'Blondie” aka “The Borateem Woman” Pin-up by Patrick Nagel (1981) SOLD

Forty Years Ago Patrick Nagel signed and dated this fashion illustration on Cinco de Mayo in Los Angeles and gifted it to his friend and director of Pat’s only TV Commercial for Borateem Laundry detergent, well known animator and producer Bob Kurtz.

The mixed media painting is a larger size board painting for Nagel at 21” x 12.”

Actually dated to the day May 5, 1981, most of Nagel’s original paintings had no real titles, it is known as “The Borateem Woman” or "Blondie," as the model is wearing the icon's signature two-toned blonde hairstyle.

This is only piece I am aware of in connection with his only TV commercial, it also shows a softer color palette of pastels and primary color combinations. Like a model in the fashion world our blonde woman is in movement, rather than posed or stoic.

Yes, she has blonde hair (again another unique element for Nagel as most of his models had black hair) but this one is so perfect reminding us of the pop and fashion of the time. The iconic singer “Blondie” aka Debra Harry was the only model that made this two tone hairdo her signature a year prior and she who went on a solo career in 1981 with KooKoo. Debra Harry certainly seemed to inspire Pat, but she did not model for him. Harry certainly graced enough fashion and art magazine covers in 80 and 81 to provide reference.

Blondie or not, she is quite beautiful. Other than Brooke Shields, Joan Collins, and Joanna Cassidy I am not officially aware he titled his other pieces that are clearly recognizable "celebrity". Again Pat rarely titled anything....They seemed to be adopted just for catalogue necessity description with names like "Woman on a Chair" or "Woman with a Horse" (later known as Montana).

There is a lot more to be said about Nagel’s attempt at TV however but you need to follow my IG @ PatrickNagelArts for all that, I did snapshot at 8 seconds a quick frame showing ... And keep those colors safe when washing lol!

This is now SOLD. This one I will miss and she will sting some....Bye Bye Blondie!