Happy New Year Wishes From the Muse

So 21013 is almost here folks. Woo hoo!!!! 2012 was very good to me, and I have reason to believe 2013 will be even better

What can I say about Museworthy except that we had a terrific year of blogging. Art, music, modeling tales, stories, laughs, poetry. All the usual goodies. And it’s going to continue, you can count on that. The support and enthusiasm of my readers keeps me motivated and inspired. It truly is a privilege to blog for all of you.

A New Year’s Nocturne, New York, 1892, Childe Hassam.

And I haven’t forgotten that today is Monday. So the last day of 2012 brings the last Music Monday of the year. What song is more fitting than the classic “Auld Lang Syne”? Here is a memorable version of it

A happy, happy New Year to everyone! Be safe. Be joyous. Enjoy your evening. I’ll see you on the other side.

Happy 5th Birthday Museworthy!!

It’s been five years friends. Five years of Museworthy. I’m actually at a loss for words, which as most of you know is quite rare for me! I could repeat what I’ve said every year on these birthday posts; that I never expected this blog to have such longevity, or that it would accumulate over 150 subscribers, and receive 1,000 visitors a day from all around the globe. Or that I’d have enough topics to discuss, artwork and anecdotes to share, and spirited, illuminating discussions in the comments. All these things amaze me still, after five splendid years.

I was thinking about last year’s post and the concerns I raised about continuing to model on a full time basis. But after a fantastic, very busy year of work – and by some miracle NOT having fallen apart physically which was my fear – I look back and wonder, what the hell was I thinking? Of course I will continue art modeling! And blogging. You guys can’t get rid of me just yet

So Fred Hatt and I collaborated again in his studio and have decided on an image to share for Museworthy’s fifth. A rose-tinted photograph to match my rose-colored glasses perhaps? No. Rose-colored glasses imply unrealistic optimism. I think my optimism level is perfectly real and true and delusion-free. I am a thankful, fortunate gal.

Our music this year comes courtesy of the Beatles. Not one of their more famous songs, but a good one, recorded on the very brink of their breakup. Listen with me to “I’ve Got a Feeling”. John Lennon comes in at 2:05 and sounds adorable. Peace, love, and infinite gratitude to all of you in the Museworthy world . Thanks for reading, supporting, and sustaining this artistic little corner of the Internet.

Your muse,
Claudia  xxoo

El Jaleo from Dusk to Dawn

Hey babes! Notice anything different? We’ve got a new look here on Museworthy. I hope you all like the new design and layout. This blog was published in the same theme continuously from its inception. It was called “Dusk” and Museworthy was launched in that theme four years ago. But it felt like it was time for a change. This new theme is actually the updated version of Dusk, and is called Dusk to Dawn. I might still make some adjustments and tweak the settings, but all in all I think it’s aesthetically pleasing. I felt  a little sad letting the old theme go, but I am already comfortable with this one. Hope you are too! I welcome feedback from all readers.

To celebrate Museworthy’s new appearance, and have a Music Monday, I’d like to share a work of art I’ve kept “on reserve” for a special occasion; a masterful painting by the one and only John Singer Sargent. This is El Jaleo from 1882 which was inspired by Sargent’s travels in Spain. A gypsy dancer does her thing, theatrically and expressively, as musicians accompany her movements. This is quintessential Sargent in my opinion, with his legendary artistic strengths on full display – gesture, fabrics, and the interplay between lights and darks. Just look at that outstretched arm, and the light bouncing off her skin. Also take note of the strumming fingers of the guitar players in the background (click for closeups) and the reveling women on the right, whose red garments provide the only real “color” in the otherwise monochromatic composition. This image is a “must-enlarge”. Please do so and marvel at the details. El Jaleo is on permanent view at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston.

You Call That a Model?

Before my modeling gig at NYU on Thursday night, I journeyed over to Greenpoint, Brooklyn to visit my dear friend Daniel Maidman at his studio. And what a delightful visit it was! Daniel showed me his newest paintings which are marvelous, and we chatted for hours about the art community (and its limitless supply of gossip), our writing projects, and, of course, my romantic angst. Yes that’s how good a friend Daniel Maidman is. He’s willing to listen patiently to my hopeless moanings and ramblings about my current infatuation. Poor guy

But in the midst of all that, Daniel and I did compare notes about our writing and blogging, and he pointed something out to me that struck a chord. He observed that I haven’t written much on Museworthy lately about just being an art model – the day-to-day experience of it and detailed firsthand accounts of the job –  in quite a while. I have, but only sporadically. Not nearly to the extent that I used to. Daniel is right! I suppose I should steer this blog back into the “life of an artist’s model” groove. Heck, that’s how it was born.

Having said all that, I’d like to now share this utter bullshit painting by a 19th century artist named James Ferguson Weir. I should mention that the name of this ridiculousness is – get ready - His Favorite Model. Huh?? I’m sorry, but what is this horseshit?

Excuse me???? Dancing with her?? Get outta here!!

Ok. I’m being a bit of a jerk. I know all about “lay figures”. They are artificial “models” – mannequins really-  that have been used by artists for a very long time, particularly for use in displaying drapery and garments. The practice is not nearly as scandalous as I’m making it out to be. I’m just putting on a “feigned outrage” routine. My only two issues with this painting are 1) why would a painter make a painting OF the dummy model? 2) why is the dummy his “favorite”? Really? His favorite? Damn you Weir!

I actually have no background information about Weir or this particular painting. All I know is that I’m seriously offended!! <—— not really

But here’s the kicker. The dictionary definition of “lay figure” has two entries. The first reads as follows:

a jointed model of the human body, usually of wood, from which artists work in the absence of a living model

The second definition reads as follows:

a person of no importance, individuality, distinction, etc; nonentity

Exactly

2011 in Review, and an Art World Rumble

Hey gang! I was just chatting on the phone with my Mom and I casually mentioned that I’m due for a new blog post. When I told her I would procrastinate and do it Friday night, she suggested I get it up now. Oh snap! My Mom doesn’t mess around. So, under extreme pressure from my momma, I’m posting now. Ok, maybe not “extreme” pressure, but enough to make me comply. She is my Mom, after all.

This has been my first week back to modeling after the holiday break. I’m happy to report that it’s off to a splendid start. Feels great to working again and to see my calendar filling up. Will post work from my modeling jobs as it comes in. Also, I thought I’d take a cue from other WordPress bloggers, namely my dear friend Doug Rogers, who shared with his readers the “year in review” stat roundup given us by our WordPress custodians at the end of every year. It’s fun to check out, so thought I’d share. And I’d like to say thank you to the United States, Great Britain, and Canada!

“The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog:”

Here’s an excerpt:

The Louvre Museum has 8.5 million visitors per year. This blog was viewed about 200,000 times in 2011. If it were an exhibit at the Louvre Museum, it would take about 9 days for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

The next item is really cool. I love a good art world brawl, don’t you? Well, British artist David Hockney has offered up a well-deserved smackdown of notorious “conceptualist”, hack, and dead animal exploiter Damien Hirst. Hockney, who was recently honored by the Queen with the Order of Merit, criticized Hirst for his use of assistants to produce art that bears his name. The British arts press is having a field day with this story. Here’s the Daily Mail article, and here it is in The Guardian. I say we take this further. How about a WWF-style match between the two men? I put my money on Hockney, not only because I agree with him, but because he smokes and doesn’t give a shit what anyone thinks about it. Very badass.

Here’s some great David Hockney:

And of course check out Hockney’s website for more images.

Alright friends. I’ll be back very soon. I have a portrait class in the morning, so I need my beauty sleep  Fun stuff coming up in the new year for Museworthy. Hope you all stay along for the ride.

One More Day

Hi friends! Well, my crazy week of nonstop work has come to an end. Monday is a day off (finally!) which means I can rest up and put the finishing touches on the Museworthy Art Show post! It will be published on Tuesday

That’s all for now. I would chitchat a bit more but I’m going to pour myself a glass of wine and watch “Boardwalk Empire” in a few minutes. Hope everyone has a wonderful evening! See you soon.

Link Parade

Hi everyone! This week’s music will be posted on Wednesday instead of Monday, due to a special occasion. Stop by then and check it out

Today I’d just like to share some goodies with all of you, cool stuff I’ve discovered through Twitter, Tumblr, email, and around the web. Hopefully some of it will pique your interest. So here I go, riding the link parade:

My friend Emily Rapp recently had a poignant essay published in the NY Times titled Notes From a Dragon Mom. Beautifully written, as always from Emily. On Tumblr, Summer Anne Burton is doing a wonderful project of drawing every member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Terrific fun, especially for baseball fans. My dear friend Fred Hatt has posted a marvelous and informative blog post on color charts that’s definitely worth checking out. The witty and whimsical Doug Rogers has published his Cat Book of digital artworks. The new issue of Glasschord is now online, exploring the theme “Conformity” through art, photography, poetry, and prose. Visit an excellent blog entry on Berfrois and learn about a legendary dog – an Akita named Hachikō – and a review about the book Empire of Dogs: Canines, Japan, and the Making of the Modern Imperial World. Go to Ordinary Finds just because it’s one of the best Tumblrs for music, art, and photos. Also check out the fabulous ladies at Two Nerdy History Girls for a daily dose of days gone by, history, vintage, fashion, and other great stuff. My friend Sam Goodsell has finally gotten his website up and running. I guess, after all these years, my nagging finally paid off! Museworthy reader Bill sent me a cool link from Neil Gaiman’s blog on his visit to the Degas show at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Deacon Greg Kandra shares some thoughtful, spiritual, and topical issues at his fine blog The Deacon’s Bench. And last but not least, a reminder that you can always visit me at my Tumblr and my Twitter.

I have a lovely day ahead – meeting a friend for coffee and catch-up convo <— alliteration, yeah! – and then to short pose modeling session tonight. Have a great Monday everyone and I’ll see you soon! :kisses:

Happy 4th Birthday Museworthy!!

Here we are again, dearest friends. Commemorating  another Museworthy blog birthday We have completed four marvelous years. Who would have thought that the life of an artist’s model could inspire enough material for steady blogging? I sure didn’t! Yet, here we are. Here I am, after all this time. It’s a minor wonder, but a wonder nonetheless.

In keeping with an awesome Museworthy tradition, we have a photo of yours truly taken by my friend Fred Hatt. Together we chose an image that reflects where I am right now personally – content, relaxed, fulfilled, breathing in life. Merci beaucoup Fred.

But will this next year – the fifth – be the last year for Museworthy? I can’t honestly say right now. What I do know is that full time art modeling is beginning to take its toll on me. I’ve been feeling it but trying to keep it to myself, until now. I want to be clear though; It’s NOT my spirit. It’s my body.

So a crossroads might be hovering on my horizon. I can either aggressively fend off the deterioration and fight for my right to remain on the art modeling platform with every fiber of my being, or maybe – possibly – think about my future and consider the necessity, the inevitability, of a new life. A different life for my “second half”.

Ah, we’ll see. Right now I can’t contemplate giving up something I absolutely love. Nope. Not today. Instead, let’s just enjoy the Museworthy milestone together as friends. I am still here. Thanks so very, very much, to each and every one of  you

I’ve always liked this track from Bob Dylan. Listen with me to “New Morning”:

Museworthy Artists

Hey gang! I mentioned in a recent post that I had a neat idea for this blog, so here it is. Are you ready? :drumroll and fanfare: I would like to invite any and all Museworthy readers to submit an artwork for an “art show” blog post! I really hope this interests many of you. I have readers who are artists, others who are not. For those who draw, sketch, paint, or sculpt, seriously or casually, from life or not from life, you are cordially and warmly invited to contribute an image of your work to be published here in a “group show” on Museworthy! You may include a description of your piece and provide any details you wish. It can be anything you choose – whatever you are happy with, whatever represents you, or whatever you think represents this blog! It’s your choice and it’s all for fun

I know that some of you have your own blogs where you post your work, so this blog will be just another viewing setting for your art. I will add that Museworthy has 57 subscribers and receives anywhere between 500 and 800 hits per day. So a decent audience here that I’m sure will enjoy a Museworthy art show.

I need feedback on this idea, so please make your voice heard in the comments and let me know if I can count you in. I would love so much to make this happen! I was thinking we could aim for early November? That would allow enough time for me to receive submissions and get everything organized.

The Tub, by Anders Zorn:

I’m off to bed now. The next blog post (the 500th post on Museworthy) will be published on Sunday, September 11th, at exactly 8:46 AM, Eastern Standard Time. See you then.

Summer Daze

For those of you who are interested, my guest post is now published on the blog Little Seal. I’m still beyond flattered that Emily Rapp invited me to contribute. Writing the piece was a gratifying experience for me. Thanks so much for the opportunity, Emily. I look forward to hearing about Spain!

In other news, there is no other news  Except that I have to go to work tonight and it’s a hot, muggy, sticky day here in NYC with thunderstorms on the way. But it is nice and refreshing when the breeze blows. And we art models have the unique advantage of being happily cool and clothing-free in stuffy art studios. Nudity ain’t bad.

Our family trip to Nantucket is less than four weeks away! The sand and beaches and laid-back summer fun are dangling before me, taunting me. I wish I could start packing right now!

The Bathers, by Pablo Picasso, 1918:

Jivin’ and Publicizin’

Hello dahlings! Hope everyone’s had a good week. Just a quick post to promote the super-cool, inventive and ambitious film composer that is my big brother Chris Hajian. Chris has been out in LA for the past week promoting the new documentary “Unraveled”, for which he composed the original music. The film, directed and produced by Marc Simon, profiles Marc Dreier, an attorney under house arrest prior to sentencing, who masterminded a giant hedge fund fraud, embezzled over $400 million, and committed crimes that almost rival those of Bernie Madoff. Chris spoke often and enthusiastically about this film project while he was working on it. I cant wait to see it. Check out this review in the Hollywood Reporter, especially the last sentence which reads “Chris Hajian’s plaintive score adds to the poignancy of this American odyssey.” My brother!

As for me, I was asked by my friend Emily Rapp to write a guest post for her blog Little Seal. Gosh, I was so flattered! My first “guest post” as a blogger. And of course I am approaching it in a very serious, sincere, and conscientious way. Someone asked me to write for them. I take that as a big deal, an honor, an expectation I want to fulfill. Right now my piece is still a work-in-progress. I go to it every day, stare at it, read, stare some more, cut, add, reword and rework. The usual writing process. It’s getting there. I will let you all know when it’s published.

That’s all for now, my friends. Until next time, and for no reason whatsoever, here’s Marlon Brando shaving

“Fat Ass Model”

I’ve decided that one of blogging’s many demented pleasures is checking out the search terms in your Dashboard. Just to clarify for the non-bloggers – we (the bloggers) are provided with a daily list of the search engine terms that brought visitors to our blog. Some days it’s predictable and mildly interesting. Other days it’s a disturbing and bizarre collection that reflects the twisted minds of misguided Internet freaks. This blog especially, with all its female “nudity” and “modeling”, attracts more than its share of perverts. Sure it’s amusing and I usually chuckle when I see them. But there have been a couple of times when I’ve read my search terms and actually felt my skin crawl. I don’t want those sickos coming here. Ew.

Here’s just a small sampling – a VERY small sampling – of some of the search terms I’ve seen in my Dashboard recently. I am copying these verbatim, word-for-word as they appear in my blog stats:

“nude little girl”

“naked tits with hard nipples”

“male art class model hung like a horse”

“fat ass model”

“balls and vagina in art”

“skinny model porn fake boobs”

“sex with art model”

“got a cock erection posing for ladies art class”

“naked whores painting”

“picasso foreskin”

“willing models for orgies”

“dead naked bimbo”

“old hag art model in drawing class”

“big dick drawing”

“nude female model masturbating”

And my absolute favorite: “slut claudia”

Yeaaaaaahhh! Love that last one! Sounds like an old boyfriend looking to reunite, don’t you think?

By the way, is there really someone out there who is interested in Picasso’s foreskin? Like really? Like that’s a compelling topic??? Holy crap.

Anyway, I assume that when those anonymous searchers got to Museworthy they were sorely disappointed with this blog’s actual content, and that’s fine with me. We do ART here folks. Tasteful, artistic, meaningful and non-exploitative ART. Yes, a lot of it is nude and a lot of it is of me, but it ain’t Hustler. And to the good people who searched for “Modigliani and Jeanne Hebuterne”, “Caravaggio”, “Raphael drawings”, “Suzanne Valadon”, “Francoise Gilot”, “figure modeling”, “Matisse muses”, “Picasso La Vie” and “Audrey Munson sculpture”, I offer a sincere and heartfelt thank you. You came to the right place

Here is a very Museworthy image that represents the true spirit of this blog. Drawing by Daniel Maidman, created at Spring Studio, and the model is me, not a “fat ass model”:

Tribulations

From time to time I suggest to my readers other blogs/websites that I think might be of interest and provide the links here. Often they are art-related. Many of you click over to them, others do not. But today I would like to make the strongest recommendation ever for another blog read.

Rick and Emily are dear family friends. Rick is actually my brother Chris’s oldest friend, and therefore one of my oldest friends as well. Chris and Rick’s friendship dates back to PS 178 elementary school in Queens, and our families lived a block away from each other. For Chris and I, the Louis house was a seconds-long walk “down the hill” in Holliswood. Rick and his wife Emily recently received some devastating news; their 9-month old son Ronan has been diagnosed with Tay-Sachs disease, a rare genetic disorder which is incurable and fatal. I cannot possibly imagine what it is like for a parent to cope with something like that, or how one processes the brutal reality of it. Emily has started up a blog for Ronan called Little Seal in which she is sharing her experiences, thoughts, and fears. Her writing is stunningly honest, eloquent, and expressive. Emily is a writer. It’s what she does. Her introductory blog post is one of the most moving pieces of writing I’ve ever read. She sugar-coats nothing, and sorts through her pain, frustration, and incomprehensible sadness in a way that is brilliant and brave, genuine and intimate. I have added Ronan’s Blog to my blogroll. A profound and harrowing journey lies ahead for Rick, Emily, and Ronan. Love and strength to all of them.

Today we commemorate the Martin Luther King holiday, a great inspirational figure who confronted his own share of trials and tribulations – tribulations of a different kind from what Rick and Emily are experiencing, but still symbolic of the struggles humankind endures, in varying forms and degrees, every single day. Some philosophers would argue that the entire human condition is nothing more than constant, inexorable struggle – struggle for peace, struggle for understanding, struggle for order out of chaos, justice out of injustice, love in the face of so much hatred. Even the struggle for personal happiness can sometimes seem insurmountable. But we seek out coping strategies wherever and however we can. Writing is one of the best. Emily knows that, as do I, as did King himself.

Martin Luther King sitting in his jail cell in Birmingham, Alabama:

The “soundtrack” to the civil rights movement was dominated by gospel and R & B. I am a huge fan of gospel music, and one of my favorite recording artists of that genre are The Staple Singers. Mavis Staples’ voice is, in my opinion, something otherworldy. For today’s “Music Monday”, in the spirit of King’s legacy, this is “Great Day” by the Staple Singers:

Let’s Tumble!

Hey gang. My new blog on Tumblr is up and running. Yay! I hope you all check it out. I had trouble getting the widget to work last night so it’s not linked in my sidebar yet. I’ll try to fix it later today. But in the meantime, here’s the link:

Meanderings

Posting is really easy to do on Tumblr. Sources of text, images, etc are automatically included which is terrific. I’m still getting used to it, though, as it’s quite different from WordPress. If you scroll down to the bottom you’ll see the “About” page and a “Submit” page. That’s right. I’ve opened the blog up to reader submissions, a feature that I hope Museworthy readers especially will participate in. Since Tumblr is primarily a microblogging platform I thought I’d keep posts to images, photos, quotes, audio, and some text of course. Like I said previously, my discussion, writing, art modeling, and personal sharing will stay on Museworthy as always.

The fun of Tumblr, from what I can tell, seems to be its randomness. Many of the bloggers are posting things frequently and indiscriminately, probably because it’s so ridiculously easy to post and re-blog. But I think it’s great. Now it may take a while to build community over there, but as long as the Museworthy community follows and enjoys that’s fine with me. So let’s see where Tumblr takes us!

Forward Thinking

Thanksgiving week is upon us. I can’t believe it! Seems like I was just spending summer vacation in Miami and Cape Cod and now the holiday lights are strewn over Fifth Avenue and Christmas decorations are popping up all over the city.

First I want to share this really cool art item. The actor Robert De Niro, a native New Yorker, has established a new painting prize to honor the legacy of his father, Robert De Niro Sr., an abstract expressionist artist who died in 1993. Such a nice thing to do. Read the article here. Artists, get your submissions ready!

Also, I uploaded a new photo set on my Flickr page last night. They are pictures I took at the Blessing of the Animals ceremony held at All Souls Unitarian Church. Check it out for some adorable kids, cats and dogs

In the comments section of the last post I mentioned my interest in starting a second blog on Tumblr. Well, I thought about it over the weekend and it’s definitely a go! I’ve just been feeling this impulse to expand, share, and show – as if I don’t do it enough already! Museworthy will not change. I’m going to use the Tumblr blog as a platform for me to just post random fun and interesting stuff with minimal text. My extended writing and art modeling will always stay here on Museworthy where it belongs. I haven’t started the Tumblr blog yet but when I do I will announce it here. I do, however, have ideas for this blog that I think will be fun for everyone. I really want to make a video, and I’ll probably have to enlist the help of my friend Fred Hatt for that one.

Let’s do a “Music Monday” with the Swedish artist Carl Larsson. After enduring a terribly unhappy childhood of poverty, hardship, and a drunk, abusive father, Larsson finally found contentment through art and domesticity. Larsson married Karin Bergoo in 1882 and they went on to have eight children. Larsson’s devotion to his happy family life is reflected in his work, which prominently feature his children as models and his lovely home as interior.

Carl Larsson painted his young daughter Brita practicing her music in this work Brita at the Piano from 1908. As I looked at this painting I wondered what other painting it reminded me of. Then it hit me; the Matisse work that appears last in this earlier Museworthy post. Although very different styles of art, the similarities are  quite interesting – the green color, the black music rack, even the perspective and subject matter.