Photo Love: The Secret Lives of Women by Lillian Bassman

Women possess a grace in movement that may pass unnoticed in every day life.

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The female form has been celebrated in works of art for thousands of years and it is easy to see why through the lens of the late Lillian Bassman.  There is an elegance and serenity to women when they feel at ease and truly comfortable - Bassman referred to this as the secret lives of women. She was a female photographer that really tried to capture a different side of women. I imagine that any woman can be both glamorous and beautiful (especially under such an expert eye an beautiful gowns).

I love that her photography here emulates illustrations.  Perhaps great art then does live in the intimate portrayals of the secret lives of women and is an endeavor to be enjoyed by all.
Have a lovely week!

Photo Love: Run Off and Enjoy your week (stylishly of course)

I'm defying Monday - just because it's the beginning of the week doesn't mean I can't enjoy it!

My new favorite Lillian Bassman, from here

 "Pick the day.  Enjoy it - to the hilt. The day as it comes. People as they come... The past, I think, as helped me appreciate the present, and I don't want to spoil any of it by fretting about the future." - Audrey Hepburn

We all still have places to run off to this week.  I love the motion in this picture.  She look like she's off to somewhere fabulous with her chiffon cape handy.  I'm wrapping up my time in NYC this week so while I'm sad, I know I'll get to see some lovely people, enjoy my favorite places, and have a great time.

So have a good time whatever you're doing!

Photo Love: A Kiss with Attitude via Lillian Bassmen

I am so jealous of Southern Californians right now.  Besides the enviable weather right now, they can easily visit the "Lillian Bassman: Women" exhibit through March 10 at the Peter Fetterman Gallery.

I think I stumbled upon Lillian Bassman's work when stalking another photographer's blog.  Bassman's photography is undoubtedly fashion photography, but the dreamy black and white images also hint at aspects of abstract paintings; this sassy 93 year-old came out of a 20+ year retirement and uses Photoshop to play with lighting in some pictures now.  I also love the powerful femininity in many of the portraits in the Women collection.

This woman is giving a kiss.  But it is her call, her choice, and she will give that kiss on her own terms.  While she is not oozing of warmth, she is full of stylish attitude.  While I'm not sure it's me, it's a very Holly Golightly kind of moment - a woman vying to live and love according to her own rules.

"You musn't give your heart to a wild thing. The more you do, the stronger they get, until they're strong enough to run into the woods or fly into a tree. And then to a higher tree and then to the sky."