"On New Year's Eve we don't wear harem pants"

Erich Sokol, PLAYBOY (January 1996)

Tawnee Stone

Modeling Appreciation

The internet help make porn more accessible. It use to be one had to drive to the adult bookstore to purchase or rent porn. I was one who didn't care for renting because the last thing I wanted to do was return to the adult bookstore after doing my deeds. So, internet porn made life much easier. 

While searching one evening in 2001 for porn, I remember finding Lightspeed Girls. Lightspeed Media was founded by Steve "Lightspeed" Jones, and his site featured barely legal 18+ girls. One superstar was Tawnee Stone.

The petite 5'3" brunette was considered "a successful pioneer of the single-model per website style," after joining Lightspeed in 2001. Years later, she still ranks top 25 on CoedCherry.  

I think for me, four years older than Tawnee, she had that "girl-from-next-door" look: innocent, petite, and very pretty. 

Born on December 30, 1982 in Plano, Texas, Tawnee Stone (real name: Tammy Saris) grew up outside Chicago. In 2001, she graduated from Crystal Lake High School and moved to Phoenix, Arizona to attend Arizona State University.

Ten years after appearing as a Lightspeed model, Steve Jones went to social media and announced the death of Tawnee Stone. As he reported, Tawnee had been killed in a car accident. Fans went to internet forums to share theories as to what may have happened. 

A couple of years later, however, Tammy Saris (aka Tawnee Stone) tweeted  "Still live [sic] and well, Happy New Year :)."

It was later revealed by Steve Jones that it was a joke and that he only planned to have his created character, Tawnee Stone, "alive" for 10 years.  

Supposedly, she is happily married with two kids.

Source:

https://www.reddit.com/r/HisMajestysHarem/comments/s9wtgl/born_tammy_saris_in_texas_the_girl_who_came_to_be/

https://deadorkicking.com/tawnee-stone-dead-or-alive/

https://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=55c4baeb69233512ae0f7f6e4828629a&t=1169221&page=8

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2540840/

Maurice Utrillo

Art Appreciation

Born on December 26, 1883, Maurice Utrillo was a French painter from Montmartre quarter in Paris known for cityscapes.

There is a fascinating history on Maurice, when he was a baby. His mom, Suzanne Valadon, was the model for artists Berthe Morisot, Renoir, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, and Edgar Degas. 

As told by Diego Rivera, "After Maurice was born to Suzanne Valadon, she went to Renoir, for whom she had modeled nine months previously. Renior looked at the baby and said, 'He can't be mine, the color is terrible!' Next she went to Degas, for whom she had also modeled. He said, "He can't be mine, the form is terrible! At a cafe, Valadon saw an artist she knew named Miguel Utrillo, to whom she spilled her woes. The man told her to call the baby Utrillo: "I would be glad to put my name to the work of either Renior or Degas!'"

In 1904, Utrillo took up painting, at the suggestion by his mother. He drew and painted what he saw in Montmartre. By 1920, his work garnered international attention. A few years later, the French government awarded him the Cross of the Légion d'honneur. 

Lapin Agile (c. 1911-1914)

 

Montmartre, rue du Mont-Cenis (1934)

Place Jean-Baptiste-Clement (c. 1918)

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://collection.barnesfoundation.org/objects/5445/barnes-collection-object/visually-similar

https://www.mutualart.com/Artwork/Montmartre--rue-du-Mont-Cenis/783CEB1DD8BCABC5DFCF143F188FE23C

https://www.1stdibs.com/art/paintings/figurative-paintings/maurice-utrillo-place-jean-baptiste-clement-maurice-utrillo-school-paris-oil-painting/id-a_9055372/?utm_content=condensed&allowUniversalLink=no&gclid=CjwKCAiA7vWcBhBUEiwAXieItkBWE1f7yaHQriknaEdsdcF59IwcY1g3YUQSEeeAHqwkD7zcdPGtxBoCP98QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Dance: Junior Musical Theatre 2020 - That Beautiful Sound

Choreography: Joel Houwen

via Brent Street

Cosplay is an Art: Dysfunctional Christmas Caroling

via WholeWheatPete

Fashion is DEFINITELY Art: CELINE - Spring Summer 2023

Artistic Director: Hedi Slimane

via CELINE

Stipe, Merchant, and Bragg sing Prine's "Hello in There"

BoingBoing recently published an article by writer Jennifer Sandlin that celebrated R.E.M.'s debut EP Chronic Town's 40th anniversary. An additional treat was another article where she shared a live performance video featuring Michael Stipe, Natalie Merchant, and Billy Bragg singing John Prine's classic "Hello in There" in Glasgow. As explained by Natalie Merchant, the performance was "a first concert stop before heading to the former Soviet Bloc just after the collapse of the Berlin Wall."

Source: 

https://boingboing.net/2022/12/18/40-watt-club-in-athens-georgia-celebrates-the-40th-anniversary-of-debut-r-e-m-ep-chronic-town.html

https://boingboing.net/2022/12/18/michael-stipe-natalie-merchant-and-billy-bragg-sing-a-john-prine-classic-in-this-live-performance-from-1990.html

2007: Two Paintings Stolen, But Later Recovered, from MASP

On December 20, 2007, two paintings were stolen from the São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP): The Portrait of Suzanne Bloch by Pablo Picasso and O Lavrador de Café by Candido Portinari.

The Portrait of Suzanne Bloch, is an oil painting done during Picasso's Blue Period of Wagnerian opera singer Suzanne Bloch, sister of violinist Henri Bloch.

Brazilian artist Candido Portinari's O Lavrador de Café is an oil painting depicting a black worker in a coffee plantation standing tall holding a hoe.

As reported by Reuters, thieves broke into the MASP just after 5 AM using hydraulic jack and a crowbar. The heist lasted three minutes. It was reported, at that time, the two paintings were worth about $55 million dollars. Picasso's painting alone was said to be worth $50 million.

The two paintings were recovered a few weeks later by São Paulo police.

Portrait of Suzanne Bloch (1904)

O Lavrador de Café (1934)

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://web.archive.org/web/20071230164038/http://uk.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/20071221/ten-uk-brazil-picasso-d3877cb_1.html

http://virusdaarte.net/portinari-lavrador-de-cafe/

Body Paint: Betina Bailey - Angela Reign

Artist: Betina Bailey

Model: Angela Reign

via Angela Reign

Dance: The Cramps - Goo Goo Muck (WEDNESDAY DANCE)

Choreography: Jenna Ortega

Dancer: Jade Lavinia

via Jade Lavinia

Cosplay is an Art: MCM London Comic Con 2022

via mineralblu

Fashion is DEFINITELY Art: Jacquemus - Spring Summer 2023

Designer and Creative Director: Simon Porte Jacquemus

via FF Channel

Carol Singers

 

Francis Wilford-Smith, PLAYBOY (January 1996)

Clue

Film Appreciation

Perhaps one of my favorite films starring the amazing Tim Curry, Clue was released on December 13, 1985. 

The mystery black comedy film, which is based on family board game, takes place in 1954 with six strangers arriving at a secluded mansion. The butler, played by Tim Curry, assigns each individual a pseudonym at their arrival: Colonel Mustard, Mrs. White, Mrs. Peacock, Mr. Green, Professor Plum, and Miss Scarlet.

John Landis and Jonathan Lynn created the cult classic which featured a star-studded cast, which included Tim Curry, Eileen Brennan, Madeline Kahn, Christopher Lloyd, Michael McKean, Martin Mull, and Lesley Ann Warren. Although the film received mixed reviews and performed poorly in the box office, the film received a cult following, which continues today.

Source: 

Wikipedia

Body Paint: Roustan - Vintage Stripes

Artist: Roustan

Models: Coyote, Rebecca RS, Kyara Tyler

Source: Roustan

Victoria Alynette Fuller

Art Appreciation

Blogging this was a bit challenging because I didn't know whether to focus on the model or the artist. So, I'm going to do both. 😀

Victoria Alynette Fuller was the centerfold PLAYMATE tucked inside the January 1996 PLAYBOY. I remember that issue because it not only provided a cover and photo spread of Pamela Anderson, but it also included a review of 1995 PLAYMATES. Oh... and there were also intriguing articles and interviews of Dennis Rodman, Conan O'Brien, and a young Johnny Depp. 

But it was Stephen Wayda's photos of Victoria that caught my young-self's attention. The 5' 8" blonde hair blue eyes epitomized "the California girl." 

Born on December 11, 1970, Victoria was discovered by a Playboy scout while modeling. As explained in the PLAYBOY write up by Bob Daily, "She sent her photograph to PLAYBOY twice without success."

In her PLAYMATE DATA SHEET, her ambitions included "owning a beautiful home, displaying my artwork in a gallery, and learn something new everyday."

She explains, "I've been drawing since I could hold a pencil... My dream is to display my art in a gallery someday, where everybody dresses up and drinks champagne and admires my work. And then they buy everything." 

The photoshoot features her in nude stockings and high heels, a pink feature boa, knee-high pink boots, leopard lingerie, corset under bust skirt, and nothing but paint. The paint ones are my favorite because she it shows a playful side as she squeezes paint out of a tube onto her naked chest and paints it on a canvas -- I wonder if she sold that painting.

After her centerfold, Victoria received a licensing contract with PLAYBOY that allowed her to use trademarks like the Rabbit Head Symbol and Bunny Costumes. She launched THE MARK, a large collection that included original oils and limited edition prints. 

PLAYBOY catapulted her art career.

Source: 

Playboy, January 1996, volume 43, number 1

Wikipedia

https://www.victoriafuller.com/about

Cosplay is an Art: YouMacon 2022

 

via Justin Pineda Media

Fashion is DEFINITELY Art: Louis Vuitton - Spring Summer 2023

Artistic Director:Nicolas Ghesquière

 

via FF Channel

Album Cover: The Rolling Stones - Beggars Banquet

Album Cover

Album: The Rolling Stones - Beggars Banquet

Released: December 6, 1968

Cover Art Designer: Barry Feinstein 

Source: Wikipedia

George Shepherd

Art Appreciation

Born on December 5, 1784, George "Sidney" Shepherd was a British topographical, architectural and landscape painter. 

He lived in France up until the start of the French Revolutionary War when he moved back to Britain in 1793. At the age of 19, Shepherd was recognized by the Society of Arts with the silver palette. 

He was a contributor to John Britton's The Architectural Antiquities of Great Britain, vol IV, and provided illustration to Charles Clarke and Rudolph Ackermann. 

In 1831, Shepherd was a founding member of the New Society of Painters in Watercolours (now known as the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours). 

Aldermaston (1819)

Red Line Square (1815)

The Serpentine, Hyde Park

Sources:

Wikipedia

Wikimedia

https://www.carters.com.au/index.cfm/item/785765-george-shepherd-1784-1862-red-line-square-w-c-1-1815-watercolour/

Rudolf Hausner

Art Appreciation

Considered "the first psychoanalytical painter" and "psychic realist," Austrian artist Rudolf Hausner was born on December 4, 1914.

At the age of 17, Hausner studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna from 1931 until 1936. He was then drafted into the Austrian Armed Forces. After the German annexation of Austria (Anschluss), his painting was banned from being exhibited by the Reich Chamber of Culture and considered degenerate art.

In 1941, Hausner was drafted into the German Armed Forces, but dismissed a few years later by the Wehrmacht (the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany). He was employed as a technical draftsman in the armaments industry. 

Following World War II, Hausner returned to Vienna and resumed work as an artist. Along with Edgar Jené, Ernst Fuchs, Helmut Leherb, Wolfgang Hutter, and Fritz Janschka, he founded a surrealist group in 1946. Around this time, he produced metaphysical art (pittura metafiscia) and psychoanalytical art. A characteristic of his painting technique was the use of translucent resin oil paintings over underpainting of acrylic paints.

Hausner exhibited for the first time in a group exhibition at the Österreichische Galerie Belvedere in Vienna, which opened the door to international exhibitions. He gave lectures and accepted guest lecture positions in Hamburg and Tokyo. In 1959, he co-founded the Vienna School of Fantastic Realism. 

From 1966 until 1980, he was a guest professor at the University of Fine Arts of Hamburg, and taught at he Academy of Fine Arts Vienna since 1968. 

Self-Examination, 1984

Gelber Narrenhut, 1974

The Ark of Odysseus, 1948-1956

Sources:

Wikipedia

http://www.johncoulthart.com/feuilleton/2007/02/05/the-art-of-rudolf-hausner-1914-1995/

http://www.artnet.com/artists/rudolf-hausner/

Cosplay is an Art: Anime Weekend Atlanta 2022

via Bavard Rahdar

Fashion is DEFINITELY Art: Courrèges - Spring Summer 2023

Artistic Director: Nicolas Di Felice

via FF Channel

The Christmas Spirit

 

Marty Murphy, PLAYBOY (January 1996)

Adele - Rolling in the Deep

Music Appreciation

Written by Adele and Paul Epworth, Rolling in the Deep was released on November 29, 2010. The lead single and opening track received critical acclaim, reaching number one on many Billboard charts and received a Grammy for Song of the Year. 

Epworth and Adele composed the song one afternoon following Adele's breakup with her boyfriend. In an interview with Caroline Sanderson of The Independent, she explained, "[it was my reaction to] being told that my life was going to be boring and lonely and rubbish, and that I was a weak person if I didn't stay in the relationship. I was very insulted, and I wrote that as a sort of 'fuck you'."

Sam Brown directed the music video, which begins with Adele sitting in a chair inside an abandoned house. The video switches between various rooms that includes glass water, a pile of china dishes, a drummer, a cityscape model, and choreographer Jennifer White (IG: movejenmov) dancing in white powder. 

The music video won a Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video and the MTV Video Music Awards for Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, and Best Editing.

via Adele

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.famousbirthdays.com/songs/rolling-in-the-deep-adele.html

Body Paint: Brittney Pelloquin and Cory Mayon - Blue Trees & Body Paint

Artists: Brittney Pelloquin and Cory Mayon

Lead photographer: Melvin Maya

Models: Gabrielle Mika, Hillary Sotello, Jessica Griffith, and Lenna Spurs, Misty Turner, Nikki Danis, Nikki Lockett, and Nor' Jae

via Melvin Maya

Dance: Sam Smith - Unholy (ft. Kim Petras)

Dance Choreography: Paris Cavanagh

via Paris Cavanagh

Cosplay is an Art: Greater Austin Comic Con 2022

via mineralblu

Fashion is DEFINITELY Art: Dolores Cortes Fashion Show Spring Summer 2023

Creative Director: Dolores Font Cortés

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid/IFEMA

via A Fashion Show

Miguel Covarrubias

Art Appreciation

Born on November 22, 1904, José Miguel Covarrubias Duclaud was a Mexican painter, caricaturist, and illustrator. At the age of 14, he started producing caricatures and illustrations for the Mexican Ministry of Public Education. A few years later, he moved to New York City on a Mexican government grant. 

While in New York City, Covarrubias was introduced to the city's literary/cultural elite by Mexican poet José Juan Tablada and New York Times' artistic photographer Carl Van Vechten. He then became involved in designing sets and costumes for theatre productions. 

During one theatre production, he met dancer and choreographer Rosa Rolando, who later became his wife. The power couple spent time with other artists like Edward Weston, Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, Eugene O'Neill, Langston Hughes, John Huston, and Nelson Rockefeller.

Covarrubias' artwork and celebrity caricatures were featured in The New Yorker and Vanity Fair magazines. He also began to publish his own books of caricatures and illustrations, along with providing illustrations for classics like Uncle Tom's Cabin, Frankie and Johnny.

Covarrubias was invited by the 1939-1940 Golden Gate International Exposition to create a mural set that would highlight social and culture of countries in the Pacific area. He created six murals titled The Fauna and Flora of the Pacific, Peoples, Art and Culture, Economy, Native Dwellings, and Native Means of Transportation. 

Rosa and Miguel returned to live in Mexico City where he continued to paint, illustrate and write. He was appointed artistic director and director of administration for a new department at the Palacio de Bellas Artes. His wife would play a key role in the development of an Academy of Dance by ushering in a "golden age" for Mexican modern contemporary dance. Their marriage, however, ended in 1952 after Miguel pursued one of his pupils, Rocío Sagaón. 

Baile en Mexico

El Hueso

Sitting Woman with Flowers

Sources:

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

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/351714754_The_Golden_Age_of_Mexican_Modern_Dance_Miguel_Covarrubias_and_the_Academia_de_la_Danza_MexicanaMiguel_Covarrubias_and_the_Academia_de_la_Danza_Mexicana

René Magritte

Art Appreciation

As I walked through the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. I came across a painting of a painting. To be more precise, it was a canvas in front of a window and on the canvas was a painting of the outside. The title is The Human Condition (1933) by surrealist artist René François Ghislain Magritte.

His witty and thought-provoking images have since caught my interest to the point where I seek Magritte paintings at museums. If a museum lacks a Magritte, it's not really a museum -- in my opinion. 😉

René Magritte was born in Lessines, Belgium on November 21, 1898. He began drawing lessons when he was young. 

His mother, who was a milliner -- one who made and sold hats -- committed suicide when René was a teen. Supposedly, when she was found, her face was covered with her dress. It is said that this may be a source of several paintings in 1927 and 1928.

Magritte studied at the Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts in Brussels and influenced by Futurismo and by figurative Cubism of Jean Metzinger. He was also influenced by Giorgio de Chirico's scuola metafisica and William Degouve de Nuncques' postimpressionism. 

Magritte produced his first surreal painting, The Lost Jockey (1926) and held his first solo exhibition in Brussels in 1927, which was not well-received by critics. He moved to Paris and got involved in the Surrealist group. Two years later, he exhibited at Goemans Gallery in Paris with Salvador Dalí, Jean Arp, de Chirico, Max Ernst, Joan Miró, Francis Picabia, Pablo Picasso, and Yves Tanguy.  

    

In 1936, Magritte had his first solo exhibition in the United States at the Julien Levy Gallery in New York City, then an exposition at the London Gallery a couple of years later. 

He remained in Brussels, during the German occupation of Belgium in World War II. Feeling alienated living in German-occupied Belgium, Magritte added colorful and painterly style, like Pierre-Auguste Renoir.

During the lean postwar period, Magritte painted and sold forgeries of Picassos, and de Chiricos. At the end of 1948, he returned to the style and themes of his pre-war surrealistic art. His imagery influenced pop art, minimalist art, and conceptual art.

Golconde (1953)

The Human Condition (1933)

The Lovers (1928)

Sources:

Wikipedia

Dance: Sam Smith - Unholy (ft. Kim Petras)

Dance Choreography: Yeji Kim

via 1MILLION Dance Studio

Cosplay is an Art: Lucca Comics & Games 2022

via Mondi Futuri

Album Cover: Rihanna - Talk That Talk

Album Cover

Album: Talk That Talk

Released: November 18, 2011

Model: Rihanna

Photographer: Ellen Von Unwerth

Art Direction and Design: By Ciarra Pardo and JP Robinson

Deluxe Edition

Standard Edition

 

Sources: Wikipedia, Composite.is

Kelly Clarkson - Since U Been Gone

Music Appreciation

Released on November 16, 2004, Kelly Clarkson's Since U Been Gone received positive reviews and won many accolades including a Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.  

The pop rock power ballad was written and produced by Max Martin and Dr. Luke. The song, as Clarkson explained to MTV is a song about a relationship that turned sour, but expresses a sense of relief at the end.

The music video was directed by Alex De Rakoff and received a MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video and Best Pop Video. 

via Kelly Clarkson

Source: 

Wikipedia

https://www.famousbirthdays.com/songs/since-u-been-gone-clarkson.html 

Body Paint: JohnBorn - Kapree Karter

Artist: JohnBorn

Model: Kapree Karter

via JohnBorn

Dance: Ezio Bosso - Following a Bird

Dance Choreography: Rita Lynch for The Firebirds Burlesque Show 2019

via Rita Lynch

Cosplay is an Art: DragonCon Atlanta 2022

via mineralblu 

Fashion is DEFINITELY Art: Versace Spring-Summer 2023

Creative Director: Donatella Versace

via Versace

Album Cover: Patti Smith - Horses

Album Cover 

Album: Patti Smith - Horses

Released: November 10, 1975

Design: Bob Heimall 

Photography: Robert Mapplethorpe

Model: Patti Smith

Today is Election Day...

... and if you haven't done so, go out to vote.

If you don't know where to vote, go to this website: 

https://www.vote.org/polling-place-locator/

 

Body Paint: Johannes Stötter - Light Lizard UV Bodypainting

 

via Johannes Stötter

Pole Dance: Amanati - Sevdas

Choreography: Sofia Iosifidou

via Amanati

Cosplay is an Art: Fan Expo 2022 Chicago

via ModernAnimator

Album Cover: Cher Lloyd - Sticks & Stones

Album Cover

Album: Cher Lloyd - Sticks & Stones

Released: November 4, 2011

Album Cover Design: JP Robinson and SMOG

Photography: Steven and Dennis

Art Direction: JP Robinson and Maria Marulanda

Konrad Mägi

Art Appreciation

An Estonian pioneer of modernisim, painter Konrad Mägi was known for his color-sensitive landscape works and motifs. 

Born on November 1, 1878, Mägi received an art education from German Artisans' Society of Tartu. He continued his art education in Saint Petersburg, then went to Paris in 1907. While in Paris, he was influenced by Impressionism and Fauvism.

His travels to France, Norway, Germany, and Italy influenced his expressionism. He was known for incorporating bold colors into his landscapes, different from his contemporaries at the time.  

On the Road from Viljandi to Tartu, 1915-1916

Venice, 1922-1923

Portrait of Elsi Loo, 1915

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://emmamuseum.fi/en/exhibitions/konrad-magi/

Pole Dance: Björk - Jóga

Choreography: Nanar Jinx

via Nanar Jinx

Cosplay is an Art: Mira Kamen Convention 2022

via ByGreen.Org: Cosplay & Convents

Fashion is DEFINITELY Art: The Dior Spring - Summer 2023 Show

Creative Director: Maria Grazia Chiuri 

Choreography: Imre and Marne Van Opstal

via Christian Dior

Roy Stuart

Photography Appreciation

Born on October 25, 1962, in the Upper West Side of New York, contemporary art and fashion photographer and filmmaker Roy Stuart is best known his erotic works that captures sexuality in BDSM (bondage, discipline, dominance, and submission). 

Stuart started his career as an actor playing a small role in The Godfather Part II before moving overseas to London then Paris to become a fashion photographer.  

When asked in an interview why he turned to eroticism, he replied, "300 years ago, artists had to work for the Church if they wanted to express themselves. Today, it's the same with photographers who work in fashion."

He further argued, in the interview, what defines a girl being pretty or liking sex, "The idea that a girl, to be pretty, does not need to shave, to be too made up or too well styled. Or that the notion that women do not like sex is false." 

In a different article, he stated that Americans are more consumer-oriented than French who appreciate women more, "In America, it's more consumerist, money-oriented... Americans are going further from the body, escaping more and more from the body."

But his idea as presented in an interview, he's approached with the question by a young model standing over a room full of erotic photos if he treats women like freaks. He responded, "... If you want a heavy take on my impressions of 'panty bandit.' To me, I just saw it as a strange and diabolical metaphor for the power of women over men. A man goes out into the street and waits for a woman to pass, just to catch a glimpse, a few centimeters, of her pubic hair, and then leaves."

Source: 

Wikipedia

https://www.salon.com/2001/05/03/stuart_3/

https://www.gqmagazine.fr/pop-culture/sorties/articles/roy-stuart-interview/3257

https://www.roystuart.net/category/work/photos/

http://www.all-art.org/art_20th_century/modern_art/STUART1.html

Body Paint: Roustan - Asphyxia

Artist: Paul Roustan

Model: Asphyxia

via Roustan

Dance: Christina Perri - Human

Choreography: Soo, G.NI Jazz Dance

via GNI Dance Company[지니댄스학원 컴퍼니]

Cosplay is an Art: FanX Salt Lake 2022

via Get Geekish

Fashion is DEFINITELY Art: Chanel - Fall Winter 2022/2023

Creative director: Virginie Viard

via FF Channel

Gillian Jacobs

Acting Appreciation

Born on October 19, 1982, Gillian MacLaren Jacobs began studying acting at Pittsburg Playhouse. She later performed with the Pittsburg Public Theater, where she later was casted as Titania, a major role in A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Gillian, a graduate of Juilliard, started her acting career in a TV series called The Book of Daniel, in 2006. However, it was NBC's comedy series Community, where Gillian is best recognized for portraying killjoy Britta Perry.

During and after Community's successful run, Gillian's voice appeared in animated comedy series such as Robot Chicken, Monsters vs. Aliens, American Dad!, Adventure Time, and Star Trek: Lower Decks.

In 2007, Gillian starred in a drama film titled Blackbird playing a teenage runaway and stripper. The following year, she played a prostitute in the drama film titled Gardens of the Night.

After being casted for Community, she began appearing in more comedy-drama films such as Let Go (2011), Revenge for Jolly! (2012), Bad Milo! (2013), Life Partners (2014), Don't Think Twice (2016), Lemon (2017), Ibiza (2018), and I Used to Go Here (2020),  Gillian directed the 2015 documentary short The Queen of Code about U.S. Navy Rear Admiral and computer scientist Grace Hopper. 

2014 San Diego Comic Con via 

via

via

Source:

Wikipedia

https://tvovermind.com/gillian-jacobs/

Body Paint: Avi Ram - Bremen Manelli

Artist: Avi Ram

Model: Bremen Manelli

via Bremen Fitness

Dance: Sam Smith, Kim Petras - Unholy

Choreography: Hamilton Evans

 via Hamilton Evans

Cosplay is an Art: Dragoncon 2022

via Justin Henton

Fashion is DEFINITELY Art: Yeezy Season 9

Fashion Appreciation

Designer: Kanye West (now known as Ye), in consultation with Shayne Oliver

Label: YZY

So, to put into context, because chances are this video may be removed from YouTube, Ye debuted his "Yeezy Season 9" or YZYSZN9 ready-to-wear collection during the 2022 Paris Fashion Week. 

The highlight wasn't the post-apocalyptic couture that has some similarities to Fallout characters, but rather the controversial tee-shirt that read "White Lives Matter" on the back.

The strong stance awarded Ye a sit-down with Fox News' Tucker Carlson, where both shared their grievances ranging from Black Lives Matter and Donald Trump. The House Judiciary GOP twitter account tweeted in support of Ye, "Kanye. Elon. Trump." and then shared a video of Carlson's interview. Supposedly, segments where Ye made antisemitic comments on Carlson's show has since been removed. 

But after the interview, Ye took to Instagram then Twitter, to share his grievances towards Jews. His accounts were locked after the offensive posts. One that read "death [sic] con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE."

A few weeks ago, we learned Gap and Ye parted ways. Adidas has since placed its partnership with Ye under review.

A few days ago, he posted a video titled "Last Week" on the YZY instagram account. In that video he showed an awkward meeting -- probably took place on September 16th -- with Adidas executives in a warehouse looking place. At one point Ye holds up a clip of a porn video at the executive's face. 

 

Sources:

https://www.voguebusiness.com/fashion/kanye-west-on-yzy-paris-and-his-three-phases-in-fashion

https://www.complex.com/sneakers/kanye-west-adidas-meeting-yeezy-deal

https://www.foxnews.com/shows/media-buzz/from-ye-la-city-council-antisemitism-racism-running-rampant

https://newrepublic.com/article/168082/rights-cynical-embrace-kanye-west

https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-719170

https://www.forbesafrica.com/current-affairs/2022/10/10/musk-welcomes-kanye-west-back-to-twitter-after-hes-blocked-by-instagram-over-apparent-antisemitic-post%ef%bf%bc/

http://yeezy.com/

https://www.instagram.com/yzy/

https://www.voguebusiness.com/fashion/kanye-west-on-yzy-paris-and-his-three-phases-in-fashion

https://hypebeast.com/2022/10/yeezy-season-9-show-paris-photos

A California Kink

Pardon the Interruption

Recently, I've been going through a box that's travelled with me since college. The box is full of old PLAYBOY, PENTHOUSE, and other magazines. 

After scratching my head of what to do with these magazines, I decided to go through them once more and blog what I find interesting.

One thing that caught my attention again is a cartoon drawn by cartoonist Marty Murphy.  

When I was young, I had a fascination of living in California. It was probably fueled with the many hours of MTV and Hollywood movie stars that filled my developing brain. 

Probably this cartoon added to my California craving. The image of a woman greeting a her man home after work naked seemed like paradise. 

Although my California dreaming has subsided to nothing, I still have that naughty kink to coming home and finding my significant other naked.

Marty Murphy / PLAYBOY (March 1995)

Antti Hulkko

Music Appreciation

Born on October 11, 1962, Antti Hulkko (aka. Andy McCoy), is a Finnish musician best known for being the lead guitarist and songwriter for the glam rock band, Hanoi Rocks as well as playing with music legends like Iggy Pop. 

McCoy grew up in Stockholm, Sweden. In around 1977, he joined the punk rock band Pelle Miljoona Oy. Then a couple of years later joined Hanoi Rocks. 

In 1981, Hanoi Rocks released their first album titled Bangkok Shocks, Saigon Shakes, Hanoi Rocks. The album continues to have a following, especially appearing in HBO Max original series Peacemaker.  After recording five albums and changing band members, the group disbanded in 1985.

Andy McCoy would then join other bands like The Cherry Bombz, The Suicide Twins, Shooting Gallery, and Grease Helmet. Between bands he released several solo albums. 

Besides music, McCoy is a painter, jewelry and accessories designer. He held his first art exhibit titled McCoy Hits Canvas at The Cable Factory in Helsinki in 2010.

Stung Out (1995) via CoolCityCactus

The Glimmer Twins

Angels in Bliss

Source: 

Wikipedia

https://artivosi.com/andy-mccoy/

Body Paint: Sébastien Meyer and Arnaud Vaillant - Bella Hadid

Artists: Sébastien Meyer and Arnaud Vaillant for Coperni

Model: Bella Hadid

via FF Channel

Dance: Belly Dancing by Kasia Wronka

Belly Dancer: Kasia Wronka

Musicians: Ramzi Attia and Wit Goodowsky

via Ramzi Attia

Cosplay is an Art: C2E2 Chicago Comic Con 2022

via mineralblu

Fashion is DEFINITELY Art: Fendi Resort 2023

Designer: Silvia Venturini Fendi

Artistic Director: Kim Jones

Collaborator: Marc Jacobs

via Runway Collections

Source: 

https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/resort-2023/fendi

Méret Oppenheim

Art Appreciation 

Surrealist artist and photographer, Méret Elisabeth Oppenheim was born on October 6, 1913 in Berlin. 

Although born in German, she grew up in Delémont, Switzerland, which borders France. At a young age, she was exposed to different artworks that included French Impressionism, German Expressionism, Modernism, Fauvism, and Cubism. 

Her father introduced Oppenheim to the writings of founder of analytical psychology Carl Jung, at the age of 15. She was more so influenced by Jung's animus-anima theory--the contra-sexual aspect of a person's psyche--which is becomes apparent in many of her work throughout the years. At one point, she renounced the term "feminine art" and adopted Jung's ideal androgynous creativity.  

At the age of 18, Oppenheim moved to Paris and attended the Académie de la Grande Chaumière to study painting. While in Paris, she was invited by Hans Arp and Alberto Giacometti to participate in the Surrealist exhibition in the “Salon des Surindépendants." Soon after, she surrounded herself with other Surrealist artists like Max Ernst, Marcel Duchamp, and Andre Breton. 

She experimented with "veristic surrealism," which portrays the dreamworld in rich detail. Partly influenced by Jung, Oppenheim used painting and her dreams as an "analogy to the subconsciousness' forms."  

Self-portrait, skull and ornament, 1964

Glove, 1985

Fur-covered cup, saucer, and spoon, 1936

Source: 

Wikipedia

https://www.moma.org/learn/moma_learning/meret-oppenheim-object-paris-1936/

https://nmwa.org/exhibitions/meret-oppenheim/