Artist of the day

Thursday, August 27, 2026

Artist of the Day, August 27, 2026 : Mara McAfee, an American illustrator and pop artist (#2616)

Mara McAfee (1929–1984) was an American Pop artist and illustrator recognized for her highly sophisticated, satirical depictions of historical figures, high art traditions, and contemporary culture. During the 1950s, McAfee balance-funded her formal education by working as an actress and dancer. This parallel entertainment career included appearances in prominent 1955 films such as Kiss Me Deadly and My Sister Eileen, alongside television roles on The Phil Silvers Show and Groucho Marx’s You Bet Your Life.

McAfee developed a versatile classical technique by studying at the Chouinard Art Institute and the Art Students League under Frank Mason. She spent two years replicating masterpieces at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, acquiring a command of diverse styles that formed the foundation for her commercial and fine art success. Debuting at New York’s Amel Gallery in 1962, her fine art blended meticulous classical execution with modern, subversive subjects. Her paintings gained immediate traction in definitive early Pop Art movement exhibitions, including Pop Goes the Easel (1963), Mixed Media and Pop Art (1963), and Pop Art USA (1964).

By the 1970s, McAfee transitioned to prominent commercial illustration, creating highly regarded parodic cover art for National Lampoon magazine. Her illustrations frequently spoofed canonical works of Western art with sharp social commentary and a distinct feminist perspective. Notable examples of her work include her famous August 1978 "Today's Teens" cover—a Norman Rockwell style parody—and an illustrated edition of Aldous Huxley's Brave New World. This unique synthesis of academic mastery and sharp cultural irreverence defined her artistic legacy.

© 2026. All content on this blog is protected by international copyright laws All images are copyrighted © by Mara McAfee or assignee. Apart from fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review as permitted under the Copyright Act, the use of any image from this site is prohibited unless prior written permission is obtained. All images used for illustrative purposes only

Ms. Mara McAfee, the artist

Ms. Mara McAfee, the actress

This image shows an original theatrical release poster for the 1955 film noir classic Kiss Me Deadly

This image shows the original theatrical release poster for
the 1956 musical comedy-crime film He Laughed Last

Marvelous Modern Mechanical Men, 1963

You'll Never Catch Me, 1963

Opening Act, 1964

Believe Not Every Tale, 1965

The Homecoming, 1965

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Cover illustration, 1976

Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe parody, 1976

Portrait of James Cagney, 1976

Today's Teens, cover, August 1978

Wuthering High (School), 1978

Chauvinistic Fantasies, 1979

Meatballs, 1979

Sports Issue, July 1979

The Artist's Deadline, 1979

The Love Issue, November 1979

The Transformation, 1979

This image shows the back cover of the 1981 anthology book The Art of Mara McAfee

Unknown title (Featured in the Love Issue), 1979

Last Chance, 1979-81

Cover, 1980

Songs from the Stars, 1980

the Bartlett's Quotes poster, 1981

Print advertisement, 1982

Wednesday, August 26, 2026

Artist of the Day, August 26, 2026 : Thierry Corpet, a French sculptor (#2615)

Thierry Corpet (1965) is a distinguished contemporary French artist who operates at the innovative intersection of visual arts and acoustic expression. Based in Corsica, Corpet has developed a sophisticated creative methodology that bridges the gap between auditory stimuli and physical form. His professional practice draws heavily from the conceptual frameworks established by the historic avant-garde, specifically adapting William Burroughs' iconic "cut-up" technique to traditional artistic mediums. By fragmenting, rearranging, and layered diverse materials, he effectively translates abstract musical narratives into cohesive, multi-dimensional structures. This systematic approach allows him to construct hybrid works where geometric precision and thoughtful superimpositions serve as a direct conduit for the emotional resonance of sound.

While Corpet explicitly avoids claiming clinical synesthesia, his entire portfolio functions as a dedicated effort to capture the ephemeral nature of audio and materialize it for the viewer. His canvas paintings and intricate sculptures are designed to operate as modern visual scores, establishing a rare sensory experience that invites the audience to perceive musical compositions through sight. This high level of conceptual rigor has earned his work a permanent place within the international art market and major global exhibitions. A recent highlight of his career includes his selection for the highly competitive "Comparaisons 2026" exhibition held at the Grand Palais in Paris, where he prominently represented the Geometric Abstraction group. His portfolio, which includes widely recognized pieces like Dear Life and Summer in the City, continues to attract serious corporate collectors, institutional galleries, and private investors who appreciate the deep intellectual connection between structural form and sensory translation.

© 2026. All content on this blog is protected by international copyright laws All images are copyrighted © by Thierry Corpet or assignee. Apart from fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review as permitted under the Copyright Act, the use of any image from this site is prohibited unless prior written permission is obtained. All images used for illustrative purposes only