Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Me...Modest??? More Like Hilda!

Brace yourselves, I got a lot to say today.


I used to be the girl who went to the gym and got dressed in the bathroom stall so no one would see.

Then I had Emerson and my modesty left my body. Whatever residual modesty I had, was gone after I had Vivi.

Go ahead and judge, but I have no problem walking from the shower to the bedroom sans clothing. Unless, of course if we have guests, then I cover up...sometimes.

I found it quite amusing when I had my airbrushing done today and the girls were with me. The technician asked if I wanted to put up a screen so the girls couldn't see me. ( I was topless because the dress I'm wearing shows cleavage and I didn't want it to be white)
I am not a swimsuit model by even the farthest stretches of the imagination and there are puckers and lumps on my body that I am not proud of, but I am trying my hardest to teach my daughters that true beauty comes from the inside. The common phase in our house is; "Pretty Is as Pretty Does." Then I usually have to translate it for them as "It doesn't matter what you look like, if you keep acting like that, no one will think you're pretty!" or "That ugly attitude does not make you pretty!" and finally "Let your sister out of the hamper!!!!"
With a very "beauty oriented" society, it's not as easy as it may seem. I am just as guilty of outer-beauty vanity with my wrinkle creams and make-up and even my obsession of pin-up girls.

Then I was reminded of something this Christmas. Something that I completely forgot about until my mother and her best friend Kendra reminded me.

We were talking about my obsession of pin-up girls, it might have been an intervention, but it didn't work.

All of a sudden, Kendra says to my mother "Do you remember Hilda?"

Then my mother says "Oh yeah...Hilda!"

That's all that they had to say and the memories came flooding back.

My Grandmother (or Great Grandmother) had kept a Hilda Calendar and I looked at it all the time when I was little. I was just mesmerized by it.

Hilda was created by an artist names Duane Bryers who was born in 1911. He is more well know for is portraits of the west, but as far as I'm concerned (but who the hell am I??) Hilda is his greatest achievement.

I got this from toilgirls.com. They are a much bigger authority on Hilda than I am. They even have an interview with Duane Bryers.

Below are many of Duane Bryers' incredible Hilda paintings done specifically for Bigelow & Brown's Hilda calendars. These were illustrated between 1957 and 1970 although Mr. Bryers continued to do original paintings for the calendars until the early 1980s. These were all primarily rendered in watercolor employing the service of a number of plus-size models, but more often than not, he used no model at all, a feat most impressive.



Hilda is the reason for my pin-up obsession. I can't believe I forgot about her! But now she's like a long lost friend and I can't get enough. I shall now keep my eyes out for Hilda merchandise. I will be searching flea markets, antique stores, as well as the Internet for anything I can find.

I think this beautiful buxom country girl is a perfect role model!

19 comments:

RSusanna said...

I know exactly what you mean about modesty lost after having babies! I think you look way better than Hilda though! Happy New Year.

ChicagoLady said...

I wish buxom women had continued to be admired like Hilda was. Instead we have these pencil thin, boney-assed models that eat one carrot a day, and girls want to be like them! Yes, the world is getting fatter, but that doesn't mean there aren't still a lot of beautiful women out there.

Rachel said...

Plus size all the way! Love this!

Happy New Year

Kimmy said...

I think that is great! I too am trying to teach my child about loving herself and size doesn't matter (only for health reasons). I lived my life overweight for 10+ years and we need to know we are still beautiful no matter the size. Great blog post and love Hilda!!!

Becky said...

Love the pictures of Hilda.

Love them!

Summer said...

I think I love her!!!

IB said...

WOW!!!!

Thanks for introducing me to Hilda. She looks like my beautiful wife!

Thanks and have a great New Year!

IB

Michelle said...

OMG. I have never seen or heard of these pictures before. I love it. I try so hard to teach my daughter the same but she is 16 and thinks everything about her is wrong. She won't get it until later in her life but I will still try. I will show her this but it won't do much for her.

Ya know what is funny. I have never seen these pictures or heard of her or the artist, but I bet after this I will see it everywhere and when I do, I will think of you then I will let you know what and where I have seen it.

And, if you wouldn't put Matt in the hamper your children would not repeat what they see.

Anyhoo, hope you all have a great time at the wedding and a happy new year. Here's to another year of continued friendship.

Anonymous said...

I think Hilda is awesome looking! Especially on the rope swing... haha

LadyStyx said...

Hilda's my hero!

Queenie Jeannie said...

I think Hilda is great!! Thank you for sharing her with us!

Happy New Year!

Dorkys Ramos said...

Thanks for letting us know about Hilda! I hadn't heard about her either. Hope you have a wonderful new year!

Intense Guy said...

Hey, let a guy speak! Hilda is really sexy! I think her charm is her obvious self/inner-happiness, the mischievious imp-ish smile and zest for life as well has being so durn huggable!

I keep telling some wimmin...when your eyes sparkle and the smile shines...it makes this guy's ol' knees buckle...

And see?? Hilda "gets it".

Cammie said...

ohhh, love the pics!

Annelie said...

I love the pictures of Hilda too!
That is awesome.

Rebecca Jo said...

I absolutely LOVE Hilda!!!! Never even heard of her before... I'll keep an eye out at places & if I find anything, I'll pick it up for you!!!

Nana said...

I love Hilda, she is adorable. I had never seen them before. Go Hilda. Happy New Year!

wenderful said...

Love this role model! She is the real deal (even if she isn't technically real).
Happy New Year!

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year and we love Hilda - she represents the inner confidence that exudes to the exterior - that's our pin-up message!