Saturday, October 06, 2007

Classic Nudes and the Worst Week Ever

It is my personal opinion that these photos do not do justice to any of these paintings. I believe that it is always better to see these paintings in in a gallery or a museum to truly appreciate their artistic beauty.

A Favorite Custom 1909
By Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema
Dutch Painter, 1836-1912
Victorian Classicism

Victorian Classicism was a British form of historical painting inspired by the art and architecture of Classical Greece and Rome. In the 19th century, an increasing number of Western Europeans made the "Grand Tour" to Mediterranean lands. There was a great popular interest in the region's lost civilizations and exotic cultures, and this interest fuelled the rise of Classicism in Britain, and Orientalism, which was mostly centered in continental Europe.

The Classicists were closely associated with the Pre-Raphaelites, many artists being influenced by both styles to some degree. Both movements were highly romantic and were inspired by similar historical and mythological themes -- the key distinction being that the Classicists epitomized the rigid Academic standards of painting, while the Pre-Raphaelites were initially formed as a rebellion against those same standards.Frederick Leighton and Lawrence Alma-Tadema were the leading Classicists, and in their lifetimes were considered by many to be the finest painters of their generation.



This painting is my favorite of all the Classic Nudes shown here.
Girlfriends, 1916-17
By Gustav Klimt
Austrian Painter, 1862-1918
Symbolism/ Art Nouveau

Art Nouveau is an elegant decorative art style characterized by intricate patterns of curving lines. Its origins somewhat rooted in the British Arts and Crafts Movement of William Morris, Art Nouveau was popular across Europe and in the United States as well. Leading practitioners included ,Alphonse Mucha, Aubrey Beadsley, Gustav Klimt and the American glassmaker Louis Comfort Tiffany. Art Nouveau remained popular until around the time of World War I, and was ultimately replaced by the Art Deco style.

Symbolism is a 19th-century movement in which art became infused with exaggerated sensitivity and a spooky mysticism. It was a continuation of the Romantic tradition, which included such artists as John Henry Fuseli and Caspar David Friedrich. Anticipating Freud and Jung, the Symbolists mined mythology and dream imagery for a visual language of the soul. More a philosophical approach than an actual style of art, they influenced their contemporaries in the Art Nouveau movement and Les Nabis.The leading Symbolists included Gustave Moreau ,Puvis de Chavannes and Odilon Redon.




Attempting the Impossible, 1928

Maybe it is just me but the model and the painter look like they could be brother and sister.
By Rene Magritte
Belgian Painter 1898-1967
Surrealism

Surrealism is a style in which fantastical visual imagery from the subconscious mind is used with no intention of making the work logically comprehensible. Founded by Andre Breton in 1924, it was a primarily European movement that attracted many members of the chaotic Dada movement. It was similar in some elements to the mystical 19th-century Symbolist movement, but was deeply influenced by the psychoanalytic work of Freud and Jung.The Surrealist circle was made up of many of the great artists of the 20th century, including Max Ernst, Giorgio de Chirico, Jean Arp, Man Ray, Joan Miro, and Rene Magritte. Salvador Dali, probably the single best-known Surrealist artist, broke with the group due to his right-wing politics (during this period leftism was the fashion among Surrealists, and in fact in almost all intellectual circles).




The Three Graces, 1504-05
By Raphael ( Raffaello Sanzio)
Italian Painter, 1483-1520
High Renaissance

The High Renaissance was the culmination of the artistic developments of the Early Renaissance, and one of the great explosions of creative genius in history. It is notable for three of the greatest artists in history: Michelangelo Buonarroti, Raphael Sanzio and Leonardo da Vinci.By about the 1520s, High Renaissance art had become exaggerated into the style known as Mannerism.



La Chambre de Cathie, 1933
By Bathus
French Painter, 1908-2001
Dada/ Surrealism

Dada was a protest by a group of European artists against World War I, bourgeois society, and the conservativism of traditional thought. Its followers used absurdities and non sequiturs to create artworks and performances which defied any intellectual analysis. They also included random "found" objects in sculptures and installations.The founders included the French artist Jean Arp and the writers Hugo Ball and Tristan Tzara. Francis Picabia and Marcel Duchamp were also key contributors.The Dada movement evolved into Surrealism in the 1920's.



Young Girl Defending Herself Against Eros, 1880
By William-Alophe Bouguereau
French Painter, 1825-1905
Academic Classicism


Academic Art is the painting and sculpture produced under the influence of the Academies in Europe and especially France, where many artists received their formal training. It is characterized by its highly polished style, its use of mythological or historical subject matter, and its moralistic tone. Neoclassical Art was also closely associated with the Academies. The term "Academic Art" is associated particularly with the French Academy and the 19th century salons at which art was submitted for display and prizes were awarded. Artists such as Jean-Leon Gerome and Bouguereau epitomize this style.

******
Today's recipe

Baked Stuffed Chicken
6-7 lb. baking chicken
1 cup melted butter
1 cup stuffing (Pepperidge Farm is good.)
1 cup uncooked popcorn (Orville Redenbacker's Low Fat)
Salt/pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush chicken well with melted butter, salt, and pepper. Fill cavity with stuffing and popcorn. Place in baking pan with the neck end toward the back of the oven. Listen for the popping sounds. When the chicken's ass blows the oven door open and the chicken flies across the room, it is done.

And you thought I couldn't cook . *giggles*

*****

For years, Marion Jones angrily denied using steroids. Today she admitted it was all a lie. The three-time Olympic gold medalist pleaded guilty to lying to federal investigators when she denied using performance-enhancing drugs, and announced her retirement after the hearing. Jones also pleaded guilty to a second count of lying to investigators about her association with a check-fraud scheme. I am so disappointed with Jones and disgusted with her actions.

****

San Diego Experiences the Worst Week ever...

  • On Sept. 30~ A 3.0-magnitude earthquake hit the area early Sunday morning.
    The earthquake was centered three miles south of Balboa Park. Before you ask, yes I felt it and I am happy to report that no damage was reported.
  • On Oct. 04~ San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders declared a state of emergency Wednesday night after a landslide forced the evacuation of more than 100 homes in the upscale La Jolla area.
  • Also on Oct. 04~ Ingraham Street Water Main Break
    The cause of the soggy mess was a 16-inch cast-iron water main that broke Thursday around 2 p.m. For hours, water flooded nearby roads, backing up traffic for miles and stranding residents. Crews were able to shut the water off about two hours later, just as a 6-inch water main pipe broke on the 100 block of Garnet Avenue in Pacific Beach.

*****

I went to the Adams Avenue Street Fair last weekend with Candy, Angel, Thana, Misty and Samantha. Unfortunately I did not bring my camera however you can see the sights here To the very sexy guy standing on the corner of Adams Ave and Felton. You know who you are...Six foot two, green eyes, bald, muscled and toned. Your ass made me weak in the knees. Thank you.

Have a great weekend everyone! Comments are always appreciated :)

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N Posted by Rain at 10/06/2007 12:10:00 AM

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Being Grateful

October is...Please visit NBCAM


Joe and Michelle


Today I am grateful for;

The small amounts of measurable Rain that San Diego County received last week.
The Community Watch Program that is active in my neighborhood. Without it I would no longer have my recyclables. Recycling adds almost eighty dollars month to my emergency savings fund.
I was able to visit and speak with Rusty for the first time in almost four months. Since Rusty’s arrest back in October 2006, he is now drug and alcohol free, has regained the ability to put coherent sentences together and has gained almost ninety pounds. Wahoo!
Our justice system with all of its flaws, it is still the best in the world. Rusty’s criminal case had three continuances last week. After a lengthy discussion with Rusty’s attorney I understand his reasons and agree with them.
Joe’s girlfriend Michelle left San Diego to start College at UC Riverside. Michelle is intelligent, has a good head on her shoulders and has the potential to become a professional writer. I have no doubt that she will be a positive influence in society and we wish her the very best in her future endeavors.
The comfortable silence between the closest of friends.
Coming home... and knowing you're welcome.



Tonight I am going to see Hootie & The Blowfish at Humphreys Concerts by The Bay. I love their music, it is powerful and passionate Rock N Roll with a soulful message. Australian born, San Diego based, singer/songwriter Kai Brown will open for Hootie & The Blowfish. Yay me!
I would like to take this time to thank Bill and James for your emails concerning the post below this one;
Bill~ My heart goes out to you and I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for kind words and encouragement.
James~ You are very naughty ;) It is good to know that I am your favorite pirate girl...oh and "the girls" are very real and natural.
Okay everyone have a great hump day!


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N Posted by Rain at 10/03/2007 10:28:00 AM

Monday, October 01, 2007

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Octobers Pirate...




Sorry I've decided to take this photo down.

Me and my girls in support of...







Most of you already know that I had quite a scare earlier this year after having my first mammogram (here). Recently a very good friend of mine Cheri, was diagnosed in the early stages of breast cancer. My Aunt Yvonne died in 1990 after a ten year fight from breast cancer and her daughter, Leonie is a breast cancer survivor. I am sure that most of you reading this either has a family member, friend or a co-worker that has had breast cancer. Early detection will increase your odds of surviving breast cancer. This post is not just for women, men can get breast cancer also.


Questions to Ask Your Doctor


Learning about the diagnosis and treatment options available may help you to make decisions about your care. The first step in the learning process is a conversation with your physician. Every woman's breast cancer diagnosis is different. What a physician recommends for one woman may not be right for another. Developing a list of questions to ask is a good first start to addressing concerns and getting information. Here is a list of basic questions on advanced breast cancer to get the conversation started.

ABOUT BREAST CANCER

  • What stage is my breast cancer? What does this mean?
  • What are my chances of responding to treatment?

ADVANCED BREAST CANCER

  • Is my breast cancer hormone receptor positive?
  • Why has my breast cancer recurred?
  • Does this mean my treatment will have to change?
  • What are my chances of responding to treatment?

TREATMENT OPTIONS

What are the treatment options for my stage of breast cancer? Why or why not would these treatments help me?

  • Surgery
  • Radiation
  • Chemotherapy
  • Hormonal therapy
  • Biologically targeted therapy
  • Clinical trial participation
  1. What treatment options, oral or injectable, are available for me as an advanced breast cancer patient?
  2. What treatment do you feel will work best for me? Why are you recommending this treatment?
  3. What are the possible side effects of this treatment? Will it make me feel sick? What kinds of food will help me? Or where can I get advice on meal planning?
  4. Will this treatment allow me to continue to be involved in my normal daily activities? If not, would another treatment be better for me so I can remain active?
  5. Will the treatment affect my family? What do they need to know?
  6. Will the treatment affect my appearance? If so, are there other options that will not change the way that I look?
  7. What if my current therapy does not continue to benefit me? Are there any other options?
  8. What types of hormonal therapies are available to me? Will it be beneficial? Is there any treatment I could be prescribed that does not have to be taken daily?
  9. What are the latest advances in hormonal therapies?
  10. How often will I be able to see my health care professional?
  11. How will I know if the treatment is working?
  12. What are the side effects?
  13. How can I manage side effects?
  14. What side effects should I tell you about?
  15. Will I need follow-up care?


OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
What studies are currently under way for women with advanced stage breast cancer?
Do you recommend a clinical trial for me? How can it help?
Where can I get further information on my stage of breast cancer?
Where can I find additional support?
Please be sure to let your doctor know all the medications (prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal supplements) you currently take. Also, check with your doctor before starting any other medication.


Want to know more?

Please visit NBAM

*****

Once again I have a very busy week ahead of me, I will be in court three times to support Rusty. I will be so happy when these issues are resolved. Sigh.

Have a great week everyone!

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N Posted by Rain at 10/01/2007 12:20:00 AM