Favored by generations of collectors, the classic American pin-up has decorated calendars, coffee mugs, playing cards, centerfolds, advertising and the noses of WWII airplanes.
It was a calendar producer, Brown and Bigelow, that introduced pin-up girls along with artists’ Rolf Armstrong and Edward Eggleston to the masses in the 1920’s. Esquire Magazine followed up in the 30’s by featuring illustrator George Petty and his “Petty Girls” and the beauties of Alberto Vargas.
During World War II the illustrations of Gil Elvgren, Zoe Mozert and Earl Moran were displayed along side photos of movie stars Betty Grable and Rita Hayworth. After the war, Elvgren protégés such as Al Buell and Art Frahm were taking over the genre but hundreds of artists were recruited for the newest showcase -- covers of paperback novels. In the 1960’s, Playboy Magazine reined supreme, but by the 1970’s photography had taken the place of illustration. The depiction of the female form goes back centuries, but in this age of political-correctness the pin-up is a guilty pleasure still enjoyed by men and women alike.
Tasteful, sensual and sometimes comical pin-ups from the best artists of the genre will be on display and for sale at Old South Frame and Gallery beginning March 3, 2006. Illustrators from the 30’s through the 70’s, including Rolf Armstrong, Enoch Bolles, Billy DeVorss, Edward Eggleston, Gil Elvgren, Earl MacPherson, Earl Moran, George Petty, Coles Phillips, Gene Pressler and Alberto Vargas, are represented. This art form was not exclusively male-dominated; illustrations by famed pin-up artists Mabel Rollins Harris, Zoe Mozert and Irene Patton are also on display.
An exhibit and sale of Classic American Pin-up Art will open on Friday, March 3, 2006, with a reception from 5pm - 10pm, and run through May 21 at Old South Frame and Gallery, 1588 South Pearl St. (S. Pearl St. & Iowa) in Denver.
For more information about the gallery, contact Mark Shanstrom at 303-715-3828.
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Irina Davis is a Russian born photographer who likes the looks of classic American pin-up girls. But she likes to give her own twist to this kind of photography. She portrais only Russian immigrant women and she does that in a great way ...
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Pin-Up: Kelly Doll - Leonora From Zahira Kelly: I am Zahira Kelly, a digital artist and graphic designer. My work is loosely based on classic American pin up art, along the lines of Al Buell and Gil Elvgren, except it features primarily ...
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San Francisco, 1942 - the girls of the High Jinks Burlesque Club welcome their newest assistant in their own way. A Theatre Unleashed Original! "Pin-Up Girls" follows a troupe of San Francisco burlesque dancers as they encounter the new-found freedom...
Product DescriptionThanks to a certain summer blockbuster movie, pirates are hotter than ever before! Sure, the cursed ones made out of bones are fun, but the female types with flesh and muscle are SO MUCH nicer to look at! In this fourth installment of buxom brigands, we see the lasses with cutlasses shiverin' timbers and shakin' their booty for all to see! High-flying adventure and very tiny pirate outfits, as illustrated by such a scurvy lot as Arantza, Mitch Byrd, Tomas Giorello, ... More >>
Treasured Chests 4 - A Gallery Girls Book
Product DescriptionCareful planning, camaraderie, reliable weapons — these were the WWII GI’s necessities. Pinups provided a different kind of support, mentally transporting American soldiers from the perilous front lines into the accommodating arms of gorgeous, nude, or barely clothed women. Featuring art by such legendary pinup masters as Gil Elvgren, Billy DeVorss, Rolf Armstrong, and Zoe Mozert, this colorful collection commemorates the strange blend of innocence and erotica t... More >>
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As the poet Shelly says,"Beauty is Truth and Truth is Beauty, And that is all you need to know."
I mention this quote because when it comes to describing the art of Thomas Kinkade - beauty is the first word that comes to mind. Kinkade is called the artist of light because when he paints a window at night - the light streams from it. When he paints a Christmas tree- the Christmas light seem to twinkle.
Beauty and light and it fascinates me. The subject that Kinkade paints are not unusual. They are cottages that probably do not really exist and gardens that do, if you are lucky. Landscapes and small town night scenes and lighthouses.
Kinkade is not about breaking the boundaries of art and that is just fine with me. He creates beauty and he does it very well.
When I place a piece of art on my walls - one question I ask is this: Will I get tired of looking at it? That is a major criteria of mine when it comes to art. Thomas Kinkade passes this test.
Some may think his work is too commercial - it is found on all kinds of decorative items. But I suspect, that a hundred years from now. Even the least expensive piece of Thomas Kinkaid shlock will be considered priceless.
