Who Am I? An Exploration in Self Portraits

"Who are you? What is your story? Where does your perception of yourself come from? How do you view yourself versus how do you think others see you?

We are living in an age where we curate our public persona. Whether through our profile pictures, what we post on social media and how we dress in public. How does that impact who we really are? Is it a disguise or are we taking ownership of our identity?" 

-- Kristine Schomaker, from a recent call for art

This blog could be considered a self portrait!

I started SpyGirl in 2010, as part of a Journaling Challenge.
At first, I hid behind my SpyGirl persona:

original post

Gradually, I said screw that, I want to draw fashion sketches again:

2011, for a Sketchbook Project project
(Sketched in Illustrator, painted in Photoshop. Labor intensive. See this) 

My sketching style evolved, digital, analog... I shifted as the mood struck me.

5/31/16, lunch break selfie sketches of the day's outfit

From the same sketchbook, that time I turned 60:

6/3/16

Not my first selfie nude.
That would be a painting that I no longer have. Still looking for the photo of it...

Linking up with

Michelle's Potpourri

Rena's Fine-Whatever

#tbt Suede Mini Skirt, 8th Grade

Somewhere in the house (or garage) are my school yearbooks from 5th-8th grades.
My 8th grade school portrait comprised of this look:
[insert photo when I find it] 

These photos, shot by my mom, will have to do as a stand in -- I don't have time right now to find the yearbook to take a photo of the portrait.

That's our summer house behind us. In the 90s, Mom built an all-year house on the same piece of property, closer to the highway. These were shot for a potential Christmas card image. That's why we're all dressed up and posing with the dog. I can't remember if that's Honey or Ginger -- I grew up with Golden Retrievers.

What makes this outfit so special?

I got the suede mini and leather wrap belt in Poughkeepsie (which was "the big city" for me then) at a hep boutique.
The tee with many buttons? Can't remember. Sears? Can't see and can't remember the shoes, so I made them up. 

I felt comfortable in my skin.
I was full of badass girl power!

Funny, it's not how my 8th grade instructors saw me.
While at my mom's last week, I came across a pile of paperwork set aside for me that included all my elementary through high school report cards. Apparently in eighth grade I was a distracted student, not doing my work, a bored malcontent. Ha! Maybe I was! I was ready for bigger horizons!

The suede mini (all 15 x 30 inches of it) is my Fashion Rosebud for the week.
Is there a story lurking in your closet? Link and tell!

Fashion Design Contest [US Only] Deadline 8/9/2015

Sorry, potential winner, I'm a little late (too many shiny objects!).
Thankfully, the PR person was persistent and sent me a reminder.

[source: Brother Int'l] 

Here is the verbiage lifted verbatum from Brother's site: 

"How do you enter? Simply upload a photo of your dream design sketch with the hashtag: #SewYourDreams.
Be sure to include a brief description of the project and your dream behind it!

One lucky individual will win a two-night stay in NYC during New York Fashion Week this September and work alongside Anthony Ryan Auld and Joshua McKinley to turn their dream design into a reality! Together, they’ll shop for supplies at the Project Runway source store, Mood, and enjoy a full day of sewing to create the dream design. To celebrate the finished design, the winner will kick back and enjoy a lovely dinner out on the town accompanied by Joshua and Anthony Ryan.

Plus, the winner receive our Innov-ís NQ1300PRW sewing machine to continue to sew their dreams.

Enter now through August 9, 2015
By clicking submit you agree to the official rules
No purchase necessary. Valid July 8, 2015 to August 9, 2015 in the continental US or District of Columbia who have reached the age of majority in the state in which they reside. Void where prohibited or otherwise restricted by law.
This is a game of chance and skill plays no part in determining the winner. All designs must be original creations of the entrant and not previously published in any medium or submitted in any other competition. All entrants become the property of Brother.
By entering, you agree to receive news and product info from Brother International Corporation."

I'm in! Maybe I'll go back into the SpyGirl archives and enter one of my flower creations. Except that it's not allowed to have been "...previously published in any medium". Urgh. New design required, methinks. I'll sketch it on SpyGirl, though.

This is the one that came to mind:

original post here

Wouldn't that be an awesome fascinator?

I could really use a new sewing machine. My Elna decided to die right when I was all set to start refurbishing things.

Good luck! Add a link in the comments if you enter!

52 Pick-me-up: Forget-me-not

PURCHASED/ CREATED/ 

mako "forget-me-nots" on Flickr

Dainty forget-me-not flowers: blue and yellow or purple and yellow or pink and yellow or white and yellow -- this week's 52 Pick-me-up inspiration. Or take the concept "forget me not" and go with that.
I was wracking my brain over the blue/yellow thing until my eyes landed on my OP tee that I got at Ross in Mesa, AZ in 2000.
Yes!

I'm reposting a section of my "About" page that features said tee:

I started SpyGirl as an art project in fake journaling in 2010.

My SpyGirl avatar
Here's the story about how I found her.

I now have fully embraced and joined the world of Fashion blogging.
SpyGirl is my live Fashion Art performance piece, broadcasted via this blog.

I post outfit photos:

"Hello from the side of my house in western Los Angeles!"

and sketches:

Here I am in the same outfit but looking like a supermodel

Linking my stripes up with Whitney's Create 28 Lovely Spring Looks.
Also linking with ::My Closet Catalogue:: because TARDIS blue.

Have fun with this one -- I've had an exhausting week, how about you?

If all else fails, link any old post! Forget ye not!

Link and tell:

52 Pick-me-up: Fairy Tale

CREATED/ PURLOINED/ PURCHASED/ 

Once upon a time there was a blogger named SpyGirl.
She found her muse under a bush.

Funny sketches of outfits resulted.

 She started taking outfit photos

Found a good corner for posing

Joined a fun group of Visible Monday friends, who she started sketching

Created her own link up party

And lived happily ever after!
[Until she was faced with the challenge for this week].
This week's prompt is Fairy Tale. Interpret as you see fit. Link and tell!

Crazy Quilt SpyGirl July Tour Dates: Orlando, Chattanooga, Louisville, Chicago, Portland OR, San Francisco, Santa Barbara

The SpyGirl Crazy Quilt Dossier, 70s Edition is still making its way around the country.
Where is it now?

For my new visitors, here are all the sketchbook pages as a video:

Or clicking on "Crazy Quilt Sketchbook" will show you all the posts here on SpyGirl.

Click here to check out the tour as it travels the US and get detailed information.
[July dates and venues are below -- but be sure to check the link above, as plans may have changed]
This sketchbook can be found on the shelves with a call number of 204.14-5 

July 2- 3
Orlando, FL @ The Gallery at Avalon Island
5:00 - 9:00pm

Jul 8
Chattanooga, TN @ The Hunter Museum
11:00 - 5:00pm

Jul 9
Chattanooga, TN @ The Creative Discovery Museum
3:00 - 7:00pm

Jul 10
Louisville, KY @ Mellwood Art Center
2:00 - 8:00pm

Jul 12
Chicago, IL @ Chicago Arts District Second Friday
3:00 - 7:00pm

July 13-14
Chicago, IL @ Hyde Park Art Center
1:00 - 5:00pm

July 19-21
Portland, OR @ Jupiter Hotel
July 19 | 4:00 - 8:00pm
July 20 | 2:00 - 8:00pm
July 21 | 12:00 - 6:00pm

July 26-28
San Francisco, CA @ S.F. Center for the Book
July 26 | 4:00 - 8:00pm
July 27 | 2:00 - 8:00pm
July 28 | 12:00 - 6:00pm

Jul 31
Santa Barbara, CA @ Figueroa Mountain Brewing
5:00 - 9:00pm

August 1
Santa Barbara, CA @ Santa Barbara Museum of Art
5:00 - 8:00pm

SpyGirl hopes to "see" you on tour!

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!

Why Did I Start SpyGirl?

"Why did you start blogging?"
On the eve of International Fake Journal Month, now is a good time to answer this question.

SpyGirl from the start has been a fun, creative outlet.
I found my cartoonish avatar under a bush in March 2010. Click here to see what I did for my first posts.
Things were slow that first year, due to health complications.

In 2011, I did another fake journal, and that's when I became a "real" fashion blogger.
I started following fashion and style blogs regularly, I joined IFB, I paid more attention to trends, I started taking outfit photos.

Also in 2011, I got the urge to fashion sketch again (had stopped after freelancing at Mattel dried up in 1999) and started experimenting with different techniques. My Fashion Icon series is one completely digital approach that I'm happy with, but involves a lot of work.
Recently, I've come up with a half analog, half digital hybrid that I really enjoy.

The 2013 Fake Journal, "The Digital Catwalk" shall commence tomorrow, April 1st.
It's going to be a blast!

Some background:
I completed the rigorous BFA Fashion Design program at OTIS in 87 and was immediately hired by the department chair, Rosemary Brantley, as a design assistant for her company in downtown LA. After two years, I moved on to designing Barbie Dolls at Mattel. Four years at Mattel totally burned me out on fashion design and I quit to return to my original creative passion: fine art.
I quickly became uncomfortable with my lack of funds and started doing various freelance gigs, including a part-time return to Mattel. OTIS then beckoned with a teaching position in Digital Design in the Fashion Dept, where I ended up in charge of my area through 2005.
I continue to teach Digital Design for Fashion and Textiles in the CE Department at OTIS. My primary day job is designing prints for mass-market loungewear and underwear.
I am still doing fine art (I will never give that up again) and am looking forward to a figurative workshop this summer with Rebecca Campbell.

At 56, I can say: I love what I'm doing.
"Why did I start blogging?" For fun!
Why did YOU start blogging?

Inspired by (but too late to include) IFB Project #87: Why Did You Start Your Blog?

Linking up with Patti's Visible Monday since I'm no shrinking violet. 

Crazy Quilt -- Cotton African Wax Print

Here's another NYC creation. I drafted the sewing pattern from an Afghani tunic that Bina [correction: Wendy] gave me in 1971. Another garment I never felt all that comfortable wearing. Maybe it was too bold.

Haha. "Too bold." I was being a little disingenuous there.

What I DO find interesting is that I have only one patch on the quilt with both the green/yellow/cream motif and the pin dotted brown background. So even while placing patches on the quilt, there was something about the print that made me uncomfortable. File it under "nice to view, not to wear." I have a few textiles that fall into that category.

I got this fabric (along with the qiana in the previous post) at Jerry Brown's, 54 West 57th Street [closed --thank you Aline and Cindy for researching and finding this emporium from our past!]. Not sure if it is authentic African wax print or a stateside interpretation. Here's a link about wax print, a textile with an interesting provenance.

On to the original tunic -- another garment that I wore to shreds.

my senior photo from my 74 yearbook -- no formal portraits for us 70s gals!

I found my "pattern" for it when I was retrieving the quilt.

if you click on these images, you can see/print them bigger

Discoveries like this justify my pack rat tendencies, imho. That and living in a house big enough to hold lots of stuff.

Thus concludes my pages of the Crazy Quilt Dossier, 70's Edition. I'll post a video tomorrow of the entire book along with information about the Art House Sketchbook 2013 tour, which starts in Brooklyn this Friday, 3/1/13, 6-10pm.

I'm a little sad these posts are over, but never fear -- next up is my 79-82 Maps of Providence sketchbook. Maybe SpyGirl with weasel her way into that book too! It's due 5/15. I WILL start working on it SOON. I've had it with my last minute nonsense.

Crazy Quilt - Leopard Print Qiana

CREATED/ PURLOINED/ PURCHASED

Aline discovered the millinery supply places in midtown Manhattan and we both went a little hat crazy. I sold six of these leopard numbers to Fiorucci. They were even displayed in the windows!

WHY didn't I take a photo of that accomplishment? WHY????

I really did swan around the upper east side in retro suits wearing cocktail hats and uncomfortable high heels -- for a few months anyway. Illustrated above is one I swiped from my mom -- a suit from Best & Co that SHE wore when she lived in Manhattan before I was born. I'm sure I wore it when I went to my first designer cattle call with Mauricio, the accessories buyer for Fiorucci. (I remember getting overheated due to my nerves + the wool). I sold him the above mentioned hats and "Reality In a Box" pins (to be discussed at a later date).

Are you too young to know about Fiorucci? Well!
Here's a good overview with some videos.
Then, here's a NY Times article with some history.

HEY!...Hello there!...
Are you back from partying with Klaus?
Are you now proficient at zombie 1978 dance moves?
Are you seriously wishing for a way-back machine?

My Fiorucci tee
I had red sunglasses like this and could be all matchy matchy with my shirt

Finally, here's some intel on Qiana:
 "Qiana is a silky nylon fiber developed in 1962 at the DuPont Experimental Station by Stanley Brooke Speck. The fiber was christened Qiana when introduced by DuPont in 1968" [wikipedia] [oh good grief. NOW I discover I misspelled Qiana in the sketchbook, as you can see up at the top. DOH!]


I am still searching for the slides of me in my hat collection...
I will persevere and find them, I promise.
They are not in the slide box labeled "hats". Most unhelpful.

Crazy Quilt -- Cotton Stripe Percale

This skirt is one of my NYC sewing creations.
It wasn't all that flattering so I didn't hold onto it for too long.

I can clearly "see" myself, standing in my apartment at 108th + Riverside, wearing this. I'm in the doorway of the livingroom/studio. Not sure why this memory is so strong...

The apartment was nice, for Manhattan. One bedroom, ground floor, on the corner with a view of Riverside Park and New Jersey beyond. We had sunlight! And, this is going to make every New Yorker cringe, the rent was $375/mo. Even in 1977, that was cheap.

I wrote a letter to it last year for a Sketchbook Project, the post is here.

Crazy Quilt -- Levi's Cotton Denim

It took me a while to get some Levi's 501s, maybe because "everyone" wore them.
[Once I put them on,] They immediately became my favorite jeans for years.

I wore this combo of a boy's size 14 white crew neck tee with the 501s for my College of Creative Studies (UC Santa Barbara) exhibition announcement. The show was held in my last semester of school -- I quit after Junior Fall quarter to move to NYC with DEF to become a Famous Painter (DEF was going to write the next Great American Novel).

I had a great time posing in different locations around the campus with a CCS folding chair (they had a very specific brown metal folding model with a padded seat). Here follows a little tour of some spots on the UCSB campus with me and my folding chair:

outside CCS art studio

on the side of a building with 5 doors (not CCS bldg)

the outside patio of the cafeteria

by the lagoon

in the Pacific -- love the water skier!

the final show announcement

Crazy Quilt -- Nylon Blend Plaid

I enjoyed sewing dresses even if I had nowhere to wear them.
This one got to shine at my my wedding rehearsal dinner in 79.

I bought the yardage from my Aunt Ricky. In the 70s, she had a home business selling Leiter's Fabrics. Based out of Kansas City, it was kind of like Avon, but for home sewers with a taste for couture fabrics. They had all kinds of fabric -- from basic knit jersey to fancy brocades. I guess they worked out some kind of deal with fabric wholesalers -- one of the fabrics I still haven't cut into is from Fischer and Gentile - not your everyday stock from the local fabric store. (And there was NO local fabric store in Barneveld, NY and the one in Utica is unmemorable).
She got long boxes full of swatch cards organized by fabrication every season and was constantly pulling the cards of yardage that had sold out. I diverted many of them and lots of those swatches went onto the quilt.

I have a worse-for-wear paperback book, Secrets of Creative Tailoring and Finishing, by Leadell Hall with illustrations by Michaele Vollbracht that was published by Leiter's in 1971.
It's still available on Amazon! The internet is a wonderful thing!
Here are some scans from it:

Aren't the illustrations great?
I love the paper bag on the head!
(I kept these 3 last images higher rez, if you want to click on them and read the text)

Back cover
Look how hep (and young) Michaele looks!

Wow, I forgot how good this book is! Helpful, even. Must re-read!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! The timing of this post was totally accidental -- didn't even realize the date until a few days ago. GAH! Featuring a photo from a marriage that didn't last on VD... Oh well, I'll go lounge on the fainting couch and wear my paper bag chapeau and call it a day. Sev's off on the east coast playing gigs. Where are the bon bons?