Princess Blue Holly in Erebos

On By ResaIn Gowntoons, Princess Blue Holly114 Comments

After a successful Jazz Age fashion show, Blue Holly’s Tangle- Heart showed her a perfectly rosy pink magic tree sanctuary. She decided to see for herself.

She put on her new Sunny Day Super Hero outfit, for the occasion.

However, when she arrived, the perfect rosy pink was being swallowed slowly by darkness.

Looking to another horizon, the dark sky was giving up a portal. The moon marked the spot. Did the AGMs need to be rescued, again? Their beauty was a curse!

Slipping into her invisibility outfit, she slid through the portal. PBH was shocked to see her old enemy from Super Hero College. It was the insulting shape-shifting spirit, Chainelle; who had managed to usurp the spirit of R. Budd.

PBH took some time to eavesdrop.

“Why is everything so dark and murky?

“Atmosphere!”

How am I here?  Why am I here? ”

 “You aren’t here RB, only your spirit is here. Your lumbersome body is asleep in its bed. You are here to Art Direct a fashion show for the Live Nitoop Network. It will be broadcast over the entire Netherworlds.”

“It’s all Baby Bat SheyGoth’s fault! I was merely planning to usurp her spirit, as payback for her affair with DracGoth.  Then I saw that hack, Rene Rosso, hosting the worst fashion show ever.”

“The spirits of the AGMs are backstage, getting dressed in fabulous gowns that I designed. I’ll be shape shifting into mine.”

“Dahlings, welcome to the end all of fashion shows! I’m Chainelle your glorious producer and designer of all the Zombie Theme Gowns you see here tonight. Take it away Rebecca!”

“Thank you, Chainelle! It is with great disconcertion  that I present the AGMs in fashions from Erebos.”

“First out on the runway is Gigi. Gigi looks totally not amused.  You can’t see them, but the heels of her stilettos are actual stilettos.”

“AGM Holly can barely walk in this prisoner style gown with brick heavy tail. These bondage gowns are quite popular here in Erebos.”

“It’s not AGM Shey’s fault that Drac Goth left Chainelle for her. Nonetheless, she’s stuck here with the rest of us.”

“Check out the accessory of chain, crosses, skulls and spikes. These cost a small fortune in blood, apparently.”

“Marina’s gown is replete with a live snake chained to her arm. Good work, Chainelle!”

“AGM Dale feigns happiness in this, erm, treacle sweet gown designed by you know who.“

“Next out on the catwalk is …Blue Holly in a gown!!! Yay!! Pack it up girls, we’re going home!”

“Hello Chainelle. First send the AGMs and RB’s spirits back to their beds! Then I’m going to thrash you”

Chainelle went wild, shape shifting into a new gown every half second.

“That’s hardly a fair fight. What’s say I send the AGMs & RB back, and we meet for a showdown?”

“Fine! Where and when?”

“Gulf of Mexico, by the coral off the coast of Texas. Tomorrow, noon!”

Blue Holly looked into her Tangle-Heart, and could see the AGMs & RB on their way home.

“Okay, coral…. High noon!”

Rene Rosso spoke to the AGMs & RB from Nowhere & Nothing World, her go to  place when dealing with Netherworlds denizens, and their prisoners.

“It will be night when you get home. It will be dark on the way.” Here’s some night travelling music to keep you safe.”

“Hack …my foot! Just to let Chainelle know, as a professional Diva, I can change gowns, hair and make-up in one minute: and I don’t have to shape shift!

Princess Blue Holly & Rene Rosso characters © Resa McConaghy & Holly Rene Hunter – Since September, 2019

You can visit the fabulous AGMs on their blogs!

Gigi – Rethinking Life,  Holly – House of Heart, Shey – Smexy Historical Romance, Marina – Art Towards a Happy Day & Dale – A Dalectable Life

Visit Rebecca on her Podcast Blog– From here you can link on to one of her other fab blogs

❦ All magic tree and nature photos courtesy of & © Timothy Price – Off Center Not Even

🤍 A Dream 🤍 of Paper

On By ResaIn Thank You134 Comments

Welcome Dahlings! The AGMs & I are here tonight to help Resa thank Timothy from Off Center Not Even.

I know I look amazing. I can’t help it! I’ve been heavily filtered. Unfortunately, the colours are not as Resa meant them.

When supply chain issues affected the stock of art supplies in Toronto, Tim & Holly – House of Heart started a swear jar to buy a gift of art supplies, & mail them to Resa. If she is not home, she can later pick it up at her post office.

I hear you RR! She can’t order on line, because if she’s not home, the delivery guys just leave the package on the step. Never mind porch pirates, Resa lives by a busy streetcar transfer stop. Hundreds of people are out there every day.

“That’s true, Marina! Recently, she couldn’t find paper in the weight & size she uses. So she did this pencil & smudges drawing of me around old paint blots.”

“Still, none of us get new gowns without drawing paper. Here comes the dream! It’s  Drawing paper, a REAM of it, seen here posing beside the new Art Gown (for Shey). It’s about 60% done. AGM Dale, what do you think about that?”

“Holly, I’m feeling 100% wicked about it!”

“Especially when you factor in a roll of Resa’s fave paper, two pads of the same paper, two dozen HB pencils, scads of water colour pencils and two kneadable erasers!”

“On top of it all, Tim threw in a gift of LED lights, so Resa can try getting the colours more how she means them.”

AGM Shey was thrilled, as she had just got a Lamé gown. She insisted on being photographed in it.

The lights are fabulous, dahling, but we need a new make-up artist. The one from the Coop knows how to work with my face. Can we make that happen?

Of course dahling! Only the best, now that we have lights.

Ribbons of sand run through her red hair. The moon streaks the sky with flecks of gold. – based on words from a poem by Holly.

Dear Tim,

You’ve gone beyond the call. I can’t thank you enough! I’ve been taking pics for days. I want everything to be perfect for this thank you, but there’s so much to learn. We will have to settle for perfectly imperfect. XOXOXO

Tim, RB here via Skype. I wanted to be here and celebrate with Resa, RR and the AGMs. I have no idea where I am, but I am art directing a fashion show for Live Nitoop Network, apparently. If you see PBH, can you pass this on for me?

HELP!!!

A Tangle of Sunflowers

On By ResaIn Art Gowns Art, Tribute116 Comments

Dahlings I love you all more than ever! It is with a heavy heart that I have postponed tonight’s fashion show. Instead, Art Gowns offers a Protest Post against all war anywhere, anytime.

The Sunflowers and colours are for Ukraine, and all its people fleeing, dying and defending. AGM Holly has written a special poem.

Thank you, Rene! I’m honoured to be here, and join in this protest.

“Hello, Art Director R. Budd here. We had a mind blowing show ready to go, then this beyond horrid war materialized. So, instead of the catwalk, the AGMs are out on the sidewalk protesting. PBH is MIA. There are reports that she has been spotted in Poland.”

“AGMs Dale and Gigi are working the protests in N. America.”

“AGMs Marina and Shey are working the lines in Europe.”

Peace and love! I’m Boogapony Holly. Ms. Rosso has asked me here tonight to present a song of my choice to protest war. After all, I am GLAM’s poster child whose spirit resides in the 60’s and early 70’s.

I’ve chosen Edwin Starr’s song “War”, performed by Bruce Springsteen. You tell me what is most powerful; the preamble & end shot, the song itself or the performance?

Boogapony and Rene Rosso characters © Resa McConaghy & Holly Rene Hunter

Since January 2018

You can visit the AGMs on their blogs: Holly – House of Heart, Dale – A Dalectable Life, Shehanne – Smexy Historical Romance, Gigi – Rethinking Life, Marina – Art Towards a Happy Day

All photos of Sunflowers generously provided by ©  Timothy Price – Off Center Not Even

Visit Rebecca Budd on one of her many blogs. Better yet, check out her podcasts on Tea Toast and Trivia While there you can find links to her other fab blogs!

Working Spy 300

Fast Fashion

On By ResaIn Uncategorized78 Comments

Pam has done a fab job with this interview. I am so honoured to be recognized as a pioneer in the area of SLOW FASHION. Yes, the Art gowns take 3 – 6 months to make, are all sewn by hand and made from anything that is not new product. Thank you, Pam!

Green Life Blue Water

What could possibly go wrong? How do we make it right?

An interview with fashion designer, Resa McConaghy

Resa McConaghy © Resa McConaghy

Three plus decades ago, my Aunt Marylou gave me two black dresses, both sheaths, both high-quality knit — if I had to guess, a blend of linen and cotton — one long sleeve and one sleeveless, the perfect little black dresses every woman needs in her closet.  While not part of my daily wardrobe, I’ve worn them dozens of times over the years when I have a fancy party or a somber occasion.  I’ve purchased many little black dresses in the interim and you know what?  I don’t have a single one of them, but I still have, and wear, Aunt Marylou’s dresses. 

Aunt Marylou was herself an amazing seamstress, but she worked as a sewing machinist in a factory making batch items for larger pieces —…

View original post 2,998 more words

The Jazz Age

On By ResaIn 1920's, Gowntoons167 Comments

Dahlings! Rene Rosso here, welcome to the Jazz Age!

Defined by writers, performers and artists of the time such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Josephine Baker and Thomas Hart Benton, it was more than a Gatsby, Paris or New York moment. So let’s get the full string of beads from our glorious Art Director, Rebecca Budd.

Thank you, Rene! We know the Flapper dress was the cat’s meow and the Charleston was the hoofer’s delight. Still, we should acknowledge that Vionnet and Chanel were the first designers to get rid of the corset, defining the silhouette of the era. Palazzo pants made their debut, and the cloche hat was the keenest.

Here to show you what gowns were all about are the Art Gowns Models! First out on the catwalk is Gigi. Gigi wears a hand painted silk georgette dress, with asymmetric tiers, accentuated by hand rolled satin rattail. 

AGM Marina is a Deco Delight in her Gloria Swanson inspired fish tail gown. The fish tail is made completely of metallic gold diamonds, and spills gracefully out onto the floor.

I’d like to take a moment here to acknowledge the brilliant work of “The Beauty Team”. On loan from The Coop; hair, make-up and wardrobe have done an outstanding job.

© Georgiann Carlson

It was a tough job for Wiggy, to create all those Marcel Waves on the AGMs, who refused to have their hair cut. Nonetheless, between her skill and ingenuity, all the AGMs are finger waved.

© Georgiann Carlson

Jamie copied the smouldering eyes of the era. Thanks to Clara Bow, eyebrows were severely plucked and pencilled in thin. Of course none of the AGM’s could afford to have their eyebrows plucked due to upcoming runway dates, but Jamie managed a faux look.

© Georgiann Carlson

Judy did a masterful job making faux feathers out of scrap fabrics,  for any trims and boas. Instead of fur, she trimmed Miss Rosso’s velvet Opera Cape, with a lusher napped velvet.

Back on the runway, AGM Dale shows off hand embroidered trims with jewel insets, in this fun design. A cloche hat adds elegance.

Holly works poetry in this AGM must show black silk crepe gown. Its lines are defined  with the latest ribbon imports from Europe.

AGM Shey’s gown, made from a glorious silk jacquard, is reminiscent of the late 20’s as the drape flows into the bias cut of 30’s.

I now hand the stage back to Ms. Rosso!

Thank you, RB! I’m thrilled to present our guest performer of the evening. Here’s the bee’s knees, Lala LaSwirl. Lala has been touring the opera circuit under the name “Soprano Charlotte Hoather”! Tonight she will sing Quando M’en Vo from La Bohème by Giacomo Puccini.

Thank you, dahling Rene! I’m thrilled to be here. I could imagine the character, Musetta, wearing this Art Gowns outfit, as it is very glamorous. I could imagine a director selecting the dress if the setting for the performance was the 1920’s era.

After the show, Ms. Rosso was to attend to a Gatsby themed party in a bias cut dress & velvet opera wrap. In a fun mood, she sang along with her favourite entertainer of the era, Josephine Baker.

Out of the blue, RR’s 6th sense slapped her in the face! She stopped dead in her tracks.

She looked into her Tangle-Heart. My, my she thought, things look quite sweet and rosy. It’s, idyllic, so perfect. Something is wrong!

Dahlings, I know  look simply marvellous in this pic of my Ziegfeld Follies gown. Sad, but it was lost with all my luggage while on tour 3 years ago. Now, it is my thank you Art Gown.

Princess Blue Holly & Rene Rosso © Resa McConaghy & Holly Rene Hunter

Since May, 2019

🎺 💙 Thank you dear Holly for suggesting this era! 💙 🎺

Visit all or any of these beauties on their blogs. Holly – House of Heart, Gigi – Rethinking Life, Shey – Smexy Historical Romance, Marina – Art Towards a Happy Day, Dale – A Dalectable Life

Check out the land of the AGM’s magic tress and more on Tim’s blog – Off Center Not Even

Visit Rebecca

I adore the new cover for Shey’s book –The Viking and the Courtesan

Let it be known that Shey’s heroines possibly are: strong willed, hard headed, lie, cheat, steal, connive, duplicitous and able to hide a corpse in the cellar. Intrigued? Just click on the book cover and go to her Amazon page!

Visit Charlotte on her blog

Click on the thank you above, to buy her recordings!!

“In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” – 2022

On By ResaIn Happy New Year141 Comments

This New Year is about light and life.

Happy New Year! Boogapony Holly here in my best “Iron Butterfly” colours! I’m ponying on down into the light of 2022 with you all, while RR, the AGMs & R.B. are on holidays.

Perhaps you just need to take it easy, and let the light shine on you?

Or you’ve decided to climb for the stars!

The light of life can be found in your inside garden.

Or find it, in your outside garden.

Wherever you find it, bask in it!

Photo © Stephanie Tudin – Model P. Matheson in Mystic Lake

You’re in “The Garden of Life”. “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida”

⭐️ FYI ⭐️

This is three and a half minutes of song & 14 minutes of music jam, with a psychedelic light show. What else could one ask for?

Well, that was long enough for me to do a costume change! For everyone who is not the “Iron Butterfly”  type, I’d like to introduce a song completely from the other side of the stars.

The Age Of Aquarius is defined as “an astrological era believed to bring increased spirituality and harmony on earth.” Start dates vary. However, whether it began 0n the vernal equinox on March 20, 2021, or December 2020, the astrological ages last approximately 2,150 years.

Boogapony Holly character © Resa McConaghy & Holly Rene Hunter

Since January, 2018

OtherWorld Redux

On By ResaIn Gowntoons148 Comments

Princess Blue Holly’s Tangle-Heart guided her to a back window accessing OtherWorld’s tower.

Peering out the only window facing onto OtherWorld, PBH could see DracGoth with Evilomlap Etagloc. DracGoth must have helped Evilomlap escape his imprisonment in a picture frame! Using super hearing, she eavesdropped.

EE – Hissss – This OtherWorld you made is a bit creepy, Drac. Hiss, cough, cough! It’s so dim and dank.

DG – I disagree, Evil. I find it very pleasant down here. I can’t stand all the light and colours up in the real world. That’s why I need SheyGoth to move down here.

EE – Why can’t you just be happy with the effigy of SheyGoth I made you? Hack, cough, hiss!

DG – We used it to crash the Art Gowns fashion show, and suck the colour out of the real world, but all she does here is sit on her throne. Ain’t nothin’ like the real thing, Evil!

EE – You really think Blue Holly will…. COUGH, hiss, come here trying to rescue colour?

DG – Of course, and when she does I’ll demand SheyGoth in exchange.

EE – Hiss, cough, and where is the colour hidden?

DG – In the effigy, obviously! Mwahahaha!

EE – Mwaha… hack, hack, hiss…hahaha!

Blue Holly could see that DracGoth had worked some half dead black bamboo into his drabscape. She got an idea. Using her Tangle-Heart, she contacted Rebecca Budd’s Black Bamboo on Tim’s Magic Tree Sanctuary.

She instructed the Bamboo to have the Art Gowns Models wander through and miniaturize them; then filter them into OtherWorld via its bamboo. She knew from her Tangle-Heart that once the AGMs left OW, they would return to normal size.

Hello boys!

DG & EE – What the… Blue Holly and puppets?

First, that’s Princess Blue Holly to you! Only my good friends call me Blue Holly. Second, these are not ordinary puppets. I had the AGMs miniaturized. I thought we could work out a deal. Come closer, look! They’ll put on a fashion show for you!

DG – How did you get in here?

We filtered in through the black bamboo

DG – Evil, burn down the bamboo so they can’t escape!

EE – Done! 🔥

You idiots! There’s more than few ways in and out of here. You’re burning down your own home for nothing!

– Wow! These look good Drac! Hissss, cough! I’ll take Gigi!

“In your dreams Evilomlap!”

DG – I’ll take AGM Marina! I’ve always wanted to play with her.

“I’m with Gigi! In your dreams DracGoth!”

EE – Fiesty little things, eh Drac? I’m taking AGM Holly!

“I’ll be in your worst nightmare!”

Not so fast! First restore colour to the real world, and I’ll give the AGMs to you. It’s a good bargain. If the AGMs were full size, do you have any idea how much their gowns, make-up and hair would set you back?

DG – Evil?

EE – Let’s do it!

DG – Done, “PRINCESS” Blue Holly! It will take an hour for the colour to return completely!

Looking into her Tangle-Heart PBH could see the first bit of colour slicing through the grey.

Then the Tangle-Heart showed her Resa’s Tree. Although heavily frosted with grey, there was no doubt colour was returning.

DG – I’ll grab AGM Dale! She’ll look cute with SheyGoth and Marina.

Dale said not a word. NOW! said PBH! Whereupon AGM Dale, aka Thunder, created a thunderstorm that grew darker and darker; louder and louder.

As much as she loved DracGoth, he could not get away with stealing the world’s colour. She would not be coerced. AGM Shey thrust an arm into the black of the storm. Using her SheyGoth, she broke the inky dark into millions of swirling fragments.

The swirling black fragments turned red, then became Princess Blue Holly’s long red hair. Using her hair, the miniature AGMs climbed into the tower. They escaped out the back window.

When the thunderstorm passed, DracGoth and Evilomlap found themselves as prisoner puppets of the SheyGoth effigy.

EE – This is horrid! HACK, hissss. cough. I’m going to run out of cigarettes, soon!

DG – Cigarettes? What about our dreams of possessing the art Gowns Models?

Hello Boys! I’m an effigy of Rene Rosso. Blue Holly sent me here to brighten up your drab world, and sing to you about dreams, forever!

Colour is restored to earth. Rene Rosso has vowed that the next catwalk will showcase the Art Gowns Models in full colour.

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Princess Blue Holly & Rene Rosso © Resa McConaghy & Holly Rene Hunter

Since May 2019

You can visit the AGMs on their blogs. Just click on their names. Every one is hot! Dale – Holly – Marina – Gigi – Shey

All photos courtesy of & ©  Timothy – Off Center Not Even

Thank you Rebecca

A BIG SHOUT OUT TO: Brian at Equinoxo 21 Thank you for thinking of us!

Belle Grâce

On By ResaIn Magic, Romance152 Comments

Ever wonder how to capture mother nature in an Art Gown? After all, there are many aspects to her.

To name a few, she’s Dogmatic & Powerful

Cloudy & Moody

Sunshine & Sunsets

Seasons & Storms.

Then let me introduce you to Tim, to whom Belle Grâce is dedicated. Tim shares all that mystic with us, via photographs from his magic tree sanctuary.

Belle Grâce is constructed from yards & yards of liquidation curtain sheers. At $0.50/yd. the fabric was an Art Gown in waiting. Acetate lining scraps sent to the Art Gowns fabric bin, by a long time friend, were paired with the sheers.

 First a full skirt liner was fashioned to fit over the Art Gowns Crinoline. The same Crinoline is used for all full skirted Art Gowns. Then a bodice was draped on the Judy.

Using tailor’s tacks, the drape was opened up, creating a pattern. Again using tailor’s tacks the shape was repeated on a stiff under lining. The goal was to create a corset look, without using boning.

The sheers were gathered and and attached to the over skirt.  A diamond of beaded self satin was added to the bodice.

The result – Belle Grâce

Belle Grâce loves all lighting.

The diaphanous layers of sheer over satin solids make for a lot of opportunities.

The natural light this time of year is glorious, as it pours through the windows. A DOP once pointed out to me, you can’t replace the sun.

A gluttony of Outtakes

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Here are some of Tim’s spectacular, Art Gowns inspiring photos.

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All trees featured in the slideshow have been dedicated to someone. I am pleased to say that all of the AGMs & AG Art Director, Rebecca Budd, have a magic tree of their own.

Magic Hour Back Light

If you click on the Thank you, you’ll visit Holly.

Art Gown Belle Grâce designed and handmade by Resa McConaghy – 2021

All Photos of  Belle Grâce © Resa McConaghy

All nature photos © Timothy Price – Off Center Not Even

A Carnival of Colour

On By ResaIn Gowntoons, Princess Blue Holly/Rene Rosso154 Comments

Welcome, welcome all, to A Carnival of Color! I’m Rene Rosso 🌹, and I present to you the most colour you will ever see on any catwalk, anywhere.

All hail our dahling Art Director Rebecca Budd! Wearing bias cut faux tartan print palazzo pants, with coordinated accessories, she has earned the feathers in her hat directing “A Carnival of Colour’!

“I’m honored to be here, & what a great day for us all! Colour is a critical component of our lives, and I am thrilled to present all the AGMs resplendent in their favourite colours from the crayon carousel!”

“First out on the runway is AGM Holly! Holly wears a feathery gown in milky hues of magenta, yellow, green and teal.”

SUDDENLY …. black and white flashes engulfed the venue. As AGM Holly exited the stage, her gown turned black, white and grey.

Stunned, but knowing the show must go on, Rebecca introduced the next gown.

“Here’s AGM Shey, in a romantic gown from times past. This gown; in hues of blues and creams, with pumpkin petticoats and  a delightful orange trim, presents quite nicely .. ahem… in shades of black and white .”

“Let’s hear it for AGM Marina! In daffodil yellow and a brilliant cinnamon copper, her 1940’s inspired gown awes us … erm … whew! in the monochromatic scale.”

“Put your hands together for Gigi, our most colourful AGM! Magenta, pink, teal, orange, blue and more have never looked as amazing as they do on this body of silver! How fabulous it looks in black, sigh, white and grey! ”

“AGM Dale wows us in this mosaic print in every colour a person could imagine. Just look at those greens, lavenders, reds, golds and more in the drama of black and white!”

“Now, let’s have a thunderous applause for Rene Rosso! Tonight she will share her kaleidoscopic voice with us featuring the Torch Song …..”

As Rebecca spoke, all of the colour drained out of Ms. Rosso’s gown. Worse, her magnificent red hair turned shades of grey.

RR became extremely angry, and in a fit of passion switched her Torch Song to a rendition of a Rock’n’Roll song by Heart! Her band scrambled!

When the song ended, RR stormed off the stage in a smoky huff! As she exited stage left, black and white flashes burst forth! It was a stroboscopic SheyGoth!

A collective gasp went up! AGM Shey’s voice resounded through and over all, “That is not me! That is a fake SheyGoth!”

RR was not amused! Her lounging robe in lavender lace with petite flocked lilac flowers and magenta ruffles was a disaster in in the grey scale.

She looked into her Tangle-Heart, and suddenly knew the score. DracGoth was the culprit. However, she knew he wasn’t this clever. He must have had help!

Rene Rosso & Princess Blue Holly Characters © Resa McConaghy & Holly Rene Hunter

Since – May 2019

Visit any of the Art Gowns Models on their blogs!

Gigi – Rethinking Life – Marina – Art Towards a Happy Day – Holly – House of Heart – Shey ~ Smexy Historical Romance – Dale – A Dalectable Life

Visit Rebecca Budd at Lady Budd

Many Thank you’s to Tim from Off Center Not Even, Art Gowns official Gowntoons Photographer

❦ A MESSAGE FROM ONE-EYE ❦

While I continue to struggle with Tartan & Motorcycles, I thought colour would be the way to go. Apparently there are forces working against the Art Gowns Models. Not to worry! PBH will have this travesty of creativity cleared up in no time at all, or as fast as I can draw!

Lala LaSwirl is on tour. She will be back for another Soprano performance in November. In the meantime, visit her blog, buy her album and blow your mind!

Frida Kahlo – for Gigi

On By ResaIn Honorary Art Gowns140 Comments

From Resa & Holly – House of Heart.

It all began with a post displaying some of Frida’s clothing. Gigi dedicated that post to me. Click on the pic below, and visit Frida’s costumes.

I told Gigi I was going to draw Frida, and style an outfit for her, in her spirit. This was met with resounding enthusiasm. Having never drawn Frida, I began with a black & white photo.

Done in pencil: while listening to TBURB (The Band Under Resa’s Bed), not caring how much erasing, how many hand smudges on the page, or caring about scribbling.

When I showed the drawing to Holly, she loved it, and also adored the idea of a special post for Gigi. She sent me a poem she had written about Frida. I love the poem. I was very inspired by it, and the photos of Frida that Holly had chosen. Now we were in this together.

If you click on Holly’s poem, you will transport to the original post, with some history of Frida and Nickolas Muray, and the poem.

Then a colour study of Frida was in order. I’m not a portrait artist, but did my best.

Next, a theme was needed for the drawing, and the outfit. As Holly was in this, AGM Holly became the experimental model, to try things out on. The drawing below was the winner.

A rough up in pencil was made.

Now, it was time for the drawing. I was quite nervous. A few lines, a tad of colour , it happened over many days. Well. you see the outcome. If it was not for Holly’s poem and pics, I would have made the shawl black. This is so much better.

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Gigi has done enough Frida posts, that there is a Frida Category on her blog. Click on the pic above and go to the category page, where you can view all or any of the Frida posts.

Here is Paloma Negra sung by Chavela Vargas. This song was used in the movie FRIDA.

According to some of my research Frida loved painting by music. This was one of her favorite popular Mexican songs that she painted by. It was not in the movie.

Click on the above to read the article.

Thank you for joining Art Gowns, Holly and Gigi on this fascinating Frida Kahlo experience!