Taking the silks to the street

This crepe de chine cocoon seems so dark inside but it lot up in the sunshine and made Melissan dance.

Chiffon float and the joy of movement

The wind made its own dance with silk.

Infinity in opalescent grey

Sweep of color

A large silk made into a vest with one knot....graffiti supreme. Many of these fashion silks will be available at Waterbury Arts Festival July 12.

Water color down by the river

Chiffon over dove grey dress, designed by Phoebe Stone, available at Artisans Hand Gallery and we thank you for the dance.

Silks flowing on the streets of Montpelier

Fashion show day was the morning following a week of grandmother service and workshops, fire, and blessings.  I let go of all the ideas for newly designed outfits and went with what I had already created.  Svetlana on left was visiting her mother who had recently broken her hip.  She has lived for the past 12 years in Playa de Carmen, Mexico and is now a photographer there.  She says fashion shows happen often in her area because they are an inexpensive party.  She was much happier taking the photos than dressing up, but she did create an interesting outfit with the long scarf wrapped at her hips over the jeans.

We took Katia and Ann Jo to the streets for a practice before the event started.  Svetlana set them up for some shots.  She has a very expensive camera which has such a quick action it made mine feel like something old and worn out.  I hope she is as good as her word and she emails me some of her images when she settles down in Mexico again.

 Katia posing for Svetlana's camera.

 The director Svetlana

Daring walk by the umbrella set by the show's photographer, Katia is captured with the crowd scene as witnesses.  We were all being bold...costumes and cameras allow boldness.

 I set this one up while Svetlana was working with Katia...love that dark background.

 Working with stone, soft against hard.  She wears that blue charmeuse dress well, and the earrings from Jill of sculpy show up fashionably well too.

Had to get the sign in the background, and the pink door suits me in this shot.

I call this Cape of Flight.  Katia enjoyed playing with the expanse of it.

Backstage...Svetlana still a camera sharp, not yet a model.

But she made a brave walk, a bit fast, though she kept cautioning the girls to walk slowly.

Much applause for these models in my silks with designer jewelry from Artisans Hand.  They made me proud.

Svetlana wears Lochlin Smith Designs

Another fashion show ends; next year maybe I will prepare for it with more time allowance, but pleased we could make the silks flow on State Street in the light of day before the eyes of a crowd.  Good for this maker to see they have some real ambiance and style.  Guess I'll go make some more. (Yes, all these items are available for sale, email or comment for prices.  Some silks available through etsy.com/shop/colormuse)

Homage to the seed and other artists

Inspired by Wafrica fabrics by Serge Mouangue, Cameroon, in previous post, I laid out a big piece of silk and painted in a big way with some stamping.  It felt good to let the dye flow even with the heat.  I had to work quickly so the drops of sweat from my brow didn't fall upon the painting.  This photo shows the fabric still stretched on the table top.  It is in the plastic bag waiting for a collection of silks to gather before a steaming happens.

This is the scarf of silvery rain, which was truly rained upon when a sudden shower happened as I was working on it.  My quick thinking saved the day and the scarf is now posted to etsy for sale.

Finally got to the studio and found this painting waiting for its next process in the resolve of the painting.  I called it Mineral. (12x12). I've clarified the areas, brightened the white and given it more mineral colors.  It is nearing a finished stage in time for the outside show I'm doing this next weekend at the Stowe Street Arts Festival in Waterbury.  If you are in the area, come see me there....silks and paintings. 10-4

Just begin, but already some excitement generated. 12x12

A promise made to Sophie Munns in Queensland who has a wonderful blog and project called "Homage to the Seed".  She has asked for postcards from the blogosphere speaking of homage to the seed and I have mentioned my interest.  Here is the first potential for this postcard.  Oil pastels on yupo....must I spray it so it doesn't dissolve in the mail or do I put it in a envelop....my next trip to the studio will be further experimentation.

Meanwhile the flowers come and go from the yard and gardens....so fast!  These hollyhocks have been prolific this year and way ahead of schedule.  When I purchased this potted plant from a benefit plant sale, the ticket said black.....Definitely not black!  My aversion to white is diminishing and I am quite enchanted with these fluted white wings, the center rose with the pollen dustings.  Such inspiration in nature's color transitions.  Enjoy the beauty all around!