BOHO EARTH FASHION - ORGANICALLY CHIC

Today rushed by and I almost forgot to post for Mandala Monday. Today's post is another Earth Art Dress. YEY!  BoHo Fest is almost here (Saturday September 22nd - Downtown Leesburg) and Sweet Magnolia is bringing her best friend Rosemary.

Rosemary is wearing a fuzzy sweater vest with shawl collar, a belt of sweet gum, bodice of rain tree pods and skirt of Spanish moss woven with dried rosemary - of course. BOHO EARTH CHIC!

I rushed to take some photos and videos before another storm hits. These dresses are not made to live out their lives outdoors but by the big mandala garden  behind my home studio they sure look fine. To think last year I had everything tied down and packed into closets as Hurricane Irma spun closer and closer. I am very thankful for today's calm in contrast. I am preparing to make some modifications to the garden this month. The MUMS are in stock but pavers are a bit harder to find. Stay tuned!

Make sure to stop by on the 22nd and check out the festivities. Here is a link to the BoHo Fest page. https://www.leesburgarts.com/bohofest2018/

MAGNOLIA YOU SWEET THING

It's Labor Day here in the USA and also MANDALA MONDAY! I just got in from cycling. I am making it my routine to pedal in the morning. On my route I ride over a bridge above an inlet. I usually stop and re-hydrate there and check out a huge magnolia tree. Last year I saw so many of its pods on the ground but wasn't quite ready to collect them. Well I am ready now!

A little voice said back track a bit and note the house number. I had never seen anyone outside. Sure enough the grandson was there. I gave him my card. "When those pods drop please call me. I will come and get them out of your way."

What do I do with them? LOTS OF STUFF. Here is an example. I call her "Sweet Magnolia".

"Magnolia you sweet thing. You're driving me mad."

There are a few more finishing touches to be applied then I need to set my studio lights up for a proper photo shoot. I have another piece that I am working on too. I used an oil stain on Spanish moss in the design. It needs to dry more before I continue. Maybe by next Monday...

Yes - Earth Art Dresses!  It has been too long since I made them for historical sites and state parks. It took a bit of time and trail walking/cycling to learn my area's botany. I AM SO EXCITED! These new ones are not 100% bio-degradable. I have made them to last with wire, paints and glue but most of the ingredients are organic. I need a new tagline for this enviro art work. I no longer can say...

"I don't make rotten art. I make art that rots." These are designed to last.

Oh and don't forget. September is National Wilderness Month. To help people get outside I have agreed to run four trail walks after work on Thursdays in Leesburg so that people can explore 3 different area preserves. We will meander the parks as I point out cool artistic things you can do with foraged organics. But please note - no picking. We cannot take anything from the park except inspiration. :) Check the Leesburg Center for the Arts website for details.

leesburgarts.com

STABLE OF STALLIONS

OK, the title of this post is a bit tongue in cheek and has nothing to do with Mandala Monday except for the fact I have been incredibly busy. WHY?

A couple of weeks ago I accepted a part time position at the LCFA as the Program Coordinator. This is BRILLIANT for me especially living in a brand new part of the world. Connections in the art and business arenas abound. My mind is absorbing and clicking and clacking on programs and projects. This temporarily leaves me less time for my personal artwork. I am getting my brain wrapped around it all though. It is simply an adjustment having 10 scheduled hours and non-scheduled inspiration and follow-through time. One of these" brilliant "inspirations is the rise to the title of this post.

Fashion Week in Leesburg happens is in March. Eight professional designers will be showcasing complete with runway. When I heard this my brain's gears started churning with the question, "How do we get kids involved?" BAM, instantly my Little Read Dress Workshop came to mind. As a former designer and costumer myself I had to jump right on in and make a proposal.

Lake County Eco Fashion Design Competition 2018

It is a go! A call to the high school student artists/designers of Lake County, Florida is forthcoming. I will be traveling to area high schools to chat with the students, plus boys and girls clubs, YMCAs, etc. It is exciting getting our youth turned onto art and into environmental responsibility.

HELEN HELPING OUT

So my stable of stallions? In the back room of the Leesburg Center For the Arts I spied two male mannequin torsos. I had worked out different ways for the student designers to make their newspaper garments at the Center. Out of all the options I chose having uniform dress forms. I am now paper mache'ing 15 unisex light weight and portable mannequins. Yes I know - time consuming. Each form needs to be 5 to 6 layers of paper, glue and paint, and cardboard stands made. I will be bringing the original rubber forms from my Home Studio to Open Studio meetings (every Friday @ 10 AM) at the LCFA so that other artists can volunteer to help me get them done. Also if you are in the area instead of getting together for coffee and drinks at a cafe with me COME ON OVER TO MY STUDIO and get your hands sticky. Volunteer - that is what I am doing. It is good for the soul.

As for my CronePods...

I did get some sunshine time to add more wrinkles to a piece yesterday. She called to me, "Pay attention!" Of course my dear wise woman, of course..

More on my fine art pieces another time. I need to get sticky. :)

Make some mandalas and send me the pics.

Saluti!