The Lovers’ Chronicle 9 February – sketchin’ – art by Alberto Vargas

09 February 2024 By Rhett 0 In Random

Dear Zazie, Here is today’s Lovers’ Chronicle from Mac Tag dedicated to his muse. Follow us on twitter @cowboycoleridge. Rhett

The Lovers’ Chronicle

Dear Muse,

that was long ago
“You should go there”
oh if there were time enough
“You know we can”
well i get there with words
“Any outlet”
the act is what matters
“Whichever way”
i can get to
the curve of your hip
the look in your eyes
with lines or words
“I prefer when you
use your hands”

shall we try somethin’ new

in the amazin’ story of us

yes, just like that, hold it

to imagine

and work from there

the lines intensify

shade here

and there

express

impressions

only of one

what else matters,

this indispensable view

a dedication

forms a vision

of us

reminded today

how it feels to live

for expression,

then have it taken away

to be without

a basic necessity

for bein’

for me it was nine years

for my friend, seven

a vow to you mon amie,

to always support

our creative needs

and to keep on writin’

sketchin’ and paintin’

this amazin’ story

tendency
always to imagine
and work from there

the lines
intensify
to bearable
sorrow

shade here
and there
express
impressions
only of one

and all that is left,
but better than nothin’
indispensable view

a dedication
forms a vision
of was

oh, it is all about
the eyes, the smile
and the hands

come be my canvas
and i will sketch for you
a love unlike anything
you have ever known

a shaky start
to be sure,
but gradually
the rhythm came back
and the strokes became strong
and bold again, the touch, still there

very pleased, that you made me
yearn to once again sketch

Alberto Vargas
Vargas in New York, ca. 1919

Today is the birthday of Joaquin Alberto Vargas y Chávez ( Arequipa, Peru 9 February 1896 – 30 December 1982 Los Angeles); painter of pin-up girls. He is often considered one of the most famous of the pin-up artists.

The death of his wife Anna Mae in 1974 left him devastated, and he stopped painting. Anna Mae had been his model and business manager, his muse in every way. The publication of his autobiography in 1978 renewed interest in his work and brought him partially out of his self-imposed retirement to do a few works, such as album covers for The Cars (Candy-O, 1979) and Bernadette Peters (Bernardette Peters, 1980; Now Playing, 1981). He died of a stroke on 30 December 1982, at the age of 86.

Notable women painted by Vargas include Olive Thomas, Billie Burke, Nita Naldi, Marily Miller, Paulette Goddard, Bernadette Peters, Irish McCalla and Ruth Etting.