Tag: Fabrics

Dream Big

On By ResaIn Art Gowns Art63 Comments

Emotions & Art Gowns

The Art Show was a success, a thrill, and a joy. This was Diana’s 8th showing. It was my first, marking it as a personal milestone.

Asian Beauty – oil and sparkles – Diana Ladyshewsky

The Artists

Resa above and Diana below

One day Diana (a hair stylist to the stars I know from working in film) took me to an empty store, and drew a mental image of an art show we could have.

She said we can turn this empty space, into a showcase place for our art.

Above is before and after. The after shot is not quite the finished space, but close. I did change light bulbs from halogen to warm white led’s.

Diana took one side. I took the other. Diana got her paintings hung up in no time at all.

Mine were still along the floor. Then she hung mine up in no time at all.

She came up with the welcoming furniture.

I made a slide show that was projected on the screen at the back.

Diana paints with oils, sometimes adding sparkles or gems. A self taught artist, her spirit resides with notable self taught artists: Frida Kahlo, Henri Rousseau, Grandma Moses and Jean-Michael Basquiat and others.

  • Irish Bride
  • Blues Singer
  • Frida Goes to New Orleans
  • Unnamed
  • Resting Angel

I adore her & her art, and will be doing a more comprehensive article on this artist in the near future.

The Art Gowns

I was able to display 3 Art Gowns at the show.

Jade

Mademoiselle Emily

For Gigi

– by Holly Rene Hunter (from original post)


She is fine
like Dynasty porcelain.
Her words are the chimes of
a host of carillons that ring
True and wise, clear as bells.
Her hair is a storm
Of Harlow platinum
eyes, a deluge of diamonds.
Not to give into Winter
She winks over her shoulder,
saunters Emmy's catwalk
adorned in Chanel and Lavender.

Queen Isabella

  • Inspired by & dedicated to Isabella (RIP)

Thank You Tim!

SURPRISE!! Timothy Price (Off Center Not Even) sent $$$$ to my PayPal, to help with costs. Although the space was free, there were lights to buy, photo cards for handing out, diesel gas for Diana’s truck, a deal we worked out with the restaurant beside us for wine and pizza and more.

My Art Gowns Art (photo prints on canvas with iridescent paint hand detailed on top,

  • It’s hard to take pics of iridescent paint

…and Rock Legends made the wall.

A few posters were made up to sell.

I’ve always had a penchant for Bugs Bunny feet.

Wrapping out was a sweet sorrow.

From the top and bottom of my heart – Thank You, Diana!

Wedding Love

On By ResaIn Reblogs, Weddings84 Comments

Robbie’s gown has icing on it.

Resa’s gown thinks she’s a sonnet.

Both are made, to love, an homage.

Different Kinds of Art: Wedding Love in Fabric and Cake by Resa and Robbie

Robbie Cheadle made a fun and gorgeous wedding post on Latinos USA with Art Gown Victorian Sonnet and her fabulously creative cakes. Pop on over for a taste of beauty!

By the way,

As a guest artist at my friend’s Pop-Up Art Gallery Show, I have space to show 2 Art Gowns.

A few Art Gowns pics printed on faux canvases, then painted over selectively with iridescent paint, will also be there.

Additionally, five portraits will be on a slice of wall. The 4 below are now framed.

One of the drawings below will be the 5th. If you’re leaving a comment, let me know which one you’d pick!

This is my first time showing in public, and it is a small sample try. If you are already in Toronto, pop by if time allows!

Special thanks to D. Wallace Peach, who sent me all the special antique fabrics that became Victorian Sonnet!

Finally, to all my northern pals who have endured a cold, snowed-in, icy and hideous winter,

La Belle Époque 

On By ResaIn Gowntoons, Princess Blue Holly218 Comments

In America it was the Gilded Age, in the United Kingdom it was the Victorian era and in France it was La Belle Époque.

Dahlings, Welcome to the 1880’s

Inspired by Tissot’s fashion prints of the era, Art Gowns has designed its own gowns, and gone back in time to show them off. Made possible by Venus and the moon, we went through the the Tangle-Heart and moved backwards 137 years.

Rebecca, the first to land in 1888, went about setting up a fashion show at Le Chat Noir. Her palazzo pants, carefully hidden by the period’s draping fabrics, allowed her to move around without arousing suspicion.

The venue was a one night extravaganza at La Chat Noir in  the Montmartre  district of Paris.

Thought to be the first modern night club, it was opened on 18 November 1881 and closed in 1897.

NOW, Here’s Rebecca!

Thank you, Rene! We have a thrilling show tonight, so let me get right at it, and present les beaux modèles de la Belle Époque!

First out on the stage is Modèle de Robes d’Art, Shey. Shey is dressed for afternoon tea or “gouter” as known in Paris. Her fan’s print is inspired by the new Japanese aesthetics.

Next out is Gigi dressed for a night at the theare! Her asymetric ruffles play second fiddle only to her Statue of Liberty inspired diadème.

Now, back from her gown change is Mademoiselle Rene with a very Special announcement!

Thank you, Rebecca! Mes Chéris, all of us at Art Gowns put our design hats on and created a special La Belle Époque Super Hero outfit for Princess Blue Holly. Art Gowns presents:

Princess Blue Holly in la Belle Époque Super Hero Outfit

What an honour! Thank you to all! This is a momentous outfit! I love the boots, and they only take a half hour each to button up.

It must have been very difficult to be a female Super Hero in the 1880’s. So much beautiful fabric would make flying a bit of a challenge. Snagging would be an issue and the corsetry is somewhat confining when delivering the martial arts moves.

Check out the Freedom difference between 2025 and 1888! ……. aaaand back to Rebecca!

Thank you Princess Blue Holly! You look simply marvellous. That is one special outfit.

Perfect for taking the carriage to the fashion shops, Dale wears a travelling jacket of pinstripe twill, with brocade fishtail skirt completed with a voile tail under a ruched and layered silk bussel. A dainty reticule is the perfect accessory.

It’s a sunny day and Rene is back in another costume change. This is a miracle considering all the buttons she had to do up, as the zipper was not invented until 1917. She is off to the museum with a rose detail parasol and rose reticule.

It’s “dinner at eight” and the opera for Modèle de Robes d’Art, Marina. A rose print corset top with a panière effect from the waist to hips is a lovely accentuation to the fitted fishtail skirt.

Holly is off to a fancy party in white silk with red ruffle corset top and a skirt of silk Swiss dot. A lush red bow sets off the rose detailed bussel and tail with ruffles on the inside and out.

I’m sad to say the show has come to an end, buts let’s hear it for Mademoiselle Rene, who shall bid you adieu.

Mes Chéris, bon soir! We hate to leave, but it’s time to return to the future! Please enjoy Arabesque No.1 by Claude Debussy, while the beaux modèles de la Belle Époque make their departures.


No one saw when the AGM’s made their way back through the Tangle-Heart as contrails. All landed safely in the Bosque by Tim’s.

However, as Rene began her journey to the future she encountered a strange energy.

She landed back at Tim’s in Rebecca’s Black Bamboo, but she wasn’t herself, nor all there.

No one was worried! All were sure Princess Blue Holly would save her.

However and unfortunately, as you and I know, Rene IS Princess Blue Holly!

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

Since 2019

Visit them on their blogs!

Dale – Holly – Gigi – Marina – Shey

Visit Rebecca!

Visit Tim At Off Center Not Even

Tissot – I

On By ResaIn James Tissot, Tribute123 Comments

Tissot, a name I hadn’t heard much. Then the AGO announced an exhibit featuring their collection of 2 oil paintings, 1 watercolour and 30 etchings on paper.

A Most Enchanting Day at the AGO

The Fashionable Beauty (1885)
  • There were several variations of the “Fashionable Beauty”
  • This one was from the hip up.
  • Some were more whispy, some more dense
  • Camera on portrait stage setting

In the last decades of the nineteenth century, James Tissot portrayed women within the contradictions of the period.

Political Woman (1885)

Modernity via the speed of travel, fashion and commodity culture is juxtaposed with the constraint of women’s every day lives.

Flaunting the “Masculine” Realm

  • The Newspaper (1883)

A well dressed woman reads a newspaper. The fashionable Japanese-influenced wallpaper lining the wall informs of her engagement with the outside world & knowledge of trends.

Fashion magazines and novels were appropriate for Victorian women.

Newspapers were linked to men, as they symbolized factual knowledge and interest in global politics. Although, the image below depicts another reason a woman would read a newspaper.

Without a Dowry (1885)

The above image portrays a young woman and her mother in a Parisian park. The black clothing suggests they are mourning a male relative, and are without a dowry. The daughter sits in an available position, while the mother searches the newspapers for marriage offers.

Dreaming (1881)

More About the Artist

“Best known for his paintings of fashionable figures, Tissot began his career in Paris. While he turned down Edgar Degas’s invitation to exhibit with the impressionists, he shared the groups desire to portray scenes of modern life in an innovative style. He moved to London in 1871 after fighting in the Franco-Prussian War, and became a popular painter of Victorian scenes, particularly those showing young women in typically modern moments, before returning to France in 1882.” – Art Gallery of Ontario

Portico – National Gallery, London (1878)

Moral Ambiguity, a Central Theme

Sunday Morning (1883)

A well dressed young woman walks to church holding a bible. Her raised eyebrows and tentative gaze pose the question, does she need to atone for her sins, or is she nervous about being late for service?

Horizontal women’s bodies were lubricous from a voyeuristic perspective.

Slumbering female figures had erotic connotations in the Victorian Era, especially in semi-conscious states like dreaming or sleeping.

The Fan (1876)

Now discredited – The below woman’s twisted hand was indicative of the pathological disorder – hysteria. This “chic” female disease was considered fashionably feminine and modern.

Sleeping Woman (1876)

The moral ambiguity of Tissot’s images was integral to their popular appeal.

British critics claimed they were too, risqué, too French.

  • The Hammock (1880)

A Personal Fascination

Other than the title, I know only that the etching below is in the Hippodrome (ℹ︎ Met Museum site). I was mesmerized by it. All that skin makes the costumes seem so modern and the Statue of Liberty crowns were piquing.

The Ladies of the Chariots (1885)

I can’t get everything into 1 post, so there will be a Tissot – II. In the meantime, I leave you with a shot of the 1 watercolour with gouache on paper.

Waiting (late 1800’s)

The young girl’s bored stare, pale skin, under eye circles with oversized bonnet and gloves (highlighting weight loss) suggest tuberculosis.

“Consumption” was coined a term, as it consumed patients, and ate away bodies.

Is she waiting for someone or something?

Is she waiting to heal or die?

Photos © Resa McConaghy – Taken January 7, 2025

Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, Canada

Information Source: The Art gallery of Ontario

Lilac Fan Dance

On By ResaIn Burlesque, Floral240 Comments

A storm of uneasy was roiling within me.

All of the AGMs had a dedicated Art Gown, except Dale.

The only way to quell the turmoil was to whip up a gown. I figured four, five months tops.

Seven months later, Lilac Fan Dance was dreaming out of the Art Gowns atelier window.

The ruffly lace tail had become a total diva during its construction. What figured to be done in 3-4 hours took 3-4 weeks.

It was the same time consuming issues I’d encountered making the fans for Diane Lane in “The Big Town”.

It began with an 80’s floral print fabric draped on Judy. Surrounded with acetates, a sheer and lace harvested from “Atlantis Mermaid Love-In”, inspiration struck .

The harvested lace was not enough to fulfill my idea, so old lace curtain scraps were painted with acrylics inherited from my F-i-L. The dates on the tubes were from the 1990’s.

Once dry the paint was heat set, the lace cut into creative shapes and randomly gathered. The 3d lace pieces were strewn behind the gown, and it was evident backing yardage was required.

A strip of white curtain sheer left over from Belle Grâce was blotch painted with the remainder of the purple paint.

TA DA! Lilac Fan Dance – dedicated to Dale – A Dalectable Life

Suddenly, the day became dark and filled with the peal of Thunder.

Memories flooded in and I could see…

Diane Lane waiting on my front porch. She’d come to check out her fans.

Romanticized by the idea of the Burlesque circuit, Lilac Fan Dance built a fan out of peach blossoms from Dale’s peach tree on Tim’s magic tree sanctuary.

Unable to dance due to that she had wheels instead of legs, no arms of her own and no head,

…. she borrowed some of Mae West’s jokes and did a stand-up.

Happy with her time as an entertainer, but tired of life on the road, Lilac Fan Dance returned home.

“Positive thoughts generate positive feelings and attract positive life experiences. You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” -Mae West

OUTTAKES

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Lilac Fan Dance © Resa McConaghy – 2024

Peach Blossom pics © Timothy Price from Off Center Not Even

The Vi-Queens

On By ResaIn Gowntoons123 Comments

Welcome dahlings! Inspired by Vikings, northern lights and all things “land of the midnight sun”, Art Gowns presents a twist of creation, “TheVi-Queens”. 

Here to host our Vi-Queen telecast, her mic custom made to look like an ax, is Art Gowns own glorious Art Director, Rebecca Budd. Take it away RB!

Thank you RR! I’m lovin’ my new maxrophone. It’s made to talk your head off! Each AGM Vi-Queen will model her gown in a regal gold picture frame made out of all recycled materials.

First into the frame is Gigi. A red velvet gown, gold lame cape and black with silver metallic faux fur keeps her warm during days of all night.

Marina is the god’s musical muse in a blueberry dyed gossamer cotton gown. Her head piece features a hammered gold diamond with an olive tree decoration.

40 layers of tulle help Holly float into the frame. Wide strips of blue NOS ultrasuede tapered at the waist lets lacing shape the overskirt. Trumpet sleeves and a macrame choker are held in place by vintage gold buttons.

Posing in her second costume change of the evening, RR graces a claret velvet gown with hammered gold breast cups, arm bands and belt buckle. Detached trumpet sleeves complete the ancient look.

Shey, still in Goth recovery from losing her beloved to a puppethood prisonership, poses in a pale moss green silk bias cut gown. A gold coin hip belt, gold arm band, headband with gold medallion, asymmetric gloves and gold tipped spear perfect this powerful Vi-Queen.

Dale’s faux feather boa will keep her warm when night is nigh. Her fishtail gown’s metallic bustier is of repurposed lurex, and the fishtail’s feathers are  from the same fabric scraps as the boa.

RR’s final outfit of the evening is another fishtail gown: skin tight with lace-up corset style bodice & lurex inserts. 

🌺 Her  floral shawl, a  gift from Princess Blue Holly, has a one time unknown magic feature! 🌹

Rupert wielding 2 steak knives, Drac with blood red talons of steel & Etagloc smoking a massive nicotine spewing cigar with a fire ball heater advance threateningly.

Without hesitation, RR  whips open her enchanted shawl. The floral print turns into a hundred thousand real flowers of all sizes, sundering the golden frame apart.

The mystical flowers bury Belezza, her evil puppets and the entire film crew in a floral potpourri.

The AGM V-Qs & RB are encased in midnight sun protective spheres created by the shadows of petals.

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RR looks into her Tangle-Heart, and watches Belezza & the puppets retreat into Otherworld. The AGMs remain trapped in protective spheres and the crew has evacuated the studio.

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Princess Blue Holly & Rene Rosso characters © Resa McConaghy & Holly Rene Hunter -since 2019

Music selection by Holly Rene Hunter

🌕 Holly – House of Heart🌖 Shey – Smexy Historical Romance 🌗 Gigi – Rethinking Life 🌘 Marina – Art Towards a Happy Day 🌑 Dale – A Dalectable Life   🌒 Rebecca – Chasing Art 🌓

🌔 Flower & tree photos © Timothy Price Visit Tim’s blog 🌕

Charlotte Models Midnight Nightingale: Part II

On By ResaIn Live Model Collection

Soprano Charlotte Hoather models “Midnight Nightingale” & Interviews Me:  Part II

Still thrilled with how terrific “Midnight Nightingale” fits Charlotte, I’m now on Venus with how beautiful she looks in it.

Click on the reblog box or the photo of Charlotte to visit the post, read the interview and enjoy the shots.

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

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.