The Providence Map Sketchbook That Wasn't -- Benefit Street

CREATED/ PURCHASED/ GIFTED

I think it was winter of 77, before I moved to NYC, that I stayed with Wendy at her apartment on Benefit Street. I'm fairly sure she lived over Geoff's. In her junior year at RISD, she was heavily into stained glass. I was at loose ends. 

My family, 2/77  MacDuffie School, Springfield, MA

I still have that scarf (I wove it in high school and my mom has a mate to it) and the puffer jacket (studio garb for those rare winter art residencies).

the jacket label

This is the first spread of a sketchbook project that I never got going on. My concept just wasn't doing it for me. The general Sketchbook Project theme was Mysterious Maps [more info]. I intended to draw maps of every place that I lived (or hung out) in Providence, RI with an outfit from the same time frame. It was supposed to be completed and postmarked yesterday. Last Saturday, I got stuck on the third entry -- I couldn't remember what I wore in the late winter of 79 when I lived on Trenton Street. And I was unable to find any photos of me from that particular time.

There is procrastination and having the creative juice to push and get a project finished. Then there are those road blocks that are often indicating the idea is not worth pursuing or that the format isn't quite right yet. I like the idea of mapping where I've lived. But what I'm remembering more strongly is the art I made and the music I listened to. I'll give this idea more time to jell and see what transpires. I'm not giving up, I just haven't figured out the best way to present my memories. Maybe revisit the "Letter to a Place I Lived", which I did for my NYC apartment. That might work -- a scrapbook of letters would be cool, AND FUN TO DO!

We interrupt this post to bring you this bulletin from RoadTrippers:
This Memorial Day weekend, jump into a jalopy and plant your foot on the gas. Wherever you are and whoever you're with. Go somewhere new, go somewhere you love, heck, go where you always go, just experience the freedom of the road, and have fun!
There is nothing to lose on this one, folks. You see, I am really, really terrible with money, and I love road trips so much that I literally want to pay for yours! All you have to do is create your Memorial Day trip on roadtrippers.com and share it on the internets for all to see and marvel at.
So click here and see my virtual Remembering RI Road Trip map.
The more clicks, I might get a prize -- woohoo!

This may be the catalyst to get this project jump started!

IFB Project: don't bother the anne

CREATED/ LINKS/ PURCHASED/ GIFTED/

painting gear = freedom

The IFB Project #3 -- INDEPENDENCE: 
Do you have an item you purchased that made you feel independent? Something that made you feel liberated? Share it!

It has to be my painting clothes

concert tee circa 1984
vintage apple print skirt from Larry
giordano denim mens shirt bought in HK, 1992
purple chinese jelly sandals, HK, 1992

because when I'm painting, I am doing the thing I truly love

let's look at the details:

Perkins Palace, 1984. "A Bill Made in Hell"
I was there. Die Schloflosen? Hellish. The Cramps? Heaven.
I started wearing this as studio garb in 1986

I'm sad this skirt is too worn to wear "in public"
ADORE the print

detail of paint encrusted on shirt that I tie as an apron --
could be a painting!
I am a slob. I wipe my hands on my clothing when I paint.

And as far as Independence Day goes,
what is more American than denim, apples and the Cramps? 
I promise myself to wear this tomorrow, July 4, 
and START PAINTING again.
Hold me to it, friends!

Check out the other entries on IFB.

IFB Project: haiku to my red coat

click on images to see bigger  

IFB PROJECT #2: LET’S GET POETIC
A Haiku is a Japanese short poem made up of 3 phrases with 17 syllables in it divided into 5, 7, 5.
Example:
We come together
As independent bloggers
To share our knowledge
We want you to pick something out of your closet you love and write a haiku about it. Whether it be a pair of shoes or a dress, get creative!

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Wondrous red coat

Hidden silk taffeta swish

Waiting for cold nights

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I designed, draped, and sewed this coat my senior year at OTIS. It was for a project mentored by David Hayes.
Here is my illustration from then:

Check out the other entries on IFB.

IFB Project: Heirloom Tomato

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text:

My grandmother's hand tailored dress from British Hong Kong

The First IFB Project Task:

Find a prized possession a family member gave you. Something you hold near and dear to your heart. Whether it be a necklace, a blouse or even a piece of furniture. What makes it’s special to you?

My Aunt Ricky gave me this when I moved to Manhattan in 1977. It was her mother's (my paternal grandmother) and I think Aunt Ricky got it in the 60s. I'm not sure when my grandmother had this made. I would guess the 50s. It fits like a glove.

the detail on the neckline is beautiful

cool label

When I see this dress in the closet I think of my grandmother and how exotic she appeared to me. She passed away when I was very young (five or six) but I remember her distinctive regal air.
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See all the responses here on IFB

30 for 30: June/July

Kendi of Kendi Everyday came up with this great challenge:

1. Take 30 items in your closet. 2. Make 30 outfits.

She dubbed it 30 for 30.
My favorite Closet Community, Go Chic or Go Home is hosting a version of this, and I'm going to give it a whirl. At this point, I'm pulling items from my virtual closet onto my 30x30 page.

as you can see, I've got a brown/green/black/white color story developing

Scarves don't count in the tally of garments - at this point, I've got them there as reminders of what'll go with what. I'm thinking I'll take a more relaxed approach of: determining the 30 garments and tracking the 30 outfits BUT not trying to do it in 30 days. (Might not even post the outfits here until after I've finished.) I still need to upload pix of my leggings and such.
Will report back when I've finalized my 30!