"Petty Girl" to Grinkie Girl.... A brief history of the pinup....

 by Michael Potter

Back in the 1930s there was a man named George Petty, and he decided that beautiful women are something that the world needed to see. Mr. Petty began creating art pieces that we know now as a 'pinup'. These lovely ladies became know as "Petty Girls" and were featured in major advertisements, calendars, and the cover image of Esquire No. 1.

A Jantzen Bathing Suit Ad featuring a Petty Girl

Another famous name to come out of the 1930s is Gil Elvgren. Born in Minnesota, he went on to study at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Some consider Elvgren to be one of, if not the most influential pinup artist of the 20th century. After his studies in Minneapolis, Elvgren moved to Chicago to work with Stevens and Gross, Chicago's most prestigious advertising agency. Elvgren worked with companies ranging from Coca-Cola to General Electric over a 40-year career.

A Gil Elvgren Original

In the 1950s, pinup models became household names and feature actresses in Hollywood. Women like Marilyn Monroe and Betty Page took America and pop culture by storm.

During World War II, the pinup could be seen painted on the nose of military airplanes, the most famous being the Memphis Belle.

The art of the pinup never really ended, but in the 1960s went into a recession. However, some notable ladies, namely Raquel Welch, kept the pinup culture alive.

Fast forward to today. The culture of the pinup is not only alive but making a full resurgence into pop culture. You can find the classic images of Bettie Page and Marilyn Monroe on everything from tee-shirts to tattoos. Children and adults alike are falling in love with the pinup all over again.

Christi Williams and the Grinkie Girls are doing their best to bring the pinup culture to Minneapolis, turning everyday women into sassy pinups. Having fun is a safe, easy-going, loving atmosphere are the most important aspects of a photo shoot with the Grinkie Girls. The fantastic pictures are a byproduct of the lively environment.

Teaming up with the Grinkie Girls is Dawnfelice Warneke. She and the team at MN-Ups Magazine, out of a true passion for the lifestyle, worked hard to put together Minnesota's Premier Pin-Up Magazine, reintroducing Minnesota to the pinup culture and having fun along the way. 

Grinkie Girls Teams Up with MnUps Magazine to Spice Up the GSTA Hot Rod Opener

MN Ups Magazine was asked to help spice up the 57th Annual Gopher State Timing Association’s Hot Rod Spring Opener at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. This show marks the beginning of the exciting 2013 car show season with style. Together with Grinkie Girls Photography, we staffed our booth and dolled up the show floor with our bevy of beauties.

We put together a sampling of all the fabulous fun we had. In a word, we…

GSTA 2013 Highlight Reel.

Grinkie Girls Teams Up With Vine Park Brewery in Spokesmodel Search

ENTER TO WIN!  Be featured as next season’s (Summer 2013) spokes model for Vine Park Brewery!

Vine Park Brewery is looking for a new spokes model for their ad campaign slated to run on the back cover of MnUps magazine. You could be Miss Vine Park, Summer 2013, be featured in a magazine back cover ad campaign, and receive a prize package valued at over $750! All levels of photos are encouraged (professional portraits, snapshots, digital phone photos, etc.).  ANYONE CAN WIN!

Winners will receive a professional pin up photo shoot with Grinkie Photography (a $250 value) including professional hair and makeup by an acclaimed pin up stylist ($100 value), two VIP passes to the season’s MN Craft Brewers Event ($100+ value), a chance to brew your own beer or wine at VPBC ($250 value), a Vine Park Brewery T shirt, and bragging rights (PRICELESS)!

Contest is open to Minnesota residents and photographers.  Submissions for entry into the contest will begin March 15th  and will be accepted until April 10th. Finalists will be chosen by from valid entries, and the contest will be posted at www.vinepark.com, and www.mnups.com with digital voting for the Summer 2013 issue to begin on April 15, 2013, and end on April 30, 2013. Photography session will be completed in May for June magazine release.

Entry rules:  Must be 21 to enter. Enter by emailing your name and birthdate, a completed MnUps Model Release  and a picture of yourself to vpcontest@mnups.com.  Snap a shot of you looking your best. Photographs do no need to be professionally taken, nor do they need to be pin-up inspired. All MN residents and photographers are welcome and encouraged to enter. ANYONE CAN WIN! Live the dream of being a spokes model for Vine Park Brewing.

The Fine Print:  Additional contests will be run for the Fall 2013 (September 2013), Winter 2014 (December 2013) and Spring 2014 (March 2014) ad campaigns. Entries who were not chosen as finalists, as well as finalists who were not chosen as the Grand Prize winner for the season will be rolled over into the following contest. Winner will be chosen by popular vote.  Winners will be announced on the websites. Prize package is as stated in contest rules, no cash value/substitution will be awarded.  If the winner is unable to complete the photo session on schedule, the first runner-up will be awarded the prize, and so on.

Pin Up Perfection - A Quick How To.....

Ready, Set, GO!

First we start with hair and makeup. It's a good idea to take a few minutes to search images on the internet for the pin up look you are wanting to get. There are many hairstyles and makeup choices  - but it's my hearty suggestion that you try something exaggerated. Ask your stylist to guide your selections to one that works well with your hair length and texture. Remember that a style should have a front-facing design, so that the beauty and detail of the style will show in your image.

While you are getting hair and makeup done, practice some pin up facial expressions.  Your facial expression will play a big part in your final look. You can start by practicing the vowels in an exaggerated manner. A, E, I, O, U.  Try a side look, a head tilt, a slight smirk. Practice in the mirror while you're being done up - it makes it a lot easier to remember and feel more natural on set.

Judy Garland, Photographer uncredited

What's Next

Now that you've been primped to pin up perfection, hair and makeup done, it may seem like the next step is wardrobe - and for many people, it will be their natural choice. But I will tell you that your next step should really be to consider which poses you want to try. Your wardrobe really can enhance your look once you know which angles and poses you plan to try.

 Poser!

There are several versions of classic pin up poses. Take a few minutes to review a few poses that you would like to try. Christi is great at knowing which poses enhance each person's individual assets, but don't be afraid to try something  new or racy. Some of the classic poses include: Legs Up, Stomach, The Sitting S, The Sitting C and many more. Sound like strange names? Take a look at some of these classics.

Leg Up/Bicycle (Gil Elvrin)

Leg Up Side (Gil Elvrin)

Sitting C (Gil Elvrin)

Sitting C (Gil Elvrin)

Sitting S - Peek A Boo (Gil Elvrin)

Stomach (Artist Unknown)

Sitting S (Gil Elvrin)

Get The Most Out of Your Camera Time

Once you see the similarities, you start to see a pattern. Imagine what makes you feel beautiful and sexy, what you can comfortably do, and get ready for some coaching. Getting the most out of your portrait sitting involves getting direction from our favorite Grinkie Photographer, Christi, who has a unique view of you, through the lens of her camera, lit to perfection.

Call Grinkie Photography at 612-382-8442 or drop us a note at GirlFriday@Grinkie.com to schedule your next pin up session. We can't wait to make YOU a Grinkie Girl (and Grinkie Girls have more fun)....