RSSThat’s Why They Call it Gambling
12 Nov 2007 Comments Off
in Art
About three weekends ago, I was one of more than 56,000 people in attendance at Belmont Park, in Elmont, NY, for the 2005 edition of the Breeders’ Cup, which is commonly known as the Super Bowl of thoroughbred horse racing. One hundred of the best racehorses in the world were on hand to compete for purses of 14 million dollars in eight separate races. Over 122 million dollars was wagered on these races which were simulcast to horse racing venues across the country, and likely a lot more in Western Europe, where horse racing originated and was called the sport of kings.
Wish I could say that I came away with a trunk full of money or even a pocketful of that filthy lucre, and now, weeks later, I am still partying and celebrating. No, that wasn’t the case. As jockey Jerry Bailey, aboard Saint Liam, the center horse in the photo above, crossed the finish line ahead of the rest of the competition, to win the Classic, the last race of this year’s Breeders’ Cup Series, his bold fuchsia silks did nothing for me. It was just another race that followed the pattern for the afternoon — watch the race, then tear up your betting tickets. Racing is a tough game to beat.
Three horses that began the day never having been beaten on the track went down to defeat. Their names were Shakespeare, Lost In the Fog, and First Samurai. Jerry Bailey rode Shakespeare and First Samurai, so even his day had some losses. Lots of people went home disappointed and with an appreciably thinner wallet. There are no sure things in horse racing. That’s the way it’s always been, and that is why they call it gambling.
Starting a relationship with a woman is also something of a gamble. Will she go out with you? Will she be willing to get intimate with you sooner rather than later? Will she marry you? And of course, will it be forever?
These are the series of questions that come up in every situation that evolves from a man/woman encounter in which the participants take note of each other with interest. Each of you reading this may have ‘wagered’ on the outcome of these questions, and just like when you wager on a horse race, some of you may have come out on the wrong side of those bets, and the end of the relationship was just another way of tearing up some ‘tickets’.
For our topic in this column we will join a few assorted couples after she’s agreed to go out with the guy, and after they’ve sampled sex together. Everything before their eyes is the color of roses; he loves to look at her, she loves to be held in his arms, and to feel her soft lips against his. We can also enjoy some solo poses as well, for even the happiest of couples are not together 24/7. When happy circumstances like these are what is happening, this is when you win, and you get to cash in some bets instead of tearing up your tickets.
The art works displayed in this column are by artist Rob Hefferan who is from Cheshire, in the UK. He’s skilled in various mediums from oils to charcoal. And his subjects are couples, gorgeous single women, animals, and life studies from Africa. He also does work for children in the sphere of illustrating books and book jackets.
I‘m very impressed with his style in portraying these couples as well as stunning portraits of women alone. First, there are the broad strokes of the atmospheric backgrounds, where Hefferan often employs the ‘brightly lighted window’, and then we have the shadowy lovers, and finally, the intricate foreground details. You may not be able to identify the models, but surely, you can see and feel the powerful feelings these couples share. Or in the case of the single women, look at impressive amount of details that just adds to the overall allure of these beautiful ladies.
Check out the romantic aura in Rob’s paintings on display. Surely this is the work of a winning artist.
Speaking of winning, to gaze at some luscious women who have captured lots of hearts on their way through life, merely make it a point to visit our site often. Here you can have a look at some sexy women, no doubt they are, or could be the prizes for some lucky guys who won their bets.
This column was originally published in November 2005 in Also on Video. It has been update for publication in JustMeMike’s New Also on Video on November 12th, 2007