When most people think of pin-up art, they think of the Vargas girls, or the works of Alberto Vargas or Rolf Armstrong. Pin-up art can be traced back even further to “September Morn,” by Emile Chabas in 1912 and continues to influence society and the media's ideas of beauty today.
A sophisticated men's magazine had a lot to do with the evolution and visibility of illustrations of “cheesecake,” which according to Mirriam-Webster Dictionary is “a photographic display of shapely and scantily clothed female figures.” This slang reference was later used for the art book, "Let Them Eat Cheesecake," a stunning collection of works by modern-day pin-up artist, Olivia De Berardinis.
The Art of Olivia
Olivia made her debut on greeting cards back in the 70's and soon started her own publishing company in the 80's, which put her on the map as one of the greatest pin-up artists alive today.
If you take a look at the way pin-up has shaped the ideals of beauty, you will understand how pivotal Olivia's role was for this movement. Her work has graced the pages of Penthouse and Playboy and other publications and galleries throughout the world and has played a very influential part in 'alternative lifestyles and fashion.' Her 2009 calendar included celebrities such as Kendra Wilkinson, Holly Madison and Bridgette Marquardt from The Girls Next Door, and Dita Von Teese, probably the world's most popular Burlesque performer and model alive today. Olivia continues to thrill fans with her most recent works which capture the essence and mystique of the notorious pin-up icon, Bettie Page.
Fantasy Brought to Life
Another artist who has influenced the art of pin-up through the sci-fi and fantasy genre is Luis Royo. His work was first seen in various exhibitions in Spain, which then moved to the comic book market. He is most known for his works in Heavy Metal Magazine; an adult fantasy art magazine among many others.
Hajime Sorayama is a favorite for the more daring pin-up fan; his work will bat an eye on the most jaded onlooker and make most people blush. His art is an inspiration to many modern pin-up artists, for his uncanny ability to capture metallic elements and detail unlike any other is simply amazing. He started his career by drawing robots, which was soon incorporated into his illustrations of women; he later contracted for Penthouse and much of his work was also in Heavy Metal Magazine.
At ThePinupFiles.com, you can explore the works of many emerging artists as well as seasoned ones. You may even visit their websites and purchase their works or prints. Or maybe, you just want to visit and appreciate the beauty of women that only a skilled artist can capture. Maybe the art influences and inspires you in a way you cannot explain; this is the nature of what art is all about.
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