Category: retro

Pinup Photos and Paintings

June 12th, 2011

I really appreciate retro pinup photography and art. A recent post on UFunk featured some classic pinup illustrations and the photos that inspired them.

Despite my own all-too-fragile bony frame, I believe women look better with soft curves.

It’s actually quite amazing to see how little artistic liberty was taken with the figures. Nowadays, nary an image of a woman makes its way into public distribution if she hasn’t been digitally whittled, chopped, airbrushed and remade into something not entirely human.

Although these paintings are far from photorealistic (particularly in the faces), at least the models were honored for the beauty of their natural bodies.

Beautiful…
Desktop Goodies 6/7

June 7th, 2011

I saved this image the first time I saw it, then it popped up on about 30 of the regular sites I follow. I must say…these are great candles:

This reminds me of the small vase of doll heads on sticks in the corner of my desk. Sometimes I forget what’s in my own house.

Look at the sweet expression on this Kajiu’s face. He only wants a hug, really.

I actually sent little Crack Kitty as a greeting the other day (which I probably enjoyed far more than the recipient).

And some strung out veggies that remind me a bit of Nouar’s wonderful work.

Your daily dose of retro comic trepanation:

What comes to mind when you think of NORSE GODS? Stuffed cabbage? Me too. THOR-RIFFIC.

Sexy, cheesy gun love…

I wish I knew who this photographer is:

No idea what this was actually for:

Too many bad puns I could make. Invent your own.

Sweet cartoon cross section…

I want to recreate this hat:

Brimming with personality…

Stark contrast of pristine confection art and…for lack of a better term…BRAIN PLOP…brilliant.

I’m going through an anatomical bird phase at the moment.

I just put this one on a pendant:

And lastly, I give you a random shot of the world’s most timid fire extinguisher suggestion:
Desktop Goodies

May 24th, 2011

The best thing about this photo is the utterly nonchalant New Yorker ascending the steps as if there is not a giant crashed automobile a few inches away from him. Perfect encapsulation of my fair city!

Yes, this is a real ad for a real product. Once upon a time this was un-ironic. Love the classy businessman demonstrating its use, and the text boasting its design by “a European artist.”

Check out this amazing fried chicken ad. Work that price tag on your hat Ms. Thing!

I have no idea what this title implies.

I could get into the biochemistry of it all, but the short answer to the following question is “because it’s AMAZING.”

When voices in one’s head become a bit much…

Aww…look at that adorable expression!

I love the isolated contrast of the figure in this illustration. One bright light moving through a dark, abandoned world…

Where’s the order form for this one? I want it on my coffee table.

Skull porn! (I’m frightened to see how many people reach this site searching for that term).

I’m sure folks nowadays would be quick to defame Tickle Tim with various unsavory comments.

Speaking of pickles, how about some romance?

Nothing says “love” like caricatured imprisonment.

…No baby, it’s SCIENCE!

Actually, this is a pretty nice sentiment (at least for a cynical romantic like me).
Rosey Grier’s Needlepoint for Men

April 18th, 2011

No comment I make about this could possibly do justice, so I’m just going to say “Enjoy.”

Source
Jonathan Koshi

February 17th, 2011

Okay, okay…this has been going around the web quite a bit, but folks who don’t subscribe to hundreds of art blogs like I do might not have seen them.

Jonathan Koshi has a series of prints featuring pop culture icons in Day of the Dead fashion.

Favorite (of course):

Source
Anatomical Kaiju Part 2

January 22nd, 2011

A while back, I posted some Anatomical Kaiju images, which turned out to be surprisingly well liked.

Here are a few more, featuring Gamera and foes…

I enjoy anatomical representations of fictional creatures. It takes the imagination one step further.

Source
Antique Fitness Equipment

January 1st, 2011

Here’s a little something for the folks who list fitness goals as part of their New years resolution; a glance back at some antique fitness equipment.

Before you judge…consider some of the ludicrous contraptions we have on the market today:

The Shake Weight

The Cardio Twister

The Love Handler

And remember the Thigh-Master?

The Gazelle?

Want abs? You can try the Abroller, Abcoaster, Abrocket, Abdoer, Abcircle, Abflyer, Ab Slide, Ab Belt, Smart Abs, AB FORCE…you get the idea. We’re surrounded by the fitness kitsch of the future!

Antique image source
Milky the Marvelous Milking Cow

December 14th, 2010

I know it’s cruel to post a long-discontinued item in the heart of the year’s most hectic shopping period. My apologies to anyone who would immediately add Milky the Marvelous Milking Cow to their shopping or wish list.

Here we have a plastic cow that “drinks” water from a trough (meaning, you put its head down and it acts like a vacuum hose), which then mixes with imitation milk tablets housed in its stomach.

The luscious, giant cow lips and come-hither stare are unnerving. I feel…dirty.

And the final product is not exactly appetizing.

Purely from a collector standpoint, these must be rather valuable.

Watch the commercial, if you dare:

And if your thirst for retro toy horror has not been quenched, why not visit Baby Alive? Or the Baby Alive follow up post?
Wind Up Dreams and Vinyl Nightmares

November 20th, 2010

Christmas came early for me this year, in the form of a truly awesome series of collector’s edition postcards from Wind Up Dreams and Vinyl Nightmares.

I think I’m going to have them framed because I doubt I could actually part with them and send them off as regular postcards.

Some of you may recall my previous post about John Purlia’s haven of incredible kitch and ephemera. He has put together some of my favorite photos of vintage toys and assorted goodies.

John’s Etsy store features a variety of prints ranging from reasonably priced glossy photos to limited edition collectors items.

In addition, I’m thrilled to welcome Wind Up Dreams and Vinyl Nightmares as a SheWalksSoftly sponsor (check out the nifty sidebar link)! It’s really my pleasure to promote artists whose work I enjoy so much.

Visit the website and the Etsy site.
A Nightmare on Airbrush Street

November 4th, 2010

Now that Halloween is over, let’s exchange those murderous knives for…airbrush guns?

Yes, this is an actual book cover. Though it looks like a bio on Freddy Krueger’s snazzy, artistic cousin.

Everyone watch out…there is danger of looking fierce.

There is also a series of very odd Jack-O-Lanterns at the source.