Painting an Idea

So in my "about me" section I wrote that I would write about food, fashion, art, anything that peaks my interest really. Due to technical issues all I have been posting about is classic movies and some recipes. Well I finally got it together! Without further ado here is a feature about one of my favorite contemporary artists.

Now I have been researching Will Cotton for quite some time and as far as personal information there isn't much out there. If any of my lovely readers know any more about this artist please feel free to post in the comment section.

Ron 2009 oil on linen

Born in 1965 in the great state of Massachusetts, he moved to New York in the 80's and pursued a degree in fine arts.  In the early 90's Mr. Cotton used pop iconography aimed at rapture. He sums it up perfectly, "My initial impulse to make these paintings really came out of an awareness of the commercial consumer landscape that we live in. Every day we're bombarded with hundreds, if not thousands of messages designed specifically to incite desire within us."         

In 1996 he continued with the theme of desire and instead of pop icons, he used the landscape itself as an object of affection.  Since 2002 he has painted pin up style and nude women featured in the landscape and has later used cotton candy clouds with the nudes. Mr. Cotton has stated that he is inspired by painters Frederic Edwin Church and Francois Boucher. He is also influenced by pin-up painters such as Gil Elvgren and the photographer Carleton Watkins. You can really see the influence these artists has on Cotton.

Monument 2009 oil on linen    

  " I love the idea of showing someone a picture of a place they've never seen before that might inspire them to want to go there, to force them to imagine what it might be like to experience such a place."      

In 2004 he received the Princess Grace Foundation awarded to artists under the age of 40. In 2008 Mr. Cotton started to show pieces of sculpture comprised of real looking cakes and sweets with loads of frosting. In 2009 he installed a pop-up bakery so he could use real baked goods as a model for his sculptures. For the 3 weeks it was open, every employee got to wear a cupcake tiara that Cotton made for them. 

Will Cotton(center) and the baking team

SWEET, 2009-2010, polystyrene, acrylic polymer, pigment, gypsum

Cotton was the artistic director in 2010 for Katy Perry's music video California Gurls. He also constructed props including the candy land board game set and props using real baked goods. For Katy Perry's album Teenage Dream, Cotton painted a portrait of Katy Perry amongst cotton candy clouds.     

cotton candy katy 2010 oil on linen

Cotton has just released a new book entitled Will Cotton Paintings and Works on Paper.

2011

Well that is it for now... Everyone have a great weekend!

Mrs.M

Where does the time go?

Hello lovelies, I am still troubleshooting what is going on with my computer and I don't want to bring you justputtogether content. So hopefully I will be able to post something of worth by the weekend. Everyone have a great Tuesday!


Mrs.M

Ding Ding Ding with the Bell

1944

Set in St.Louis 1904, the four privelaged Smith daughters love the town they live in. Esther Smith(Judy Garland) falls in love with the boy next door when Mr.Smith learns he has an opportunity to move his family to New York. I love this musical! I love the hair, costumes, the singing is amazing. I have found that most people who haven't seen the film immediately recognize the songs.

Judy Garland singing The Trolley Song

The Smith's home.

 I love the architecture of this period.

Now time for some fun facts:



Judy Garland didn't want to play another virginal teenager, Director Vincente Minnelli convinced her play the role. Years later she said it was one of her favorite roles.

Makeup artist Dorothy Ponedel changed her appearance in several ways, including changing her hairline, reshaping eyebrows, and reshaping her lips. Judy Garland was so pleased she written Ponedel into her future contracts with MGM.

During filming, a steamy affair between Judy and Vincente began, they married after filming. Garland was 21 and Minelli was 43.

Vincente Minelli and Judy Garland 1945

Less than a year later, they had a daughter, which they named Liza with a Z. 

Portrait by Andy Warhol 1977

I want to apologize for the lack of posts from last week. I had several posts ready to go and for some reason it didn't save to my hard drive so Mr.M deleted my files on the computer. As you can guess I was a bit miffed. So I will try my bestest to recover the info I researched.

Everyone have a happy Tuesday

Mrs.M





Ahoy hoy!

Today I introduce to you the sister of Anchors Aweigh....

Skirts Ahoy! 1952

Starring the wonderful Esther Williams along side is Joan Evans and Vivian Blaine. The story is about 3 women who join the Navy and while in boot camp one of the ladies goes on the hunt for a man. Again, lovely costumes, and I just love Esther Williams in the swimming scenes.

Teaching the gals how to swim

Publicity shot of all the ladies.

The movie is very light and is funny in ways it wasn't back then. I don't really know how to explain it. Let's call it escapism, shall we?

It's trivia time!

Esther Williams was a champion swimmer before being discovered by MGM.

She was married 4 times.

As of August 8 of this year, she is 90 years old!!!

Well that's it for now. Happy November everyone!

Mrs.M