some pondering on how things connect . . .

As some of you may know I have started another 'blog' called 'daily dress inspirations' (ddi).  for the past few weeks every day I have posted an image with a good intention and/or quote, and I am loving the entire process.

It has become almost selfish; a morning ritual, a 'meditation' of sorts.  As I am going through my morning routine ~ girls to school, dog walked,  to-do lists and accessing the pending day,  I take a moment to quiet myself and listen to what kind of good intention I need and that is the intention I put out there. I then find an image and a quote and post them.

dressmat

This blog started, as many of my projects/ideas do, from my need to learn about something. This time I needed to figure out FB groups for one of my social media clients, and for me, the best way to learn is by doing. So I created a FB group in which its members would get  a daily post, and I have always thought that my dresstags were a perfect vehicle for a daily message.

Now I didn't want to be exclusive to those not on Facebook so I started posting the same dress/quote of the 'ddi' blog.  So that is the story behind the starting of the ddi blog, which I am sharing here today because there is a story behind today's posting, that I want to share.

Haney, can't hear you

It is nothing major but I thought, interesting. It highlights an 'inter-connective'ness of things.

dailydress for Lisa
Barthelson birthday

This morning, working Scruffy (my early bird dog) I was pondering the day and stressing about my pending gallery show, this October at Fountain Street Fine Art.  The opportunity of exhibiting it awesome and this space is beautiful.  Also I have asked a wonderful artist, Anne Gilson Haney to exhibit with me (LOVE her work!! I  own 2 of her pieces!!).  So this is all good! However I am not sure if I will be ready!!!

Lisa during her artist talk

Some may know, I am in the process of getting divorced (yes, I am still  not officially divorced) And with this new state of affairs I have needed to get back out in the paycheck world to support me and two teen-age girl$$$.  So I am juggling 4-5 hourly jobs, mothering two amazing girls, and making a home for the three of us.  This is all good ?!?! :) 

but I have not had time for my art.  My studio has become a storage unit for the overflow of stuff when moving from a house to an apartment.  So when thinking about my up-coming show I have can freak out!!

the daily dress journal began as
a flat moleskin plain book

However I am blessed with amazing and supportive friends. This week I sat down with awesome artist, Lisa Barthelson, and she talked with me about my show.  

She just had a beautiful exhibit last month at FSFA, and offered to give me some guidance.  I laid out the 'work' that I have been able to to do between the hustle and bustle of my current life and she saw a show?!?! One that is based on the work I am doing NOW; similiar to my daily dress journal that I  did in 2011 when I was substituting at Dana Hall and working to keep a marriage together.  The daily dress journal was based on my daily activities - using receipts, wrappers and whatnots that caught my attention during the course of the day.

the journal once I filled each page

I have been playing with this idea myself, it makes sense! And I love the work of artists who have documented their daily lives: Danica Phelp and Kate Bingaman-Burt and her Obsessive Consumption series. Yet I had y doubt, yet with Lisa's encouragement and in her presence, I felt inspired and capable.

daily dress #16

However a day or so later (yesterday) I was back to discouraged and confused, in comes another dear friend.  and as good friends do she gave me another perspective; she suggested seeing if I could move my show to a later date, when I may be more prepared and better able to produce work that won't raise the authenticity critic?!? A novel thought?! One, that in my busy, what-is-next mode, I hadn't considered.  I am not one to pass on any opportunity but maybe this is the time?!?!?

So this morning, during my rainy walk with my boy, I was working through all these possibilities and knowing I was heading to another job at 10 this morning.  As my head whirled I thought about my daily dress inspirations ~ another task that I have added to my day, and one that does even pay?!?!? But as I said above it is helpful to me.  So I stopped and meditated on what aspiration I needed today and what came was 'clarity'.

Clarity in the decision to do the show or not.

Clarity about what I will show if I do exhibit!!

Clarity on how I spend my time.

Yes clarity was what I needed today.

So my wet dog and I came home and  I looked up clarity quotes. There are many out there.  

But the one that struck me as so totally appropriate is by Melody Beattie:

Live your life from your heart. 

Share from your heart. 

And your story will touch 

and heal people's souls.

And this is the reason for this entire blog post - how interconnected things can be. Here I needed clarity about my show and decided that clarity would be my daily intention.  

While looking for a 'clarity' quote I find this one that speaks so profoundly to me about my art work and the issues that I am struggling with about my show!! 

My art is my life! My art is my heart. My art is sharing, sharing my vision of the world.  I love to highlight the simple beauty in our everyday.  I have always been drawn to the beauty is what many people cast aside ( I had a business for 7 years using used bottle caps to make jewelry).

Yesterday I read an article about age and artist and saw this quote by Faith Ringgold:

 from ART news: ‘You Become Better with Age’ by Hilarie M. Sheets

“Being an artist is a way of life,” says 82-year-old Faith Ringgold...“It’s not about ‘I’m going to major in this and get my degree, and then I’ll go to work, and then I’ll retire.’ It is something one has a passion for, does, and then becomes—and can do it literally until they pass away. ..."

 I could not agree more - art is my life, my passion. So that is my story that I will share in October, my current story, my daily story. Now how it will present itself . . .well, stay tuned.

today sees the miracles . . .

“There are only two ways to live your life. 

One is as though nothing is a miracle. 

The other is as though everything is a miracle.” 

Einstein

deadheads and skinny dipping

Last week I had the time to indulge 

my omnipresent passion

 and I made a dress!! 

'deadhead' dress

Inspiration struck during a morning dog walk, in front of the studio of the wonderful David Lang. 

Earlier in the week he proudly shared with me how our mutual friend, the lovely and talented Christina Zwart, had filled his studio's flower box and I wanted to take a peek.

Christina, who has been doing exquisite outdoor art installations in neighboring woods, made a terrific choice with marigolds, complimenting the 

existing yellow of the parking lines. 

And as I big fan of these hardy and colorful flowers I began 

to clean up the box a bit, breaking off the dead flowers.  It was then, surrounded by the pungent fragrance of broken marigolds and with my hand full of dead yet still bright and sturdy blossoms, I knew would make a dress.

And as it always happens when I am out making an ephemeral dress, I entered a dream like state, 

where the critics were quiet 

and I was present in the act of creating ~ 

pure heaven.

This state is truly rare for me, especially recently, as my days are filled with many different jobs and single parenting. My time in the studio is non-existant.  And when I do have a moment 

or two to create, I am inundated by the critics and doubters,

"is this the best uses of your time, Virginia??"  

But that didn't happen outside David's studio door, why?

I believe the freedom comes from being outside and that these dresses are ephemeral, they are here and  then they go.  They are exempt from me taking their existence too seriously, free from the paralyzing state of becoming 'precious', when suddenly everything comes under intense internal scrutiny; will this piece be worth the time I am putting into it? will I be able to put the piece in a gallery? will it appeal to anyone else?? 

my faithful and patient assistant

But when I am working outside, in the elements, with just the materials at hand to work with, my thinking brain steps back; I relax and listen to my muse.

The feeling is similiar to the feeling I get when I skinny-dip, 

just me in the cool and refreshing water.

I am a big fan!!

peace

in memory of those lost, look around . . .

“The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe about us, the less taste we shall have for destruction.” Rachel Carson

“War is not women’s history.”  –Virginia Woolf

p.s. on the updates

I forgot to mention that my painting from Fountain Street Fine Art's 8x8 show found a home!

got to love those red dots!!!

And for my parents, who are not on Facebook and get some of their Virginia Fitzgerald Art News here, (when I forget to mention it to them on the phone :) Last week I surpassed 300 'followers' on my Virginia Fitzgerald Art Page on Facebook :) So 300 people have chosen to follow your daughter's artistic endeavors! kind of fun, huh?!?!?

Thanks to everyone for their interest, support and encouragement of my art and my journey!

I feel stronger knowing that there are folks out there rooting for me!! 

peace

I few updates . . .

I am honored that the Wellesley Weston Magazine picked up my story about my Dana Hall projects and put it on their blog!! Thank you Wellesley Weston magazine!  

http://www.wwmblog.com/news/danahall-virginiafitzgerald

Also for those followers and fans of my dresstags I have started posting daily dress inspirations on my other blog and started a FB group (as a learning experience) 

SO if you would like to get a positive, daily idea or quote or sentiment, with or with out a dress :) check out the blog: http://dailydressproject.blogspot.com/

or the FB group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/379771848806073/

If you can't get onto or even view the group let me know, this is all part of the learning experience :)

"inquiring minds want to know"

Also some news about shows and rejections and my subscription card series ~ 

growth, one: mixed media and beads on transfer

growth, one: detail

Sadly, I learned today that growth, one did n't get into the FSFA's exhibit 'no limit'.  It was  the first times that I submitted a piece based on my obsessively drawn subscription cards.  This call for art was digital and I am not sure if you can get a true sense of this piece via a computer screen, and only one image?!?! It is a small piece: 6.5"x8.5" and one never knows what the juror is looking for or how a show is coming together, alas.  However by the look of the artists who did get in it has promise to be a show not to miss!! 

Check out Fountain Street's site for the names:

http://www.fountainstreetfineart.com/exhibits.html

But I am not discouraged (or maybe I am a glutton for punishment?!) I submitted 'spinning I' to the Attleboro Arts Museum's show, 'what goes around'.  They jury is still out about if this piece is in or not.  

'spinning I' is another mixed media piece based on my subscription cards ~

'spinning I' drawing and sewing on transfer

this is the backside of spinning, the sewing tracks

Dana's 'giving and receiving' dress is in the works

This week I have started another collaborative 'dress' with the Dana Hall Students, this time exclusively with the middle school.  And I am so excited because I am finally going to be able to create the 'giving and receiving' dress.

This dress is based on my dresstag practice, how I leave small, origami dresses, with good intentions or fortunes on them, in random places. If you follow me on instagram or Facebook you might have seen one or two pictures of these 'dresstags'.

For the 'giving and receiving' dress I am teaching the students how to make their own origami dresses and asking them to write their own fortune/intention on the back.  The response has been wonderful.  I am leaving extra origami paper in the art room so students can come in and make more dresses.  

I am hoping for a great number because I am going to use the small origami dresses that the students make to construct a large dress form on a wall in the school.  Once the dress is created on the wall, then the students will be invited to take a dresstag, which will deconstruct the large wall dress.  Also each student will get a dress with a good fortune on it ~ giving and receiving.

So my collection of dresses is growing and the fortunes that I have seen are priceless.  This is what I love about collaborative projects ~ everyone comes to the project with their own, unique gifts, opinions, thoughts and ideas.  Some of these fortunes I would never have thought of and I love them!!! 

A particular favorite is "may this dress keep the monsters in their own closet!" ~ priceless.

metamorphosis, the whole story, in pictures

'metamorphosis' modeled at Dana Hall Fashion Show

In February I participated in the exhibit "Fiberarts and Fashion" at the Dana Hall School.  

In conjunction to that show I was invited to create a collaborative project/dress 

with the student body that would be presented at the Dana Hall Fashion Show.  

The end product: 'metamorphosis'

it all started with a white dress

found at the thrift shop

objective: to create a dress/project that involved the entire student body of  Dana Hall

I wanted to create an opportunity for the students to reflect on their place in the world, as students of a very challenging and scholarly girl's school.  As I pondered the concept behind the dress, I came across 'Chrysalis', the story of Maria Sibylla Merian and the project fell in place.  

The idea of metamorphosis felt akin to my desires for the project; during middle school and high school there is a metamorphosis, students discovering their desires, strengths and passions while facing fears, and then 'emerging' as adults.  I wanted to offer the students a platform in which they could pause and reflect on their personal journey.

so I tea dyed it

first, i realized the dress was too white

and I painted, dyed and cut the original dress.

 then I took everything to Dana Hall.

I set-up in the gallery.

the first day I cut out 500+ butterflies

then Michael Frassinelli and I divided the butterflies into to envelopes for each advisory group.

 with this prompt:

As part of a collaborative project for the Dana Art Gallery, Artist-in-Residence Virginia Fitzgerald has been working with students and invites you to contribute this morning to the creation of a sculptural dress which will be worn in the Spring Fashion Show and exhibited afterwards in the Library. Each advisor group has a packet containing cut paper butterflies and Sharpie markers.  Each student is asked to simply write a word, phrase or short sentence, or simple image reflecting a wish, a dream, an inspiration, a memory, or fear on one of the pieces of paper. This can be written in any language, in any style, on any subject (personal, family, school related, etc.); these should be anonymous andthere is no wrong way to express yourself. When finished please return the pieces of paper and markers to the envelope and have a member or the advisory drop them off to the gallery. Thanks so much for you participation. Stop by the gallery throughout the week and after the Break to see how your words and images will be incorporated into the sculpture, or stop by and work with Ms. Fitzgerald directly. All are invited. Thank you for supporting the arts.

the next day I had 500+  emotionally charged butterflies

then the fun began . . .

the middle school student came and helped me  . . .

they made cocoons, with wax, glitter and more intentions rolled up inside

and they helped me outline each butterfly with black ink

and then they painted each butterfly with glitter medium to reenforce the paper

I continued to 'personalize' the dress. here I soaked the bottom in ink

the students also wrote on the dress, adding to the pattern/design

I used the india ink to create a vein like pattern on the top of the dress

there were many heart felt messages on the butterflies

during the week I was working at the school Mr. Fraz found this butterfly on the ground :)

It was very interesting to see all the different ideas, thoughts, 

dreams, fears and desires that were written on the butterflies. 

As I attached each one to the dress 

I wondered what kind of response I would have received 

if I did a similiar project with a boys school?!?!? 

then it was time for me to pack up ~

back to my studio (well, really my home, sorry girls).

 Here I attached everything to the dress ~ 

butterflies and cocoons.  

I sewed many layers of strips of tulle and netting, 

then attached all the butterflies.

 

I added grommets on each side so it could fit whatever student that would be wearing it in the Fashion Show

This is the first dress that I made that someone else 

was going to wear.  During the Fashion Show I felt like 

I might have been on Project Runway ~ 

nervous if the dress would fit and present well 

and I found myself saying that my model was at 'hair and make-up' :)

any thoughts Tim Gunn??

As I was adding the layers and butterflies my own forest nymph modeled the dress for me,

this way I could see how the dress hung ~

and how it moved.

Monday morning was the Fashion Show and my model rocked the dress! 

spinning and letting all the Dana Hall student's dreams and desires take flight 

and their fears just fly away.  

Thank you Dana Hall for supporting and participating so fully in this dress/project.  

As always it was a wonderful and enriching experience for me 

and I hope it was for you too!!

'metamorphosis' modeled at Dana Hall Fashion Show