Dance: Eve - Tambourine

Choreography: Leejung Lee

via 리정 Leejung Lee

Cosplay is an Art: L.A. COMIC CON 2023

via Chong Ahn 

Fashion is DEFINITELY Art: CHANEL 2023/24 Métiers d'art Show

Creative Director: Virginie Viard 

via CHANEL

Augustus Edwin John

Art Appreciation 

Augustus Edwin John, born on January 4, 1878, in Tenby, Wales, emerged as one of the most celebrated painters in Wales, leaving a mark on the art world during the early to mid-20th century. His artistic journey began with a precocious talent for art displayed alongside his older sister Gwen. At seventeen, he briefly attended the Tenby School of Art before heading to London for further studies at the Slade School of Fine Art at the University College London.

In 1901, John married Ida Nettleship, whom he had met at the Slade, which led him to a teaching post at the University of Liverpool. Relocating to London in 1903, he co-founded Chelsea Art School with Major Sir William Newenham Montague Orpen, solidifying his influence in the art community.

Complications arose in John's personal life when Dorelia McNeill became both his model and mistress, leading to a complex ménage à trois with Ida from 1903 to 1907. Tragedy struck when Ida succumbed to puerperal fever after childbirth while the family was living in Paris with Dorelia.

Around 1910, John, accompanied by his friend James Dickson Innes, painted in the Arenig valley and established an artists' colony at Alderney Manor, where he resided with his family and Dorelia. His fascination with the Romani people prompted him to travel with his family in a caravan, eventually becoming the President of the Gypsy Lore Society from 1937 to 1961.

In 1917, he became the war artist for the Canadian military, creating memorable portraits of Canadian infantrymen. By the 1920s, John rose to prominence as Britain's leading portrait painter, gaining recognition for his portraits of notable figures such as George Bernard Shaw and William Butler Yeats.

Augustus Edwin John's artistic versatility shone through various genres, including portraiture, landscapes, and etchings. His ability to capture the emotional depth of his subjects, coupled with a fascination for the human form and a nuanced exploration of psychological subtleties, contributed to the enduring appeal of his art.

Elected as an Associate of the Royal Academy in 1921 and a full R.A. in 1928, John received the Order of Merit from George VI in 1942. Serving as a trustee of the Tate Gallery from 1933 to 1941 and as President of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters from 1948 to 1953, he was honored with the Freedom of the Town of Tenby in 1959.

Augustus Edwin John's dynamic and expressive style, influenced by Post-Impressionism and Fauvism, positioned him as a pioneering force in the British art scene, leaving an enduring legacy.

Portrait of Marchesa Luisa Casati (1919)

Fraternity (1920)

W.B. Yeats (1907)

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/fraternity-6589/tagger/add

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/mar/02/augustus-john-william-orpen-peace-conference-1920

Cop a feel

As we come close to adult entertainment award ceremony season, we all should remember to respect our stars. Although they do porn and maybe portray a character that enjoys certain sexual acts, they are private individuals with the same rights that you and I enjoy. So, no cop a feel. 

Marty Murphy, PLAYBOY (November 1995)

Petra Havlasova (aka Kelly Havel)

Modeling Appreciation

I vividly remember getting my hands on the June 1998 edition of Penthouse magazine. It was in those glossy pages that I discovered the enchanting Petra Havlasova, also known as Kelly Havel, Kelly O'Scarlett, Paula, and Victoria. Her allure captivated me, and my infatuation only deepened when I stumbled upon her feature in the same year's edition of Perfect 10 (Vol. 1, Issue 3).

Born on January 2, 1978, this 5'9" Czech brunette shared my passions for traveling, swimming, and indulging in poetry—interests that resonated with me during that period of my life. To my 20-year-old self, she embodied perfection in many ways, especially with her natural, medium-sized breasts and absence of tattoos.

Engaged in the modeling scene from 1997 to 2000, Petra collaborated with renowned photographers such as Earl Miller, Suze Randall, and Sean McCall. Her portfolio includes 41 covers, 35 photosets, and six videos.

Sources:

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0369872/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm

babepedia.com

indexxx.com

www.eurobabeindex.com

babecenterfolds.com

hotnessrater.com

New Year's Resolution

 

Doug Sneyd, PLAYBOY (January 1996)