Wedding-Inspired Artwork

Art

Lately I’ve been so incredibly immersed in wedding planning! While at first I found the whole process to be entirely overwhelming, time has given me the chance to willingly tackle the challenge and over the past couple of months I have really, truly been enjoying this once-in-a-lifetime planning experience.

Food, music, flowers and pretty dresses… seriously, so much fun!

With the majority of my brain focused on planning the perfectly romantic, elegant day, it’s not surprising that the wedding genre has found its way into my artwork.

Keep scrolling to check out my most recent wedding-inspired sketches:

Fun Fall Sketches

Art

I’ve mentioned before that I’m a creature of the seasons, and with my favorite time of year upon us, I’ve been finding (making) time to break out the colored pencil set!

Between the foliage, harvest vegetables and colorful clothing, fall is a beautiful time of year. And if you’re an artist, it can be especially inspiring. Despite still being Β overwhelmingly busy with home renovations, I’ve been making art a priority the last few weeks, and have been taking advantage of even the smallest available windows of “free” time.

While these small chunks of time don’t allow for elaborate pieces, I’ve found that I am quite content completing small sketches, inspired by the season. Completed art doesn’t have to be elaborate for an artist to get their fix.

Using these small windows of time, I’m seeking to capture that which I love most about this time of year before it passes by.

I love natural elements (such as the pumpkin above) but I’m also obsessed with fall fashion. I love the colors that the season brings out in fashion and am always drawn to the idea of cozying up in oversized clothes (see my latest post on hygge).

Then there are the textured sweaters, plaid scarves and (my all-time favorite) boots!

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I’m so incredibly thankful that our home projects have just about come to a close and I’ll soon be able to enjoy this season to its fullest. Whether its through fashion, pumpkin spice lattes or hygge, I hope everyone out there is enjoying nature’s most magical time of year!

Stay tuned for more fall-inspired artwork and new recipes to come!

Wizarding Wear

Art, Pop Culture

Lately, I have been getting back into fashion-drawing. Something that inspired me to do so was reading “The Character Vault” by Jody Revenson. This book accompanies two other books (“The Creature Vault” and “Magical Places from the Films: Hogwarts, Diagon Alley and Beyond”) that were published examining and explaining production of the Harry PotterΒ films.

This last installment is intriguing because it examines the costumes of all of the different characters, as well as their wands, makeup applications and costuming tactics. A few of the photographs in this book stood out in particular, and inspired me to recreate some of the wizarding wear in pen, ink and colored pencil.

The first is the outfit worn by the Beauxbaton girls, specifically Fleur Delacour, when they make their entrance into Hogwarts duringΒ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.Β  I love the powder blue.

The second is one of Minerva McGonagall’s. Professor McGonagall has always been one of my favorite characters and I love the Scottish influence seen in her robes and hats.

While “The Creature Vault” still remains my favorite of the series, all three of these production-focused books are excellent and I would recommend them to anyΒ Harry PotterΒ fan. I would especially recommend “The Character Vault” to those who, like me, possess an interest in fashion and costuming.

Outlandish Apparel

Art, Pop Culture

The second season of Starz’ “Outlander” has yet to disappoint. Faithful to Diana Gabaldon’s “Dragonfly in Amber,” the show’s second season has been full of action, drama and absolutely fantastic costuming. (I think most of us are familiar with the red dress.) eae3924265bbc6273bc7a536511743bf

Although the series is associated with Scotland, the French setting has provided for some phenomenal visual feats. I find the set to be authentic and captivating, but more than anything else this season, I have been enraptured by the costuming.

When I was younger, I possessed a far-away fantasy of one day becoming a fashion designer. I was never serious about this pursuit, but always enjoyed drawing clothes.

Fashion drawing 2

Fashion Sketches, 2011

Although my interest began in high school, I was further inspired in undergrad when I was exposed to fiber art. I instantly fell in love with the medium, having found a way to utilize fabric and other fibrous materials artistically without becoming a designer.

fashion drawing 1

Fashion Sketches, 2011

It was during my surface design course, and later weaving pursuit, that I didn’t spend a lot of time drawing clothing but instead, sewing, weaving and embroidering art. I even painted a series of odd costumes, with the painted clothing constructed of materials other than fabric fabric.

Therefore, it has been quite a while since I have tried my hand at fashion-drawing. Inspired by “Outlander,” I decided to tackle the clothing of an era I had yet to try: Eighteenth Century, France.

While the drawing featured below is not based on a costume from the show, the era and country were obviously direct inspiration.

If I were to compare the drawing to any of the pieces worn thus far, I would say it is most similar to the dress worn by Claire’s new friend, Louise de La Tour. (I do just love the ruffle-esque bows, don’t you?)outlander-louise-de-rohan-season-2-official-picture-outlander-2014-tv-series-39420032-1948-2598

As the season proceeds, I can only hope that we continue to witness fabulous historic costuming. Realistically though, I happen to think we will be returning to Scotland sooner rather than later. Dinna fash though, no spoilers here!