ART AFICIONADO

Saturday, May 3, 2025

Cosplay is an Art: Jessica Rabbit Cosplay Photo Shoot

Model: Jewel (@julietinthewild)

Photographer: Michael Heim

via Michael Heim Photography

Friday, May 2, 2025

Fashion is DEFINITELY Art: Saint Laurent - Women's Winter 2025 Show

Creative Director: Anthony Vaccarello

via Saint Laurent

Thursday, May 1, 2025

Cecilia Beaux

Art Appreciation

Cecilia Beaux, born on May 1, 1855, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was the daughter of French silk manufacturer Jean Adolphe Beaux and teacher Cecilia Kent Leavitt. Tragically, her mother died just days after her birth, and her father returned to France, leaving Cecilia and her sister to be raised by their maternal grandmother and aunts. This nurturing environment fostered her early interest in art.

Beaux's formal art education began under the guidance of her cousin, Catherine Ann Drinker, an established artist. At the age of 18, Beaux taught drawing at Miss Sanford's School and gave private art lessons.

In 1876, she furthered her studies at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia, where she was influenced by the teachings of Thomas Eakins. Soon after, she was recognized with the Mary Smith Prize, a prestigious art prize awarded to women artists at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.

To refine her skills, Beaux traveled to Paris in 1888, studying at the Académie Julian under prominent artists such as William-Adolphe Bouguereau and Tony Robert-Fleury. Her time in Europe did influence her palette as she adopted more white and paler coloration in her oil paintings.

Upon returning to the United States, Beaux established herself as a leading portraitist of the Gilded Age. Her work was often compared to that of John Singer Sargent, characterized by its elegance and sensitivity. She became the first woman to teach full-time at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, serving from 1895 to 1915.

Among her notable works are "Sita and Sarita" (1893), a captivating portrait of her cousin with a cat, and "Man with the Cat (Henry Sturgis Drinker)" (1898), depicting her brother-in-law. These paintings exemplify her ability to capture the essence of her subjects with depth and nuance.

Self-portrait, 1894

Sita and Arita (a portrait of Sarah Allibone Leavitt, 1893-1894

Man with the Cat (Henry Sturgis Drinker), 1898

Girl with Lyre, 1905

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.artrenewal.org/artists/cecilia-beaux/281

https://nmwa.org/art/artists/cecilia-beaux/

https://www.museumoftheearth.org/daring-to-dig/bio/beaux

https://www.dailyartmagazine.com/cecilia-beaux-in-10-paintings/

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Cecilia-Beaux

https://www.artnet.com/artists/cecilia-beaux/

https://awarewomenartists.com/en/artiste/cecilia-beaux/

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

RANDOM WEDNESDAY: Let's Make A Sandwich

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Kronic & Krunk! - Hey Ho

Music Appreciation

Released on April 29, 2014, "Hey Ho" by Australian DJs Kronic and Krunk! is a high-energy electro-house banger built for the club scene. Packed with a ridiculously catchy saxophone riff and a driving beat, it’s the kind of track that gets people moving whether they're at a festival or just vibing with friends.

The music video, directed by Josef J. Weber, cranks up the fun with a playful, over-the-top vibe. It kicks off with Amy-Jane Brand, Tarsha Fraser, and Caitlin Glanville rolling up to what looks like a country club in a white Moke, setting the tone for a wild time.

Right at the entrance, a cheeky "Wanna have sex?" sign on the floor sets the irreverent mood. Inside, DJ Kronic—rocking a wig and sunglasses—shows off his saxophone skills while the girls, dressed in bikinis, one-pieces, and athletic wear, launch into a choreographed dance routine by Chris van Doren.

As the beat builds, DJ Krunk! joins in, and the party kicks into full gear. It’s a music video that doesn’t take itself too seriously but delivers plenty of eye candy and high-energy fun, just like the song itself.

Sources:

https://www.discogs.com/release/8126099-Kronic-5-Krunk-Hey-Ho-Le-Remixes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei4rbJgMZPc

Monday, April 28, 2025

Skye Model

Modeling Appreciation

In my younger days, I had a fondness for petite blondes. Syke, much like Shannon Hrib, bore a striking resemblance to my ex-wife, in more ways than one.

Standing at 5'4", this blonde beauty was born in Dallas, Texas, on April 28, 1986. She ventured into adult modeling in 2005 and remained in the industry for six years.

Skye possessed the quintessential girl-next-door look, with enchanting grey eyes and a captivating smile that easily caught my attention.

Little is know about her whereabouts; however, I like to imagine that she found happiness as someone's beloved partner, perhaps with children who share her striking features.