Body Art: Paul Roustan - Naked but Painted at the Beach

Artist: Paul Roustan

Model: Daisy

via Roustan 

Stone Temple Pilots - Wicked Garden

Music Appreciation

On September 29, 1992, Stone Temple Pilots released "Wicked Garden" as part of their debut studio album, "Core," and while it wasn't issued as a commercial single, it stands as one of the band's most significant hits. Written by Scott Weiland, the song's abstract and metaphorical lyrics invite listeners to apply their own experiences and emotions onto it, with many interpreting it as an exploration of personal struggles and inner demons.

The accompanying music video, directed by Graeme Joyce, begins with scenes of two children and a man tending to a garden. The video then transitions to Scott Weiland and the band performing on stage, surrounded by an exuberant audience and a mosh pit – an area within the crowd at a live music event characterized by intense, spontaneous, and physical dancing, reflecting the song's energetic and emotional essence.

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7080204/

John Mayer - Daughters

Music Appreciation

"Daughters," released on September 24, 2004, is the third single from John Mayer's 2003 studio album, "Heavier Things," and it received critical acclaim, earning the 2005 Grammy Award for Song of the Year.

Drawing from his own experiences with troubled relationships, the song serves as a heartfelt plea for fathers to provide nurturing care to their daughters during their formative years.

In the music video directed by Mario Sorrenti, Mayer is seen in grayscale, playing the guitar and singing in a dimly lit studio. Interspersed with these scenes, colored video clips featuring Australian supermodel Gemma Ward create a visually captivating narrative that effectively complements the song's lyrical message.

Sources:

Wikipedia

Fashion is DEFINITELY Art: Maison Close - THE CRAZY CATWALK SHOW

Designer: Monsieur le Français

via Maison Close

Lewis Hine

Photography Appreciation

Born on September 26, 1874, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Lewis Hine had a profound impact on the world of photography through his commitment to social change. He initially pursued an education in sociology, earning degrees from the University of Chicago, Columbia University, and New York University. 

As a young teacher at the Ethical Culture School in New York City, Hine encouraged his students to use photography as a tool for educational exploration. He believed that the camera was not only a means of creative expression but also a powerful device for documenting reality and raising awareness about societal issues. This philosophy would later influence his life's work, making him a pioneer in documentary photography.

Hine was a man ahead of his time, using his camera to expose the grim realities of child labor. Through his work with the National Child Labor Committee (NCLC), Hine's images documented young children toiling in dangerous conditions, contributing to the eventual passage of child labor laws that protected minors from exploitation. His belief that photography could be a powerful tool for social change left a mark on both photography and labor rights. Yet today, as proposals like those from Project 2025 emerge, his legacy and the protections his work helped create are being undermined.

Project 2025, a set of policy recommendations championed by some conservatives, including the GOP presidential candidates, threaten to weaken these hard-fought labor protections by advocating for fewer regulations on child labor. If enacted, these proposals would allow minors to work in hazardous conditions with reduced oversight, echoing the very horror that Hine's images sought to eradicate. While Project 2025 promotes deregulation in the name of economic freedom, it ignores the human cost. Just as Hine's famous image of Addie Card -- an exhausted young girl working at a textile mill -- highlighted the exploitation of children, we must question why the protection of vulnerable workers is being sacrificed for corporate gain.

These proposals are not labor-friendly and should be of serious concern to all Americans. Weakening child labor laws is not just a step backwards -- it is a direct threat to the safety and well-being of minors. As Hine demonstrated through his photography, allowing children to work in dangerous, unregulated environments is not only unjust but deeply harmful to American society. Americans should be vigilant in opposing efforts to roll back protections that have been in place for decades, remembering the lessons Hine taught us through his documentary photography. 

Addie Card (August 1910)

Glassworks. Midnight. Location: Indiana (1908)

Manuel, the young shrimp-picker, five years old, 

Biloxi, Mississippi (February 1911)

Little Lottie, a regular oyster shucker in Alabama Canning Co. 

(Bayou La Batre, Alabama, 1911)

Baseball team composed mostly of child laborers 

from a glassmaking factory. Indiana (1908)

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/285844

https://www.americanprogress.org/article/project-2025-would-exploit-child-labor-by-allowing-minors-to-work-in-dangerous-conditions-with-fewer-protections/

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/aug/04/project-2025-trump-unions-overtime-pay

https://www.loc.gov/collections/national-child-labor-committee/about-this-collection/

https://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/hine-photos#:~:text=Lewis%20Hine%2C%20a%20New%20York,the%20National%20Child%20Labor%20Committee.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/retropolis/wp/2018/09/02/the-incredible-photos-that-inspired-the-end-of-child-labor-in-america/

RANDOM WEDNESDAY: Space Ghost #1

Cover Artist: Michael Cho (2024)

 

Album Cover: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Blood Sugar Sex Magik

Album Cover

Album:  Red Hot Chili Peppers - Blood Sugar Sex Magik

Released: September 24, 1991

Art Direction: Gus Van Sant

 

2 Unlimited - Get Ready For This

Music Appreciation

"Get Ready For This" is a widely recognized anthem at sporting events, hyping up fans and energizing the crowd. The infectious dance track by 2 Unlimited, a Belgian-Dutch group founded by producers Jean-Paul De Coster and Phil Wilde, is performed by Dutch rapper Ray Slijngaard and vocalist Anita Doth.

The group's techno dance music became a global sensation, with "Get Ready For This," which was released on September 23, 1991, topping charts across multiple continents.

The music video, directed by David Betteridge, showcases high-energy visuals of Slijngaard, Doth, and dancers on a sound stage. The dynamic camera angles, colored light filters, and shadows capture the essence of the early '90s dance music era.

 

via 2 Unlimited Official

Source:

Wikipedia

Happy First Day of Fall!

 

Cosplay is an Art: Anime NYC 2024

via Justin Cosplay 

Fashion is DEFINITELY Art: LOEWE Spring Summer 2025

Creative Director: Jonathan Anderson

via LOEWE

Frank Eugene

Photography Appreciation

Frank Eugene, born in New York on September 19, 1865, initially took up photography as a hobby, possibly during his time at the City College of New York. While his early photographic work was more for personal amusement, it gradually evolved into a serious artistic pursuit. 

In 1886, Eugene moved to Munich, where he enrolled at the Bavarian Academy of Fine Arts. There, he studied drawing and stage design, which would later influence his distinct style in portrait photography. After completing his studies, he began his career as a theatrical portraitist, sketching well-known actors and actresses, while maintaining his passion for photography on the side.

Though Eugene’s formal photographic education remains somewhat mysterious, his photographs reflected a unique fusion of theatrical staging and artistic composition. Two of his most famous works, Self-portrait (1924) and Adam and Eve (1898), highlight his mastery of combining elements of fine arts with photography. 

His self-portrait is particularly significant, showcasing his ability to blend drawing techniques into photographic works, a method that set him apart from other photographers of his time. Adam and Eve is another notable piece that displays Eugene's talent for creative compositions, blending the mythological with the modern.

Eugene’s impact on the art world grew after his return to the United States. In 1899, his work was exhibited at the Camera Club of New York, solidifying his reputation in the photographic community.

Self-portrait (1924)

Male Nude (1897)

Adam and Eve (taken 1898), published in Camera Work no. 30, 1910

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://archive.artic.edu/stieglitz/frank-eugene/

RANDOM WEDNESDAY: Batman and Robin (Garcia-Lopez Homage)

by Felipe Massafera (@felipemassafera)

 

Jamie Jackson

Acting Appreciation

Jamie Jackson took a bold leap into the world of adult modeling and entertainment in March 2013, right after wrapping up a five-year marriage and setting her sights on sunny San Diego, California. 

Born on September 17, 1990, in Seattle, Washington, Jamie quickly became sought-after, thanks to her all-natural figure and stunning good looks. At 5'3", this "girl next door" beauty seemed to have a magical ability to look incredible in anything -- probably even a potato sack if you gave her one!

Jamie soon found herself modeling and lighting up the screen for film studios such as Brazzers, BangBros, and Teenfidelity. After leaving many of her fans happily exhausted, Jamie decided to hang up her stilettos and retire from the adult film industry in 2018. 

Sources:

https://www.indexxx.com/m/jamie-jackson-1

https://www.thenude.com/model_41230.htm

https://www.babepedia.com/babe/Jamie_Jackson?utm_source=boobpedia&utm_medium=referral

https://www.freeones.com/jamie-jackson

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

https://www.thenude.com/Jamie_Jackson_41230.htm

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6119611/

Tempe: Where Youth Is a State of Mind (and I Feel 20 Again)

Pardon the Interruption

What I love about visiting Tempe is that it makes me feel like I've shaved off a couple of decades. It's a city buzzing with young adults -- some are here to hit the books, others are here to hit the service industry jackpot. They've flocked in from every corner of the country, all with different backstories and dreams of one day returning to their home state, maybe after a few more rounds of 110º plus days and rounds of Arizona iced tea. 

Let's be real, not everyone here was valedictorian or on the fast track to Wall Street. Some might be here because they, well, needed a little more "guidance" during their academic years, or they wanted to leave their parents' reach, or they're the offspring of those fortunate enough to pay for a few extra changes at life. I'm obviously generalizing here, but what I find endearing is how these kids, despite their different paths, are full of hustle and surprisingly polite. It's like they're one part college brochure and two parts a reality show you'd actually want to watch. And that's what makes Tempe so refreshingly unique.

Dance: BamBam - Last Parade

via BamBam 

Cosplay is an Art: Expo TNT 42 2024

via The Amazing Primos 

Fashion is DEFINITELY Art: Rick Owens' Spring/Summer 2025 collection

Fashion Designer: Rick Owens

via RICK OWENS 

On the iPhone at 3 AM

There are occasions when I find myself burning the midnight oil on a project, wrapping up work before heading to bed for a full day ahead. My rational mind comprehends the need for rest and acknowledges the adverse effects of staring at a screen in the dark on my ability to fall asleep. Yet, there's a tiny corner of my brain, perhaps the ventral tegmental area, that craves that final hit of dopamine.

Even though I'm aware of my fatigue and the necessity for sleep, the temptation to check my iMessages, post on Instagram and X, and, if I'm horny enough, delve into Onlyfans, becomes irresistible.

By Adam Ellis @adamtots

RANDOM WEDNESDAY: Star Trek Legacy

Star Trek: Legacy Concept Poster by Jetfreak-7 

Bo Goldman

Film Appreciation

Bo Goldman, an acclaimed American screenwriter and playwright, was born on September 10, 1932, in New York City. He grew up in a family that appreciated the arts, which shaped his early love for storytelling. After attending Phillips Exeter Academy, Goldman pursued higher education at Princeton University, where he honed his craft in creative writing and theater. His passion for writing was evident from a young age, leading him to a career that would leave a lasting mark on the film industry.

Goldman’s screenwriting career reached significant heights with two Academy Awards. His first Oscar came in 1976 for the film One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, which he co-wrote. The screenplay was a critical success, showcasing his talent for adapting complex narratives to the screen. His second Academy Award came in 1981 for Melvin and Howard, a quirky and poignant film that further cemented his reputation as a top screenwriter in Hollywood. These accolades highlighted his ability to blend character depth with compelling storylines, making him a sought-after writer in the industry.

Among his other memorable works, Scent of a Woman (1992) stands out as a testament to his skill in crafting emotionally resonant narratives. The film, starring Al Pacino, earned Goldman a Golden Globe for Best Screenplay. His later work on Meet Joe Black (1998) further showcased his versatility, blending drama with elements of the supernatural. 

On July 25, 2023, Goldman passed away at the age of 90. His contributions to cinema continue to be celebrated, and his legacy as a storyteller endures through the timeless quality of his work.

Source: 

Wikipedia

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/aug/06/bo-goldman-obituary

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0325743/

https://tapthelinemag.com/post/bo-goldman-oscar-winning-writer-of-one-flew-over-the-cuckoos-nest-script-dies-at-90

Album Cover: John Mayer - Heavier Things

Album Cover

Album: John Mayer - Heavier Things

Released: September 9, 2003

Cover Photographer: Chapman Baehler

Model: John Mayer

Art Direction: John Mayer

Sources:

https://www.discogs.com/master/170455-John-Mayer-Heavier-Things

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

Dance: Sai Abhyankkar - Aasa Kooda | Thejo Bharathwaj | Preity Mukundhan | Sai Smriti

Dancers: Nainika and Thanaya

via Nainika Thanaya

Cosplay is an Art: COLOSSALCON 2024

via Gabes Studio 

Fashion is DEFINITELY Art: GIVENCHY | Fall Winter 2024 Womenswear collection

Creative Director: ?

via GIVENCHY 

From King David to Don the Con: The Evangelical Paradox

Pardon the Interruption

I've spent the last six years scratching my head, trying to figure out why some evangelical Christians are following a man who’s about as far from a model of piety as you can get. Some evangelicals have gone so far as to defend the former president, even claiming he’s God’s chosen one, like King David. Sure, King David had his flaws—maybe even a few that resemble Trump's—but let's not forget that Jesus warned us about false prophets in his Sermon on the Mount. And didn't Jesus toss out the moneychangers who were making a profit in the Temple? Yet, conservative Christians seem to turn a blind eye to Trump's shortcomings because they see him as a champion of their causes.

While scrolling through X, I stumbled upon groups like Evangelicals For Harris, Vote Common Good, and The New Evangelicals. These folks aren’t buying the idea that Trump is God’s chosen one, nor are they making excuses for his many flaws. Instead, they’re shining a light on the real Trump—the convicted felon, grifter, and con artist that he is. Let's be clear: He’s no King David. Not even close. He’s just Donald J. Trump, with a rap sheet longer than a Pharisee’s prayer shawl.

Garry Trudeau, Doonesbury (April 22, 2018)

 

RANDOM WEDNESDAY: Cherry Crush - Street Fighter Cammy

@mycherrycrushx

The Perfect Salad

The secret ingredient to the perfect salad is shave parmesan cheese. It's not only decorative but also tasty and healthy. And if you are searching for the best Caesar salad, check out this recipe from 15 Spatulas: https://www.fifteenspatulas.com/caesar-salad-with-parmesan-peppercorn-croutons/. 

By Adam Ellis @adamtots

Happy Labor Day!

Pole Dance: CLANN - The Return

Choreography: Kochergina Aleksandra (@saniaaa_ko)

via STRIPLAB