Tag: Drawing

Making Her Mark – Self Portraits I

On By ResaIn Making Her Mark166 Comments

Welcome to the “Making Her Mark” Self Portraits Series! How better can we get to know some of the amazing female artists, from 1400 – 1800, than to introduce them through their own visions of self.

I have invited Rebecca Budd, curator of the online gallery – Chasing Art – to join me in unearthing more of the history of these artists.

Resa: Welcome Rebecca!

Rebecca: – Resa, I was thrilled to receive your invitation to participate in the Self Portraits segments of your “Making Her Mark” virtual event. What better way to begin this journey of discovery than with the artist, Sarah Biffin. I confess this was the first time I heard her name, which can be spelled either Sarah Biffin or Sarah Biffen.

Resa: So Rebecca, now that you’ve heard her name, I’m excited to hear what you have discovered.

The Remarkable Journey of Sarah Biffin

Born with a disability, Sarah Biffin’s remarkable journey from sideshow attraction to an artist patronized by royalty remained little known until recent years. Despite her initial challenges, her early talent blossomed into outstanding artistic ability, leading to recognition and patronage by the aristocracy. Her story serves as a true testament to the transformative power of opportunity and mentorship, showcasing the incredible potential that lies within each individual.

Born on October 25, 1784 in East Quantoxhead, Somerset, Sarah was the third of five children born to Henry Biffin, a farm labourer who later became a shoemaker, and Sarah Perkins. The baptism register noted that Sarah was born with a rare condition known as phocomelia, rendering her without arms or legs. At the age of 25, she was reported to be approximately 3 feet tall.

When she was 20, Sarah was exhibited as an attraction by a travelling showman at fairs throughout England. Even without formal training, crowds were impressed by how she used her mouth to sew, write and paint watercolours and portrait miniatures.

And then…. serendipity smiled and transformed Sarah’s destiny.

Sarah Biffin’s life was undeniably impacted by a twist of fate. It was at the St Bartholomew’s Fair of 1808 that George Douglas, 16th Earl of Morton (1761-1827) noticed her. This serendipitous encounter changed the trajectory of Sarah’s life in a profound and inspiring manner.

His sponsorship of Sarah Biffin, an artist born with a rare disability, enabled her to receive art lessons from renowned painter William Craig of the Royal Academy of Arts. Notably, George Douglas is remembered for his patronage of the arts and his support of individuals with exceptional talent.

As a result of the Earl of Morton’s support, Sarah’s artistic skills developed considerably. By the time she reached her 30s and 40s, she had become an extraordinarily talented artist, often considered to be as good as the best portrait miniaturists of her time. This period marked a significant ascent in her artistic prowess, solidifying her legacy as a remarkable and influential artist.

Patronage, Marriage & Legacy

Sarah’s exceptional artistic talent earned her prestigious commissions, including from the Royal Family, leading to her widespread popularity and acclaim. This royal patronage elevated her status and contributed to her flourishing career as an artist.

On September 6, 1824, Sarah entered into marriage with Stephen Wright in Kilton, Somerset. Despite the eventual end of the marriage, Sarah continued to exhibit under her married name in the years that followed.

Sarah’s influence extended beyond the realm of art, as she was prominently featured in the works of renowned author Charles Dickens. Dickens referenced her in several literary works, including “Nicholas Nickleby,” “Martin Chuzzlewit,” “Little Dorrit,” and “A Plated Article,” underscoring her cultural significance and enduring legacy.

Sarah’s Last Self-Portrait

Resa – Rebecca, what an honour it is to have seen this portrait in real life. I took one close up within the glass free board frame, and one how it was on the wall. It’s a real treat to not have to look through glass. I hope my photography does it justice.

Rebecca – Your photos allowed me to step through the screen and join you virtually at the AGO.  It was as if I were viewing the paintings in person. 

Resa – Rebecca, I am so happy you are here! Thank you for joining me!

Rebecca – Thank you, Resa, for the invitation to join you on this profound “art” journey. I am thrilled to be sharing “Making Her Mark” with you.  Thank you for your extraordinary vision of creativity within our complex, evolving world. You have redefined the art world through your unparalleled leadership, emphasizing compassion and hope as guiding principles. Your profound understanding of art’s transformative power has inspired me and countless individuals, fostering a deeper appreciation for the inherent beauty and significance of artistic expression.

Resa – Thank you, Rebecca! Graciously and humbly.

I hope you all enjoyed this close up feature on Sarah Biffen. A million thank you’s to Rebecca Budd for joining me, with her fabulous research, in this Self Portraits series. Rebecca and I will be back with further instalments highlighting other women who made her mark with art.

Click on the banner above to view some of the site links Rebecca found and used for her research. The Artnet link reveals many of Sarah’s works. Unfortunately none are for sale

Visit Rebecca at CHASING ART! Here you will also find links to her other blogs and Podcast Tea, Toast and Trivia

Photos of Sarah Biffen’s self portrait taken by Resa – May 14, 2024

Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, Canada

MAYDAY – by Mike Steeden

On By ResaIn Book Reviews75 Comments

Genre: SciFi-Horror-Adventure-Adult-Romance-Fantasy

There is no way to pigeon hole Mike Steeden’s writing, both in style and genre. Then again, my reviews are unorthodox. So, let me get on with it!

THE SCI-FI

Mayday was not born, she was made by a male professor/scientist. Her body is perfection, her blonde hair is to her waist. She is an adult without a childhood. She will never age. Her cerebral prowess is unfathomable, and grows during the course of the story. She can heal the ill, feed the hungry, make people forget or make them remember something different. That’s just the tip of it.

 Her name means “help me”, but no one can; at least not for long, and not in the end.

THE HORROR

As knowledge of Mayday spreads throughout the world, there are 2 elemental societies that desire her. One is the religious fanatics that want to torture then crucify, or burn her at the stake. The other is the Nazis, who would use her to their advantage in securing the Master Race.

THE ADVENTURE

Rescued from prison, her safe keeping falls into the hands of a wealthy French man, Andrei Voland. It was just pre WWII and Andrei Voland, with a home in Paris and one in Lille, could afford all of the trappings, conveniences and more.

Andrei Voland hires Edith to give Mayday a makeover. Her hair is cut short, dyed black and Marcel waved. Make-up is a wise addition, as Mayday has been au naturel for her entire existence. Although Edith chooses smart fashions of the day, Mayday has her own take on the new her. She is given the name Nadele for public ventures.

Disguises & alter egos are Mayday’s reality.

For her part, Edith’s life is now in danger. Mayday, Edith and Andrei Voland move to his Lille home to hide.

Good friends, Eloise & Thunderman are let into the Mayday secret. Eloise joins them, living in the home in Lille. Thunderman, a large man, becomes security.  They start “Looking Glass Vacations”, as a lucrative cover.

THE ADULT

Just for fun, Mayday takes Edith, Eloise and Andrei Voland mentally into a harem, for a taste of that life. Although only gone moments, the 4 experience hours of harem life. Mayday accidentally brings back a black slave. They name her Princess, and she joins the household.

When Andrei Voland and Mayday return from an investigative trip to the Vatican, Thunderman is dead at the Nazi’s hands. Princess has been kidnapped.

After rescuing Princess, Juliette and Esme are hired to help with the agency. Now Andrei Voland has 6 women & his brother Henri, security replacing Thunderman, living with him. As with the harem experience, there is nothing obscene; however the story is quite suggestive of a sexually free bohemian lifestyle. This bohemian lifestyle prevails throughout the story.

THE ROMANCE

Love and romance evolves and flourishes in Lille, France. Mayday, Edith, Eloise, Princess, Juliette, Esme, Henri and Andrei Voland live under the radar of the religious fanatics and Nazis. During this time life is wonderful. Until the Nazis near Paris!

It’s at this point  that Juliette & Esme must flee, as they are not to the Nazi’s liking and will surely end up in a camp. When Mayday must leave to protect herself and others, Andrei Voland’s heart is shattered.

THE FANTASY

The ending of this tale is different from anything I’ve ever read. To see how this image applies, you’ll have to read the book.

To buy Mayday, or any of Mike Steeden’s books click on the book cover and go to Mike’s Amazon page.

The Author – in his own words – An aging old fool devoid of common sense and incapable of changing a light bulb. A ‘lefty’ at heart; an atheist by nature; I have no desire to be taken seriously!

The Author – in my words – Mike Steeden is a published prolific writer based in the UK. His mind is like the USS Enterprise in the sense that he goes where no man has gone before.

Boogapony – Hip Trip on Route 66

On By ResaIn Boogapony Holly77 Comments

It’s official! Boogapony Holly is on tour! After ponying on down to a slew of Chicago’s street art, she took off in a Paco Rabanne chain link mini dress w/ Go-Go boots.

She bought this art car, to make the trip to Monterey, California. Although 54 years late to the summer of love party, its spirit beckoned.

Celeste bagged the job of driving Boogapoy’s old van. Along with on loading, off loading and setting up, she’s a pretty good back up dancer; a true Poniette.

Don’t miss the magic, as they hit some of the nation’s sweetest street art and attractions along Route 66.

Miles of Route 66 are un-drivable. Interstate detours are necessary. In Missouri, over 300 miles run SW from St. Louis to Joplin. Fab diners & vintage roadside attractions are all waiting for the Boogapony experience & photo op.

St. Louis to Tulsa is the heart of Route 66. It’s where east meets west. Much of this stretch is on I-44. Be There! Boogapony & Celeste will Freestyle in the exact centre, wherever it is.

The Kansas section of Route 66 is short but sweet, 13.2 miles to be exact. There will be 1 Go-Go at mile 6.6.

A classic pony-down will happen at the Blue Whale of Catoosa, a featured point of interest along almost 400 well tended drivable miles of Route 66 running through Oklahoma.

The Lone Star State has about 180 miles of old Route 66 road remaining.  Boogapony and Celeste getting on down to the very best roadside attractions, in the panhandle of Texas, is a Must See!

Albuquerque is a highlight stop. Here she’ll be visiting Tim’s Magic Tree Sanctuary , and doing some serious tree hugging. Watch out for the performance a Go-Go in the old downtown strip right on Route 66!

Celeste will be featured doing the “Frug” in Oatman. This ghost town, located at the edge of Arizona on Route 66, is perched 2,700 feet above sea level.

The Santa Monica Pier marks the end of Route 66, but not the end of the Flower Power Tour. You can check out Boogapony at the Whiskey a Go Go on Sunset Boulevard! Here she fuses the Pony, the Hitch-Hiker, the Shimmy and more.

Monterey is the next dance stop. Here she’ll reprise Resa’s World & COOP famous Egg Dance, in memory of the Flower Children. Where did they all go?

You’ll want to hear Boogapony slam poetry, dancing all the while! Find her at the corner of Haight Ashbury, San Francisco!

It’s the end of the Flower Power Tour, but wait! Boogapony is headed back to New York City to perform in a newly revived version of the musical “HAIR”!!! The summer of love, much like the force, is with us.

Boogapony Holly character © Resa McConaghy & Holly Rene Hunter

Since 2018

The Car Artist:

 

On A Frank Farewell

On By ResaIn Tributes124 Comments

Much to my consternation, my dear blog pal, A Frank Angle, is retiring from the blog world. Good-byes are difficult, so instead, I have decided to induct him into:

Opening this tribute, direct from Holly’s House Of Heart, is Rene Rosso doing her rendition, of renditions, of a song by:

…one of Frank’s fave bands;

Here is one of the many renditions.

Frank has written some very popular posts over his 11 years. One of his most interesting regular articles was “Opinions In The Shorts” aka OITS.

The first time I ever read an OITS, the opening shot was a bunch of shorts on a clothesline. I figured huh, this guy sits around in shorts, writing opinions. Cool!I was wrong; opinions yes, shorts no.Dale, from A Dalectable Life has been a lovely, loyal co-host on many of Frank’s posts.

For this special occasion, Dale has cut short her Paris Gown fitting at Art Gowns, to model this OITS outfit I designed. We hope you have an opinion about it!

Frank is from Cincinnati, and is a huge baseball fan.

Direct from  Art Towards A Happy Day is Marina Kanavaki. Marina graciously agreed to model this Cincinnati Reds Art Gown. This and all Art Gowns art here today have been specifically created for Frank.

Music has always been a big thing on Frank’s blog. Most recently Frank has been producing music concerts. However, before that he produced many Theatrical Musicals.

That’s me above, in a pair of tights with Marina’s artwork (Paths of Color) on them. I’m off to the theatre, to see one of Frank’s productions. As a matter of fact, the post was titled “Off to the Theatre in Paths of Color”. If you click on the pic you can read the post!

Frank, here’s Rene Rosso with another song for you!

To all reading: Frank’s last 3 posts are scheduled for: January 28, January 30, February 1 & February 2. Click  on the pic below,  to check out the first  of the last.

 Now, here’s Rene Rosso with her special choice of song for you. As always, with RR, the Torchier, the better.

Eye will miss you.

Dear Frank,

Time is such a thief. I just found you several years ago and now after a short time, you will not be around. The photo below (also the header, which I tried to filter into looking like one of your cosmic headers) was taken when I was in my 30’s. I dug it up for this post.

Dale, Marina and Holly were all in cahoots with me. They knew what I was up to, and they all approved their outfits.

-Resa xo

Crazy Free Art to Music II – w/ Engagement Congratulations to Christy Birmingham

On By ResaIn Original Art122 Comments

 Live music and art supples have never been so much fun.

The drawings have been happening since my last Crazy Free Art to Music post.

Thought I’d posted the one below, but I can’t find it anywhere.

This is  Holly, from House of Heart, musing me. It’s a Free Art to Music piece, an early feel  for a Princess Blue Holly. Looks a bit like Harley Quinn, but I still love it!

Holly, again…LOL…I was working on alter ego ideas. Why I thought of turning Princess Blue Holly into a Rose Fairy, I’m not sure? Still, the pencil & water colour crayon came out lovely.

🌹♥️🌹♥️🌹♥️🌹♥️🌹

The band was playing and I was going crazy when I thought of Christy Birmingham being engaged. We’ve done more than several posts together on women’s rights. This happiness came out of me!

All drawings & photos of said drawings © Resa McConaghy – 2019

Toronto, Canada