Showing posts with label Susan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Susan. Show all posts

Friday, January 20, 2012

The Friday Evening Nudes

Tonight I feature various renditions of Danae The Rembrandt is for my lovely friend Susan. 



Artemisa Gentilesch
Danaë 

(That red blanket takes my breath away.  ~ P.S.)



 Rembrandt
Danaë 
Hermitage, St. Petersburg, Russia




Danae
(detail)





Danae
(detail)





In 1985 this painting was viciously slashed and bathed in acid by a deranged man. The restoration proved highly successful. 



Danaë 
Jacob van Loo


Happy Weekend.
(Feeling a bit Sphinx-like),
Gina
:-)

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Untitled



Margaret Atwood is one of my heroes because she uses her reputation and notoriety as a renowned writer and poet, to discuss issue regarding the survival the planet.




Both videos are posted with my friend Susan in mind but this next one, especially. She is much in my thoughts.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

A Letter to Friends

Hi to you, the faithful blog friends of the Slightly Erratic Pagan Sphinx. Now that Bobbie has passed away, I think the regular readers remain Susan, Singing Bear, Dianne, Mac and Jams.The Photo Pholks stop by for the memes but probably don't read the art or personal posts.  Thanks, Beautiful People. 

I'm writing to you briefly from San Francisco, California.  I didn't expect to be here for the last four days of my California trip but it was indeed a nice surprise to be parceled out from Santa Barbara, where I was visiting my daughter and daughter-in-law, and join WP in SF until July 5.  

Today's delights were crepes, fresh orange juice and dark coffee for breakfast and Filmore Jazz off and on all day. 

We are staying in Japan Town, which is very chill, as the San Francisco denizen, Lovely Step-Daughter #1, says.  We met her boyfriend for the first time and we had a genuinely great time out with them last night for dinner, over lots of wine and bustling city-cool restaurant atmosphere. Chill, indeed. Living-wise, I'd much rather San Francisco than New York City. Though I will visit the latter at the Drop of a Hat.




Both states need to get their act together regarding Marriage Equality. It's beyond sad that California rejected the equal marriage law, by popular vote.  Ouch. 

I digress ; sorry.

Listening to the strands of jazz music on Filmore straining up the the sixteenth floor of our hotel in Japantown.  Time to go back down to earth to groove.  :-)







Tomorrow:  San Francisco MoMA and more Filmore Jazz.
Next week:  lots of photos, here at The Pagan Sphinx.

Peace and Love,
Pagan Sphinx





Tuesday, February 2, 2010

What Artist Would You Choose to Paint Your Portrait?




Kenju would've chosen Andrew Wyeth to paint her portrait.

Dianne,  this painter would certainly do you justice.

Young Woman Drawing, 1801
Marie-Denise Villers 
(French, 1774–1821)
Oil on canvas

63 1/2 x 50 5/8 in. (161.3 x 128.6 cm)
Mr. and Mrs. Isaac D. Fletcher Collection, Bequest of Isaac D. Fletcher, 1917 (17.120.204)
At one time ascribed to Jacques-Louis David, this alluring portrait has now been recognized as the work of Marie-Denise Villers. Although little known today, Villers was a gifted pupil of Girodet and exhibited in the Salons, where her portraits attracted attention. This work, which may be a self-portrait, was exhibited in the Salon of 1801.

 Jams O'Donnel commissioned William Hogarth

and here he is with a self-portrait entitled
Hogarth Painting the Comic Muse. 
c.1757
National Portrait Gallery, London, UK.
Although I would never, ever, ever recommend that my friend Singing Bear have his portrait "painted" by Jackson Pollock, I did want to honor his request. Only for a blog pal like Singing Bear (for the longest time I called him  Dancing Bear. It's a wonder he still speaks to me!) But about Jackson Pollock - he is virtually the only famous painter I can think whose work I don't like  --  at all.    :-o 

1951
 There are actually a couple of shapes in this one that strongly resemble people. It's an screen print, though, not a painting

Susan would want to painted in the style of Rembrandt's Danae. 
 Stunning.

This is a detail from Rembrant's great work taken from Greek mythology. Danae is generally portrayed in her locked room as Zeus arrives in the form of a shower of gold. Their offspring was Perseus. Danae was locked away by her father, Acrisius, because the oracle had foretold that her son would kill him. When he discovered the union of Zeus and Danae, Acrisius locked her and her son in a chest that was set adrift. Eventually, they were rescued on the shore of Seriphus. With the change in venue, came a change in the outcome. Instead of killing his grandfather, Perseus killed King Polydectes of Seriphus, who tried to force himself on Danae.

For me, it would be Rembrandt Da Vinci in the Mona Lisa style
(You are all very kind to not have corrected me but it did take me a couple of days before I discovered this mistake.)

Friday, December 11, 2009

The Friday Evening Nudes

I'm kind of nervous. I've never taken requests for nudes before. And as I suspected, at least a couple of you  have put me in somewhat of a compromising position. But I did ask for suggestions and what kind of art hostess would I be if I did not fill requests graciously, right?   ;-)

  This one goes out to Susan, who requested a nude by illustrator Edmund Dulac. But I'm adding a bonus:  one by Dulac I found tucked into a file labeled "illustrators".  Susan, thanks. I went on a Dulac hunt after I read your comment. Your work reminds me of this style. Heavenly. 


Mermaid and Prince



 Selene and Endymion
Edmund Dulac

And if I had gained Susan's permission earlier (I didn't think of it until later) I would also be posting one of her own images. Honestly, they are in the same league as Dulac.

I do have this mandala that I received as a blog award and it is made by Susan. So, though it has nothing to do with nudes, it sort of fits with the mood of this post. I think. Then again, it does have something to do with nudes. Doesn't everything? Nudity is truly elemental.   :-)  You could most easily view Susan's paintings, sketches and silk art creations by visiting her at Phantsythat.






 Dianne:  This one is for you. The subject had to be in the company of a cat.  ;-)


Valloton

Okay. There is nary a doubt about it:  I have quite the eclectic bunch showing up around here!  :-)


 Spadoman:  I did my best, my friend.  I haven't been successful in finding an image where one can actually read the thought bubbles, so I have not an exact idea of what the serpent trails off into...


r.crumb

Lemme Caution had no preferences so we'll go off for a bit on a Pagan Sphinx tangent. Shall we?


Emile Bernard




Albert Von Keller


Cupid and the Three Graces
Raphael
1517

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

5. And this one's for MadPriest:  I didn't know your tastes leaned toward the athletic.
;-)


 The authentic Tennis Girl:



Martin Elliot
click for larger viewing



My apologies for not linking to everyone's blogs. I've run out of time before I have to leave for dinner. 
Ciao


Happy Hanukkah



Sunday, March 1, 2009

Black Crow

I thought this video tribute to Joni Mitchell's composition Black Crow was particularly well done. But I would expect no less from someone whose youtube handle is hejira33312. ;-) Well done, Don. This is my all-time favorite song by Joni Mitchell.


And while I'm here, I'd also like to pass on this award given to me by my dear friend Betmo at Life's Journey, to Crow and Susan at Phantythat, to whom the song is dedicated.


Thanks, Bet. I'm looking forward to those pictures of your garden you've been promising us. That season can't come fast enough, huh? We're expecting a winter storm tonight. Alas, nothing can be done. We have to weather it out.






Thursday, January 29, 2009

Fabulous Blog Award

I've recently ventured out farther into the blogosphere and have discovered some very fine blogs. Gobs of blogs. Largely, the new blogs I've been reading have been introduced to me by people who like to take pictures and post them to various theme memes such as Ruby Tuesday and Shadow Shot Sunday, to name my two favorites.

Honestly, I don't know how I ended up at Thorne's World but as I did, she had just moved out of blogger and into her new space on Word Press. First of all, I immediately admired her courage in doing this, as Word Press is exactly where I should be renting. But I'm scared to lose all of my blog possessions. And when I went to Thorne's World and was immediately treated to a laugh in just the first sentence of the first post I read, I knew that I would want to have Thorne as one of my bloggy friends.

So, friends of the Pagan Sphinx, please meet Thorne from California, whom I am only just getting to know but already think highly of. I'm honored to have been recognized by you with this award.

And today when I read my comments I was invited to Thorne's World to pick this up:



I love the yellow dress. I could never pull off yellow, not even when my hair was deep brown. Maybe because my skin is light but an olive undertone. And the heels are something my size 91/2 feet could never tolerate. Though I do have a thing for nice shoes, especially strappy sandals. I don't care for hats and I only wear one when I absolutely have to in scortching heat or heavy rain or bittere below zero temps. Oh and the dog. I always think I'd like to have a sassy little dog one day - isn't that some sort of little terrier she's walking? They're cute and jaunty and everything but my experienes with them have not been good: too barky and annoying and nippy. I have never been that skinny, either. Especially at this stage of my life.

I would not have written so much about the blog award picture if it didn't love it, which I do. It's very 60's Paris. And I loved getting from Thorne, my new blog bud, who, as it turns out is a blog bud of Betmo, who also recieved this award because she is awesomelly well-informed and tells it like it is. Bet (whom I have taken to called Betty in my head) is also a really nice person and dedicated blog bud.

Now. For the rules:

I'm supposed to name five addictions:

1) blogging
2) taking pictures
3) carbonated spring water
4) collecting home renovation ideas (but rarely following through)
5) that first sip of coffee in the morning

Now I'm supposed to give the Fabulous Blogger Award of the lady with the little dog to five other bloggers who are not only deserving but will also play the 5 addictions game. It's really a win-win situation, if I think you're deserving you don't have to play the game to get the award. See? I'll still like you even if you don't play the game, in other words.

Steve at Color Sweet Tooth: a consumate artist, Steve is also a highly thoughtful commentator and kind and generous soul. You should check out his paintings. I actually own one and if I ever get around to affording the mat and frame for it, I will post a photo of it hanging on my wall. Meanwhile, you can view it here. It is even more beautiful in person, I assure you. If you like that, also please have a look at this one. It was inspired by my daughter and daughter-in-law's wedding at San Francisco City Hall. I still get chocked up when I think about how much this painting means to me and how grateful I am to know someone who was able to capture so beautifully the love between two young people just embarking on their future together. Thank you, Steve for your art and your friendship.

Hey, Harriet deserves this award. Tracey from Brisbane has treasures gallore about life and art in her city and she's a very fine photographer so her readers are treated to spectacular and creative photos of her environment. Tracey also hosts Shadown Shot Sunday, which can easily boast about the talent and dedication of a good number of participants weekly; all of whom are very intelligent, articualte and friendly. I highly recommend you visit, except that you will be swept off your feet by the beauty of Brisbane and then you won't stop chewing your partner's ear off about how you have to go there some day. Like me. ;-) And tracey, I'm thrilled that you've been coming by the Pagan Sphinx as well as "the eye". I enjoy your comments very much. Oh, and I love the "random surrel generator" thingie you have on your blog. I look forward to it. :-)

Bobbie at Almost There. She tells lots of stories about her Norman Rockwell past and her children and grandchildren but she's not stuck in the past and that's obvious by the posts she writes on the state of our nation and the world and her caring and concern for the earth and its people. I admire this lady a whole lot and I can't go a day without at least checking in quickly to see what she has to say. Bobbie also takes great photographs which she posts to various memes like Ruby Tuesday and Sky Watch Friday. In fact, it was through Bobbie's blog that I first discovered Sky Watch. And also how I met this wonderful blogger:

Dianne at Forks Off The Moment. What can I say? I adore her. She's sweet and very funny; down to earth and also creative and political and oh, so very cool. And she's a native of the greatest freakin' city on earth -New York. Dianne has an exceptional knack for writing posts that draw people like moths to a flame. And her photos are really good too. Check them out on Do You See What I See.

Susan and co-blogger Crow of Phantsythat. Susan is another amazing, imaginative, whimsical, creative, loving soul. The artwork she shares is so special and dear and lovingly rendered, that I'm always touched by what I see there and so grateful that I am fortunate enough to view her wonderful paintings and hand-painted silk scarves and purses and jewelry. Oh and did I mention how she can write, too? The kind Susan is well-traveled and shares many vignettes, adventures and pursuits through her other blogs: Adventures Ink and Baby Days a little illustrated story that I fell in love with on first read. Do have a look. Don't miss a thing.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Artist of the Week

Garden Cats


Susan Mills

Once again, I have the pleasure of featuring an artist whom I can count among my blog friends. Susan, of the blog Phantsythat. These luscious watercolor paintings have stolen my heart, in part because of the love and tenderness with which Susan paints the animals in her creations, the rich details, the gorgeous colors and patterned borders.

When you visit Phantsythat, be sure to read the posts that accompany the paintings she features, as they connect in some meaningful way to one another. I've included links to a few of my favorite posts.

Susan lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and has lived and traveled extensively within Canada and the U.S. as well as many places of the heart, mind and imagination. She's an intensely spiritual and delightfully positive human being.

Moonlight Reprise


After Science

Accompanying post:

What Else Don't We Know?


Balancing Act


Baby Days
Please read and enjoy this lovely, whimsical story that Susan wrote and illustrated in pen and ink


And this lovely drawing from Adventures Ink, the blog where Susan not only shares with us her drawing ability but also her strengths as a writer. The stories that accompany the drawings are taken from Susan's own interesting life and travels.

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