Sneak Peek: Collage Pieces for Pinup Art Show

I just received the official announcement for the “Pin It Up, Babycakes!” art show that I am participating in this February at 111 Minna. I have pasted the email below, since it is full of great information about the show. Sign up for the mailing list to receive information about pre-sales on the many fabulous works of art being shown in this event.

As promised, I am including photos in this post with some preview pictures of a couple of my pieces that will be included in this show, unveiled here for the first time ever outside of my studio! I’m only showing pictures of 2 of my pieces here, and I will have several more available for pre-sales and being shown in the event.

For more info,  about my artwork and this wonderful pin-up themed show, read my previous post.

“Shanghai Eve”

2009 by Bombshell Betty
Photograph, watercolor, fabrics and paper on wood.

Shanghai Eve – Full Image

“Nature Calls for the Glamourpuss”

2008 by Bombshell Betty
Photograph, glitter, sequins, potting soil, silk leaves, living pathos cutting, glass, plastic and watercolor on paper and wood.

Nature Calls for the Glamourpuss – Full Image

Nature Calls for the Glamourpuss – Detail

Nature Calls for the Glamourpuss – Photo detail
 

From: Alice Stribling
Subject: Pin it up, Babycakes: Fishnets, Tarts and the Art of the modern tease
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2009 13:10:31 -0500

Hello art lovers-

Pin it up, Babycakes is almost here!  I have been co-curating this project with artist Jessica Whiteside for over a year and I am excited to officially introduce it to you.

This exhibition features art inspired by pinups that span many genres: including hot rod, cheesecake, and faux advertisements. It also has modern burlesque influences, including a nod to the original ladies of burlesque in a film reel that will play on opening night.

Opening night will have something for everyone:

• Outstanding art and photography by some of the most talented artists working
  within this genre
• Red hot merchandise for you or your Valentine’s Day sweetie which will turn any lovely lady
  into an instant pinup star
• Burlesque performances complete with fashion show by our sponsor Dollhouse Bettie Lingerie
• Thee Merry Widows will rock out with their boobage out at midnight

Mark your calendars for the party that you don’t want to miss:

Pin it up, Babycakes opening night
February 5th, 2009  /  6pm-late*
111 Minna Gallery, San Francisco
*Please note that we will start charging $5 at the door at 9pm for the performances

To find out more specifics about the show and opening night event, please visit the show website: 
    http://pinitupbabycakes.com/

How pinup has influenced me as an artist:

I grew up with a warped idea that curvy ladies were not sexy or desirable, because most of what I saw in fashion magazines did not represent my shape in many ways.  So in my mind, to be sexy, a woman had to be very thin. Discovering and studying the genre of vintage pinup has made me see that this belief is not necessarily true.  These pinup ladies of the 1940s-60s had hips! And a bustline! And they were deliciously sexy and appealing.

These images can be many things to many different people: demure or erotic, free or fun, empowering, cute, or perhaps raunchy and a turn-off. That’s ok and that’s why they are interesting to me. It is certainly not for everyone.

For collectors:

We will be sending out an email with presale information about two weeks before the show opens to give all of you, my lovely fans, a chance to have first pick of the art that I have produced for the show. We expect collectors to jump quickly, so please don’t delay in purchasing if you see something that you like.

Thank you-
Alice Stribling

Add event in Facebook:  http://tinyurl.com/9kcjyb
Add event in MySpace:   http://tinyurl.com/8onzm9
Add event to your Google Calendar:

  

 

 

 

 

“Pin It Up, Babycakes!” Art Show

In February, 2009, I will be participating in a group pinup-themed art show, “Pin It Up, Babycakes!” at 111 Minna. The show is being curated by two of my burlesque students: Alice Stribling (aka Sweet M’alice) and Jessica Whiteside (aka Tinky Sparkles). The opening gala on Feb 5, 2009, will include burlesque performances by the two curators, the Burlesqueteers, and myself, and will be MC’d by Kitten on the Keys.

The other artists included in the show are:

Jessica Whiteside
Alice Stribling
UK artist Emma Mount
Molly Crabapple
Shaunna Peterson
Tanem
David Perry
Darling Propaganda
Kirsten Easthope

At this show, I am officially unveiling my collage/assemblage artwork, which combines my pinup and nature photography with watercolor drawings, fabric and found objects to create fantasy portraiture. Here is my artist bio from the website:

I started pinup modeling in 2000, shortly after jumping into the world of burlesque performance. I needed sexy promo shots, and since burlesque and pinup are two sides of the same coin, it was a perfect excuse to channel my inner Bettie Page. In 2003, I stepped behind the camera, using what I learned from working in front of the camera to help me direct my models to get the most flattering shots possible. I have pursued pinup from both sides of the camera ever since, including shooting for SuicideGirls.com and other websites, the Bombshell Betty Pinup Workshops and private clients.

As a photographer (and posing director with other photographers), I get great joy from helping women who do not look like conventional models get photos that make them look more beautiful than they thought possible. I believe that we all have a perfect pinup somewhere inside us, regardless of age or body type, and through the proper styling, posing, lighting and camera angles, that pinup queen can be brought out for the world to view. From the responses I have received from participants in my Pinup Workshops, I know that having beautiful glamour pictures taken for the first time can be a transformative and empowering experience for many women, having a tremendous positive impact on one’s self image.

My collage and assemblage pieces are a very new medium for me, and I am very excited to present them for the first time at the ’Pin It Up, Babycakes!’ show. This form allows me to tell a story visually in a similar way as when I perform a burlesque piece, the main difference being that I must tell a whole story through elements that are visible all at once rather than in a linear sequence of events as with burlesque. I am thoroughly appreciating the challenges and possibilities of this medium, and I hope viewers enjoy the pieces as much as I enjoy making them.

Artwork from this show will be available for presales starting in early January 2009. I will post samples and where to go for presales around that time.