmer's chart-topping hits, "Addicted to Love" and "Simply Irresistible." These videos featured models in identical attire, characterized by pale faces, dramatic eye makeup, and vivid red lipstick—an aesthetic reminiscent of Patrick Nagel's distinctive artwork.

At the heart of Terence Donovan's signature style lies a candid and authentic approach. His innate ability to capture the natural beauty of his subjects remains his defining trait, leaving a mark on the world of photography. 

Naomi Campbell, Elle, September 1989

Elvis Costello, 1985

Twiggy, Woman's Mirror, August 27, 1966

Diana, Princess of Wales, 1990

Cindy Crawford, 1988

Sources: 

Wikipedia

https://www.discogs.com

https://loeildelaphotographie.com/en/terence-donovan-portraits/

https://www.terencedonovan.co.uk/

http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/news-features/TMG9636166/The-fashion-photographs-of-Terence-Donovan.html

https://www.phillips.com/detail/terence-donovan/UK040212/22

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6696854/?ref_=nm_knf_c_4

https://mydadsalbums.wordpress.com/2014/12/07/simply-irresistible/ 

The Paul Family Quilt

While perusing the pages of Smithsonian Magazine (vol. 52, no. 06), I stumbled upon an article showcasing a remarkable quilt crafted by Catherine Paul between 1830 and 1835. The article details the journey of Catherine and her family as they relocated from Greenwich, Massachusetts to the frontier town of Solon, Maine.

This embroidered masterpiece, crafted from wool, weaves a captivating narrative of the family's history and their connection to their newfound home. It is adorned with intricate depictions of people, animals, floral patterns, and geometric motifs. What's particularly intriguing is the quilt's distinctive shape, purposefully tailored to snugly adorn a four-poster bed.

 Source:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/american-history-quilts-180978586/

https://thepointsguy.com/news/history-quilt-exhibits/

https://collections.mfa.org/objects/462617

Anselm Feuerbach

Art Appreciation

Anselm Feuerbach, the renowned German painter born on September 12, 1829, left an indelible mark on the world of art with his neoclassical brilliance and innovative creations. Operating in an era of artistic transformation in Europe, Feuerbach's work continues to enthrall global audiences, showcasing his dedication to the realms of beauty, mythology, and the human form.

Growing up in a family of intellectuals, Feuerbach inherited a deep appreciation for classical aesthetics from his father, an archaeologist, and his maternal grandfather, a celebrated classical scholar. This early immersion in ancient culture and art profoundly influenced his artistic sensibilities.

At the age of 16, Feuerbach embarked on his artistic journey at the Düsseldorf Academy, which conveyed a blend of linearism and Neoclassical drawing techniques. However, his tenure at the academy was relatively brief, as he ventured forth to Munich, then Antwerp, and ultimately found himself in Paris, where he became a pupil of Thomas Couture until 1854.

Italy became Feuerbach's creative sanctuary for the next two decades, where he drew immense inspiration from the Italian masters. In 1862, a fortuitous encounter with Count Adolf Friedrich von Schack, a distinguished German poet and art collector, led to a significant commission. Schack entrusted Feuerbach with the task of replicating Italian old masters. One hallmark of Feuerbach's artistry was his commitment to the classical ideals of beauty, form, and harmony. Drawing from the works of Roman artists, he strove to resurrect the grandeur of antiquity within his canvases. His masterpieces often wove together mythological and historical narratives, offering a fresh perspective on Roman mythology from the vantage point of the 19th century.

In 1873, Feuerbach took the position of professor of history painting at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna. His mentorship extended to several notable pupils, including Ludwig Deutsch, Rudolf Ernst, and Jean Discart. However, in 1877, he chose to resign from his post and relocate to Venice.

Though Anselm Feuerbach's life was relatively brief, concluding in 1880 at the age of 50, his legacy endures as a testament to the eternal allure of classical artistry. His works continue to be cherished for their evocative storytelling, impeccable technique, and timeless resonance.

Self-portrait (1873)

Remembrance of Tivoli (1866)

Hafiz at the Fountain (1852)

Nanna (c. 1861)

The Judgement of Paris (c. 1869)

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://celestialvenus.wordpress.com/2017/09/23/anselm-feuerbach/
https://www.artworkonly.com/famous-art-pt-4/paolo-and-francesca-by-anselm-feuerbach-famous-art-handmade-oil-painting-on-canvas

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Dusseldorf-school

https://www.meisterdrucke.ie/fine-art-prints/Anselm-Feuerbach/1324267/Hafiz-at-the-Fountain-(oil-painting).html

Body Art: Claudia Kraemer - Julie Boehm

Artist: Claudia Kraemer

Model: Julie Boehm

via Julie Boehm 

Sarah McLachlan - Possession

Music Appreciation

As you probably have figured out, after following this blog, you kinda get my type. Although I do have a soft spot for blondes, and reds are intriguing, its the brunettes that do it for me, like Sarah McLachlan. :) 

Released on September 10, 1993, Sarah McLachlan's Possession was the first single from her album Fumbling Towards Ecstasy. Written and composed by the Canadian singer-songwriter McLachlan, the iconic song's lyrics deals with an actual stalker. Supposedly, some lyrics are from the stalker's letters he left McLauchlan. 

The music video for "Possession" is equally powerful. Directed by McLachlan, the video features herself wrapped in white cloth. The video has biblical reference depicting vanity, deceit, corruption, intimacy, and taboo. 

Source:

Wikipedia

https://songmeanings.com/songs/view/5760/

Cosplay is an Art: Otakon 2023 Washington, DC

via Justin Cosplay

Travel + Leisure: Cholula, Puebla by Beyza M. (@bmseventh)

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Lana Rhoades

Actress Appreciation

Amara Maple, a.k.a. Lana Roades, is an American podcaster, actress, and model in the adult entertainment industry. Born on September 6, 1996, in Chicago, Illinois, she was raised by her single and successful mother in McHenry, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.  

In an interview, she revealed that as a young teenager, her escape was watching The Girls Next Door and fantasize about living as a Playmate in the Playboy mansion, "I would just hide in my room and watch the show, and I thought, Wow, their lives look so amazing... I want to do that whenever I grow up." 

As a young teen, she got tangled in drugs and crime, and was sent to a youth center. Of her experience, she said, "... Going to prison was one of the best things that's ever happened to me because I was really going down a rough path... I was doing drugs. I was hanging out with these people who were stealing things. And I imagine I would have kept going down that path."

While at the youth center, she earned a GED, a high-school diploma equivalent. After being released from the youth center, she moved to Chicago and worked as a waitress at a Tilted Kilt. With sight on her dream of being a porn star, the 5'3" Rhoades started her career as a model, and performing in a strip club. 

She moved to LA from Chicago, after contacting Mark Spiegler, talent agent and founder of Spiegler Girls. 

In 2015, at the age of 19, she performed in her first adult film, Hotwife XXX. In a short span of time, Rhoades became one of the most recognizable and sought-after actresses in the industry, known for her stunning beauty, on-screen charisma, and intense performances. 

After her first initial months in porn, she decided to step away and contemplate whether she was cut out for the industry. In an interview, she mentioned how her first agent was aggressive and controlling, "I wanted a real life... getting up every morning to be driven to a porn set to have sex with a stranger is not life."

A couple of years later, she left a set and refused to shoot after the film director, Pierre Woodman, allegedly coerced her into performing acts she did not want. 

Spiegler Girls dropped Lana as a client. As explained by Mark Spielger on Adam22's No Jumper podcast, "[Lana] didn't show up at a party she was supposed to be at and she was doing something she shouldn't have at the time."

She picked her next agent, LA Direct Models, to represent her. 

In a Playboy interview, she said of agents, "You could get into the industry and say, 'I would never do a gang bang' and 'I would never do this.' But [agents] say things to you over time to sort of groom you into doing more. They'll say things like, 'Oh, all the good sluts do this.' 'That's how people are going to love you...'"

On October 9, 2017, LA Direct Models dropped Lana after assault allegations following an event with porn star Adriana Chechik. 

She went on to win numerous awards and accolades for her work, including the 2018 XBIZ Award for Best New Starlet and the 2019 AVN Award for Female Performer of the Year.

In 2020, she was hired by Brazzers as a marketing consultant. The following year, she appeared on the cover of Playboy. Ellen von Unwerth directed a wonderful photoshoot and Lynsey Addario wrote a great biographical article on Lana which you can read HERE. 

In addition to her work in adult films, Rhoades has also been active in various other projects and ventures. She has been featured in music videos, worked as a feature dancer, and made several mainstream media appearances. She has also launched her own line of products, including lingerie and sex toys. Rhoades also co-hosts the podcast 3 Girls 1 Kitchen.

by Gabe Ginsberg

Ellen Von Unwerth for Playboy

Ellen Von Unwerth for Playboy

Holly Randall for Playboy

Sources: 

Wikipedia

https://www.famousbirthdays.com/people/lana-rhoades.html

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8407559/bio

https://www.playboy.com/read/the-road-to-lana-rhoades

https://valiantceo.com/lana-rhoades/ 

https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-sexual-coercion-epidemic-in-porn

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hb2GrX_zWE

Testosterone

As I age, my interest in men's health grows, with a particular focus on testosterone. This hormone plays a pivotal role in mood, stamina, and notably, sexual function.

Over the recent months, I've delved into my collection of old Playboy magazines dating back to my high school years. While initially obtained for the photos of beautiful women, these magazines turned out to be a treasure trove of insightful articles, interviews, and columns.

Among these pieces, I came across an article by writer Jon Krakauer. This article explores the intricate interplay between testosterone, its effects on the body and behavior, as well as the use of anabolic steroids, shedding light on their potential risks and benefits.

Krakauer emphasizes the potency of testosterone as a hormone that profoundly shapes masculine attributes and influences men's cognitive and emotional realms. He notes, "A guy with a lot of testosterone flowing through his veins will have brawnier muscles, sturdier bones, less fat and a healthier heart than someone with a low testosterone level. The former is also likely to have more energy, a better mental outlook and a greater sex drive."

The author points out the conventional attribution of negative male behaviors like aggression and anger to testosterone. However, he highlights a study from UCLA that challenges this stereotype, asserting that, "The big bad male hormone actually induces feelings of calm, well-being, friendliness and optimism. It turns out that the negative behaviors with which it has long been associated -- anger, violence, irritability -- are caused not by a surplus of testosterone but rather by a shortage of it." Hence, behaviors previously associated with testosterone might actually stem from its scarcity rather than its excess.

Krakauer delves into the realm of athletes employing anabolic steroids to bolster their performance. Across diverse sports, these substances have been used to enhance speed, strength, and endurance, yielding improved outcomes.

While steroids can facilitate heightened metabolism, increased fat reduction, accelerated protein synthesis, swift post-workout recovery, and expedited healing of select injuries, health hazards loom. Potential risks include hampered bone growth in young users, liver damage, elevated blood pressure, acne, testicular atrophy, and hair loss.

Krakauer proposes natural alternatives to synthetic steroids, with a focus on intensive strength training to stimulate testosterone production. He draws on other studies, suggesting the need for a balanced exercise regimen and sufficient recovery time to optimize testosterone synthesis.

"Although high-intensity strength training produces the greatest testosterone boost (while increasing production of other beneficial muscle-enhancing hormones such as human growth hormone), it is important not to overdo it. Research shows that hormone levels peak after approximately 90 minutes of hard exercise and then drop precipitously -- in many cases to a level lower than before the workout began. And insufficient rest between sessions can be similarly counterproductive."  

Source: PLAYBOY, November 1995, Vol. 42, No. 11, pg. 33.

Stacy Sanches

When I was in my teens, I was fascinated with female models like Cindy Crawford and Christy Turlington. For me, it was their long torso and legs. Love long legs.

So, it's no surprise that the Playboy magazine March 1995 edition is a favorite. It featured supermodel Amber Smith on the cover and Playmate of the Month Stacy Sanches.

The 5'10" Playmate was discovered by a Playboy scout while competing in a bikini contest in Hawaii. From there, Stacy not only was named March 1995 Playmate, but she went on to be Playmate of the Year 1996. She then appeared in numerous Playboy videos and special editions and had guest roles on several Dallas (2012) episodes. 

Born in Dallas on September 4, 1973, Stacy graduated from Lakeview Centennial High School.  In her data sheet, she mentioned her ambitions was being self-sufficient by working as a model and traveling the world. Weight training, fast country two-step dancing, and guys who really listen were her turn-ons. And having her weekends free was listed as a "must have."

via

 

Source:

Playboy Magazine, March 1995, volume 42, number 3.

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0760865/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm

https://biographicsworld.com/stacy-sanches-bio-family-career-relationship-net-worth-height/

https://marriedbiography.com/stacy-sanches-biography/

Dance: Beyonce - Crazy in Love

Choreography: Alexander Chung

via Alexander Chung

Cosplay is an Art: MomoCon 2023 Atlanta, Georgia

via ModernAnimator 

Annabelle Chairlegs - Candy Apple Red

Music Appreciation

During SXSW 2022, I saw Annabelle Chairlegs perform at the Vegas Hotel in East Austin, and I was blown away by the performance. I became a follower.

The Austin-based psych band was formed in 2013 when guitarist-vocalist and song writer Lindsey Mackin moved from Santa Fe, New Mexico to Austin with her former band, Treemodel. 

As Lindsey explained to Jacob Burnett on his Vineyard podcast, "[Treemotel] were like, 'we should move to Texas,' and I was like, 'that's a terrible idea!' We did move to Texas, and we brought the band. I think we lost the drummer along the way. Then we started playing with someone else and it just wasn't the same... That was around the time I started finding people to play with. Some of my bandmates and another friend who moved with us started playing songs that I wrote which then sort of like became Annabelle Chairlegs."

In that same interview, she revealed the origin of the band name, "Annabelle Chairlegs was actually my nickname in Treemodel." 

Annabelle Chairlegs have performed at many venues and festivals, including Austin City Limits Music Festival, Levitation Festival, SXSW, Austin Psych Fest, and Dada Dallas.  

On September 1, 2020, Annabelle Chairlegs released their second studio album Gotta Be In Love. Lindsey explained that some of the songs the band felt vulnerable playing, "became the more magical because there was more of an openness and freeness to navigate whatever is going on in those moments."

The music video, which was directed and edited by Vanessa Pla, features Lindsey and her bandmates in a red tinted room. Lindsey is shown wearing various dresses seated on a Victorian gold chair. Props in the video include red balloons, an apple, a chef knife, a Ryobi drill, and a water goblet.

via Annabelle Chairlegs

Sources:

https://www.annabellechairlegs.com/

https://www.clearvisioncollective.com/post/why-ya-gotta-be-in-love-with-annabelle-chairlegs

https://youtu.be/R7bgsO_DAZM

https://kutx.org/sessions-interviews/pop-up-sessions/kutx-social-distancing-pop-up-annabelle-chairlegs/