Author: Resa

I'm a Costume Designer. I work in film and television.

Auld Lang Syne

On By ResaIn Happy New Year180 Comments

Whatever we’ve been through that we are closing the 2023 door on, and whatever we are opening the 2024 door to;

This article on the first holiday season & New Year’s after WWII reminds it was like closing the door from hell and opening one into the garden of promise.

During the war years fabric rations precluded party dress, let alone gowns.

Blogger Trent says:

“You do have to mention the flour sack dresses of the 1930s – so it wasn’t just the war, it was the war after years of Depression. Forced frugality because of the economy which continued into the war, when doing with less was patriotic. Holiday season, 1945 – a time to celebrate, put on a gown and dance like the world is brand new again.”

Yes, the Depression, where gowns from the 1930’s were spectacular: silks (in charmeuse, satin, organza, georgette, moiré), bias cuts, feathers, beads, and more.

However, those gowns were worn by movie stars in movies, where people went to forget their troubles and hardships.

Glamorous Gowns were an important part of the “forgetting magic”. Every movie had a “Gowns Designed by” credit.

Can you imagine turning the page on 1945 and opening it to 1946?

I suppose I’m letting history put my personal fortune into perspective.

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“THE WORLD IS BRAND NEW AGAIN.”

Translation:  “Old Long Since” in English, and means something akin to “Times Gone By” or “Old Times Sake”.

The Gift

On By ResaIn Thank You139 Comments

Hello dahling Kat!  We’re here to say ThankYou for the wonderful gift of old fabrics, starting with a 40 pound box, that showed up in the mail one day!

Look! I just have to drape them over and around me, and it looks like a gown. Still, several gowns have been made largely out of the gifts you’ve sent.

Here to tell all about the creations is AG’s Art Director. Take it away Rebecca!

Thank you, Rene! Not only has Kat sent enough fabric to cover a few elephants, I’m standing here wearing and holding vintage clothing, scarves, pillow shams, lace and such that she has tossed in.

Check out the cat walk! Art Gowns Model Shey looks like one of her romance novel heroines in her dedicated Art Gown, Jade.

Jade is crafted from yardage of a chartreuse-esque poly silk-satin of sorts, 2 vintage decorator pillow shams & many metres of reclaimed ribbon.

On the runway, Μοντέλο Art Gowns Marina, models Belle Grâce. Belle Grâce, Tim’s dedicated Art Gown, is made from a mid-weight satin in pink & 2 shades of gold, with white curtain sheers. 

AGM Holly, in Spring Rhapsody, holds the tail as she walks. The copper satin of the gown is strange… possibly upholstery goods, and is somewhat heavy. Spring Rhapsody is topped with a vintage pillow slip, and adorned with various cut cloth bits, scraps of fine lace and vintage gold buttons.

On this occasion, Holly has written a poem especially for Kat.

Modèle de robes d’art Gigi found out how much Kat adores the Chicklets. She sends a message!

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Displaying the main fabric for what will be her dedicated Art Gown, AGM Dale knows that there’s a lot to do to finish it, but that it is well under way!

And now back to RR for a parting message!

Thank you Rebecca! In closing I’m leaving these songs for Kat; one for being a mush head and one for fun.

Princess Blue Holly & Rene Rosso characters © Resa McConaghy & HollyRene Hunter – since September 2019

Chicklets art © Georgiann Carlson

Visit the AGMs on their blogs – Marina – Art Towards a Happy Day / Holly – House of Heart/ Dale – A Dalectable Life / Shey – Smexy Historical Romance/ Gigi – Rethinking Life

Visit Timothy Price from Off Center Not Even

Need a reminder, or to catch up? Click on the above poster!

Get ready for the next fashion show when Bezella and her evil puppets will take on Princess Blue Holly!

Midnight Nightingale

On By ResaIn Sopranos198 Comments

One enchanted evening I was inspired to make a performance Art Gown for the spellbinding Soprano, Charlotte Hoather.

She embraces the concept that Art Gowns are hand sewn from off cuts, repurposed clothes, curtains, table cloths, etc. and NOS (new old stock).

Charlotte lives in the U.K., and I wouldn’t be able to fit her. So, she sent me professionally taken measurements from an opera wardrobe department. I used those to make small adjustments to Judy.

Although I’ve made many gowns, and have history designing in film and television; presenting for stage is different.

Day shots were in natural light.  Night shots were lit. I can’t compete with stage lighting, especially overhead lighting. That would bring out the dazzle on the skirt’s circular tail, as it sits on the floor.

Midnight Nightingale is presented in a way I hope you can imagine what stage lighting could make happen.

I sent Charlotte a photo of an off cut of sequin fabric someone had gifted me. It was thrown on Judy with a stretch velvet piece, to show the germ of an idea. Called “Dragon Skin”, the sequins are variegated green/blue. Also, one can rub the sequins backwards and they flip to black. Funny, but once I got going, that novelty wore off.

A bustier shape was draped on Judy, then transferred to a paper pattern. That was used to cut the Dragon Skin. A decent yardage of 25 year old NOS plum acetate satin was pulled from the stash, and a 3 panel a-line(ish) skirt was cut. A full circle of $2.00/yd., 120″ wide liquidated black curtain sheer was draped on top.

The stretch velvet was used for the back & straps of the bustier. The thought was that it would be easier for fit and altering. A separating zip was inserted in the centre back. The gown’s finishes were designed to accommodate alterations.

Circles were cut out of the remaining Dragon Skin, and sewn onto the circular tail of the skirt.

A small bustle with a long thin nightingale tail, on its own waistband, is added separately to the top and skirt.

The gown can be worn with or without the bustle/nightingale tail. Teeny rhinestones (a gift from a friend) dot it and fill in between the sequin circles on the skirt’s tail.

Midnight Nightingale’s circular skirt tail can be hitched up, with or without the bustle/nightingale tail, for various effects.

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Visit Charlotte on her blog!

Last I knew, Charlotte was practicing to be a Coloratura Soprano. She may be there already. Below is a fantastic performance.

I’m totally in love when Charlotte sings and George plays piano.

Charlotte, her star rising, is in rehearsals for a new Opera, “Brontë“.

In three pieces, Midnight Nightingale is glamorous and versatile. Above, the top is shown with a vintage navy panné velvet skirt.

Art Gowns & Photography © Resa McConaghy

Since – November 2012

The Sad Café

On By ResaIn Art Gowns Art, Co-Production182 Comments

The lush visuals and vivid sensations created by “House of Heart” ‘s  Sad Café  series have captivated me. One night, while listening to live music, I began drawing from my mind’s eye album. Holly picked prose & poems to go with the drawings.

I’m awakened by far off laughter drifting through the window of my flat above the Café. From there I can see the cobblestone streets filling with nighttime partiers dodging snow drifts piling along the curbside. My watch reads ten o’clock. Sinking slowly into a warm bath I rinse the scent of smoke from my hair with lavender soap. My skin smells of yesterday’s perfume mingled with the haunting presence of strong cologne and the sweet scent of sweat and rope. At the mirror I brush my hair and pull it back with a silver plated comb, slip into smoky seamed stockings and a clingy black frock. Making my way past the crowded bar I slide into my usual booth at the dark fringe of a deserted corner. I order a glass of red wine and wait.

The room is stifling with

deflowered souls.

The sad café tends its ghosts

but we are more than grateful to forget.

There are no secrets among these

desolate lovers disfigured by life.

We inhale circlets of smoke

that linger in the air and taste lips

dripping desire.

The night arches its back

to drunken angels so we dance

below stars that meet us halfway.

I’ve been here forever

hidden in fantasies,

dimly lit rooms where

moonbeams caper blithely

on the river Seine.

All of my memories are strangers

that come and go.

I want them to know

the smokey purple of lunar tides,

the bittersweet of Rose red.

They linger beneath lamp lit streets,

shadows on tiger paws.

I remember you

beside that serpentine

river of eels and smoke and lovers.

Your secrets held captive

inside a closed heart,

coaxing stars pressed

up against the sky.

Do you think of me?

I am still here where walls

ring with silvery mirth.

I am your souvenir,

a shadow of a woman

in rhinestone heels

A street light blinks off and on. At the window a moth relentlessly scours its edges in search of a way out.

Parting a juicy plum I lick the nectar from my fingers. Like sweet memories the pulp is delicious on my tongue. Beating its wing’s against the glass the moth falls exhausted to the sill, like my eyes.

I remember you. The sun slipping through your teeth. The ghosts of lovers, like birds, peering from behind your eyes, flaying their wings unable to escape.

Drawings © Resa McConaghy

Poetry & Prose © Holly Rene Hunter

Ashlie in Jade w/ Jimi and Jim

On By ResaIn Live Model Collection, Tribute99 Comments

Question: What do you do when your great niece comes for a 2 hour visit, and you haven’t seen her for 6 years?

Answer: Throw an Art Gown on her and start shooting! No time for cleaning up, setting a stage, ironing, lighting or thinking in general!

We decided on Jade, an Art Gown dedicated to  Shey, one of the 5 AGMs.

So, how did Jimi and Jim enter the equation?

Their images happen to be on 2 – 55 year old ceramic wine bottles that were on my mantle. N’s mom bought them in Yorkville Village circa 1967-69.

Pretty cool!

They’ve been living with me for over 20 years & it’s nothing short of a miracle that they are still in 1 piece. Glass and ceramics are at high risk here.

Anyway, Sherrie (Ash’s mom) said she’d like to have them, one day. I figured now’s a good a time as any.

The portraits of Jimi Hendrix & Jim Morrison on the bottles aren’t perfect, but painting on a ceramic bottle can’t be easy.

The Bottles Slide Show

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Drawing on paper is much easier, and not perfect either.

The Jimi and Jim bottles resting comfortably on a shelf in Winnipeg, Canada.

During photo selection, Google photos suddenly changed! There’s a lot of new creative  editing options, as well as the old ones. Here is extreme “white point” & “black point”, together.

Belle Grâce – A La Gala

On By ResaIn Art Gowns Events, Galas120 Comments

Robin needed a gown. It was time for ECAD, The Explorers Club Annual Dinner in New York City.

Robin emailed me via my website. She had been searching on line for an interesting gown source. The message read, “tell me more about your gowns”. Robin was enthralled by the fact they are made from: reused, repurposed, new old stock, etc. materials.

Included in the mail was her purpose, phone and other info which made it super easy to check her out. She was a valid contender to wear an Art Gown. After a personable phone conversation, we decided on Belle Grâce.

To review Belle Grâce, or see her for the first time click on her pic below.

 My judy is built for someone who is about 5’6″ & a size 6. Robin is 5’9″ and about a size 10. No worries! The Art Gowns are built in components: top, skirt, tail & often a bussell

First thing was to detach the tail. Who could walk and dance an entire evening in an Art Gowns tail?

Belle Grâce stands in a pool of handkerchief hem. The great thing about Robin’s height is the handkerchief hem was now enough off the ground that I merely had to tie overhand knots in the longest points.

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We decided she would need to wear a strapless bra, so I designed a strap across the back to cover the bra’s back. A second thin strap was added for extra support.

By the time the beautiful and vivacious Robin returned for her second fitting, I had converted Belle Grâce’s tail into a stole. Skirt hooks and bussell snaps had been repositioned. Back straps had been built and positioned. Knots were tied in the handkerchief hem.

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WHEN ROBIN PICKED UP THE GOWN I ONLY HAD TO PERFCT BAR PLACEMENTS IN THE BACK.

TADA!

Robin Brooks is an elected executive of the Canadian Chapter of The Explorers Club. She is the regional director for Ontario/Nunavit. Click on her pic below to view the page.

To check out The Explorers Club (established 1904) click on the pic below of Robin tripping the light fantastic.

Thank you, Robin! I am ecstatic.

What’s Your Fave Biker Song?

On By ResaIn Art Gowns Concerts428 Comments

Dahlings!“Get your motor running” by posting your fave biker, freedom feeling or road trip song in comments.

While you think of your fave song, here’s one of mine!

We’ve also got the AGMs on the catwalk in Biker Inspired Gowns.  Under the stage lights, her famous palazzo pants chopped, is RB, Art Director extraordinaire.

Thank you Rene! I’m lovin’ the feelin’ of freedom, and the gowns are outta sight! AGM Dale, our concert’s Maitre’d Mama, is on the runway. In a “Heavy metal thunder” gown with gauntlets, she has a message.

“Yeah darlin’ gonna make it happen”! Put your fave freedom riding song in comments. BUT, we don’t want the browser crashing.

Good to know! Oh, if you mess up, Art Gowns will fix it up!

On her way to the “Lookin’ for adventure” awards is AGM Holly. Resplendent in thigh high boots, metal studs & disparate arm bands; her dainty skull evening bag hangs on steel chain.

 In a mesh t-shirt under a skin-tight’n’tailed gown with velvet boots & accessories, we have Marina about to “Take the world in a love embrace”.

“Racing with the wind”, RR is back in a wardrobe change. Her gown’s skirt will look like a hurricane flying off the back of a motorcycle. Take it away Rene!

“I like smoke and lightning” and that’s what it was like going to the “AFA Weekend Concert Series”.

However, Frank is at the beach, but he has given the go ahead for Art Gowns to pick up the music where he left off. He reminds:

He also sent us this song.

“In whatever comes our way” AGM Gigi can kick start her ride in these hand crafted biker boots, the perfect augmentation to her bad ass gown & snake tattoo.

Shey will lure you in with her amply ruffled fish tail gown. Adorned with heavy duty zips &  decolletage trimmed with black nails, she evokes – “Born to be Wild” 

RR wears the perfect wedding dress for a club house ceremony ! Hop in her sidecar, as she “Explodes into space”. 

Dahlings … Don’t regret the ride you didn’t take! Race the rain! Leave me your song!

RR & Princess Blue Holly characters © Resa McConaghy & Holly Rene Hunter – since 2019

 (except Poison, from Frank))

Visit the AGMs on their blogs – Holly – House of Heart * Gigi – Rethinking Life  *  Marina – Art Towards a Happy Day  *  Shey – Smexy Historical Romance * Dale – A Dalectable Life

Visit R.B. – Lady Budd

Motorcycle beauty shots © Timothy Price – Off Center Not Even

Join Frank on a Beachwalk

The Last Drive ~ John W. Howell

On By ResaIn Book Review206 Comments

The sequel to “Eternal Road” once again has Sam and James traveling through time in a 1956 Oldsmobile.

Sam (Samantha) is an Angel Emissary. Her current mission: Find Ryan, a recent soul and his guide, Eddie. They have gone missing. Lucifer is suspect for their disappearance.  To aide her on the mission, she wrests James from his eternal home.

DISCLAIMER:  There are no gowns in this story, per se.

Resa – John, I drew Sam as her angel self. I mean, when she’s not out on missions, she would be in her angel wear. I hope you approve of the drawing. (I don’t see wings)

John – I love Sam’s Angel self. I think it is exactly what she would wear around the cloud so to speak. She doesn’t have wings so that was a good call.
Resa – To me, Sam is the star of the 2 books. I mean, if the books were a movie, I think Sam would have top billing over James. Ryan and Eddie are co-stars. What do you think about that?

John – Yes, Sam is the star. She is the glue that holds both stories together. James could be a co-star and Eddie and Ryan featured players.

Resa – Also, now that I’m into drawing Sam, I got an itch to draw her in a mid 70’s style casino gown. Yes, I know she never wears one when they go to the Bellagio, but she could, in a time warp thing. I can’t remember if she wears one in the previous book, when they go to Vegas?

John – In the previous book she did not wear a casino gown but I know she would love one. I think if they had had the time she would have insisted on getting one. Sam can be anywhere she wants at anytime.

Resa – I like that! Sam’s main ace up her sleeve is time eternal.

Forever, Sam’s seven letter word falling across a triple word score, as she, James, Eddie and Ryan attempt to outwit their underworld opponent, the biggest cheater this side of Niflheim aka hell.

Speaking of hell; John affords no comfort as Satan tries to trick Sam, James, Eddie and Ryan, by placing them in some of the most horrific times and places man has ever known. The price of a ticket back to paradise? Ryan’s soul!

Resa – I know you worked out most of the time travel mechanics in the first book. The idea of not disturbing the “time continuum” I get. I learned that in the old Star Trek series. However, there are many other time travel issues, in both your books “Eternal Road” & The Last Drive.
Did you make a chart, when working things out?

John – I do not have a chart on the time travel rules. The basics are pretty simple. You cannot alter the future when in a different time period.

Resa – How did you figure/rationalize the logistics?
Was it all worked out in book one? Or did you have to work out some new time travel ideas & issues in this book?

John – The issues in the book were handled one at a time given the circumstance at the time. For instance if James or Ryan tried to save Karen after she was hit by a car then they would have altered the future. In the same manner if James and Ryan stayed at the scene as witnesses the same thing would happen.

On the time travel question every scene in The Last Drive was worked out on it’s own. Figuring the logistics took some thought but the rule about not disturbing the future was the guide.

For example the team considered that they should try to save the people on the plane that crashed in Pennsylvania. The rationale that the intended target (The Capital ) was never hit was used. All those lives lost had repercussions on families left behind so to save them would have altered those repercussions. This is how each was thought through.

Resa -I see you can obtain an object (ie cell phone) in one time frame, then take it to another time frame.

Could Sam obtain a piece of fabric from ancient Rome, and take that to Las Vegas? Then could she obtain a dress from Las Vegas and combine the fabric and dress into one garment? Then could she wear that garment in another different time and place? Or, even combine that with say jewelry from that third place? Could this go on ad infinitum?

John – Sam can haul anything from zone to zone as long as she can get it before the dump to a new zone. She can’t haul stuff from heaven but the zones are fair game.

Resa – John, I’d like to post this on “Art Gowns”, but need as many gowns as possible. As you can see I have drawn Sam in: an Angel gown, a Las Vegas gown, A Roman Colosseum Gladiatorette gown, a Tea Time on the Titanic gown and a 1912 Ball gown.

John – You are the best, Resa. Thank you for what will be a beautiful thing.

Resa – I listened to a podcast that featured you. It was quite good. Some asked about a sequel. I ask what about a prequel?

John – A prequel is a great idea. You’ll hear another idea on the broadcast that may have legs too.

John turned to writing as a full-time occupation after an extensive career in business.  John writes thriller fiction novels and short stories. He has written 7 books.

To read more about John’s books and awards, click on his photo.

All of John’s books are published by Keewaydin Lane Books.

Visit John on his BLOG

Click on the cover of “The Last Drive” to go to John’s Amazon Page.

Rupert Valentino Joins DracGoth & Etagloc

On By ResaIn Gowntoons, Princess Blue Holly107 Comments

When AGMs Shey, Dale and Gigi vanished into thin air, Princess Blue Holly sprang into action.

She peered into her Tangle – Heart.

It showed her an image of OtherWorld. She saw DracGoth and Etagloc, marionettes at the feet of the SheyGoth effigy.

Rupert Valentino had imprisoned AGMs Shey, Gigi and Dale in a cage. The plan was to turn DracGoth and Etagloc back into normal monsters, and divvy up the AGMs amongst themselves. PBH listened in on their conversation.

DracGoth – You idiot! Moron! Nincompoop! You left the incantation on your coffee table? You’re no 13th cousin of mine.

Rupert – Knock it off, will ya! I told ya, I’ll just slip back through “Nowhere and Nothing” to Earth, grab the incantation offa the coffee table and vavoom, I’m back here.

Etagloc – Hissss… hack, cough…. can ya pick me up some smokes before ya vavoom? COUGH… hissssss. 

Rupert – You idiot! Moron! Nincompoop! I’ll think about it.

With that, Rupert took off!

Knowing Rupert Valentino would transverse through “Nowhere and Nothing”, PBH changed outfits, and tucked 2 magic peach blossoms from AGM Dale’s magic peach tree into her bustier.

Sure enough, in the middle of “Nowhere and Nothing”, Princess Blue and Rupert Valentino (a legend in his own mind) came face to face. He accosted her with a knife.

Rupert – What’re you gonna do now, Blue Holly? Attack me with your feeble poisonous whip? This knife will be the end of it, and you.

At that moment, Blue Holly took out one magic peach blossom, placed it in the centre of her palm, and blew it at Rupert.

Rupert began going through a series of demented changes. While PBH waited for the full effect to take hold on Rupert, she slipped into a new outfit.

AGMs Marina and Holly were modelling Art Gowns from the Classic Collection.

Marina was modelling “Belle Grâce“, Timothy’s dedicated Art Gown.

Holly was modelling her very own dedicated Art Gown “Velvet Tango“.

Rebecca was thrilled how the gowns fit so perfectly.

“Girls, it’s going to be a magnificent show! Ahh, there’s nothing like the classics. RR should be here shortly to try on “Cleopatra Capriccio“. Then, as soon as Blue Holly rescues Shey, Dale and Gigi, I shall continue gown selections and try ons!

Suddenly, there was a new presence in the room. A three armed woman stood blocking the doorway. Thing is the door was gone!

Bezella – I’m here to be an Art Gowns Model!

DracGoth – What the hell is keeping Rupert? He shoulda been back by now!

Etagloc – Ahhhack – hissss He better remember my smokes! COUGH!

PBH – “Hello boys! Waiting for someone?”

Having delivered marionette Rupert to the SheyGoth effigy, Blue Holly took the second magic peach blossom from her bodice. She blew it at the caged AGMs. In a blizzard of peach blossoms, they were freed and on their way back to earth.

PBH raced through “Nowhere and Nothing” to get back on Earth, before the AGMs arrived.

Back on Earth PBH morphed back into her alter ego. Ms. Rosso threw on a simple house gown. She proceeded to the Art Gowns room, for her fitting.

Sacré bleu! The door was gone, a mirror in its stead! Now what, she thought?

RR could hear the blizzard of peach blossoms bringing Shey, Gigi and Dale back. She’d have to think about what to do later. The AGMs were about to land!

Princess Blue Holly & Rene Rosso characters © Resa MeConaghy & Holly Rene Hunter – Since May 2019

Music selections by Holly Rene Hunter

Visit the AGMs on their blogs! Holly – Dale – Shey – Marina – Gigi

Nature Pics © & courtesy of Timothy Price. Visit Tim at Off Center Not Even

Visit Rebecca on Lady Budd & link to her other blogs from there.

In case you missed the first episode of their most recent adventure:

Glamour – 1940’s Movie Star Style

The Necromancer’s Daughter – by: D. Wallace Peach

On By ResaIn Book Review344 Comments

Monarchy, religion, culture and love collide in ancient China’s warring society. All come to rest upon the shoulders of Aster, a gentle soul content in her life. At the start of this tale, her dead infant body is stolen from her mother, the  Queen of Verdane. Aster is brought back to life by Barus. Barus becomes her father, the only one she knows & loves.

Resa – Why &/or how did you come up withe the name Aster?

Peach – That’s an easy one.  She’s so pale that she reminded Barus of the white asters that grew in the meadows around his home. I imagined that when in bloom the flowers almost looked like snow.

Resa – I just have to ask, ” When did you discover the idea of “necromancy” … that it could bring people back to life?

Peach – Great question! Necromancy is (or was) a real thing, and the earliest records date back to the 3rd century, AD. Christian priests and scholars were some of the first to record attempts to “reanimate dead people or foretell the future by communicating with them.” So, it’s been around a long time, and I’m willing to swear that the desire to communicate with the dead continues today. Ouija Boards are a modern example, and some people make a very good living channeling departed souls.

Peach – In modern fantasy, most necromancers are evil and scary, involved in black magic and creating monsters. My mother didn’t want to read the book because she thought it was about cannibals. Lol. It’s a stereotype that I flipped on its head with Barus and Aster.

Resa – Did you make up the ritual? The mixing of herbs… the incanting…. the bleeding? Or did you read about it somewhere? Are there aster flowers in the potion?

Peach – The ritual was my own fabrication though I incorporated pieces of rituals that I found on the internet. It’s amazing what you can research there!
The herbs used in necromancy don’t include asters. The ones in the book are real poisons. The toxins have medical uses, but can easily be lethal. It’s another instance of that fine line between good and bad. It’s all about intention, isn’t it?

Resa – Above is an outfit I think the Queen of Blackrock could dress Aster in, when she is a guest there. However, I’m jumping ahead. Aster must get there first, and it’s a difficult journey fraught with perils.

Fortunately, she has the help of Joreh, then Teko. Oh, and I love all the hair on the men. Okay, not so much the beards, but all that long hair be it snarled, in a ponytail, braid or grey. I confess I have a huge crush on Teko.

Peach – I like long hair on men too. Ha ha. And not beards so much either, but it’s not like these guys get a chance to shave, so beards it is.  And Teko is a fan favorite, Resa. He was so fun to write – a barbarian imbued with honor, misleading simplicity, and astute wisdom. He was full of surprises even as I wrote him.

Resa – There is a black & silver Dragon, who has bonded with Aster. It seems like a simple bonding, until the final legs of the journey to claim her birthright. What gave you the idea to use dragons?

Peach – In the Chinese legend of Kwan-Yin, the Goddess of Mercy, there’s a dragon. She encounters it on the road while carrying water, and she isn’t afraid. The dragon admires her goodness and kindness and gives her a gift of a well so she won’t have to carry water anymore.  Just the mention of a dragon was enough for me to include them in the retelling of her story. ❤

Resa – On her journey, Aster encounters “Nightlings”. Are these like fire flies? Or are they little birds? I’d read a small portion of the book when they were encountered. In my mind I saw them as a sort of flashlight, leading Aster through darkness.

Peach – Ha ha ha.  I saw them in my mind’s eye as insects actually but large ones, the size of hummingbirds. They’re like dragonflies but they light up during dusk. I think Joreh mentions in the beginning that they’re insects, but I mostly leave it up to the reader’s imagination. Your question intrigued me.

Resa – I gotta tell you, I was wearing a thick, oversized lumberjack shirt while reading about the snow, the cold, the freezing, the deprivations of winter beyond winter. A couple of nights ago, when I put the story down for dinner, my hands were so cold my fingers were icicles. I’m chalking it up to that you are such a great writer that you can describe me into being cold.
❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️
Peach – LOL, Resa.  I probably was wearing a coat when I wrote the book… last winter.  Our cabin is hard to heat when it gets especially chilly outside. 🙂 I’m so sorry about the cold fingers though! 

Resa – I have a question about Aster’s raiment once she has reached Blackrock. Aster is cleaned up and dressed in rose, cream and violet silk with a blue sash sleeveless blue robe/w dragons on the hem. Her hair is in a tall knot. This description is not as brightly colourful as the citizens are dressed.  Am I correct in summing up that her outfit in Blackrock is a less richly hued  than the one she wears at the Gates of Whitehall?

Peach – I can so tell that you’re a wardrobe and gown designer! Your questions are wonderful. Generally, the queen of BlackRock has selected pastels for Aster, in Blackrock and at the gates of Whitehall. The queen thinks she’s too deathly pale for anything the least vivid. She also doesn’t trust Aster’s fashion sense, so everything coordinates regardless of how Aster puts the layers together.
The gowns are similar to the Hanfu style of Chinese clothing, lots of layers of silk and long flowing sleeves. There are wonderful images on the internet and lots of variation. The tall hairstyles were typical of Chinese royalty back in the day.
Resa – I imagined I was the Queen of Blackrock’s designer, so I had access to all silk, threads and jewels. I designed an outfit with Aster. There is an aster pattern down one side of her sleeveless kimono, and she wears fresh asters in her hair.
❄️
Peach – Love it! Wow. Resa, that’s beautiful!  And I just ADORE the idea of you as the designer producing Aster’s dress for the queen. How fun to have you in the story!
❄️
Resa – OH! You never described a headdress. Would I be out of order to include one?
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Peach – Isn’t that funny? Lol. Please do whatever you want with a headdress. You’re the designer. ❤❤❤
 Resa – I would have loved to draw Aster on her horse, but that could have added MONTHS to the drawing.
Inside the Gates of Whitehall, Aster is weak as a kitten, yet regal. I saw her using something to hold onto. I came up with obsidian cat statues. There are the wild cats mentioned throughout the journey, so I thought even though you never described these statues, it’s not totally out of context.

Peach – The drawing is beautiful. And the cat statues look great the way they frame her. I totally defer to your artistic impulses.
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Resa – You are not just gracious, you are a true fan of the creative nature.
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Peach – And your reviews are just amazing!  I LOVE them. I can’t wait to see it all come to life. Thank you so much for reading my work and for your wonderful drawings.
❄️
Resa – My pleasure!!!! ❤️❤️❤️

A long-time reader, best-selling author D. Wallace Peach started writing later in life after the kids were grown and a move left her with hours to fill. Years of working in business surrendered to a full-time indulgence in the imaginative world of books, and when she started writing, she was instantly hooked.

In addition to fantasy books, Peach’s publishing career includes participation in various anthologies featuring short stories, flash fiction, and poetry. She’s an avid supporter of the arts in her local community, organizing and publishing annual anthologies of Oregon prose, poetry, and photography.

Peach lives in a log cabin amongst the tall evergreens and emerald moss of Oregon’s rainforest with her husband, two owls, a horde of bats, and the occasional family of coyotes.

Visit Diana on her blog!

You can buy D. Wallace Peach’s books on:

Amazon US~~~Amazon UK~~~Kobo

All pics of street art taken by Resa – 2019 – 2022

Toronto, Canada

This is one fabulous story!

Outtakes

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Dragon (manipulated) – from a mural by Allan Bender John Nobrega & Stacey Kinder

All other street artists unknown