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WORLD LUPUS DAY PORTRAIT OF JENNIFER PAVIA

Portrait of Jennifer for World Lupus Day. See real life version of Jennifer ----> HERE

Jennifer explains: The symbols of Lupus. Purple represents courage and endurance things all lupus patients must have. Butterfly - Traditionally the butterfly represents freedom, transformation and recovery. Also, one of the more common symptoms of Lupus is called a butterfly rash. Wolf - The word lupus in Latin means wolf. This word was used for this disease due to the rash that many patients get a rash across their face that was said to resemble the markings on wolves' faces. Also, the rashes caused by Lupus can look like bite and scratches made by an attacking wolf.

80% of those with Lupus develop it between the ages of 15-45 & Almost 37% of SLE deaths are among people between 15 and 44. Currently 80-90% of Lupus patients survive10 years or more after diagnosis. In a nationwide poll of 1,000 adults conducted for the Lupus Foundation of America, 61% said they knew little to nothing about Lupus. This is a disease that afflicts people of color more so than the caucasian population, however with that being said... what people see of me is not this disease, for I don't look sick ... a little WARPAINT & ATTITUDE goes a long way! ahahaha ;) I have had this disease for 10 yrs. If you understand some of these stats you may have a better understanding of me.

- Jennifer Pavia

THE COLORS OF VINTAGE GLAMOUR

This pinup revival thing has gone from counter culture to mainstream, yet the lack of ethnic imagery (new or old) in a country as diverse as ours is quite shocking. During my years of researching for my own pin up artworks, frustration took hold of me at the lack of retro beauty delving deeper than caucasian glamour hinting as if vintage pin-up was exclusive to one type. I could care less about what era or continent a woman is from. Beauty is beauty and beauty is timeless! It encompassing all colors, shades, hues, shapes and epochs. 

Because of so much discrimination, women of color had no equal access to the top photographers of the time, so they took matters into their own hands. I have come across so many rare gems in my finding that I feel compelled to share and help fill this vacuum, this neglected part of the pin-up world. I hope to inspire, to educate, expose and provide some history of the colors of beautiful glamour, pinup and Burlesque during the mid century. I hope you enjoy these as much as I do.

• Disclaimer: Due to the realities of that era some headlines may disturb   some viewers. 

Special thanks to "Vieilles Annonces"

Portrait of Elda Garcia - Owens

See real life Elda ---> Here

I transformed Elda into a classic Pin-up while honoring her heritage giving her an indigenous tattoo of the native "Taino" indians of Puerto Rico. The symbol is known as the "Sol of Jayuya" a town on the island still possessing many ancient petroglyph carvings, as well as adding urban "graff" stylings I love mashing together.

Curios about getting one made? =)