The process of creativity usually begins with a vision or an idea. I love to picture this process as it happens when I create a poem or a design. I am almost uncertain about beginning and feel that I may take the wrong detours and fail in completing my projects. A lot of times, I give up on a project until I feel confident to start again.
I also love viewing creativity in others and their work. Each person designs their work in a unique way that maintains the spark of their original idea bringing it forth into the midst of others. This Easter weekend, I thought of themes like these with spring emerging and leaping forth out of the cold clutches of the winter-laden earth. Winter, itself, lends forth a solemn beauty, but spring to me is redolent with the beauty that is about to be born.
At times when I reach a stand - still, I turn on music that inspires me. The idea of a muse is that it inspires you by breathing within you. You stand as if with an open mouth receiving the emerging vision as it enlightens you within and without.
These are some of the songs that I listen to and share with others when they reach a stagnant place in life and in work.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aa1SD-eVhNc
This song reminds me of the poetry there is in life and losing sight of it is a temptation, but one must strive on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZLAvCgV80s
This is a classic song by someone who weaves life's majesty in her songs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuJrEBtmM1Q&feature=related
Sometimes in the quiet moments, you hear things you never thought you could.
Your perspective changes, and you are able to see things you never noticed before.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pog2n9o5zs
Once in a dream, an angel came to me and held me from behind as we both fell. This angel broke my fall as we fell together. We landed on our feet, safe and sound. The singer in this song (video) closely resembles the angel I saw. It is the closest I can describe him and the experience. A dream as an image is a comfort, or it stirs up things that are currently inside you.
This song is also a dedication to Shea and to Gerald Ford.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xB4UB3CjfU
I have only recently seen this art. I find it fascinating and new...weaving the beauty of fabric into it and then synchronizing it with song....
This song is in dedication to Easter and all that spring brings. It is a homage to the creator and to the beauty of creation.
I also dedicate it to the Wallendas and their troupe. They inspired me as a wee young thing with their courage and dedication to awe us all. (http://www.wallenda.com/)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn0KCBp7HRQ
This song is for those who don't always find acceptance right away in their work and life. May they have courage to continue on. Of course, I dedicate it to Hans Christian Andersen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vY1peG8gHQ&feature=related
This song also is to encourage you when you are down and find your courage is small.
I have not included all of the songs that inspire me, but I thought I would make a gift to all artists who visit this site. If fashion inspires you, then please visit again.
Jo A.
Fashion Spire
Monday, March 24, 2008
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
The Poetry of Fashion
Writers have always inspired me. A word, phrase, or an idea from their prose or poetry could take me away on a wild flight. This week, I somehow ended up drawing a spire and then a dress with a ribbon spiraling all the way through it, wrapping around like ivy on a trellis. I suppose it is also because spring is in the air, but the poetry in everything I see really does inspire me.
Today, I will share a couple of sites where writers weave poetic elements into elements of fashion.
http://beauty.ivillage.com/fashion/thestylist/0,,7jf3tzbv-2,00.html
http://girldir.com/fashion-trends/global-poetry
These sites have been inspired by poetic elements in life. I believe that if you really look, there is poetry in everything, and it all does flow together. The theme that runs through life is different when viewed by different people. If you do observe those in fashion, they do try to represent something that they see in the world or in the spiritual realm. They express those ideas in their creations or in their programs. Look for a running theme or poetry in the work of fashion.
Finally, I leave you with a song about finding a wonder in life, whether your passion is in fashion or in something else. It is not a new song at all, but it is a classic in my book!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTQfERb9HVk
Today, I will share a couple of sites where writers weave poetic elements into elements of fashion.
http://beauty.ivillage.com/fashion/thestylist/0,,7jf3tzbv-2,00.html
http://girldir.com/fashion-trends/global-poetry
These sites have been inspired by poetic elements in life. I believe that if you really look, there is poetry in everything, and it all does flow together. The theme that runs through life is different when viewed by different people. If you do observe those in fashion, they do try to represent something that they see in the world or in the spiritual realm. They express those ideas in their creations or in their programs. Look for a running theme or poetry in the work of fashion.
Finally, I leave you with a song about finding a wonder in life, whether your passion is in fashion or in something else. It is not a new song at all, but it is a classic in my book!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTQfERb9HVk
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Rebecca's Ribbons
Who hasn't wished for something they don't have? We are made to recognize beauty and our eyes are drawn to things that appeal to us. Sometimes, it is a desire for something we need.
Sometimes, it is a desire for something we want. If you trace your life back to what you first wanted and think about what happened when you either got it or didn't. It tells you a lot about yourself.
Growing up, I couldn't have anything Gucci, not because we couldn't have it, but conservativeness was considered a virtue. If I didn't wear the right shoes, I would probably be pitted against the haves and the have nots. So was there a place for the in - between who could have anything by making a wish perhaps? Or by having a personal genie? lol....
Fashion makes people enamored with the beauty of objects and either creates a desire to want those items or creates a sadness that one cannot attain them. I don't think it is necessarily bad to want something. What happens inside you while you are in that state matters...
It can become an addiction to overspend or put you in debt. Or it can be something comforting, stating to you that you like it, and that you have good taste and fashions an identity. A friend once told me when she couldn't afford Dior, she created patterns and wore them. She was inspired!
I have written a poem about an early wish for something I did not possess. It is called "Rebecca's Ribbons." (Note: I chose the name for the purposes of sheer alliteration...)
Rebecca’s Ribbons
The leader of the girls’
red brigade
could be recognized
by the colors of her ribbons.
When we saw her,
beaming inside,
we little six-year-old girls all
cheerfully waved and gleefully
sent kisses of kind wishes
We did not always greet the others
who wore other colors
Green or Blue
For pride for our group
For posterity’s sake
Our leader could beat up your leader pride
Our ribbons were red
And glowed in the sun
Like no other ones I had seen.
Yet one day, I made a wish for blue
ribbons, as blue as a sun-lit sky
pure and blue,
and nestled inside
loops of braided black
and when we went to buy ribbons,
I looked at blue and wished for one.
But I was told, you need red ones.
They matched our shiny red belts.
so I forgot my envy until
I ran alone in the sun one day
and found one waiting patiently
outside in the golden sun
glowing with a diamond radiance
and I folded it gently and pocketed it
deep inside
where no one would find it.
I still wore red ribbons
as according to duty
though I did get a wish to come true.
This song is symbolic of this experience:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqv9djr5oOg
It is red, because that is what was my reality before the wish.
Sometimes, it is a desire for something we want. If you trace your life back to what you first wanted and think about what happened when you either got it or didn't. It tells you a lot about yourself.
Growing up, I couldn't have anything Gucci, not because we couldn't have it, but conservativeness was considered a virtue. If I didn't wear the right shoes, I would probably be pitted against the haves and the have nots. So was there a place for the in - between who could have anything by making a wish perhaps? Or by having a personal genie? lol....
Fashion makes people enamored with the beauty of objects and either creates a desire to want those items or creates a sadness that one cannot attain them. I don't think it is necessarily bad to want something. What happens inside you while you are in that state matters...
It can become an addiction to overspend or put you in debt. Or it can be something comforting, stating to you that you like it, and that you have good taste and fashions an identity. A friend once told me when she couldn't afford Dior, she created patterns and wore them. She was inspired!
I have written a poem about an early wish for something I did not possess. It is called "Rebecca's Ribbons." (Note: I chose the name for the purposes of sheer alliteration...)
Rebecca’s Ribbons
The leader of the girls’
red brigade
could be recognized
by the colors of her ribbons.
When we saw her,
beaming inside,
we little six-year-old girls all
cheerfully waved and gleefully
sent kisses of kind wishes
We did not always greet the others
who wore other colors
Green or Blue
For pride for our group
For posterity’s sake
Our leader could beat up your leader pride
Our ribbons were red
And glowed in the sun
Like no other ones I had seen.
Yet one day, I made a wish for blue
ribbons, as blue as a sun-lit sky
pure and blue,
and nestled inside
loops of braided black
and when we went to buy ribbons,
I looked at blue and wished for one.
But I was told, you need red ones.
They matched our shiny red belts.
so I forgot my envy until
I ran alone in the sun one day
and found one waiting patiently
outside in the golden sun
glowing with a diamond radiance
and I folded it gently and pocketed it
deep inside
where no one would find it.
I still wore red ribbons
as according to duty
though I did get a wish to come true.
This song is symbolic of this experience:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqv9djr5oOg
It is red, because that is what was my reality before the wish.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Nostalgia's Child
Fashion inspires a nostalgic sense of where we came from, where we are going, and where we eventually will arrive. Studying fashion gives one a chance to see a history that comes to life, leaping out from texts and theories and brilliantly leaving a tangible proof of existence. Looking at trends and what is beloved in society mirrors ourselves and others, communicating to us what we value or what we desire.
I found this site recently of someone's dedication to tracing fashion across the ages.
http://www.angelfire.com/retro2/lisa/nostalgia.html
Just click on the period of time that fascinates you the most. I, for the most part, am spell - bound by fashion's endurance throughout history and its place in our lives.
I found this site recently of someone's dedication to tracing fashion across the ages.
http://www.angelfire.com/retro2/lisa/nostalgia.html
Just click on the period of time that fascinates you the most. I, for the most part, am spell - bound by fashion's endurance throughout history and its place in our lives.
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