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Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Prepping with Patriot Mom

As I step into the next chapter of my life, I’ve been toying with the idea of a reinvention. I can only imagine what a marketing firm would come up with for a middle-aged man—compact in height but towering in presence, laser-focused yet bursting with big ideas. Now, if only they could fit all that on a business card!


Paul Noth, The New Yorker November 25, 2024

Monday, May 5, 2025

Hannah Ferguson

Modeling Appreciation

Hannah Ferguson, the Texan-born supermodel, captivates audiences worldwide with her striking beauty and magnetic presence on the runway. Born on May 5, 1992, in San Angelo, Texas, her journey to stardom started when she was discovered at the age of 14 during a trip to a shopping mall, Ferguson's career took flight when she signed with an agency in Dallas. Her transition from small-town girl to international sensation was swift yet seamless, as she quickly garnered attention for her signature blonde locks, piercing blue eyes, and 5'10" statuesque frame.

Ferguson's breakthrough came when she walked the runway for prestigious fashion brands such as Chanel, Versace, and Dolce & Gabbana. Her effortless grace and poise earned her coveted spots in high-profile campaigns for Sports Illustrated, Harper's Bazaar, and Elle. With each appearance, Ferguson's star continued to rise, solidifying her status as one of the industry's most sought-after models. Beyond her striking looks, Ferguson's appeal lies in her versatility. Whether channeling old Hollywood glamour or embodying the free-spirited essence of bohemian chic, she effortlessly adapts to the demands of each photoshoot or runway show.

However, Ferguson's influence extends beyond the world of fashion. As an advocate for body positivity and self-acceptance, she uses her platform to promote messages of empowerment and inclusivity. By embracing her natural beauty and celebrating her curves, Ferguson challenges traditional beauty standards and encourages others to embrace their individuality. In an industry often criticized for its lack of diversity, Ferguson's presence serves as a beacon of hope for aspiring models from all walks of life. 









Sources:

Sports Illustrated (USA) — 20 February 2015, Vol. 122, Iss. 7, pg. 153–155, 160, 168, 172, by: Ben Morris, “Get Your Kicks”

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

https://www.freeones.com/hannah-ferguson

https://twitter.com/TheHannahFerg

https://www.instagram.com/hannahfergusonofficial

https://www.babeimpact.com/galleries/hannah-ferguson-in-bikini/

https://babesrater.com/infinite-scroll/22371/hannah-ferguson

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/