ART AFICIONADO

Saturday, August 2, 2025

Cosplay is an Art: Japan Expo 2025

via PanoramicSunSet *

Friday, August 1, 2025

MODELING: The Artemis 2016 Calendar Project

Models: Natasha Legeyda , Gabriella Natale, Matilde Rossi and Elena Rizzello

Photographer: Claudio Gusmaroli

via Claudio Gusmaroli

Thursday, July 31, 2025

Mary Vaux Walcott

Art Appreciation

Mary Morris Vaux was born on July 31, 1860, in Philadelphia into a wealthy Quaker family. Her early years were shaped by both privilege and curiosity—traits that allowed her to travel frequently with her family to the Canadian Rockies. She received a watercolor paint set at age eight and took lessons for four years, developing her artistic skill.

Following the death of her mother, she assumed caregiving responsibilities for her younger brothers but continued pursuing her passions for nature, art, and geology. Encouraged by her father, she developed a keen interest in sketching alpine flora during their mountain excursions, a hobby that eventually defined her life's work.

Walcott became known as a field artist whose scientific precision and artistic talent blended seamlessly. In 1914, she married Charles Doolittle Walcott, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, which further immersed her in scientific circles. Her contributions became particularly significant when the Smithsonian published a five-volume work titled North American Wild Flowers between 1925 and 1929, featuring over 400 of her watercolor illustrations. She traveled extensively to document flowers in their natural habitat, always prioritizing accuracy in form, color, and detail—qualities that made her work valuable not only to artists but also to botanists.

Her artistic style was meticulous and restrained, focusing on realistic depictions rather than abstract interpretations. Using watercolor, graphite, and occasionally gouache, Walcott captured the subtle beauty of native flora with a clarity that rivaled botanical photography. Walcott’s artwork is praised for its scientific precision and lifelike detail: she painted wildflowers in the field—sometimes for up to 17 hours—to capture exact hues and forms in situ, then completed refined versions at camp.

Among her better-known works are Cypripedium montanum (Mountain Lady's Slipper) and Aquilegia coerulea (Rocky Mountain Columbine), which remain celebrated for their lifelike detail and gentle coloration. Today, Walcott’s legacy lives on through her published works and collections housed at the Smithsonian, where her dedication to both art and science continues to inspire.

Mountain Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium montanum), 1923

American Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), 1925

Venus Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula), 1925

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mary-Morris-Vaux-Walcott

https://lithub.com/the-trailblazing-illustrator-and-mountaineer-who-explored-the-wild-north/

https://americanart.si.edu/artist/mary-vaux-walcott-5197

https://paconservationheritage.org/stories/mary-vaux-walcott/

https://harvardforest.fas.harvard.edu/education-opportunities/classic-outreach-resources/frank-morton-jones/jones-author-bios/mary-vaux-walcott/

https://siarchives.si.edu/blog/mary-vaux-walcott%E2%80%99s-wild-flowers

https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/mountain-lady-s-slipper-cypripedium-montanum-mary-vaux-walcott-born-philadelphia-pa-1860-died-st-andrews-new-brunswick-canada-1940/1wGiqtbYdoHccw?hl=en

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

RANDOM WEDNESDAY: Every Single Imperial Rank Explained!

via Red Five

RANDOM WEDNESDAY: Christoph Niemann - "The Bridge"

Source:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DLSHphIMf0h/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Tuesday, July 29, 2025

Marli Buccola

Modeling Appreciation

Marli Buccola, born July 29, 1997, in San Diego, California, is an American model and social media influencer. She stands approximately 5′7″ with striking blue eyes and long blonde hair, a combination that has helped define her sun‑soaked, Southern California aesthetic.

Marli’s online presence began in 2015, when she launched her Instagram during her studies at San Diego State University. That same year, she earned a feature as Total Frat Move’s “Babe of the Day,” a moment she credits with launching her into influencer status.

As a content creator, Marli has collaborated with brands such as Fashion Nova and REVOLVE, expanding her reach in lifestyle, swimwear, and bikini modeling. Her grid mixes sunny travel shots, casual-chic OOTDs (Outfit of the Day), and beachside fashion posts.

Beyond modeling, she’s cultivated a friendly rapport with followers, balancing aspirational visuals with candid captions. Whether showcasing her blue-eyed, blonde‑haired charm or sharing behind‑the‑scenes moments from shoots, she consistently maintains an authentic, engaging presence.