Cecilia Lionheart & Wild Rose

On By ResaIn Art Gowns Art104 Comments

Cecilia Lionheart & Wild Rose are Art Gowns inspired by Mother Nature.

In a continued endeavour to draw all of the Art Gowns, I decided to team up these two gowns. They represent my thoughts & feelings on the beauty and horror existing in our world.

Holly – House of Heart models Wild Rose in the sketch. This is the second Art Gown, that Holly has modelled in a drawing.

She has honoured us with this poem, expressing the beauty of a Wild Rose. Click on the body of the poem, and visit her blog.

I wonder what will happen to Wild Roses and other flora & fauna, as Climate Change alters our planet?

Cecilia Lionheart expresses the horror, the evil of murdering beauty.

The post was a tribute to Cecil the Lion. Cecil was was a proud and handsome creature of earth. Protected, living in a national park, he strayed one day. Walter Palmer hit him with an arrow, then hunted the poor thing down for 11 hours, then slew him with a bullet. It was all for a trophy.

I dedicated that post to Marina Kanavaki, a devoted animal activist. In the sketch she models Cecilia Lionheart for us.  

Marina drew this wonderful poster for this post. We are so honoured. Click on the poster, and visit Marina’s blog.

There are now 7 Art Gowns sketched out. They are all in the slideshow.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 Wild Rose & Cecilia Lionheart © Resa McConaghy

Wild Rose (poem) © Holly Rene Hunter

Really People? Trophy Hunting? © Marina Kanavaki

You can visit the Art Gowns posts Cecilia Lionheart & Wild Rose by scrolling down the sidebar, finding each girls pic, and clicking on it.

I’ve just begun my 24th ArtGown. They take 3-6 months, depending. She is inspired by the Tango, and will be dedicated to Holly.

In the meantime, there will be a few more Art Gowns Art posts.

B’eye B’eye for now!

Dateline: Chicklets’ & Art Gowns’ Host Gala Fundraiser

On By ResaIn Art Gowns Events89 Comments

Art Gowns and Chicklets pooled their talents for a fundraiser, and show of support  for all victims of rape, sexual abuse and crimes of violence.

Headlining the evening at Toronto’s Uptown nightclub, Coopa Cabana, was internationally renown Torch Singer, Rene Rosso.

In a stunning Art Gown designed by Couturier Chicklet, Milly, Ms. Rosso opened with her rendition of Etta James’ “At Last”.

The Chicklet of Ceremonies, Pearl, introduced the entertainers, and speakers.

Key speaker, Georgiann, gave a mind blowing talk. It was filled with statistics and real life accounts. One statistic  from RAINN says, “Every 92 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted; and every 9 minutes, that victim is a child.”

Marina Kanavaki and Chicklet Poppy performed a Ballet Nouveau, to the happy ending of La Fille mal gardée. It is a tale of a girl who is being forced to marry someone she does not love. In the end she weds her love.

 Rebecca Budd, Creative Director, worked closely with Marina and Poppy to choreograph this classic ballet fused with modern jazz movements.

Prominent philanthropists, Sophia, Queen of the Coop, and

Queen Isabella were noted luminaries in the audience.

La Esencia de Titania literally  flew  in with her Fairy Apprentice,  Daisy.

Daisy and Titania had been enjoying the flowers, poetry & Friendly Fairy Tales in Brenda’s garden when Brenda told them about the fundraiser.

In closing the event, Chicklet Diana joined Ms. Rosso in a duet.

They chose “The Very Thought of You”.  It’s their way of saying to all victims that they are loved.

All performers, speakers and behind the sceners donated their time and talents for the evening’s endeavours.

Rene Rosso character © Resa McConaghy (w/Holly Rene Hunter) 2019

Chicklets © Georgiann Carlson

The Art Gowns are very glamorous. The Chicklets are cute as buttons. However, there is nothing  cute or glamorous about sexual abuse, rape and other crimes of violence. There are many ways to help. Find out how by:

CLICKING ON THE LOGOS BELOW TO VISIT  SUPPORT AND HOTLINE SITES

RAINN is the nations largest anti-sexual violence organization

Mariska Hargitay, Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims’ Unit, started JOYFUL  HEART,  in response to the thousands of letters & emails from survivors disclosing their stories of abuse.

CHATELAINE , a Canadian Magazine has a page listing Canadian Help Sites

Georgiann Carlson – Rethinking Life

Holly – House of Heart

Marina Kanavaki – Art Towards a Happy Day

Brenda Davis Harsham – Friendly Fairy Tales

Rebecca Budd – Chasing Art

If you have a Support Organization in your country, leave the link in a comment. I will add it to the list.

Queen Isabella

On By ResaIn Royalty146 Comments

Did you ever feel like you were sculpting an Art Gown?

Well, that’s exactly how I felt building Queen Isabella.

Dedicated to my sweet friend Isabella: I said to her and T, I want Isabella in the title, but with another word.

Without hesitation, T said “Queen”. Without hesitation, it made sense to me.

Isabella is creative, and supports all arts. She’s a wife, a mother and devoted to her family & friends. She throws dinner parties fit for the Art Gowns.

As Art Gowns must reuse, up-cycle or repurpose,  I challenged Isabella to donate something she’d been hanging onto for years, but didn’t use anymore.

She challenged me back, and gave me a very textured dress. The colour made me think of a purple peacock, if such a creature exists.

I dismantled it, and draped the texture on a different angle. The bodice texture demanded a skirt to surpass it. The Art Gowns’ crinoline was pressed into service. 

To make mock feathers, random strips were cut from a vintage curtain lace. Acrylic paint with fabric medium was daubed on irregularly. This created a visual texture. Partial ruching created volume, and a feeling of ruffled feathers.

Flowers were made, using leftover bits of the painted lace.

I love it when she’s backlit.

Or on an overcast day

Or at night, in a dark room, when she stands under one ceiling light.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

For her first dinner party with all of the Art Gowns, Queen Isabella has decided on live guitar music.

Art Gown Queen Isabella © Resa McConaghy – 2019

Live music – Provided by The Mini-me.

All photos © Resa McConaghy – 2019

🌹 For Isabella, June 26, 2019 🌹

Ta ta for now!

The Black Dress

On By ResaIn Art Gowns Art94 Comments

Art Gowns Art presents a collection of black dresses.

The collection is inspired by this poem penned by Leonard Durso, and all my fave models from blog land. Click on the poem, and see it on Leonard’s blog. Have a visit and follow while you’re there!

The opening design and dress below are modelled by Holly from House of Heart.

Georgiann from Rethinking Life models the dress below.

Georgiann introduced me to water colour crayons, which is the predominant medium in this series.

Above is Marina Kanavaki from Art Towards a Happy Day.

For the finale, here above is Aquileana.

Art Gowns Art Black Dresses © Resa McConaghy

2019

🌟 Big Thank You to Leonard for permitting me to use his poem! 🌟

I enjoy all of the creative writing on Leonard’s blog. Some pieces are his originals, others are a glorious find he shares.

You can check out the several books he’s written by clicking on the cover of “Rizzo’s World” and going to his Amazon page. Or you can visit Leonard on his blog, just click on the poem.

 

All drawings have been done to live music.

🌹💙🌹 Sincere Thank You to all the models. 🌹💙🌹

OUTTAKES

The musicians were going all out when I tried another Holly dress.

I super love this portrait I did of Gigi.

 

Art Gowns Art Styles

On By ResaIn Art Gowns Art107 Comments

Last time in Art Gowns Art, I expressed a desire to expand my style & ability.

Above is a an attempt at drawing a black model.

Then I felt like my drawings were stiff, so I began this Crazy Free Art to Music. There would be no belabouring, no erasing, no starting over. It’s just go, with the flow of the music.

The idea was to loosen up. It turns out some around me like the new approach better.

I also expressed that I wanted to illustrate all of my Art Gowns. Below is Natascha in O Royal Treasure.  O Royal Treasure was  dedicated to Ralph and Natascha for their wedding.

For O Royal Treasure, I tried a combination of my formal style w/the free style. Painting white on white is still very illusive to me. Just another thing Fashion illustration never taught me.

 

 

 

 

O Royal Treasure joins the gallery, which now stands at five: Flora Blanca, Mnemosyne, Artemis by Moonlight, Lady Anne & O Royal Treasure.

Art Gowns & Art Gowns Art © Resa McConaghy

Art Gowns Photography © Resa McConaghy

I found an old sketch in my archives, that I remember fondly. It was done for an interview to design the costumes for A House Divided, a Showtime Feature.

I belaboured for days over this sketch. The massive amounts of erasing at the tail exposes the fact. I got the job, in spite of my eraser!

♥️🎨 ♥️

Art Gowns Gallery Project

On By ResaIn Art Gowns Art116 Comments

Where can I take the Art Gowns?

{Painted canvases are atop, the original pics are below.}

It would take someone savvy to wear an Art Gown. Fact is, some of the back tails are 7′ long. There can be side tails and front tails. Of course, I can tame tails for a fashion show.

 Well, I had 10 of the photos I took for their blog printed on canvas. Then, using iridescent acrylic paint, I high-lit,  filled and/or embellished the canvas.

Of course, with the iridescent paint, one needs to view the paintings from certain angles in various lightings.

I have done 10 paintings in this “Art Gowns Iridescent” collection.

I entered them in an art show, but have never heard anything back. Friends say I am too, niche, more unique than they can sell.

 I’ll be doing a second 10 piece collection. The chosen Art Gowns will be printed in black and white. Strong colours will be abstractly influenced.

Anyway, good chance of getting in a show in about a year, and I will have 2-10 piece collections.

For now, here are 5 of the 10 canvases I have done. The iridescent quality is insanely difficult to capture. Did my best. I’ll post the other 5 later.

Below, “Art Gowns Iridescent” pieces are side by side. The original is on the left. The canvas print with iridescent paint is on the right.

Can you see the difference?

MYSTIC LAKE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LA ESENCIA DE TITANIA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AUTUMN ORCHID

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ATHENA GRAFFITI GODDESS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MNEMOSYNE

(The only Art Gown piece unreasonable to display side by side)

Art Gowns & all Art Gowns Art © Resa McConaghy

2014 -2019

A new Art Gown has been started. I’m thinking 3 months, unless ……

Mademoiselle Emily

On By ResaIn Romance159 Comments

Did you ever channel a white cat, a wedding gown and  Jean Harlow?

Well then you know it comes out an Art Gown, and that Art Gown is dedicated to;

Georgiann Carlson from Rethinking Life blog. Georgiann’s blog is full of art, Chicklets, creative writing, flowers, Chicago, Emily and opinions.

Deciding it must be a Harlow 1930’s style movie star gown, dictated a bias cut.

Admittedly, being a rank amateur in working with bias, I was cursed with many problems. Nonetheless, it’s a challenge I’ve wanted to tackle for a long time.

Designers, like Chanel and Vionnet,  championed the anti-corset generation. Finally, women could feel more comfortable in their clothes.

At a liquidation sale, I found an 18″ wide bordeur lace for $0.50/yard.

What costs $0.50 these days? I bought 75 yards.

Thinking like a cat, I decided to shred the lace.

Using scissors for claws, I deconstructed the 18″ wide lace into many strips of lace; 3/4″ – 2″ wide. I also got many decals out of it.

The decal 2nd from the left, was gathered up into the flowers that adorn Mademoiselle Emily.

At the same sale, I found an old high quality satin coat lining for $0.75/yd.

The fabric was cut on bias, à la Madeleine Vionnet. (Click on left side pic  to read about this amazing designer.

The bias fell on the Judy for about 10 days, before it was cut into.

Mademoiselle Emily has many gorgeous angles.

 ⭐️Mini-Me has a special announcement! ⭐️

by Holly – House of Heart

She is fine

like Dynasty porcelain.

Her words are the chimes of

a host of carillons that ring

True and wise, as clear as bells.

Her hair is a storm

Of Harlow platinum

eyes, a deluge of diamonds.  

Not to give in to Winter

She winks  over her shoulder,

saunters Emmy’s catwalk

adorned in Chanel and Lavender. 

OUTTAKES

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Mademoiselle Emily looks out to the dining room. The other Art Gowns were aghast when she announced that there would be no dinner party, and that she would prefer to paint a portrait of each Art Gown.

Now, the Art Gowns are bickering over who will be first to sit for her!

We all know cats have 9 lives. Here are 9 tails, one for each of Mademoiselle Emily’s 9 lives: 1. a small pointed front tail w/ dagger  – 2. one handsome centre back tail w/ lace trim –  3. two side back tails of voile w/picot lace border – 4. 2 x side centre voile w/picot fluffs – 5. Center back fluffy tail

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Tails become tales in a who-done-it with humour, about a man becoming who he has pretended to be. I have it in my mind that there are 9 tales, like a cat has 9 lives. The next book is “eight black lives”.

Nicky is an actor, vain, jaded and tired of Hollywood fluff. He holes up, brooding in his New York apartment only to accept yet another “detective” role scheduled to shoot in his grey and gritty home turf. As stalkers move in and a real life murder taps him on the shoulder, Nicky enters a dangerous Neo Noir world. Peril looms to all those around him, including his love Lara and their unborn son. With the chill of premonition creeping over him, and wielding his “detective” skills, Nicky must awaken the true man within before time runs out.

You can read it for free. Just click on the cover and download the PDF.

Art Gown Mademoiselle Emily designed & made: © Resa McConaghy

Story & Character Art Gown Mademoiselle Emily © Resa McConaghy

Photos © Resa McConaghy

Poem: Gigi © Holly Hunter

♥️Thank you, Holly!♥️

🌹Many Thanks to Georgiann for all her inspiration. She has written 2 books. If you visit her blog you will see them on her sidebar. Click on them, and you will be able to buy them.🌹

Here is something I’ve never shown on Art Gowns, before now.

From the first scraps of an idea, to the end product.

It’s a long & fab journey!

Johnny photo bombs the shot when Resa tries to capture a dramatic moment with Mademoiselle Emily.

Goodnight!

Art Gowns Art & Updates

On By ResaIn Art of Past Art Gowns123 Comments

Fourth in my series of “Art of Past Art Gowns” is Flora Blanca. It is my intention to artistically express all of the Art Gowns, after the fact.

Flora Blanca was inspired by my niece, Sherrie, who is my muse/model for this rendering.

Flora Blanca is embellished with flowers, and is herself designed in the shape of an Orchid.

She is one of the most popular Art Gowns.

 

Artemis by Moonlight
Flora Blanca
Lady Anne
Mnemosyne

 

 

 

 

 

Above are the 4 Art Gowns I have rendered, to date. Click on thumbnails, for larger views. So far, each has a muse/model. For Artemis & Mnemosyne it is Aquileana. Lady Anne is Holly & Flora Blanca is Sherrie.

Holly from House of Heart wrote a poem for me based on an old polaroid. This bit of Art Gowns Art is my “thank you”.

Turns out we both adore the poetry of Leonard Cohen, especially his poem, “Suzanne”.  I was moved to depict Holly, as Suzanne. Above, Holly Suzanne, is expressed with stained glass hair.

Above is my first Holly Suzanne. Then a friend asks, why are your girls all so disproportionally tall and thin?

Well, I studied at a Fashion College. That’s where I learned to draw tall and thin. Nonetheless, I made a stab at a Holly Suzanne with more normal proportions. (above). It feels awkward, to me. Which do you like better?

You can click on the poem to enlarge it for reading, OR Click on the polaroid of “Resa and the Rock Star” to read the poem in its original glory on Holly’s blog!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last Art Gown post, Contess Fiori, featured spotlights on 2 of my fave Romance Authors. These 2 writers are very prolific. Both have released new books since.

Shehanne Moore released His Judas Bride, and is re-releasing The Unravelling of Lady Fury with this new cover!

Look at those gowns!

Click on the covers & be transported to Amazon where you can buy a paperback, or ebook. Lady Fury link to be added once Shey formally re-releases it!

Carolee Croft has released the 3rd book in her trilogy about Ariella, a powerful warrior when women weren’t warriors.

I’ve read book one, and I loved it! Click on the covers to go to the .com Amazon to buy a paperback, or Ebook. The Trilogy is also available on Amazon in the U.K., Canada, and Australia.

The next “Art of Past Art Gowns” rendering will be “Ballroom Lux”. She won’t be blonde, promise!

All Art Gowns created by & © Resa McConaghy

All Art Gowns Art © Resa McConaghy

Reminder! To visit any Art Gown: scroll down the sidebar, find an Art Gown, click on the pic to visit her space!

Contessa Fiori

On By ResaIn Romance, Royalty146 Comments

Could I create an Art Gown, who is both romantic & castle worthy?

I turned to romance novelists Shehanne Moore & Carolee Croft, and castle photographer Inese.

This Art Gown is dedicated to them. They are as gorgeous as the Contessa Fiori.

My fave fabric shop had a going out of business sale. (boo hoo!) I bought black curtain sheer for $1.00/yd. & a men’s suit lining for $0.75/yd.

However, the challenge actually began when a friend gave me an East Indian vintage vest (with inset mirrors) and part of a collectible saree.

I took apart the vest, & over-dyed the fronts black.

The saree ran from a red floral print to a black w/floral print. Cut into squares, 10″x 10″ & 4″x 4″ they were backed in black curtain sheer, & bagged out. The squares were gathered from the centre out to all 4 corners, forming the flowers. Torn strips of the sheer were braided, and used to trim the sheer side panels.

The bow pieces, forming the bustle, came out flat. They were stuffed with used bubble wrap to fluff them out.

It was about then that Mini-Me told Contessa Fiori about the castles in Ireland.

To visit Inese’s post about Kilkenny Castle, click on pic.

Well, the Contessa began to dream about how perfect she would be for castle life.

Contessa Fiori told the other Art Gowns about castles, & showed them pics on Inese’s blog, where you will see more than castles. Visit Inese’s blog by clicking on pic below.

All Castle photos © Inese MJ Photography

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

When I told the Art Gowns I was definitely not buying them a castle, they all got in quite the huff. The Contessa strew her flowers all about herself.

OUTTAKES

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Contessa Fiori & Mini Me thank all for visiting Art Gowns.

🌹Special thank you’s to Carolee Croft, Shehanne Moore & Inese 🌹

To read the blurbs about these fab books, click on the covers, or banners Please note the 2 books from Carolee are 18+

💐 I’ve read Carolee’s  books, “Ariella’s Escape” & “The Greyhounds of Sorrento Book 1”. I enjoyed both a lot, but the 2 books offered today, reflect the era of Contessa Fiori. 💐

Visit Carolee’s Blog

http://viewBook.at/EngagedtotheEarl – by Carolee Croft

♞ I’ve read “Splendor”, & really enjoyed it! I’m 1/2 way through “Loving Lady Lazul”. I adore being swept into a different era. ♞

 

https://t.co/Bmdr9TlIEa  Amazon UK  Kindle 99p

https://amzn.to/2NZ11dq   Amazon UK Paperback 10.99

https://amzn.to/2P7x87l      Amazon.com  Kindle 1.29

https://amzn.to/2DSmznC   Amazon.com Paperback  14.00

Visit Shehanne’s Blog

 

https://amzn.to/2QDwejp  2.98$ Amazon.com

https://amzn.to/2Oid8CK  £2.27 –Amazon uk

https://amzn.to/2PjuETp

https://amzn.to/2zYd5De

 

Art Gown Contessa Fiori created by © Resa McConaghy – 2018

All photos of Contessa Fiori © Resa McConaghy

Art Gowns & all Art Gowns Stories © Resa McConaghy 2012 – 2018

After the photo shoot, Mini Me sulked in a corner. She claimed her outfit wasn’t perfect.

Art Gowns Dazzle the Runway at the Coop

On By ResaIn Art Gowns Art, Art Gowns Guests120 Comments

✨✨ The runway was aglitter with the glamour of the Art Gowns modelled by some of the Coop’s most gorgeous Chicklets. ✨✨

“Good evening! My name is VIRGINIA, and I had the honour of being first onto the runway begowned in Empress D’Amore“

“Off the top, I’d like to thank the original Empress D’Amore for being here with me tonight. Together the Empress and I will be discussing the highlights of the Hallowe’en Fashion Show at the Coop.”

“Thank you, Empress!”

Hello Virginia, and the pleasure is all mine! Let me just say, in my most humble opinion, that yours was the most regal Art Gown in the show!

“I won’t argue that! Now, on with the show!”

Presenting: MIA in Mystic Lake

“So Empress, what can you tell the folks at home about Mystic Lake?

Well, Virginia, she was inspired by ducks, specifically a ceramic duck created by  Belén Soto

“So, are those feathers I see?”

They are faux feathers made from hours and hours of hand shredding an over-dyed cotton gauze.

“Fascinating”

Presenting: INA in Athena ⭐️Graffiti Goddess⭐️

“Do my eyes deceive me? Is this Art Gown entirely hand painted?”

Yes, Virginia! She took 6 months to paint. She is covered in Tarot and Astrology symbols that relate to the Goddess Athena.

“I supposed Aquileana helped Resa with that.”

It is Obvious, isn’t it!

Presenting: LACY in Mnemosyne

“Ah, Mnemosyne, mother of The Nine Muses.”

That’s right, Virginia! A statuesque beauty in anyones books.

“So does Aquileana help Resa with all of the Goddesses?”

So far, yes. According to Resa, she is very inspired to make Goddess Art Gowns.

 

Presenting: ISABELLE in Tenesa

“Hmm, how did this …erm.. gown get into the world of Art Gowns?”

Don’t be too, harsh on her. She really is quite modern, in a street way. She’s an alley rescue, you know.

“From the alley?”

Yes, Resa insisted on making her an Honorary Art Gown. One day it’s a cat rescued from the alley, the next day it’s a rescued gown.

 

  ⭐️ 💥 ⭐️ BEHIND THE SCENES ⭐️ 💥 ⭐️

” Last week, The Empress and I got a special behind the scenes peek.”

Virginia, it was a thrill to see the skilled & talented Chicklets working the art.

“Let’s take it away!”

IRIS – Working on Lady Anne

“Well, she’s a wild one! Kind of rock and roll.”

Some say steam punk, others say she’s a biker gown.

“She appears to be all leather & lace.”

It’s up-cycled leather, from Resa’s boyfriend’s old leather coat and pants.

“She looks familiar?”

Yes, Holly modelled this Art Gown for one of Resa’s sketches, recently.

LOIS & LILY pinning the flowers on Flora Blanca

“Flora Blanca seems to be one of the more popular Art Gowns.”

True, she is quite the refined Art Gown, made for Resa’s niece, Sherrie, and you know, people love flowers!

“Where can the fans see more of Flora Blanca and the other Art Gowns?”

All one has to do is scroll down the Art Gowns sidebar. When you find the gown you love, just click on it. It will take you to the original post.

Well, Empress, it’s been a wonderful evening!” 💖

Yes it has, Virginia! I’m hoping we get to host another event very soon. Perhaps, a Red Carpet!💖

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

All © Art Gowns are designed, made & photographed by:

Resa McConaghy 2013 – 2018

All Chicklets art © Georgiann Carlson

🌹🌹🌹THANK YOU, GEORGIANN🌹🌹🌹