Yesterday in the studio…

I have so many men’s jackets and I’ve wanted to rework one for a while.  This silk jacket was the perfect color to fit into my collection.  Now, I don’t possess any tailoring skills whatsoever, but this is the start of what this piece will look like.  I like the reference to silent film star fashion with the deep arm lines.  Now I get to design something for underneath.  I think that piece will reference Friday Kahlo with some heavy stitching and maybe even some painting.  My model, Genie is stopping by for a fitting this morning.

The second image is the start of a wrap I’m making out of scrap fabric I have in my studio and jewelry I have laying around.  I can’t wait to work on this.  Hand stitching is a very meditative process for me.  Last night a few hours went by and it could’ve been fifteen minutes.  I’m off…I can’t wait to see what happens in the studio today.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

a fashion show, scrap leather & a discovery

I will have much better shots of the SEABA (South End Arts & Business Association) STRUT fashion show from Saturday night in a few days. The evening was blast and I am already planning what I want to work on in the studio this week.

I would guess a lot of you have poured yourselves into projects and when they’re over a little malaise creeps into the psyche. This usually happens to me on a much greater level after a big creative push, but this time I feel so inspired to keep working on a process I developed that it doesn’t feel like a let down at all. I am all about using scrap in my studio (wood, leather, fabric, paper) to turn it into something either beautiful or useful. I began working on this for the show not knowing exactly what it was…a bracelet, a headband, a belt, a choker, a dog collar or a strap for a bag…the possibilities are endless. I learned so much by the process that I think I can now work smarter, a little bit faster and way more deliberately when I know exactly what I am creating. I have an idea for a sculpture. I’ll keep you posted.