Creative Spaces: Colour and Movement

Things have been pretty busy here.

I've had all sorts of frippery breaking out at the chalkface.

Seven classes of assessment and report entries to do, and new work to inspire

others with right at the end of the term.

Lucky I know to Find Joy in the Ordinary.

But, for a bit of respite.

 As a nod to Yves Saint Laurent and his creativity I donned a turban and

my old black satin tasselled heels and trotted off to see the namesake film.

Saint Laurent.

I can't tell you I really enjoyed it.

It was about a dark and stormy period of his life.

About ten years of drug addled angst and disturbances.
Arguments between shareholders.

Not enough frocks in my opinion.

Only a scant look at some shoulder pads and head-wraps.

And, I didn't win the best dressed award.

*Sniff*

 At least the Prosecco was refreshing.

 The following night I invited myself to Starr's abode.

You've been there before.
I hadn't been in quite a while.

 

Starr is a brilliant one-woman show.

Responsible for all and everything in her working life.
A micro-manager. I approve.

No-one writes her pay-check every week and no-one gives her a 'to-do' list either.

She manages it all beautifully.

She came to the chalkface once and talked about this on International Women's' Day.
I said she was a role model and she had to do it.

I loved what she said.

Starr and I met many years ago when she dropped by

my workplace and she began working as a volunteer.

We were really chalk and cheese.

She remained commited. We paid her a packet of Tim-Tams for her volunteerism.

One packet per day, once a week.

I knew I'd made a friend for life.

Even with our ups and downs.

Here's the studio floor, below.

And a close-up of Vegas, as above,

I love these stencilled hearts.

I've got one.

There's always little vignettes around the place.

Starr always says, 'she learnt it from me'.

The Eiffel Tower is gloriously illuminated.

This deirreire doesn't belong to yours truly, but the

sofa and red cushion does!

Starr washes her paint-brushes beautifully.

She knows them bristle by bristle.

Her little black poodle Hollywood always does a long hello and goodbye.

There's beauty in the ordinary even in Starr's kitchen.

Works-in-progress.

Books.

Everything has its place.

Starr always arranges a good platter.

And gets out the good glassware.

I'll be back soon, Starr.

Do you have any chalk and cheese friends that you have gone the

distance with? What's your best 'how did you meet a friend' story?

Tell me.



Creatives Types: Starr

 If you think I swan around 24/7 @ social functions - well, you

would be wrong. I have still been fully-ensconced at the chalkface.

Kitchen-skilling, among other things.

But, I did get to Starr's lovely Show.

It was basically what you call a 'sell-out'.

 Starr made a lovely speech.  

She thanked us all for 'allowing her to paint for another year'.

What a wonderful way to show gratitude.

I liked that. Frankly, I had never really thought of in that context.

 She's now pretty much a stalwart in the industry and if you put

your money where your heart was a number of years back and bought a painting, you

no doubt would have now quadrupled your dosh.

Bit more reliable than the Melbourne Cup.

 The Eiffel tower gets a work-out at most Shows and I am not sorry to see it.

 Starr dressed in what I could only call the ultimate frock for her.

The three Rs: ruffles, ruching, roses, technicolour beading, mullet-hemline and paint-splattered look satin.

 Here's a little preview of the 60 works.

It's fair enough to say she has been busy.

 She gave us all firm instructions to take a 'selfie' in front of her Alice in Wonderland inspired painting.

I did so, just before the rabbit-hole got me.

What are you looking forward to?

Any artistic endeavours? 



Almost A List.

It's fair to say that I have had some A list invitations of late.

 I've been away from the blog viewing Future Beauty:

30 Years of Japanese Fashion.
Frocks from the Kyoto Costume Institute.
Taking its turn at the Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane.

It is as incredible as you would imagine.

If you have ever wrestled with a Vogue Issey Miyake sewing pattern in the 1990s,

you will know exactly what I mean.

I went on invitation from one of 50 of Queensland's Most Stylish people, lovely D from The Hat Box.

She wore a fabulous black feather sculptural headpiece from Hatmaker.

A.k.a Johnathon Ward.

I've also got this Show to look forward to:

 Starr's Wanderlust.

 If you have been paying attention, you will remember Starr taking some photographic inspiration

around the House of Flora.

 



Here's the painterly result:

 

I trotted out in Akira Isogawa to Future Beauty.

It's a challenging thing to wear.

But not as vexed as the number the Audi promotion girls had to wear in

that past photo.

I frankly paid a small fortune for a piece of embellished tulle.

And, I am not sorry. 

 The ubiquitous Harajuki girls were there to greet.

There was not a thing I wouldn't wear myself.

 

 

 Akira Isogawa has one lovely piece in the Show.

He also designed the huge chrysanthemum inspired feature wall.

 

 

 I've got my frock hanging up for Starr's Show this weekend.

I am sorted with an old H&M Lanvin number that

(miraculously) was available in my size at a H&M in Paris,

when I was en vancances a few years back.

 Stay B+++, or even A if you can get it.
And, get a long to Future Beauty.