So why does this go with that?

So my last post was about harmony in design, a subject near and dear to my heart and one I had been wanting to write about. After I was done with it though, I started thinking and well, second guessing. It was boring. Way too simplistic. Who the heck would be interested in that stuff anyway. why do I bother and why am I so into it. My inner monologue pretty much talked me out of how inspired I was to write about it.

The next day I was at my job, which is the accessories department of Macys. A customer came in with a bag which contained her new dress she had bought to wear to a wedding. She said, " The problem is, I have no idea how to pick out jewelry that will go with it!"

   "Ah, my favorite thing to do!" I said, and had her show me the dress. It was a sun dress with a bold geometric print in black, plum and white, and black around the yoke.

   Great dress, but did it match her? She was petite and fair, brunette with soft features. The challenge was not just to find a necklace that matched the dress, but one that would harmonize with the bold print of the dress and her soft features.

   We found a few pieces that went with the colors in the dress, me all the while pointing out what makes things harmonize. What we want is visual harmony, not just matchy matchy. And with the right jewelry pieces the attention is drawn up to the face, which is what you want. Then we found a necklace that was perfect for her. Not just for the dress but for her. It had colors and shapes similar to the dress, but added a very feminine and soft touch she needed. It was the right balance between repetion and discord. Plus it was on sale and she was thrilled.

   She thanked me several times and kept saying, "I just never have a clue how to put the jewelry with the clothes. You have helped me so much! "

   It really is one aspect of my work that I love; I look forward to helping women harmonize their look. And it made me realize that my attempts at explaining visual harmony ARE worthwhile and need to be continued. So, you that find that boring, beware!

   Sometimes you just got to tell your inner voice to shut up and take a hike.

Comments

Winter Work

Now that my show season is over, it's time for what I lovingly call winter work. Winter work is studio time. It's when I light the fire in the wood stove and sit down at the drawing table and/or easel, both of which are pulled close to the wood stove. It's winter work because when the weather cools off and the leaves fall, the studio is the most inviting place in my life. The warmth of the fire and the smell of the wood and the blank slate on the easel are what inspire and motivate me to work. At one of my shows I bought this glorious coffee mug from Paige @rockbottomceramics. It sits on top of the woodstove and keeps the coffee warm for hours. It's a studio staple. There is purposely a blank canvas on the easel, or in this case, a smooth panel which will eventually be gessoed and painted with an expression of light through leaves. The blank canvas is self care. It's a sign of hope for my future. What will go on ...

Up and Running

Show season is up and running! Next up: One of my favorites, the Crosby Festival of the Arts. It will be held in the beautiful Toledo Botanical Garden June 28-30. I'll be in booth 178 - the Purple Zone- which is where I've been located before. One thing I love about this event is the location. M y booth is situated close to the herb garden, which is laid out on an inviting pathway, full of life and color. I look forward to taking photos of the gardens, which will eventually find their way into my art. Here's some from last year: I'm excited to return to the event with my mixed media collage paintings. I've been at work on some new pieces, which will also be available. Here's a sneak peek at the latest work: I'm still aiming to capture that path of light through leaves. I combine paint, papers, ink, wax resist, linocut printing, colored pencils and canvas. My aim is to combine these various ma...

Back in the Woods

As Spring arrives, so does the 2024 art show season. I am looking forward to a great new season of showing, telling and selling my art. First on the docket, Broad Ripple Art Fair in Indianapolis. The dates for this gem of a show are May 18 and 19. I love being a part of this show because it is in a beautiful wooded venue and has a serious following of art-loving patrons. I will once again have my series "Of the Woods", which has expanded and evolved quite a bit since last year. Here are some of what I'll be showing. The first two pieces are mixed media collage painted on canvas and embellished with handmade papers, tissue paper and canvas. They are each 30 x 40". The last piece is a watercolor painting embellished with wax resist, acrylic paint and handmade papers. It is matted and framed in my signature frame. The size is 24" x 36" under glass. Which one do you like the most? What would you...

Parts of Art

Search This Blog