Artsiness isn’t just about the art we create or appreciate. It is the way we live, the way we treat others, how we carry ourselves. Over the course of the last year, I’ve read so much regarding how the way we chose to clothe ourselves says so much about who we are or who we are trying to be. I’m a firm believer in artsy self-expression in any form! In this new feature, Wear the Artsy, we’ll pair a piece of artwork with a piece of clothing or accessory that captures the spirit of the art.
Anyone who knows me is aware of my love affair with scarves. As in I own way too many and am powerless to resist their call. I even hike wearing a scarf ( ok, a bandana, really ). They instantly up the degree of artsiness in any outfit. These hand painted and embroidered scarves by Naomi Clark on Grey Area are insanely gorgeous, wearable works of art!
Artists and designers have been inspiring each other for centuries. Whether we realize it or not, much of the clothes we wear, jewelry we sport and objects we use are a result of the symbiosis between art and design. And I for one, love to celebrate such connections! For this first feature in the new Artsy Fodder series, let’s have some fun with artfully inspired jewelry designs. These pieces may not have directly influenced each other, but there is an unmistakable resemblance.
Art…
Friday Night 27848 by John Duckworth
Bejewelled…
Kate Spade, City Lights Idiom Bangle
Art…
Oceanic Series by Thomas Hager
Bejewelled…
Anthropologie, Jumbled Loops Necklace
Art…
Untitled by Amy Pleasant
Bejewelled…
Paige Novick, White Howlite Cuff
Art…
Yin and Yang by Jennifer Bain
Bejewelled…
Jill Schwartz, Mosaic Pin
Art…
Screen ( Barn Owl ) by Kevin Appel
Bejewelled…
M. Missoni, Chain Necklace
Do find yourself buying pretty baubles that remind you of your favorite artwork? Take a look inside your own closet or jewelry box and I’ll bet you’ll see some similarities!
Art and textiles have enjoyed a long and happy partnership. Every art student has known the joy of capturing supple folds of fabric in charcoal. As we explored duringartsyF A S H I O NWeek, many artists have been captivated by the beauty of intricately crafted garments. In her work, Massachusetts photographer Carin Ingalsbe celebrates the remarkable colors, textures and patterns of clothing and costume.
New York City Ballet, Ballet Imperial Yellow
Carin’s latest series focuses concentration on fashion normally admired from afar– ballet costumes.
Boston Ballet, Boston Bluebird
Inherently, these opulent pieces are designed to be beautiful while in movement. But in her closely cropped still lifes, Carin captures their quiet beauty and we are treated to a look at the intricacies of each individual garment.
New York City Ballet, Sugarplum FairyNew York City Ballet, Ballet Imperial
If you are anything like me, you’re now dreaming of floating across the stage in one of these numbers. To see more of Carin Ingalsbe’s stunning photographs, please visit her website. Make sure you read the history of each garment– fascinating stuff!
You can also check out Carin’s work in person at Lanoue Fine Art in Boston.
Featured image is The Royal Swedish Ballet, Metallic Skirt c. 1790-1830. All images are via the artist’s website.
What separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize!
— Clairee Belcher, Steel Magnolias
Just as accessories are the icing on an outfit’s cake, so this round up will be the icing on the cake of artsyF A S H I O NWeek! Some wearable, some not, all fun!
Shell, mosaic shoe by Candace BahouthBroach by Tatiana WarenichovaRaspberry by Ana HagopianMy Laundrette by Sharla Valeski
Many artists see their wardrobe as an extension of their creative personalities. So for artsyF A S H I O NWeek, I thought it would be fun to feature a few of my favorite stylish artists side-by-side with their work. You’ll see that often their style carries over from canvas to clothes.
THE URBAN GENTLEMAN: STEVE WILLIAMS
Passion Of The World ( cropped ) with Pioneer Chaser with artist Steve Williams
THE HIP RUSTIC: DOLAN GEIMAN
Artist Dolan Geiman with Made In The Shade Guitar Collection ( Large )
THE ECLECTIC ECCENTRIC: SHARLA VALESKI
Liberated with artist, Sharla Valeski
There are hints about who we are in what we choose to wear. What are your clothes saying about you?
To see more of these artists’ work, please visit their websites, listed below.
Jacksonville artist Christina Foard has been developing a series of paintings, “Dresses”, which explore the connection between what we wear, our personality, our past, present and future. Here, Christina talks candidly about this series and what she sees as the psychology behind our fashion choices.
AF: Hi Christina! Thank you so much for taking the time for this little interview. You know how much I love your work. I am completely enamored with your dress series and am so excited you have been creating some new pieces! How did this series begin and how has it evolved?
C: I’ve been working on dresses since 2008. It began with self-portraits where I am wearing gowns painted with mapped areas or terrain I’ve covered. Mapped gowns was a personification and extension of aerial landscapes that I had begun a year prior. (Ballerina Dance, The Written Legacy, Fluid Gown ( below ), The Courtesan, A Life-changing Conversation, A Single Mom’s Playground, Picnic of Adulthood are some of these.) Since it was more about the journey, decisions and influences, I eventually removed the figure altogether. I began to place myself in and amongst other women, each of us represented symbolically as a dress. In these, I paint the way someone feels to me. It’s more about vitality and energy than their physical presence…a little like painting a pattern of the music they emanate and comparing those rhythmic differences in a series. ( “Pajama Party” ( below ), “Three Sisters”, “Five Friends” ). For example, a 90 year old woman with a saucy, adventuresome personality might end up with the most flamboyant and lively dress, which looks more suitable for a 20 year old.
Recently, in “Polka Dot Party” ( below ) and a few others, my focus area shifted from observing others to a discussion of how I choose to present myself to the world around me each day. Again, choices, decisions and influences.
Liquid Gown, oil on canvas, 60×48
The Pajama Party, oil on canvas, 36×60
AF: Tell me about what you see as the psychology around fashion and the garments we choose to clothe ourselves in.
C: When we are shopping for clothes, we pass up most items available. We reject all the items which don’t fit our perception of ourselves or our perception of our bodies. These rejections are as telling as what we eventually choose to buy. We essentially have to contend with the roles we play in our relationships as well as physical issues that dictate attire: seasons, terrain and climate. Specifically for women whose options vary greatly, our choices can openly display themes of femininity: sexuality, power, accessibility, creativity, compassion, social status, affluence, self-respect. Because our attire speaks so loudly about who we are and who we aren’t, we also deal with influence and who we hope to engage with on a given day. How accessible do I want to make myself today? How much do I want to reveal? How much do I want to conceal? Do I want to lead or do I want to be one of the masses? Do I want to bring attention to myself? These aren’t conscious questions we ask ourselves necessarily; yet they sit below the surface.
Behavior and language is affected by dress. From my personal experience I’ve noticed that I’m more expressive and creative when I wear a long scarf; more formal, precise, and attentive wearing a suit jacket; more nurturing and tactile in a long flowing dress. I notice my energy, tone, and carriage alters depending on the femininity of my fabrics, the structural formality of a garment, the heel height of my shoes, the accessories I’ve chosen. My language and sentence structures change, my accessibility to others is affected. The emotional, physical, and psychological components are intertwined. This, I find fascinating.
Orange Scarf, oil on canvas, 29×42
AF: I’ve noticed a few of your latest works in this series are named after women. Are these “portraits” of specific women?
C:Yes, they are. It is part of a social “inspiration” project that I began in 2009 and will be complete in the next several months. It is comprised of 6 individual paintings around 40″ and one larger 10′ painting. It is entitled Accidental Mentors Project and I’ll be sure to let you know all about it when fully complete.
Cindy: Structural Integrity
AF: I can’t wait to see the completed series! Do you have a favorite article of clothing? What makes it special and what does it say about you, as a woman, as an artist or as a mother?
C:I found this question challenging, if you can believe it. I decided on one long skirt I’ve had for about 6 years. It has a conservative pattern on a somewhat sheer fabric, yet a Latin-inspired construction. Every time I wear it, it makes me feel like dancing and I couldn’t feel more feminine or more perfectly my age in it. Because of how it makes me feel, I’ve also had some great memories attached to it. That adds a sentimental component.
Decisions, mixed media on canvas, 36×60
AF: Finally, just for fun.. What are you wearing? 😉
C:Pink racer-back NIKE T-shirt, navy blue Adidas cropped workout pants and my favorite socks – my running shoes yet to be put on. Plus, a little locket with my kids’ tiny toddler faces inside. The combination seems perfect at this quiet, early morning moment before the sun has arrived.
A huge thank you to Christina for sharing her work and insights. To see more of this talented artist’s work, please visit her website.
Featured image is Christina in her downtown Jacksonville studio. All images are courtesy of the artist’s website.
