#fine art-adel

[artthatgivesmefeelings]

Pietro Ayres (Italian, 1794-1878) Bildnis der Adele Elisabeth von Frantzius, geborene Ritt, 1821

[pj-art-things]

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A post shared by Peter Salter (@p_j_art)

I’ve been expecting you Mr Bond

Paintings by Peter James Salter | PJArts

Created using Acrylic paint on paper

[dinodogs]

Coco, Pyrrha, and Summer. I've had Pyrrha done since like, febuary I just forgor to post her.

[studioofearthlydelights]

Why graphic design? What is graphic design to you?

Mostly, graphic design was the only way I felt you could be creative and make a living in ~society~. Over the last decade and a half of my career, I’ve peeled layers off from graphic design to lettering to illustration to fine art to reveal a spectrum of art and commercialism. Art as expression, art as a mission vs. art as a service, art as a mode for someone else’s message. Graphic design is the most service-based of all of these practices, but I have found niches where my voice and skills of typography, analog/organic elements, kinetic work, thoughtful or ethical storytelling and use of imagery, and texture are best used. In 2014, I got into pole dance and pro sex work activism. 2016-2018, I published a sex art and story zine and had an erotica shop. In 2018, I taught sensual movement. And that same year, I quit all of it to pursue my fine art more seriously. Every endeavor that seems like it moves “away” from graphic design has informed my graphic design practice, focused it in, elevated my voice in the industry and brought in more aligned work that is more sustainable in the long run.

[ineedhjalp]

intro!!

hi!!!!!!!!!

I’m INeedHjalp, but you can call me Adele or Hjalp.

I’m a 22 year old currently finishing up my Master’s in Elizabethan literature. I graduated from Middlebury College in Vermont on a partial scholarship and am working through a TON of student debt. I’m from Colorado, in El Paso County. I’m trying to become a screen actor but right now I’m working at a local ice cream place.

My favorite things are Shakespeare (particularly M*cbeth), Hozier, Columbo, and my current hyperfixation, Dead Boy Detectives. (FUCK YOU NETFLIX!!!!!!)

Depending on when it crosses my dash, I also reboot stuff from NBC Hannibal, Good Omens, Doctor Who, or some of my old fandoms like Magnus Chase or Night At the Museum.

I’m queer! I’m some flavor of bisexual and biromantic, but I’m also on the aroace spectrum. (I might be demi, I think?) I’m also on the nonbinary spectrum (I’m a guy. But I’m also a girl. It’s complicated).

My preferred pronouns are she/her, though I’m fine with anything, really.

Some of my LOVELY mutuals are @flowers-of-anise, @a-chaotic-business, @gayoticbeing, @homoquartz, @judeisunsure, @ineffablefood, @understand-some-thing-some-time, @that-one-greml1n, @lunarsolar1, and, of course, @andiv3r. (I’m forgetting SO MANY PEOPLE. If you are a moot and see this post and you aren’t included, PLEASE reach out. I’m quite forgetful.

I have undiagnosed ADHD. I would go to the doctor, but Money.

My tags:

#ineedhjalp — my tag for posts I make myself.

#hjalp lives — personal posts

#hjalp writes — my fics (check out my new dbda multichap!

#hjalp draws — nothing on here yet!!!!! I do do art though.

#hjalp answers — my asks! PLEASE ask me things!!

I do a LOT or reblogging. A LOT. You have been warned. It’s 99% reblogs on this blog, folks.

As of this moment, I have 2,823 Dead Boy Detectives photos saved to my camera roll.

I support queer people and their rights. I support intersex people and their rights. I support disabled & chronically ill people and their rights. I support women’s rights.

I DO NOT condone Neil Gaiman’s disgusting behavior. He’s dead to me.

I do not condone racism or sexism of any kind.

I don’t get the hate towards furries and therians. While I’m not one myself, bullying is never ok and people should just live their lives.

Trans women are women and trans men are men. Fuck the TERFs!

I will be voting for Kamala Harris in November. KEEP TRUMP AND THE CONSERVATIVES OUT OF OFFICE!!!!!!

FREE PALESTINE!!!! 🇵🇸

[blkdivinefeminine]

SILVER SPRINGS, a challengers story

✧˖° THE MIXTAPES ✧˖°

ramona’s mixtape

▶︎ •၊၊||၊|။||||။‌‌‌‌‌၊|• 0:10

track one- silver springs, fleetwood mac

track two- storms, fleetwood mac

track three- drew barrymore, sza

track four- fade into you, mazzy star

track five- cellophane, fka twigs

track six- dear april, frank ocean

track seven- bad religion, frank ocean

track eight- boyfriends, harry style

s track nine- cool about it, boygenius

track ten-strangers, ethel cain

track eleven- the bomb, florence + the machine

track twelve-how to disappear, lana del rey

track thirteen- is it a crime?, sade

track fourteen- mirrored hearts, fka twigs

track fifteen- ex-factor, lauryn hill

track sixteen -nude, radiohead

track seventeen- all i wanted, paramore

track eighteen- the other woman, nina simone

track nineteen- losing you, solange

track twenty- linger, the cranberries

track twenty one- dancing on my own, robyn

track twenty two- the less i know the better, tame impala

track twenty three- lacy, olivia rodrigo

track twenty four - garden (say it like dat), sza

track twenty five-the end of love, florence + the machine

track twenty six- writer in the dark, lorde

track twenty seven- norman fucking rockwell, lana del rey track

twenty eight- landslide, fleetwood mac

track twenty nine-love ridden, fiona apple

track thirty- turning tables, adele

track thirty one-cayendo, frank ocean

track thirty two - cherry, harry styles

track thirty three - boyish, japanese breakfast

track thirty four-goodnight n go, ariana grande

track thirty five- love on the brain, rihanna

track thirty six- no ordinary love, sade

track thirty seven - fine line, harry styles

patrick’s mixtape

▶︎ •၊၊||၊|။||||။‌‌‌‌‌၊|• 0:10

track one- house of cards, radiohead

track two- dark red, steve lacy

track three- flamenco, beyonce

track four- are we still friends?, tyler the creator

track five-chanel, frank ocean

track six- crack baby, mitski

track seven- killer, phoebe bridgers

track eight-self control, frank ocean

track nine- i want someone badly, jeff buckley

track ten-right down the line, greg rafferty

track eleven- crush, cigarettes after sex

track twelve- all i need, radiohead

track thirteen- moth to a flame, swedish house mafia w/ the weeknd

track fourteen-house of balloons/ glass table girls, the weeknd

track fifteen- west end girls, pet shop boys

track sixteen- baby came home 2/ valentines, the neighborhood

track seventeen-thunder, lana del rey

track eighteen- right my wrongs, bryson tiller

track nineteen-nature feels, frank ocean

track twenty- cinderella, mac miller ft. ty dolla sign

track twenty two- nights, frank ocean

track twenty three- s&m, rihanna

track twenty four- same ol' mistakes, tame impala

track twenty five- super rich kids, frank

ocean

track twenty six- slow dancing in the dark, joji

track twenty seven- favorite crime,olivia rodrigo

track twenty eight- do i wanna know, artic monkeys

track twenty nine- forget her, jeff buckley

track thirty- beetlebum, blur

track thirty one- don't let me down, the beatles

track thirty two - futile devices, sufjan stevens

track thirty three -i wanna be yours, artic monkeys

track thirty four- water under the bridge, adele

track thirty five-sanctuary, joji

track thirty six- something, the beatles

track thirty seven-congratulations, mac miller

art’s playlist

▶︎ •၊၊||၊|။||||။‌‌‌‌‌၊|• 0:10

track one-white ferrari, frank ocean

track two-lover you should've come over,jeff buckley

track three- weird fishes/arpeggi, radiohead

track four- black star, radiohead

track five-don't let me go, cigarettes after sex

track six- uncle ACE, blood orange

track seven-somebody that I used to know, goyte

track eight-step on me, the cardigans

track nine-ivy, frank ocean

track ten- im your man, mitski

track eleven-champagne coast, blood orange

track twelve- last goodbye, jeff buckley

track thirteen- when the sun hits, slowdive

track fourteen- bad habit, steve lacy

y track fifteen- high and dry, radiohead

track sixteen- earfquake, tyler the creator

track seventeen-puppet, tyler the creator

track eighteen- close to you, frank ocean

track nineteen- apocalypse, cigarettes after sex

track twenty- no distance left to run, blur

track twenty one- pink matter, frank ocean

track twenty two-somebody else, the 1975

track twenty three- true love waits, radiohead

track twenty four- pride, kendrick lamar

track twenty five- glimpse of us, joji

track twenty six-distant lover, marvin gaye

track twenty seven- from the dining table, harry styles

track twenty eight-savior complex, phoebe bridgers

track twenty nine -to be so lonely, harry styles

track thirty- a boy is a gun, tyler the creator

track thirty one- two slow dancers, mitski

track thirty two- tomorrow never came, lana del rey

track thirty three- different this time, cornelia murr

track thirty four- say something living, the xx

track thirty five- kiss it off me, cigarettes after sex

track thirty six- seigfried, frank ocean

track thirty seven-pistol, cigarettes after sex

[some-loozzr]

SECTOR FYI...?

[CW/TW: Disturbing Imagery]

(2/2)

The Team had enough, Plantazia decided to go all out this time. Building a machine that scans the person's brainwaves to know their mood, status, and how they're seeing. After running a few psychological tests and simulations the results were...concerning... Full Name: Carol Carlson Codename: 1/6 Age: 11 Gender: Non-Binary Height: 5'0 Anxiety: 89% Sleep: 34% Percentage for Dreams: 0.3% Percentage for Nightmares: 99% Percentage for Hallucinations (Visual, Auditory..): 100% After speaking to Carol about the data and asking on what hallucinations and/or nightmares she had this week, and asking for how and what her dreams looked like...Well....

THE WILTED

(Chatter amongst the Operatives): Plantazia: "Is this how you're hallucinations see me?" Carol: "..." Plantazia: "Carol, I'm not mad, really! I'm just...not used to seeing things like this...Has this......"version" of me done anything, good or bad, to you in your dreams?" Carol: "You-...She-....It chased me down the halls of this treehouse..It tried to tear my arm off, but...I got away." Plantazia: "Did anything happen after that?" Carol: "Yeah, flowers, and moss started growing near me..It tried to rip my head off...but I woke up." Plantazia: "...." Carol: "..Is something wrong?" Plantazia: "No shit, if this's been happening to you for a long time, then we need to know what's going on with you. This can't go long any longer!" Carol: "..." Plantazia: "Look...it may look like all hope's gone, but We can help ya. It'll take a bit long depending on data, but We're always here for ya." Carol: *smiles*

INERTIA

(Chatter amongst the Operatives..): Carol: (giving the paper to Irk) "...H-Here." Irk: "1'M N0T L00K1NG 4T TH4T." Carol: "..." Carol: "...I-....I know this isn't what you're used to seeing on...yourself, but I swear, this is only in my dreams and-" Irk: "1T'S F1N3, OR..WH4T3V3R..." Carol: "N-No Irk, it's not-" Irk: "QU13T, B3 GR4T3FUL I B0TH3R3D 3V3N T4LK1NG T0 Y0U 1N TH3 F1RST PL4C3."

"ADELLE"

((Chatter amongst the Operatives)): Adelle: "Aw Carol, is this for me? That's so sweet! Your art looks great!" Carol: "..." Adelle: "Hey, it's not ugly, in fact, I look great in your artstyle! You can keep practicing and you'll improve in no ti-" Carol: "T-Turn the page around...." Adelle: "Oh? Another drawing? Cool-" PRETENDER // TRUE FORM

Adelle: "...Oh." Adelle: "Soooo....the "me" in the Nightmare world is just a faker?" Carol: "Y-Yeah...I thought it was really you, but...I guess I should really be making sure that every...."normal" person I see in my dreams are actually normal of not..." Adelle: "It's fine, I have weird dreams too!" Carol: "N-..Not those dreams! It's....worse." Adelle: "...." Adelle: "I-I'm so sorry Carol, I didn't mean to-" Carol: "N-no Adelle, it's fine.."

AU by @kandykatz Adelle belongs to @catchingrockd

[stelladess]

Spoiler ahead for the CN livestream, so chapter 14 stuff and brief IS5 mention (also anime season 3 confirmed now). Do not keep reading to avoid spoilers. Just some of my early thoughts. Stream of conciousness, not having thought things through much kind of thing. Kind of just rambling. But tl;dr is that I am excited and it looks good to me.

So, they keep using Civilight Etherna to describe "Theresa" and even outright ask "is she really Theresa?" in the live stream, so no its not a full on resurrection... so from a certain point of view, I was right. Her kit seems super good, she a bard also the freebie operator. Since I do not have Skalter this is good news for me. Big buffs, can do true damage... is neat. Logos is... outright busted. His S1 is insanely good AFK skill which can just auto kill weaker enemies who enters his range, not even an attack and his S2 seems fine, his S3 is also insane. Depending on the numbers he might outperform Eyja but we´ll see, that is always the test is it not? Amiya gets to be an incantation medic, with an outright busted talent (passive health regen on skill, off and on skill gives max HP boosts, this applies to all operators for both it seems?) and a pretty good looking S1 (attacks two enemies, bonus damage) and an amazing S2 with a big burst of damage at first, then slow and true damage with targeting two enemies and.... once per mission... again. Its... fine, I´m not salty.... Anyway, the big star, is limited (I had hoped she would be freebie since her original was limited but oh well) Walter.... or, W has now picked a name for herself, we will have to learn the context in chapter 14, Wis´adel (she has a different S but my keyboard lacks it, it is pronouched as a "sh" sound though). Wis´adel is a flinger sniper who makes all other flingers irelevant and is absolutely busted. Because I am a big W fan (depending on the day it is either her or Kal´tsit who is my second favorite operator) and flingers were in a really bad spot I am kind of ok with this but I still prefer they do not just blatantly directly power creep operators or go too far on insane damage numbers. Her damage seems... a bit too high in my opinion, but because I love her as a character and am excited for her story going forward and her kit seems fun, just really overtuned, I will be pulling. And I guess Degenbrecher and Mlynar already brought us up to this insane damage level so I should not be surprised. Power creep is something I have kept up in many many games I play and there are times where a later power crept state was my favorite period of the game so I will not go and get too hung up on the power creep. Also, I was right to take notice of the floating black crown parts I think cause it is even more prominent now. Bunch of story related stuff here but I wanna wait with talking about that until I have sorted my thoughts and maybe even read chapter 14. On that note, story for chapter 14 has me INCREDIBLY hyped. 13 was my favorite chapter, dethroning chapter 8. And I really wanna know what they are cooking next! Also IS5 has a Kal´tsit boss... she wields a sword!!!! (There are some interesting stuff about Kal and weapons that comes up occasionally, this is in the past it seems so maybe we find out what the deal is?)

I do think its a kind of bad decision to make IS5 sarkaz themed though, I like the sarkaz stuff but I feel IS is best used for parts of the world not explored in as much depth elsewhere. (I think it works with IS3 doing something explored a lot elsewhere but I kinda do not want them to keep doing that). But back to positive stuff the character designs are great. Wis´adel design has really grown on me, I think its a huge downgrade from what she wore before but it feels like it fits her so I am fine with that. Amiya has improved her fashion sense, at first I was sad at no more big coat/cape but that turned out to just be cause the blurry art... she went for a long coat instead of big coat that was actually a normal coat but just too big for her. So it still is something actually made to fit her but still retains the big coat look to some extent. Civilight Etherna boobs seem bigger then Theresa´s(?) Is it to contain the myriad souls? Deep lore implications about this at least! Logos uniform is good but like, so are all Rhodes uniforms. I do not feel it is exceptionally good for a Rhodes uniform but it suits him. Oh and also we see Wis´adel studying in one of the PVs, Hoederer must be so proud she is finally taking her education seriously~! Lastly on addressing the name situation... I will keep using W until chapter 14 is out on global to avoid spoiling people, after that I will probably switch to using her new name. Names are a very important thing especially when you pick them yourself.

[cat-loves-music]

Chapter One: Love of My Life

A/n: Lord this took me a loooonggggg time to get done. First I started this last year, gave up on it cuz writers block kicked my ass, recently got motivation and inspiration so I started writing again, then I accidentally deleted it. Now I finally have the first official chapter of this series completed! I should have the masterlist for it linked below so I hope you enjoy it. Beware, the angst is real for this series.

Words: 840 (it's relatively short, I feel like the other chapters will be longer)

Warnings: Angst, talks of mental health/panic attacks, mentions of family drama, ?suicide?, if there is anything else plz let me know so I'll add to it.

MASTERLIST

Y/n's POV

I never expected that I would be sitting in a new apartment without him. I could never imagine it but now I'm actually here and letting the reality sink in. It causes my stomach to churn at how unbelievable it all is.

Thinking that someone is your whole world, and having it all just flip overnight is excruciatingly painful. It feels like your heart is being ripped from your chest and some days you wish you could.

Harry and I were in love. There isn't a doubt about it, especially looking back at how amazing our life together was. We would do everything together. I would go with him on tour, he'd use this fake name for our trips to hotels, we'd go for walks together. It was always us.

Then Fine Line came out. It is an incredible piece of art, which I couldn't be prouder of him for, but then started the talks of tour. With the stress of my job and my family, I couldn’t go with him on tour. All of it was just eating me alive, to the point I wasn't okay. I couldn't burden him with all of my problems, especially not while he was so happy about going on tour and seeing his fans.

"Love, I know you've been stressed lately, so James has invited us and Adele to a getaway vacation. Would you be up to go?" Harry had asked.

"Harry, you know I can't. I would honestly love to, but there's no way I can go on vacation right now," I replied back.

He had looked at me with concerned and sad eyes. He hated seeing me like that, I know it.

I told him to go on the vacation, he'd need some time to himself before tour. He deserved it and he deserved having some time away from all of my problems dragging him down.

I could feel the rift between us growing larger, as my mental health deteriorated and the buzz of tour finally became too much. All of it was crowding my love for him, so I finally needed to speak up.

"Harry, can we talk?" I asked.

He turned to me, a worried look on his face. Something inside me feels like he knew where this was heading.

"Of course, love," Harry replied, patting the seat next to him on the couch inviting me to sit next to him. "Have a seat."

I took a deep breath and sat down next to him, my heart pounding against my ribcage.

"I love you," I stated with a shaky breath, my nerves were electricity and I had to keep myself from shaking.

Harry looked at me with furrowed brows, a slight smile on his lips, "I love you too."

One look in his eyes told me it was true, which caused my attempts to keep my shaking under control to be in vain.

"I'm not okay," I said, my voice breaking slightly as tears brimmed on the waterline of my eyes, "I can't do this to you. I can't have you watch me break. I—"

He watched me with worried eyes, his slight smile no longer there. As Harry took my hand in his, all that we could hear were my shaking breathing as I tried finishing my sentence.

I finally controlled my breathing and continued on, "You're going on tour, and I'm dealing with so much. I don't think I can handle the weight of it all, I can't hold you back from something as important as your job."

The weight of my words sunk in and I could see his heart start to break. Most of all, I could see how much his heart wishing that he could prevent what I said next.

"Y/n, I know you've been going through a lot, especially with your parents. I know that, but I can help you through this. I'll be here for you," he stated.

I sighed, my tears threatening to spill. "Your help would only do so much. I have to help myself and as much as it pains me to do this, I need to do this for myself. "

His eyes were silently pleading now, which only broke me even more as he whispered my name.

"We need to break up, Harry," I stated.

As if on cue, I could practically hear his heart shatter. Tears were blurring his vision and mine, I hated it, but it was for the best.

"Y/n please," Harry pleaded, his voice breaking, "don't do this. We can get you through this."

"Harry, I can't keep you from living your life. Your fans need you, the world needs you," I replied.

"But what about what I need?" he shot back. "I need you."

I shut my eyes, took a deep breath, and wiped away my tears before I stood up.

"Goodbye Harry."

With that, I walked out the front door to what used to be our shared home. Leaving behind the shattered heart of the love of my life.

Hope you guys enjoyed it! I have honestly no clue when I'll post next. I will try to get it done soon. If you could please comment/like/reblog, it will really help me with motivation.

Anyways, have a good day and I'll have chapter 2 up soon :)

[moonlitmistyforest]

Adele Romany - Portrait of a Lady at a Pianoforte, circa 1808 oil on canvas, 129.5 x 94 cm Museum of Fine Arts Boston

[adelleandlaura4ever]

A Red, Red Rose

by Robert Burns

O my Luve's like a red, red rose
That's newly sprung in June;
O my Luve's like the melodie
That's sweetly played in tune.
.
As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in luve am I;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a' the seas gang dry:
.
Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi' the sun;
I will luve thee still, my dear,
While the sands o' life shall run.
.
And fare thee weel, my only Luve,
And fare thee weel awhile!
And I will come again, my Luve,
Tho' it ware ten thousand mile.

❤️ ❤️ ❤️   ❤️ ❤️ ❤️  

Adelle,

You are my Rose, red and fine. You are my longing, please be mine, as I am yours deep in your heart forevermore.

I love you deeply my beautiful Lover ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ 🌈

 

@adelle4ever

@adelleandlaura4ever

[artthatgivesmefeelings]

Pietro Ayres (Italian, 1794-1878) Bildnis der Adele Elisabeth von Frantzius, geborene Ritt, Detail, 1821

[namesetc]

nautral names with french origin? preferably ones that start with A or R, but anythings fine :3

adraste

agathon

anael

andrea/andre/andree

arte

aurele

adel

ames

aramis

avignon

alizee

adrianna

alvia

amelot

auberi

amelie

aurelie

aveline

alaire

archenbaud

alix/alex

amour/amor/amore

avril

aimee/aime

rusti

rivera

remy

rene/renee

romy

rema

risette

theres not a lot at all in french that are actually unisex or neutral, theres names that have masculine and feminine forms though. (raphael/raphielle for example). french is a bit of a binary "coded" language, most words and names are either masculine or feminine with an opposing binary counterpart, rarely anything neutral. /lh /info

[patrickjonesblog]

Top Albums of 2023

Hey, how ya doing? I got sick the last week of 2023 when I intended to write this so here I am in 2024 looking back on some of my favorite long players last year.

I saw so many of my favorite acts in 2023, it was probably the best live music year ever. So much so I spent what felt like a whole morning creating a "reel" on "instagram". The fruits of which you can watch here.

Enough about live music though, this is about wonderful studio recordings, so here's what's made the long list and then we'll kick straight into the top 10 with accompanying videos.

16 - Romy - Mid Air

15- Jessie Ware - That! Feels! Good!

14- Gracie Abrams - Good Riddance

13 - Lana Del Rey - Did you know there's a tunnel under Ocean Blvd?

12 - Bombay Bicycle Club - My Big Day

11 - The Bug Club - Rare Birds: Hour of Song

10 - Young Fathers - Heavy Heavy

If you haven't seen Young Fathers Glastonbury set in 2023, I recommend you do so after you've read this blog. Gutted they cancelled their brooklyn show, but I hope to catch it this year.

9 - Caroline Polachek - Desire, I Want to Turn Into You

Caroline Polacheck is the closest we've got to Kate Bush in 2023, the detail she puts into her visuals and the choreography of her performances, its high art. The track below isn't on the album, but it was the moment I realized her brilliance.

8 - Gorillaz - Cracker Island

This felt like an under the radar release from Gorillaz, at least here in the states. It's the first time Albarn has worked with Greg Kurstin (Adele, Mccartney, Kendrick) and you can hear his influence as it's a bit more poppy than previous releases.

7 - Jeff Rosenstock - Hellmode

If you've read any of my blogs over the past decade you will have seen a lot of appearances from US Punk / Ska legend Jeff. The reason being; he doesn't make bad records.

6 - Sleaford Mods - UK Grim

How do you follow 2021's career highlight Spare Ribs? With more of the same, that's how. 12 albums in to their career now and they're still gathering pace. Blistering, acerbic, hilarious as ever.

5 - The Hives - The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons

The first new music from The Hives in 11 years and they return with a literal bang. This album is as good as anything they came out with when they first charmed their way onto the scene in the early 2000's. The bellies may be podgier, Pelle's kicks aren't as high, but the riffs are as spritely as ever. Still one of the greatest live bands around.

4 - Blur - Ballad of Darren

I always get a bit anxious about a new blur album, they don't have to release new music, they have a back catalog that guarantees them legend status already. Releasing new music risks tainting that legacy so far into their career. I needn't worry, Ballad of Darren is a beautiful record with a legitimate brand new stadium filling anthem to add to their repertoire.

3 - Olivia Rodrigo - GUTS

Bit of a surprise this one, maybe more for me than you dear reader. I didn't get the fuss of the first album (still don't) it sounded like any one of a million young pop darlings. But GUTS is different, it's eclectic, it's beautifully written, it tears at your heart, it raises your fists, it makes you dance. It has everything really. She's the real deal. It's objectively not made for a 42 year old man, but great music is great music and I bloody love this.

2 - Jenny Lewis - Joy'All

It was a tough call between this and Olivia, but i've given it to Jenny for the 20+ years experience she has on the young upstart. Jenny Lewis is maturing into a fine groove, she's replaced Ryan Adams as a much more palletable country-folk spot in my heart. Her songwriting continues to get better with age.

1 - The National - First Two Pages of Frankenstein | Laugh Track

Stadium filling, Taylor Swift collaborating, David Letterman approved super band The National. It's a wild trajectory my favorite band has taken over the last few years. No longer critically acclaimed everyones favorite unheard of band, they're rightly at the upper table of indie-rock and its fully deserved. Not satisfied with releasing one beautiful record this year they follow it up soon after with the surprise Laugh Track an equally brilliant album in its own right. Most bands would kill to have one record this good in their whole career, its frankly not fair they can do two this good in a year. A joint number one for me as I can't separate them.

There you have it, 2023 all wrapped up, full of BIG acts with a smattering of newbies thrown in for good measure and probably the most female representation I've had in an end of year list.

You can hear these and LOADS more in my 2023 playlist.

And if you like any of this and trust my judgement follow my 2024 playlist which I curate throughout the year adding newly released tracks.

Aaaaaand away...

[crossoverbaps]

The New Cadet Part 1

Adele was a simple fox girl who lived at the SLURP academy. She had no idea why her parents had sent her there, they just told her to learn and be good. She loved learning and was kind hearted and kept a cheerful disposition. But deep down, she actually didn’t like SLURP much. She loved to learn about its history and culture, and it was a great place to learn science. But she wasn’t a fan of the other cadets.

She was genuinely close to Finley, a cadet who didn’t have many friends, and she had other friends as well. But she hated how everyone was mean and awful to each other. She didn’t get the short end of the stick when it came to the crossfire, but she didn’t enjoy seeing anyone hurt. She was often annoyed by a chicken she knew as “Buck”. He didn’t know how to do much except make others feel bad. However, everyone treated him even worse, causing him to break down in tears when he thought nobody was watching. She heard his sobs a few times and it broke her heart. One thing she did admire about him was his art, even though nobody else ever appreciated it besides his older sister. Even Finley mocked his style, which she was not proud of him for.

Adele woke up one morning in her floral patterned bed, surrounded by stuffed animals. She yawned, then after she kissed her favorites, she floated to her mirror to brush her hair, then she went to her walk-in closet to get dressed in her SLURP uniform. Another day for her.

When she floated out of her pod shaped cabin, she saw Finley and Starley holding hands with Chuck. She smiled a little at them. Chuck had gone missing for a few days, worrying his older siblings to death, but now he was back and safe, causing the three to become even closer and more considerate to each other (as considerate as rival siblings could be).

Adele’s main objective for the time being was to wait for her younger sister to arrive, who just turned old enough to join SLURP. She was excited to see her, she loved her sister no matter how much of a handful she was. She was excitable and a big geek, but Adele loved that and everything else about her. The only thing she really worried about was the other cadets antagonizing her. But Adele, despite not being the toughest, was ready to defend her from anything.

The pod flew into AIIA’s mouth and landed on the foyer, the driver let a green and brown fox outside.

“Fern!” Adele cheered, then hugged her. Fern only hovered a few inches off the floor, unable to fly as well as Adele. Adele could fly high in spite of her clumsiness.

“I hope you enjoy it here, I have so much to show you.” Adele smiled, slightly nervously, which Fern didn’t notice at all.

“Thanks! I’m ready!” Fern shouted.

“We have to sign you in first.” Adele giggled. She she held Fern’s paw and guided her to the office where they say Glargg, the mean green principal.

“Glargg demands to know your business!” Glargg shouted.

“Just here to sign in… I’m the new cadet… Mr. Glargg, The name’s Fern Vixaroo.” Fern grinned sheepishly. “Adele’s sister.”

“Fine, just sign here and then go to your class!” Glargg commanded.

“Yes sir.” Fern sweated a little. “He’s… Intense…” “Yeah, that’s our principal.” Adele rolled her eyes a little.

“My first class is Humdropth’s.” Fern said. “Yeah, you have the same classes as me.” Adele told her. “I’ll show you where it is, follow me, my best science friend Finley is there, you’ll like him, trust me.” “Thanks for everything sis.” Fern thanked her older sister.

“No problem, anytime.” Adele nodded happily as she held Fern’s hand again and flew off, causing Fern to laugh. She loved flying with her sister and couldn’t wait to be her age so she could fly on her own.

“Adele, this is your first late day ever, it better not happen again.” Humdropth, the squid barked.

“Yes sir.” Adele apologized. “This is my sister, the new recruit.” “Oh yeah, Glargg told me she was coming, he didn’t seem happy about it, but he’s never happy about anything.” Humdropth rambled. “Now sit down and listen up.” Adele sat down, Fern was about to follow suit. “Not you yet, we have to introduce you first and whatnot.” “I didn’t know Adele had a sister.” Starley smiled and whispered.

“I only heard a little about her.” Finley whispered back. Meanwhile Chuck stared at Adele with hearts floating everywhere.

“I’m Fern… I like to collect cards and play video games.” Fern smiled.

“Another NERD!!!” Niven called out as she laughed along with her gang, Dweezil, Sol, and Zonk.

“Another word from you four and I may convince Glargg and Skyla to expel you!” Humdropth scolded Niven and the others, and they went silent. “Anyway, thanks, Fern. You may sit down now.”

“Niven is mean all the time, but I thought she would be better by now.” Starley groaned.

“What makes you say that?” Finley whispered to her. “Nevermind.” Starley brushed off the subject.

“I think I will like it here.” Fern smiled obliviously as she sat on the empty seat, happily awaiting what would happen next.

[thedepartmentofdiscoveries]

Marchesa Luisa Casati (1881 - 1957) wearing an extravagant Paul Poiret gown with a greyhound by Giovanni Boldini, 1908.

Luisa, Marchesa Casati Stampa di Soncino (born Luisa Adele Rosa Maria Amman; 23 January 1881 – 1 June 1957), was an Italian heiress, muse, and patroness of the arts in early 20th-century Europe.

Giovanni Boldini (31 December 1842 – 11 January 1931) was an Italian genre and portrait painter who lived and worked in Paris for most of his career. According to a 1933 article in Time magazine, he was known as the "Master of Swish" because of his flowing style of painting.

Early Life:

Boldini was born in Ferrara, Italy on 31 December 1842. He was the son of a painter of religious subjects, and the younger brother of architect Luigi (Louis) Boldini. In 1862, he went to Florence for six years to study and pursue painting. He only infrequently attended classes at the Academy of Fine Arts, but in Florence, met other realist painters known as the Macchiaioli, who were Italian precursors to Impressionism. Their influence is seen in Boldini's landscapes which show his spontaneous response to nature, although it is for his portraits that he became best known.

Career:

Moving to London, Boldini attained success as a portraitist. He completed portraits of premier members of society including Lady Holland and the Duchess of Westminster. From 1872 he lived in Paris, where he became a friend of Edgar Degas. He became the most fashionable portrait painter in Paris in the late 19th century, with a dashing style of painting which shows some Macchiaioli influence and a brio reminiscent of the work of younger artists, such as John Singer Sargent and Paul Helleu.

He was nominated commissioner of the Italian section of the Paris Exposition in 1889, and received the Légion d'honneur for this appointment. In 1897 he had a solo exhibition in New York. He participated in the Venice Biennale in 1895, 1903, 1905, and 1912.

Boldini died in Paris on 11 January 1931.

In a write up in The New York Times in January 1931, his career was summed up as follows:

Boldini was a fashionable portrait painter. He 'did' all the grandes dames of Paris, and at a certain period to have a portrait painted by Boldini was a crowning event of social season. His style was racy and advanced for his time, and he believed that his décolleté paintings touched the extreme limit of convention. His work was the talk of numerous salons. And then he was superseded by Vandongens and Etcheverrys and Domergues and others whose daring shocked and discouraged Boldini. He had not painted for many years before his death. His body was taken to Ferrara, his native city, for burial.

After his death, his work continued to be exhibited around the world. An exhibition of his work was held in 1938, seven years after his death, at the Newhouse Galleries in New York City.

In popular culture:

Boldini is a character in the ballet Franca Florio, regina di Palermo, written in 2007 by the Italian composer Lorenzo Ferrero, which depicts the story of Donna Franca, a famous Sicilian aristocrat whose exceptional beauty inspired him and many other artists, musicians, poets and emperors during the Belle Époque.

A Boldini portrait of his former muse Marthe de Florian, a French actress, was discovered in a Paris flat in late 2010, hidden away from view on the premises that were unvisited for over 50 years. The portrait has never been listed, exhibited or published and the flat belonged to de Florian's granddaughter, who inherited the flat after her father's death in 1966 and lived in the South of France after the outbreak of the Second World War and never returned to Paris. A love-note and a biographical reference to the work painted in 1888, when the actress was 24, cemented its authenticity. A full-length portrait of the lady in the same clothing and accessories, but less provocative, hangs in the New Orleans Museum of Art.

The discovery of his painting in the 70-years-empty apartment forms the background to Michelle Gable's 2014 novel A Paris Apartment.

Thanks to @lamarchesacasati for extra details!