RANDOM WEDNESDAY: Elly Clutch (Cosplay)

https://www.instagram.com/ellyclutchh/ 

Holly Witt

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Body Art: Monty Knowles - 22nd IHF Women's World Championship Body Paint Campaign (2015)

Artist: Monty Knowles

 via DanskHåndbold

Gerard ter Borch

Art Appreciation

Gerard ter Borch, born in December 1617 in Zwolle, Netherlands, was a prominent painter of the Dutch Golden Age. He received his initial artistic training from his father, Gerard ter Borch the Elder, a skilled draftsman. 

Demonstrating remarkable talent from a young age, ter Borch created an accomplished drawing at just eight years old. In 1634, he studied under Pieter de Molijn in Haarlem and joined the Haarlem Guild of Saint Luke in 1635. 

His early career included travels to England, Italy, and Spain, where he was influenced by various artistic traditions. By the mid-1640s, ter Borch returned to the Netherlands, establishing himself as a master of portraiture and genre scenes.

Ter Borch's technique was distinguished by meticulous attention to detail, particularly in rendering textures like satin and silk. His ability to depict the sheen and folds of luxurious fabrics became a hallmark of his work. 

Notable paintings include The Gallant Conversation (c. 1654), also known as The Paternal Admonition, which exemplifies his skill in capturing intimate social interactions. Another significant work is The Ratification of the Treaty of Münster (1648), depicting the signing of the treaty that ended the Eighty Years' War between Spain and the Dutch Republic.

Throughout his career, ter Borch received considerable recognition. He was invited to Madrid, where he received employment and the honor of knighthood from Philip IV. In Deventer, he became a member of the town council. His works are held in major museums worldwide, including the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and the National Gallery in London, underscoring his enduring legacy in art history.

Self Portrait (1666)

Paternal Admonition (c. 1654)

The Ratification of the Treaty of Munster (1648)

Sources: 

Wikipedia

https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/artists/gerard-ter-borch?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://www.nga.gov/collection/artist-info.983.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://bjws.blogspot.com/2014/11/1600s-music-few-folks-with-dogs-by.html

Cosplay is an Art: Cosplay Mania (Philippines)

via World Otaku Channel

Fashion is DEFINITELY Art: LOEWE Spring Summer 2025 women’s runway collection

Creative Director: Jonathan Anderson

via LOEWE 

Konstantin Korovin

Art Appreciation

Konstantin Korovin, born on December 5, 1861, in Moscow, grew up in a family with deep artistic roots. His father was an art enthusiast, and his older brother, Sergei, was also a painter. 

Encouraged by this creative environment, Korovin enrolled at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture in 1875. There, he studied under renowned painters like Vasily Polenov and Alexei Savrasov, whose teachings profoundly influenced his artistic development. 

Korovin’s education continued at the Imperial Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg, although he quickly found its rigid academic approach stifling, prompting him to return to Moscow to follow his artistic instincts more freely.

In the late 1880s, Korovin ventured into stage design, a field where his flair for dramatic composition and vibrant color flourished. His collaborations with the Russian Imperial Theaters and later the Ballets Russes were widely acclaimed, blending visual artistry with theatrical storytelling. 

Simultaneously, Korovin established himself as a skilled landscape artist, creating scenes like North Sea (1890). His travels across Europe and his exposure to Impressionism further enriched his palette and inspired him to explore the interplay of light and shadow.

Korovin’s art is celebrated for its lively brushwork and expressive use of color, often blurring the boundaries between realism and Impressionism. He masterfully captured the essence of fleeting moments, whether in urban scenes, lush gardens, or vibrant still lifes. 

Notable works include Paris. Café de la Paix (1906), which portrays the bustling charm of Parisian life, and Gurzuf (1914), a radiant depiction of Crimea’s serene beauty. His technique of layering short, dynamic brushstrokes inspired his canvases with movement and vitality, making him one of the pioneers of Russian Impressionism.

Despite his success, Korovin faced challenges later in life, particularly after the Russian Revolution, which forced him to emigrate to France in 1923. In exile, he continued to paint and design, leaving behind a legacy of art that resonated with joy, light, and the poetic spirit of his era. Today, his works remain treasured in museums like the Tretyakov Gallery, standing as vivid testimonies to his remarkable talent and vision.

North Sea (1890)

Paris. Café de la Paix (1906)

Pier in Gurzuf (1914)

Evening, Porte Saint-Denis, Paris (1932)

Two Ladies on a Terrace (1911)

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.tg-m.ru/catalog/en/artists/2625

https://www.rusimp.su/en/books/32

https://primo.getty.edu/primo-explore/fulldisplay/GETTY_ALMA21169218940001551/GRI

https://www.virtualartacademy.com/konstantin-korovin/

https://www.leightonfineart.co.uk/artist/konstantin-korovin/

https://www.tretyakovgallerymagazine.com/articles/1-2012-34/konstantin-korovin-his-paintings-and-theatre-work-tretyakov-gallery

RANDOM WEDNESDAY: George Carlin Easy Explains Why Those with Money Want to Control the People

via SkyEcho7

From Mall Santa to Amazon Prime: How Christmas Traditions Have Evolved

Pardon the Interruption

When I was young, the thrill of Christmas wasn’t just about the gifts under the tree; it was about the experience. Each year, my mom, and sometimes my dad, would take me to see Santa at the local mall. We’d join the line of excited (and sometimes restless) kids, each of us rehearsing our requests as if we were about to meet a celebrity. And like clockwork, I’d climb onto Santa’s lap, sometimes forgetting the carefully practiced list I had in mind, ending up winging it and hoping he’d get the message.

Fast forward a couple of decades, and it was my turn to introduce my own kid to Santa. Her first visit? Let’s just say it didn’t go exactly as planned. We captured a classic ‘first Santa photo’—her screaming in horror while Santa tried to look jolly. But, as the years went by, she grew to look forward to these annual visits. Just like I had, she would practice her wish list, mentally preparing for her moment with the big guy in red.

Now, my kid is all grown up, off in college, and Christmas traditions look a little different. There’s no mall Santa to line up for, but I still make it a point to ask, “What do you want from Santa this year?” Some things never change—I still have my “direct line” to him. Of course, these days that line looks a lot like Amazon Prime, where I can add everything to the cart with a few clicks.

It’s funny how traditions evolve with time, yet the essence remains the same. Whether it’s standing in a crowded mall or browsing online from the comfort of home, Christmas will always be about those special moments and connections, no matter how much easier Santa’s job has become in the digital age.

Nate Fakes

Body Art: Maggie Fox

via Maggie Fox 

Dance: Queen - Body Language

Choreographer: Liana Blackburn

via iamlianablackburn