It is so strange to see just how many publications were hand painted during the early to mid century. This generation of artists were almost wiped out when photography became in fashion. Unfortunately I do not have the illustrators' names for these covers. I can't imagine how little these artists were paid for such cheaply sold material. Look at those prices.
Louis Nizer (1902 - 1994) English lawyer
Art: Alphonse Mucha- Slave Epic invitation
Look at what I stumble on. These are some really obscure Mexican pinup artworks. I don't have much info on them but can assume they were for the 1949 version of the Maxim magazines of it's day. It's such a shame that painted covers are no longer a common practice. I know, I know. The typical latina look is not there but keep in mind, Mexican culture, like many cultures, showcase the european/ american look rather than celebrating their country's distinct ethnicity but the white, red hared Mexicanas are just as beautiful a the brown ones. Published in Mexico 1949-1950 by Editora Excelsior. Art by Al Moore, Fritz Willis and Freyre.
Creation has a way of making you feel like a mighty proud king after finishing a piece. Other times it makes you feel like a bummy loser incapable of anything artistic. I cannot begn to tell you the amount of tears, frustration, depression, and wasted time I spent on revising images... badly. They were never good enough. My mind was stuck in a ditch, too stubborn to try something new. However when my pride was put aside, applying a new inspired avenue, my work came to life. If it's not "coming out right", let it go. It's not meant to be born to you.
Art by Mexican poster extraordinaire: Ernesto Garcia Cabral
As the late comedy legend Bill Hicks says. "Play from your F***ing heart!"
Over the last 100 years thousands of artists have tried copy the distinct style of Art Nouveau master Alphonse Mucha, yet they shortchanged themselves shutting their own uniqueness off and creating from the head.
Our creative spirit is screaming to be set free from it's predictable patterns. It's full of explosive chaos, ideas, unpredictability and get bored easily. Yet we cage that precious energy to fit in, gain acceptance or something worse. As history has shown us, the creative rebels we look up to were the one's bold enough to stay true their unique voice, even in the face of harsh criticism externally or even worse... internally. Sadly, the urge for acceptance is so strong that we numb what our heart is quietly roaring, and listen to the logical mind steering us into the wrong place every single time. Everything we enjoy, Slam Poetry, Wildstyle Graffiti Art, a Tchaikovsky composition, 1950s Knoll furniture design, they were products of the soul, the raw human emotional spirit, not logic. Yes they may have seemed strange and shunned at first, but over time were embraced tightly assimilating into the collective conscious. We get frustrated wih "mistakes" while creating, yet those are the very things that will boldly individualizes us with new styles and patterns of though. MISTAKES ARE YOUR FRIEND! They are actually the raw human experience trying to explode from it's lonely self imposed prison.
Speaking from experience those who enjoy my art are actually looking a collection of mistakes that I embraced over the years making my style more distinct. Yes I often get mad because something is not right and I am not getting my way, but then I stop and ask "My heart is bored and wants to play a new game. What new place is it trying to take me?" So far the answers have never disappointed.
Imagine if Alphonse Mucha tried to be like someone else. Imagine if you tried to be like someone else. We wouldn't have him and we wouldn't have you. There is only one you.
Play from your f***ing heart.
Art: Alphonse Mucha "Princezna Hyacinta"
Here is another illustration I created as part of a 4 section project for Cariocas, a summer beach party in Athens Greece. This is House Music DJ Danny Krivit.
The cream of the crop of all artforms often comes from the underdog, the underground, the little guy, and the forgotten who deserved more praise than whoever had the fame. Many times fame with lesser talent has more to do with better public relations than a good invention. As the saying goes, "Credit goes the the exploiter of the invention, not the inventor. Sadly the publlc does not care to know the difference.
This is why I scream "ARTISTS INVENTORS AND CREATIVES OF ALL TYPES! Exploit your artistic inventions before someone expliots you!" Now that the internet age is here. We are no longer at the mercy of the gatekeepers of studios, art galleries, museums, artistic cities or other creative politics that once hid the creative class from the public. There is no excuse for any artist to fall into obscurity if he or she can truly help it. Oh yeah, and it's FREE.
One of Mexico's most obscure artist/muralist A.X.Peña leaves us with a classic Mexican Tourist poster in the 1950's for the Mexican Tourist Association. There are only a handful of his works around.
Here is another illustration I created as part of a 4 section project for Cariocas, a summer beach party in Athens Greece. This is David Morales, one of the early superstar DJ's of House Music.
Today's posting celebrates the works of some lesser known illustrators of the 1930's and 40's who knew how to paint hotties of their time. They deserve some shine.
Edward Runci
I wish I knew who made this chocolate ad. Only 2 colors used. Red and black on white.
Bradshaw Crandell
Unknown :(
Andrew Loomis
Andrew Loomis
George Gross
Clarence Underwood
Arthur William Brown illustration of Greta Garbo
John Lagatta-"Why Don't You Call Him" romance story illustration.
Special thanks to Sheepback Cabin for the history.
The reason new sounds, images and new deas comes quickly to the youth is that kids find games in everything. Those playful games develop later into new musical and artistic combinations that become billion dollar industries and they all had their origins in avoiding boredom. All my art styles were products of me fiddling around with my software. Now I make a living from it. The battle is to always stay fresh and new which is never easy. If you are bored or your passion has become stale, perhaps it's time to have fun again.
Art by vintage Mexican comedic poster artist : Ernesto Garcia Cabral
Every first Friday of the month, the town that I am currently residing at has a small festival around historic Munn Park. Art openings, outdoor activities and a bunch of fun small town stuff. They even have their own mini vntage car show where restorers and enthusiasts show off their creations and classic antique cars. I go a kick out of the kids that have zero connection to that era look at the cars as if they came from other worlds. As children we often are amazed at new experiences, but to stay inspired constantly we would do best to keep exposing ourselves to new sources of input. These are taken with my measly iPhone camera.
A classic Corvette unrestored.
What lady can resist snuggling up next to you in this baby?
Look at how modern the design of that dashboard is. Mini Cooper seems to have gotten it's cues from one of these classics.
Built like a tank!
Look at the crank they used to start the cars. 1927 License place
LOOK AT THIS ART DECO MASTERPIECE OF A HOOD ORNAMENT!!!
OH HAI .
Hello there.
Amazing short read by Chris Guillebeau on making a living online aimed at the creative crowd.
Download the free PDF ebook here
I am honored to showcase these works on my blog as they are rare, forgotten or neglected Latin masterworks to the pinup world. I will post more information on these unknown masters in the future.
Somehow I ended up as the go to-guy to produced portrait art for worldwide DJ's in the House Music scene. Im thankful, but still perplexed. This is part of a 4 section project for Cariocas a beach party in Athens Greece. This is DJ Dennis Ferrer
Dirty magazines?
Wow! The tables have turned so drastically. What was considered "dirty", taboo, and underground in 1950's "wholesome" society has now crept up into the mainstream, a new movement that cherishes pinup cover art and culture as good clean fun. Culture has a funny way of captivating the younger generation who fall in love with the past and what the old has abandoned.
Man!!!! As an artist, how great it would be to transport back in time to the 40s and 50's seeing countless of these magazines on newstands in TImes Square. Yeah I guess I would seem like super pervert man peering into the stacks, but I love art and happen to be passionately blessed in rendering the female form. This would've been heaven to me. Wonders what current underground taboo movements are occurring right under our noses to be made mainstream in 30 years.
Would you have posed for these magazines back in the 50s or would your passion drown in what society thought was right?
Enough about Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly, Bettie Davis and the like. Sometimes I wonder why we think the world of vintage cinema revolves around Hollywood alone when there always an abundance of amazing talent worldwide. It is rare that you see or hear about actors and actresses from other countries unless they crossover to North America with an awful movie.
This post pays tribute to the "pinup worthy" icon of classic Mexican Cinema, Miss Maria Felix who starred in over 50 films, and muse to dozens of artists including Diego Rivera.
Mexican Cinema produced some of the best poster artwork worldwide and as you can see, she made illustration easy for the artist with her dark mane and expressive eyes. One of my own art works is a modern tribute to her movie "Doña Diabla. A Diego Rivera painting titled "Tehuana" which Maria classified as "muy malo" ("really bad") was originally intended to premiere in a retrospective on Rivera's work but Félix did not allow the painting to be displayed, as she never liked it.
Diego Rivera's muse.
and my modern Mexican/ Russian fusion version starring Russian model Maria Plaksina.
You think after years of doing this, that approaching the naked canvas would be easier.
