T is for The Painter: Joan’s Painting

Did you know that Joan could actually paint? I betcha didn’t (just like the fact that she could write poems). Haha.

Joan, along with other Hollywood stars, willingly painted and participated in a cause to benefit the Urban League. All of the pictures documenting Joan’s struggle with the paintbrush (hehe) were captured by then-photographer for LOOK magazine, director Stanley Kubrick.

Here’s the finished output:

Marvelous, isn’t it? It didn’t even cross my mind that Joan could paint! Haha. I’m truly amazed… I couldn’t even do a decent shadowing or blending of colors.

Any thoughts?

Happy blogging (and fangirling!)

(Photos from Joan Crawford Best)

K is for Keane: Joan and the Famous Painter

Joan was an art lover. Who isn’t? Art binds everyone, and it speaks a universal language that we can all understand.

Artists loved Joan, too. Ever since her arrival in Hollywood in the 20s, she has become a beautiful subject of various paintings, sculptures, and caricatures. One of these artists is an American painter named Margaret Keane.

Margaret loved to paint women and children with big eyes, which eventually became her trademark. These paintings are hauntingly amazing, and our Joanie was one of those who were mesmerized. In fact, she commissioned Margaret to make her portrait…

…and she also owned four Keane paintings:

She adored Margaret’s portrait of her, and it’s evident in these two pictures:

(In 1963, posing with the painting, her awards (one being the Oscar award for Mildred Pierce), and special pepsi bottles)

(In 1971, with her puppies)

Margaret spoke kindly of Joan. In an interview with Vulture.com, she said:

Joan Crawford was an extremely good friend. In the beginning, when she thought Walter did the paintings, we were unknown artists, she promoted us. Our first show in New York, she sponsored it. She invited the people, she got the press there she did it all. I can’t believe that she was such a bad mother! I don’t know if it was true or not, but she was certainly good to me.

Just last year, Margaret’s story was made into a movie (Big Eyes, directed by Tim Burton), which exposed the truth about her former husband Walter’s wrongdoings. Joan was even showed in one scene:

To know more about this great artist, visit her website.

Happy blogging (and fangirling!)

(Photos from Joan Crawford Best, People and The Art of Film)

National Museum: Trip Down History Lane

I’m sort of a history lover.

Well, I wasn’t an attentive student when it comes to history classes, but I’ve always been fascinated at how people lived in the beforetime. I can tell you the names (in correct order too) of Jose Rizal’s siblings because I had fun reading his biography when I was a younger. Whenever my dad tells stories about the war in 1940s, I’m always all ears. When I was a kid, we had this very big and thick book called the “Tree of Knowledge,” which contains almost all information about the world. My favorite section there is the history part— all about Queen Elizabeth’s era, the Black Death, the Trojan Horse, and more. And when it comes to entertainment, you know I love classic stuff… BW movies and old songs are the best.

That’s why when I got the chance to visit our country’s (Philippines) National Museum last Sunday, I was like a kid all over again. I went there with my dad and little sister for her school assignment, and as soon as I stepped inside, I already felt the museum’s historic presence. Building’s old, slightly dimmed lights, echoing voices bouncing within the walls— I loved it!

The National Museum has many galleries to feast your eyes on, housing a wide variety of art pieces. From old sculptures to paintings to church ruins to art memorabilia, the museum has it all. I had the opportunity to look closely into each art and examine how they were made and what they’re made of. It’s a great experience— to be able to really zoom in on a certain art piece. But, of course, no touching!

(Dad and Joy reading about the sculpture’s history. Cute sighting)

I’m not just gonna talk about it. Here are some snaps instead:

(Dad and me)

(With my little sister Joy)

(Behind me: Juan Luna’s famous “Spoliarium.” The painting’s larger than life! Too bad I wasn’t able to take a full picture)

(Yes, the museum was once a Senate building)

(My favorite art piece there. Just kidding)

(Dead Child by Simon Flores)

(Juan Luna’s self-portrait)

(With the “Prehistoric Man”)

The National Museum is really a happy place for people who love history and art. Best of all, admission’s free every Sunday! Visit their website and Facebook page to learn more.

Happy blogging (and learning)!
Jane