Quote of the day....

"One really values a good friend and confidante in one's life, that.... and a toweling turban"
by Stephanie Dallin Parrish-Paschali

A little "NB" to My fellow female fluffy folk....

Oh la la......Aphrodite...Venus...Goddess of Love ... Ha yes! We are all Goddesses "My Fellow Female Fluffies"...Believe it Girlies!!! We are temptresses of desire. We are nymphs of pulchritude and beauteousness. We are female forms of Rubenesque beauty...We are full of love, intelligence and wisdom, drollery and repartee. We are pixyish, whimsical fluffy fairies oozing with nurturing care and compassion. We are the best matriarchs and uxores ...We are all virtuous valuable assets...So, Let us zhoosh it all up and embrace our qualities and feel fucking fab about our life or at least maybe just try and give it a shot.....

NB: Tis Amazing to think that our "Bard  of Avon" quotes little old Paphos in his poem "Venus & Adonis" 

"If thou wilt chide, thy lips shall never open.' 

'Touch but my lips with those fair lips of thine,-- 

What seest thou in the ground? hold up thy head: 

Look in mine eye-balls, there thy beauty lies; 

Then why not lips on lips, since eyes in eyes? 

Thus weary of the world, away she hies,  

And yokes her silver doves; by whose swift aid  

Their mistress mounted through the empty skies  

In her light chariot quickly is convey'd;  

Holding their course to Paphos, where their queen  

Means to immure herself and not be seen."

An extract taken from the poem VENUS AND ADONIS By William Shakespeare. 

I just adore these  paintings. Handpicked by moi in celebration of us Venus Belles ...
The Birth of Venus by William-Adolphe Bouguereau 1879.
The Birth of Venus (Italian: Nascita di Venere) is a 1486 painted by Sandro Botticelli.
The Birth of Venus (French: Naissance de Venus)  painted by the French artist Alexandre Cabanel : 1863.
Andy Warhol's 1984 version of Botticelli's The Birth of Venus.




















These are my favourites.. Such amazing and exquisite tributes to us
"Goddesses of  Love and Beauty" ...Embrace those hues of cool blue...Water, emulates Aphrodite  ...Water is a giver of life...Woman is a  giver of life and love.....Boomshanka ya?!

Sunflowers....Stéph's poetry

I love Sunflowers..... Manni has planted some in our garden.....  

Here is my own composed Poetic Prose by Stephanie Dallin Parrish Paschali  

The Sunflower was yellow and then she was gold  

She was the Sunflower who was filled with self-love 

And he was the Sun who so amiably bestowed  

She welcomed her Sun for he encouraged her to grow 

She flourished and glowed with radiant self-belief  

For she would most certainly touch the sky because he told her so 

He allowed her to thrive, feel beauteous and bold 

His temperate warm rays nurtured her soul  

She was ablaze, bursting with blushing luminosity  

Her sunny head ardently craving the generosity from her fervent orb 

She apperceived his adoring attention with elation 

The Sunflower and her Sun magnetically attracted, as he encompassed her till the close 

But, who will adore her, now that her Sun has gone 

For without his rays she will surely die 

Will he return from dusk to a new dawn? 

For What is a Sunflower without her Sun-God 

Who will admire her now ?

 

 

Painting by Paul Gauguin: Redheaded Woman and Sunflower’s 1890 

Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe....

In 1863, Edouard Manet shocked the French public by exhibiting his "Le 

Déjeuner sur l'herbe " ("Luncheon on the Grass") This audacious masterpiece depicts the presence of a nude woman among clothed men. I love this painting and I truly believe every individual voyeur should analyze and assess and thus conclude one's own personal synopsis concerning the symbolism of this unique piece of art. Why? How? Hmmm,what is going off here? Well, It's up to you! 

Manet enjoyed a little irony and humor no doubt! This wondrous creation has been 

interpreted in many varying ways by different artists along the time line...From Picasso's Cubist version to animated cartoon humor, to BowWowWow's 80s 'Go wild in the country' record cover, evento witty contemporary photography. The classic positioning of the models themselves have been reiterated over and over again. This strange and almost unreal scene, obscene in the eyes of the 

19th century public, to me now bursts forth with style into our accepting and welcoming 21st century. This painting thoroughly tantalizes my artistic taste buds. The men, seen sitting au pique-nique are in shades of flannel grey. They seem to be engaged in conversation totally oblivious to this naked hottie sitting with them. The woman, with the significantly confident smile is staring 

directly at us. In front of them, the woman's clothes, a basket of fruit, and a round loaf of bread are displayed in shades of cool blue all engulfed by the shadowy trees and foliage. Manet’s 

painting was a family collaboration. His wife Suzanne Leenhoff, the pale pink flesh toned nympette ,her brother Ferdinand Leenhoff and Manet’s brother Gustave all came together to create this oooba open minded painting…. OOO Wow ! What hipsters they must have been. 

Olympia ...

Darling Fluffies …Today we are tackling the scandal that was “Olympia” by Edouard Manet:1865…”Shocking" "Immoral" and "Vulgar" were the words used to describe Edouard Manet's masterpiece when it was first unveiled in Paris in 1865.Twas not the fact that the public were being flashed yet another sublime tasteful nude… Non, non, non ! but it was the symbolism and meaning behind the subject matter. We see a luscious nude out stretched on her chaise longue gazing mysteriously and seductively out of the canvas towards us live voyeurs. She is accompanied by a black cat and her maid who's attentively attending to her and is offering her a bouquet of flowers. So, why was offense taken? What on earth could cause such umbrage ? Well, The flowers being offered are a gift from a satisfied and happy client. Yes..Mademoiselle Olympia is a courtesan, a prostitute! We gather this information by subtle implications. The orchid in her hair, the bracelet and earrings, the black velvet collar around her white lily neck, the discarded half-flung-off satin slipper and the oriental shawl. OOOOO all very ‘Les affaires" All signs of wealth, but acquired by ill-gotten gains. Viewers weren't sure of Manet's motives. Was he trying to produce 

a serious work of art? Was Olympia an attempt to parody other paintings? Or, worst of all, was he mocking them? Manet's painting was inspired by Titian’s ‘Venus of Urbino’ This painting 

shows a nude damsel, tastefully reclined, with her dog. Titian's painting symbolizes fidelity: But Manet's Oylmpia accompanied by her black cat ( dare I joke and say pussy!) is a zhoozshed up interpretation of pure unadulterated infidelity... OO La la…I must say, just imagine meeting Manet ..Wow how fab 

that would of been. His ironic humor appeals to me no end! 

At Père Lathuille...

Hello Arties, Edouard Manet's "At Père Lathuille" :1879... MMMM, Well, when my eyes first set sight on this intensely romantic extravagant painting I was seduced by the look of awe and wonder in the young gentleman's eyes as he covets the demoiselle, that and my detrimental opinion to the offensive repelling and rather pubic looking fluff on his upper lip! OOO....How fab it is 

to be looked at that way by a man! Then on further investigation I discover that this creation is but a witty bathetic jibe at romance!  Manet's humor combines with his love of pretty women in pretty clothes. Humor is so obviously present since the subject Manet had chosen was a gigolo of prepossessing air, seducing a much older woman under the ironic eye of the waiter. The admirably free composition was painted at the restaurant Du Père Lathuille, and features the owner's son as the gigolo. The woman was Mlle Judith French, a relative of Jacques Offenbach and German-born French composer, Manet does wonders painting his models,feasting himself on the every tiny detail. I shall except his witty intention and admire his scenery, colour palette and subject matter : but Manet, my Cherie, personally I am offended by the Mademoiselle's exceedingly large gaping nostrils !! 

 

Edouard Manet ...

Bonjour Arties.Today I shall discuss Edouard Manet (1832–1883) He was born to a bourgeoisie family in Paris, France, in 1832, Edouard Manet was born to paint. Manet was always fanatically fascinated by art. Annoyingly for him his parents ( Auguste Manet, a high-ranking judge, and Eugénie-Desirée Fournier, the daughter of a diplomat and the goddaughter of the Swedish crown prince) did not share his vocation. Affluent and well connected, the couple hoped their son would choose a more respectable career, preferably law. Edouard refused. He only wanted to create art. The Manets snubbed his desire to pursue an artistic career; but after time he eventually triumphed over the argument and finally they supported his dream to attend art school. He successfully studied the old masters in Europe. Manet's most famous works include the controversial "The Luncheon on the Grass.":1863.This was perceived in it's time as indecent and the other was "Olympia" :1865 deemed scandalous !!!! 

( Both these paintings I shall be discussing in a future post ) Manet led the French transition from realism to impressionism. By the time of his death, in 1883, he was a dear and respected revolutionary.Oo La La ! He left behind a reputation that would forever define him as a bold and rather saucy influential artist. 

Dance at Bougival ...

 Dance at Bougival :1883 Pierre-Auguste Renoir ( 1841- 1919 ) was a French artist who represented the  Impressionist  movement...As an artist he adored and appreciated the beauty 

and sensuality of a woman..... I hold very warm memories of this painter because my grandmother was a keen artist and did many interpretations of his work. I shall never forget whilst dining with my brother next to a rather nosy couple who were not interacting with each other; but

just earwigging on us instead. One shall never forget their facial expressions when Dom was waffling on about how thrilled he was to have inherited the Renoir from our grandmother, and curious to know who would get the Lautrec !! I adore the way Renoir has painted this couple. Oooo the way he holds her. His adoring intensity, he is only focusing on her alone. Wow ! He is entranced  by her beauty, her scent, the very being of her. Lucky cow !!! She looks a little shy. Her blushing face is illuminated and enhanced by her vibrant red hat. Her beauty is seen at the centre of the canvas.Though she appears bashful you can tell she is responding to his advances by her relaxed hand that is gently positioned on his collar and the coy sanguine smile on her face. His outfit is fab. I love his shoes and yellow hat. Trés à la mode!  Ooo to feel how she feels. To be held in the arms of some lush French fruity artisan type ...Oh la la !!

Bal du Moulin de la Galette....

Bal du Moulin de la Galette :1876 painted by French impressionist artist Pierre Auguste Renoir. I just adore this painting. Looking at it brings back warm and fuzzy memories of my grandmother. This painting hung in her house at Hadley Wood NB: Obviously not the original: but her own interpretation in oil. The painting depicts a typical Sunday afternoon at Moulin de la Galette in the district of Montmartre in Paris. In the late19th century, working class Parisians 

would dress up and spend time there dancing, drinking, and eating galettes (a large kind of cookie) into the evening. 

His painting shows a luscious richness of form, a fluidity of brush stroke, and is adorned with flickering sparkles of light. Imagine tiny mirrors creating delicate fairy orbs of illumination, skipping amongst the dancing and animated folk. I love the choice of a blue hue palette....So cool and sublime. It is almost as if someone has captured the moment on film....Il est donc très belle!!! ( Dominic Dallin-Parrish, mon frère fabuleux, will feel the fuzziness also..I am sure!) 

Stéph's study notes on John Donne's poem" To his mistress going to bed"

Consider this as Steph's personal study notes..... 

Oh Woe....I am far too romantic and passionate about life and love ! 

For poetry is a journey to a sublime paradise......I am always pursuing my knowledge and at present I am tackling the 'Metaphysical poet. ' Ya Ya ..I know: But hark ,I feel utterly seduced...Yes, indeed I do ! The words of JOHN DONNE have a mesmeric charm....spellbinding, thrilling and entrancing. He entices one into a state of desire with the words from his elegy: "To his Mistress going to bed" 

Come, Madam, come, all rest my powers defy,  Until I labour, I in labour lie.  

The foe oft-times having the foe in sight,  

Is tir’d with standing though he never fight.  

Off with that girdle, like heaven’s Zone glistering,  

But a far fairer world encompassing.  

Unpin that spangled breastplate which you wear,  

That th’eyes of busy fools may be stopped there.  

Unlace yourself, for that harmonious chime,  

Tells me from you, that now it is bed time.  

Off with that happy busk, which I envy,  

That still can be, and still can stand so nigh.  

Your gown going off, such beauteous state reveals,  

As when from flowery meads th’hill’s shadow steals.  

Off with that wiry Coronet and shew  

The hairy Diadem which on you doth grow:  

Now off with those shoes, and then safely tread  

In this love’s hallow’d temple, this soft bed.  

In such white robes, heaven’s Angels used to be  

Received by men; Thou Angel bringst with thee  

A heaven like Mahomet’s Paradise; and though  

Ill spirits walk in white, we easily know,  

By this these Angels from an evil sprite,  

Those set our hairs, but these our flesh upright.  

Licence my roving hands, and let them go,  

Before, behind, between, above, below.  

O my America! my new-found-land,  

My kingdom, safeliest when with one man mann’d,  

My Mine of precious stones, My Empirie,  

How blest am I in this discovering thee!  

To enter in these bonds, is to be free;  

Then where my hand is set, my seal shall be.  

Full nakedness! All joys are due to thee,  

As souls unbodied, bodies uncloth’d must be,  

To taste whole joys. Gems which you women use  Are like Atlanta’s balls, cast in men’s views,  

That when a fool’s eye lighteth on a Gem,  

His earthly soul may covet theirs, not them.  

Like pictures, or like books’ gay coverings made  

For lay-men, are all women thus array’d;  

Themselves are mystic books, which only we  

(Whom their imputed grace will dignify)  

Must see reveal’d. Then since that I may know;  

As liberally, as to a Midwife, shew  

Thy self: cast all, yea, this white linen hence,  

There is no penance due to innocence.  

To teach thee, I am naked first; why then  

What needst thou have more covering than a man. 

John Donne: 1572-1631

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I have read the original poem then the translation. The poem is filled with a dramatic urgency .He is impatient,waiting for his mistress to undress ...He envies the garments that are closer to her body than he is....She belongs to him.. He sees himself as an imperial invading force who asserts his ownership over her. He is an explorer wishing for his hands to explore her uncharted territory.He is moved and overjoyed with her "beauteousness" ..She generously allows him to see all of her... WOW, It just confirms the power of words.... For the art of a literary writer has the ability to encompass and seduce one just like the temptress ...For she can lure you into her net...."The Flea"is next !!! 

 

Lord Byron..

Stéphanie-Dallin Parrish Paschali

Mmmmm, Lord Byron,19th Century pin up and Poet Extraordinaire ....

"My Tribute to Wuthering Heights"

MMM Ms. Literature Steph here.....OOoo ...I have been trying to persuade Pops , my gorgeous and artistic daughter, to read the wondrous "Wuthering Heights" ...Why, tis the most powerful of romantic novels with a fab twist of a psychological thriller. MMMMM... The love between Heathcliff and Catherine transcends 

the boundaries between life and death. Heathcliff is the misunderstood moody protagonist and Cathy’s true passion ..Beautiful dark Cathy, is strong-willed, wild, passionate, mischievous, 

flighty, dramatic and rather spoilt and selfish …There is also a fabulous cast of characters that blend together like a perfect cappuccino…Warm, creamy and foamy at the top, submerging into 

the depths of rich, dark black, full flavor at the bottom!!! … Stormy weather, nightmares, extreme moor landscapes, melancholy figures, moonlight and candles, torture and excessive 

cruelty, necrophilia ( mmm debatable?) a supernatural presence, madness, maniacal behavior, communication between the living and the dead – I am sure you are getting the point ! Despite 

being unforgivably malicious, savage and ok let’s be honest, tyrannical too!!! Heathcliff is still a major “Hottie”… ouuff ..I have come over all wan !!! 

“Be with me always - take any form - drive me mad! only do not leave me in this abyss, where I 

cannot find you! Oh, God! it is unutterable! I can not live without my life! I can not live without 

my soul!”  

―Heathcliff….  

Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights

"Welcome Footsteps"

Oo la la  ...Acclaimed Victorian artist Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema known for his highly detailed, idealistic scenes of ancient Greece and Rome. His paintings were filled with striking figures ...Of pretty feminine women dressed in delicate Pastel togas. architectural precision and realistically textured marble, metals and silks and gorgeous rose petals so realistic you can almost smell their heady fragrance...... "Welcome Footsteps" : 

1883 ...She patiently awaits her lover ...He arrives carrying cherry blossom blooms ...They must have to meet in secret...Maybe only for a short while ... precious moments to share...I adore the 

detail ...from the tiger skin to the amazing amber necklace she wears.....All the way to the lush green scenery in the background ....ooo.. Flopppity flippity fab!!!

"Ask Me No More"

My penultimate favourite painting by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema : 1906

I need not say anything ....

"Baths at Caracalla"

Hello Arties....."Baths at Caracalla" 1899. The Romans took Greek bathing culture and raised it to a higher level .Their bathhouses became. 'Masterpieces of art'  in which the  customer could wander about, sampling each cold, hot, tepid or steam .” Roman baths became a social duty and also a sublime  sanctuary at where one could relax . The baths were a prime source  of entertainment  and 

Enjoyment  that evolved into a way of life ...Bathers were thoroughly indulged ...Oufff, There were copious amounts of sweating, scrubbing scraping, cleansing,oil anointing, splashing and plunging ...All very decadent and beautifully in captured by Alma Tadema. His aptitude for bringing life to his oil painted models shows an indisputable talent.

His languid Roman beauteous

belles are exquisite! 

 

"Whispering Noon"

Oh, Arties ...I know I do woffle on about Sir Lawrence Alma Tadema : But I can never get enough of his spectacular work.... 

Whispering Noon (1896) appeals to me, as I find it quite amusing how these angelic beauties of Tadema's world look as if they are indulging in a good old bitch fest session. The fabulous use of 

blue and the way he paints marble is beyond artistic comprehension ...MMMM faberooni quite inspiring and exhilarating.

"The Rose Garden"

Hello Mes Arties......I have been perusing my wonderful Alma-Tadema book, purchased pour moi by my super doopa brother Dominic Dallin-Parrish , whom I love dearly....For me this Pre-Raphaelite Alma-Tadema has to be my ooobbaaa favorite painter. .....Today, my choice is.. "In a Rose Garden" 1889. It depicts a cascade of rose petals, yet instead of a mad emperor suffocating his dinner guests, like in The Roses of Heliogabalus, tis of a pretty maiden who shakes the petals of a rose bush down onto her delighted companion....I never cease from amazement as to the life-like quality of this man's stupendous work. It always takes my breath away...His attention to detail is meticulous. 

 

"Cherries"

Cherries" 1873: Alma-Tadema ... The temptress with her enticing fruit! I think the tiger skin looks amazing and in a sense hints at her inner thoughts ... A wild untamed creature ... Ready to pounce! Or a bored mistress yearning for a good book?  

"A Declaration"

 "A Declaration" 1883 : Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema…. He has come to declare his love. I imagine incognito ...He is hooded and he looks a tad unkempt. I am sure he has been unable to function. He is weighed down with the emotion of love and has finally come to declare his feelings to the coy red haired beauty...His eyes are wide and bashful, so full of emotion. His stance is one of apprehension as to the outcome of this meeting. Could it be unrequited love? She looks resigned, you can tell by the placing of her hands. Is she shy and pensive? Concerned that she may have to let him down? OOerrrrr….We are all left wondering.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema ...A little Bio....

 

The awe inspiring phenomenon that was Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema graced this earth from January 8th 1836 to June 25th 1912.. This Dutch painter / sculptor graduated from The Royal Academy of Antwerp, and then chose to settle in Victorian Britain in 1870... He painted in the Neoclassicism style and was a part of the Academicism movement. His work was Exquisite , almost fastidious with delicate detail. He was sensitive to every detail and architectural line of his paintings. precise and accurate always.There were Three major art movements in the period of the 19th century :Neoclassicism, Romanticism, and Impressionism. He was recognized and awarded the OM and RA awards

I wish to recommend R J Barrow's book. It is a biography packed with great detail about this genius of art . It also has an amazing glossy collection of his works. I love it! So oobaa fab ya? 

I quote from Rosemary herself: "A classical-subject painter, he became famous for his depictions of the luxury and decadence of the Roman Empire with languorous figures set in fabulous marbled interiors or against a backdrop of dazzling blue Mediterranean Sea and sky." 

Sir Lawrence's "The Roses of Helliogabalus"

I cannot deny that Sir Lawrence Alma Tadema is my OOObbaaa favorite artist. I am always in awe of his work. His 'magisteriis' are so delicate and detailed. Perfection beyond question! His Roman tribute is grandmunchious ( A ’Steph’ word self-created to express the enormity of my pleasure)

Mmmmmm .. So exquisite and sublime I can almost inhale the seraphic scent exhaled by the rose petals displayed in: "The Roses of Heliogabalus" .The master of fastidious detail......

Roses of Heliogabalus - Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema 1888: Now Arties... this super fragrant creation depicts 'Marcus Aurelius' A debauched psychotic, also known as 'Heliogabalus' by his friends. Heliogabalus became Emperor at 14, married five times, led a life of sinful sexual scandal and religious controversy and was finally assassinated by 18!! Here, in this amazing paintings, we are witness of one of his  debauched parties (An interesting doo to attend no doubt!!) he has smothered his party guests with rose petals....Alma Tadema ,being a meticulous perfectionist, wanted each petal to be as perfectly realistic as possible, and had shipments of rose petals sent to him from the Riviera to give his painting full realistic justice. ....AHHH, the fragrance must of been amazing..

  

Alma-Tadema was an accomplished sculpture too....Here is his version of the Emperor Heliogabalus. Depicted here as a young man with delicate features, large eyes and a slight moustache. Alma-Tadema forever the perfectionist based his sculpture on the only securely identified portrait of Heliogabalus in the Capitoline Museum, Rome. My idol Oscar Wilde refers to this bust of art as "fin de siècle fashions of youth and beauty" in a letter from Italy to Leonard Smithers. Here in Wilde’s words…

"I saw the bust of a young man of grave, somewhat severe beauty, and rather like a young Oxonian of a very charming kind, the expression of pride and ennui (boredom).It was the Emperor Heliogabalus; it was the most curious and has me filled with a desire to write his life."
OOOO Only Wilde could see such beauty and feel such lust for a bust of the stone sculptured variety !