Pin-up & Glamour Artist, Gil Elvgren
As of late, I have been incredibly inspired by the 50s, as well as the pin-up and glamour artwork that so often is associated with it. In my personal research and scouring for pin-up art, I stumbled across Gil Elvgren, an American painter, advertiser, and illustrater. Born in the spring of 1914, Gil created some of his most famous pieces in the in the 40s and 50s.
What I love about him most (aside from his perfect balance of realism and playfulness), is how he used his wife to pose as his model for near every pin-up piece he made. Pin-ups were designed to reflect the "perfect woman," and I adore how Gil viewed his wife as just that.
To channel Gil's spirit and try working from a model, check out our Figure Studies in Grisaille, Figure Painting, Figure Drawing, Life Sculpture, or Pastel & Oil Portraiture class.
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Olivia Ferreiro Author
Growing up with parents that are artists has surrounded me with a constant feed of creative energy. As a child, every day was a new project, allowing my older brother and I to use the walls of our every home as a blank canvas, whether we were aware of it or not. Spending my younger years in California made me a flower child that could never lose her youth, even with the passing of time. Coming back to New York as an adult made me discover my roots, beyond café con leche for breakfast and Cuban music always playing in our car. And going to the University of Colorado: Boulder to study writing kept me bold and curious, reminding me that the world is a lot bigger than I ever could have imagined.
I'd like to think that I have my father's obsession with precision, and my mother's desire to be free-spirited. And although I did not study to pursue art on a professional level, I have always been an artist in all that I do.