To all things Trash, We Salute DIVINE!

This morning I woke up, put on my Divine album, and got ready for a new day.  I didn't know it, but I became obsessed with Divine when I was 10 years old. I loved listening to music at a very young age, and loved to dance. One day while looking through my dad's old cassettes I came across a mix tape.  I put it on and came across a great sound....

I wasn't exactly sure who the singer was, but years later I would come to discover Divine and all her glory.  The first John Waters movie I saw was Hairspray, thus introducing me not only to a wonderful movie director, but also a wonderful actress/ actor.  And this is why I want to make Divine Fasho Trasho's first drag queen of the month. Harris Glen Milstead (aka Divine) was born on October 19, 1945 in Towson MD. He was childhood friends with John Waters, they lived six houses away from each other.  She took the name Divine after starring in Multiple Maniacs.  Hairspray was one of his last films released in 1988.

Divine and Ricky Lake in "Hairspray"

 Pictures: credited to fanpop

John Waters' trashy aesthetic really appeals to me, thus my love for Dada art, punk, and graffiti.  Speaking of trashy, the fashion in "Pink Flamingos" is so wonderfully over the top and colorful.

My theme for the my christmas cards this year was Divine

Dog poop scene

She not only was a star of camp movies, but a wonderful entertainer, fashion icon, and artistic inspiration.

Jackie Curtis and Divine

Andy Warhol and Divine

It is so absolutely fabulously perfect that this picture exists.  Two eccentric artists together looking wonderfully stylish.  Even after death Divine inspired people, the villain character in "The Little Mermaid" Ursala was based on Divine.  Which is too perfect being that it was my favorite Disney movie growing up, and I always did think Ursala was fabulous.

photo by Jirka Vaatainen

The voice actress Pat Carroll even deepened her voice for the role.  Ursala is such a wonderful character, she completely does remind me of Divine, the way she shakes it. I always was torn at the end when Ursala turns into a lovely maiden and tries to marry the prince.  Part of me wanted her to end up with the prince instead of Ariel, she was just so fabulous.

Divine continues to inspire artists everywhere, continuing being fabulous even after death.

watercolor christmas card