Fritz Willis and his pin-up, celebrating feminine charm
Among the many artists who worked in the pin-up style, Fritz Willis occupies a special place. His works are strikingly different from the paintings of his colleagues. His style is more like painting, and the girls do not look like beautiful dolls. They are charming, and real human emotions can be read on their faces. There is even a special term - Willis Girls, which is applied to works in the style of Willis. (Warning! Nudity).
Fritz Willis was born in 1907 in Oklahoma, USA. After school, he graduated from the Vesper George Art School in Boston, after which he went to seek his fortune in Hollywood. The talented young man was noticed at the Warner Brothers studio, where Fritz spent several years designing and decorating posters.
At the initial stage of his career, Willis was not interested in erotica. Everything changed in 1947, when he was invited to work for the editorial staff of Esquire magazine. There Willis received his first orders in the pin-up style and realized that this was his direction. The master's works were a stunning success. All of America was delighted with the Willis Girls.
In the 50s, Fritz literally became a cult person. They ordered paintings from him: Max Factor, Sunkist and Pepsi Cola. In addition, he was invited to participate in the design of the Stardust Hotel and several casinos in Las Vegas.
Fritz Willis's success was not just about skill. He was absolutely unlike other artists. He painted his girls in oils, putting his soul into each work. In many of his paintings you can see the same girl. This is Willis's wife Pat, who for many years was his main model. Sometimes stars also posed for the master - Willis painted portraits of Katharine Hepburn and Alice Adams.
In 1961, Brown and Bigellow commissioned Willis to design several calendars. It can be said without exaggeration that the artist made a real revolution in this area. In the mid-70s, the master's health deteriorated. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Willis could no longer work and moved with his wife to St. Clemente, California. There the brilliant artist died on January 13, 1979.
American artist Paul Rader is another pin-up artist with an unconventional approach.