Month: March 2011

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little zen (showers): New Textile Art | Elysian Studios

little zen (showers): New Textile Art

Categories: Spring, textiles

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This is a new addition to my textile series featuring “little zen,” a cute little humble bird that stops to rest in different settings. Thus far, he’s visited the forest, beach and now a few puddles during a spring shower.  

I have again used the thread-painting technique to create the rippling puddles and falling rain. To add to that glorious wet, spring-muddy feeling, I have aged different fabrics in the piece with Walnut Distress Ink.  I have also hand-sewn many seed beads to create a glistening, wet effect in the rain, puddles, and on “little zen.”
 

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I think it is very important to frame a textile piece like this.  Of course you wouldn’t frame a large quilt or wall-hanging, but it is hard for someone to imagine what to do with a small work of textile art, even if they can appreciate it.  Years of framing has taught me this, and I always hated seeing poor little abandoned stitcheries and fiber art come in after years of storage. 

To solve this problem, I have hand mounted this piece onto a lovely pleated aqua silk. The fabric beautifully echoes the imagery of the art.  I added a title, and constructed a shadow box to keep the fabric and beads off the glass. “Little zen” will be pleasantly enjoying his little sip from a fresh rain puddle for years to come!

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“The September Issue”: How I Officially Became Obsessed with Fashion | Elysian Studios

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“The September Issue” is a compelling documentary that elegantly enters the halls of Vogue Magazine to chronicle the creation of fashion’s most iconic publication, the September issue of Vogue.  Annually, this edition of the couture magazine reaches 1 out of 10 women, about 13 million in all!  In the film, we are invited to watch the creative teams, led by the strong vision of Anna Wintour, assemble the largest September issue in Vogue’s history.

If you’ve read The Devil Wears Prada (wonderful book!) or seen the movie, you are familiar with Anna Wintour (a.k.a. Miranda Priestly), and her infamous disposition, as the ruthless Editor-In-Chief of Vogue.  This film takes you inside her world, and gives you a great respect for the elements involved in creating a magazine that shapes the fashion industry.  Without Anna’s glamorous vision, cunning decisiveness and exquisite business sense, Vogue would not be the most profitable magazine of its time.

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Anna Wintour, Editor-In-Chief of Vogue

Not only does the film incite a high regard for Anna, but it displays the true artistic talent of the designers, photographers and directors, particularly Vogue’s Creative Director, Grace Coddington.  From the outset of the film you watch Grace and Anna interact and think,”This is not going to go well!”  As it continues, you see an amazing working relationship between two highly creative, stubborn women, that is quite inspiring!  Director R.J Cutler comments on the suprising elements, such as this, that unfolded during filming in an interview on Modelinia.

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Due to the popularity of the film, the September 2007 issue of Vogue, featuring Sienna Miller, that was documented in the film has peaked to prices between $80 and $115 on eBay, making it one of the most sought after Vogue magazines ever.

One of Anna’s biggest contributions to the way we read fashion magazines, is her brilliant idea  to begin featuring celebrities.  Though it is commonplace now, Anna Wintour was the first editor to do this, realizing the impact it would have on her readers.  In fact, Anna’s impact reaches beyond the pages of her magazine, beyond the readers, beyond the designers and what they feature on the runways, beyond the Conde Nast parent company, and beyond retail stores to the economy of fashion as a whole. 

Here’s a great interview of Anna by Barbara Walters:

So there you have it- a brief summary of a terrific film, documenting an amazing woman and her gorgeous magazine.  Though I’ve felt Vogue was inaccessible and unapplicable to me for so many years, I finally understand why it is such an influential publication and a reading necessity!  From the conceptual drawings of the designers, to the hand-stitched details of couture clothing, to the eloquent, fantastical magazine spreads….I’m obsessed!

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Spring Forward {Inspired Beginnings} | Elysian Studios

Spring Forward {Inspired Beginnings}

Categories: Inspirations, Spring

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First Image: Bike Ride in Paris, Hanging Laundry, Spring Bee, Row of Eggs, Cutest Bunny

Second Image: Daffodil, Cherry Blossoms, Sneakers in the Grass, Fresh Crocus, Spring Pony, Egg in Nest
Third Image: Hyacinths on Table, Yarn Nest, Spring Candy, Gingerbread Chick
Fourth Image: Spring Dreams, Swans, Butterfly Bouquet, Butterfly on Blooms

It’s Spring! Yesterday we did our “spring cleaning” and opened up the windows to let in the balmy, fresh breeze! The boys played outside for hours in the warm sunshine with their neighborhood friends, and it finally felt like the season is changing!  

My creativity is blooming, as if being awaken from its winter hibernation.  Sketches are flying, supplies are being given a new life, and it’s exhilarating to feel so many wheels begin to turn in motion.   

I’m inspired by the new beginnings nature provides this time each year: beautiful birds’ eggs in  delicate nests, fuzzy bunnies and feathered chicks, winged butterflies and bees that begin to taste fresh blooms, the gorgeous colors of fall’s burrowed bulbs, and tasty treats that only come this time of year!

How is spring inspiring you? 

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