Dahlings, welcome to Teagan’s “Reinvention Series”! I am honoured to be her third guest.
One thing about gathering the reinvention pics is one does go back over a part of a life. Lots of reflecting ensues. For me this has been a positive experience. So head over to Teagan’s and check it all out!
To kick things off, Teagan’s Reinvention Androids put on a fashion show for us. One good show deserves another! So, here’s a retro collection of Art Gowns drawings – just for fun!
In America it was the Gilded Age, in the United Kingdom it was the Victorian era and in France it was La Belle Époque.
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:
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!
The plan was to read an advance copy of Detour on the Eternal Road, do some drawings of Sam and do a pre-release promo post. Well, I “took a wrong turn in Albuquerque“, hit a detour and missed the print release.
So the road trip, of a post lifetime, passes through Albuquerque? Well, no, but it does pass through 1881!
Resa – John, Detour on the Eternal Road is set in the past, present and possible future of earth’s history and in the possible eternality of existence. You animate eternity’s goings on with non-haloed, wingless angels helping to guide souls to their eternal home. The adventures are informative, but mostly harrowing.
Yet, through “it all”*, the message remains uprightly positive. I’m not talking about the ending, per se, but the body of your story. Is this purposeful, or unconscious?
John – I have always carried a positive attitude regarding life. It is no surprise to me that this comes through in my writing even in the most dire of circumstances. You mention the ending which I don’t want to spoil for folks is an example of this positivity. It does rain a question about how much responsibility each of us has to take for the existence of evil on this Earth.
Hello! I’m Sam. When not on the road guiding souls to their eternal home, I’m at home on my cloud.
CLOUD WEAR is a custom wardrobe designed especially for me by Resa, who at this point remains earthbound.
Resa – Do you, or did you ever have a crush on Sam?
John – Sam is an agglomeration of every woman for whom I have had the honor of having feelings. Of course, I love her.
1. Windy Day (sun dial on wrist) - 2. Grecian Ode - 3. Rock'n'Roll Angel - 4. Fortune Teller - 5. Dream Away - 6. Honey 7. Surprise! (all blue beads and earrings made from dew and raindrops)
Resa – Without preaching any religion, you metaphorize good and bad/evil with god and the devil. In the story our protagonists, Sam and James angels, are presented moral dilemmas.
What say you to the idea that I think you are speaking to man’s “better angels”?
John – I think you have figured out the fact that I believe there are angels that walk among us. I also believe we all have inside of us the ability to behave as if we have been anointed with title ‘angel.’ On the corresponding side we all can be perfect devils at times. The control of the dominate characteristic is left up to how we were raised and our perception of what constitutes goodness.
Resa – So John, this is the third book in the Eternal Road series. I’ve read the first two and this one seems, in its fictional light, more politically predictive than the other books. It seems a pejorative on the future, on behalf of mankind’s progeny. Can you speak to that?
John – Since my books are written in the present tense it might appear as if there is a perjoritive view as the reader moves through the action. Quite the contrary the story attempts to provide human kind with a tool that can be used to continue the species forever. Yes we have to look at nuclear war as a possibility, but the essence of the story which is repeated is that all mayhem is preventable.
The one pejorative view that I will raise my hand to is the increasing dependence the average person has on Government. I believe in the government being representative of the people and not an entity that exists for itself.
“Lincoln’s Bedroom” in the White House.
What does this have to do with Detour on the Eternal Road? We go to the White House?
Yes, but which wing and what rooms ?
The replica is 60 feet long & 20 feet wide. The Artists, Historian John Zweifel and his wife Jan, took 25 years to complete it. It includes all furnishings. The clocks tick, flags wave, phone rings and TV’s work.
On Its 200th Birthday in 1992 – This to scale replica of the East Wing of the White House was presented in a special issue of LIFE magazine.
1 - First Lady's Dressing Room
2 - President's Bedroom
3 - Family Sitting Room
4 - Yellow Oval Room
5- Treaty Room
6 - Lincoln Bedroom
7 - Lincoln Sitting Room
8 - State Dining Room
9 - Red Room
10 - Blue Room
11. Green Room
12 - East Room
13- Library
14 - Map Room
15 - Diplomatic Reception Room
16 - China Room
17 - Vermeil Room
I think you can enjoy this book without reading its predecessors. However, certain questions will come up, such as this question I asked John after I read the first book.
Resa – “Eyes are mentioned on almost every page, mostly due to travelling, but I could not find the colour of Sam’s eyes. I also searched brown, blue, hair…no luck. Thing is, I was thinking of drawing Sam as an angel, maybe no wings. This way I could do a gown.”
John – “You are not crazy. You won’t find a color of Sam’s eyes since I very seldom describe the characters in terms of physical attributes. My reason for doing this is I would rather the reader form an image in their mind of what the characters look like. So you can make her eye color whatever pleases you. She is more your character than mine since you invested your time reading the book. “
So, if you are thinking of jumping straight to book 3, you might want to read a few of the Amazon reviews on the first 2: Eternal Road & The Last Drive. OR read my Out-of-the box reviews.
Or read the books.
Click covers of Eternal Road or Last Drive & go to John’s Amazon page, where you will find these, their reviews & many of his other books!
To buy a print copy of Detour on the Eternal Road click on the above cover.
To Pre-Order the EBook, click on Abstract Art Sam below!
“it all”* – Read the book and find out!
Dahlings, we are loving it up in Miami, Tim’s Magic Tree Sanctuary and around the world. I’m one radiating Ms. R., reporting from Ocean Drive, as I present Art Gowns for peace and love.
It’s an all out love fest, with special guest star Boogapony Holly, who will pony on down in roller skates. It’s a go-go like you’ve never seen! And now, from her special stage of TMTS* black bamboo, let’s all get down with MC, Art Director and palazzo pantonista , Rebecca Budd!
Thank you Rene!
As beautiful as the bougainvillea she poses by, AGM Marina wears a strapless, fishtail gown made from a pink-tone ecru velvet & recycled Ribbons for Peace.
P PINK
E EMERALD
A AQUA
C CLAIRVOYANT
E ECRU
Boogapony relays her message of love ,with movement, as she glides through the bougainvilleas.
Let’s hear it for Boogapony!
That was fantastic and so is Gigi. AGM Gigi tied on BP’s extra pair of skates, tore a strip out of her strapless skin-tight turquoise gown and rolled on down to Wynwood Walls,
… where she models next to a tiger painted by Faith47 in 2014.
In a simple breath-pink slip-style gown with baby blue godets, AGM Holly showcases a breathtaking boa of roses designed by TMTS’s own Dr, Huey.
What’s a Love-Up without some fringe? AGM Dale shows in a red gown with heart shaped décolletage and asymmetric plunging v-bodice with fringe at its point. Watch out! With bougainvillea hearts, she’s going to “take you higher”!
Now, for an important message from Ms. R.!
Dahlings, there was a slight glitch trying to get AGM Shey over to Miami. DracGoth made yet another attempt to morph Shey into SheyGoth, and transport her to Otherworld.
While suspended in black between worlds, Tim's Roses of Love surrounded her. They gently guided her to Princess Blue Holly's Tangle-Heart. AGM Shey passed through the Heart in darkness, and surfaced by her golden tree in the light
Thank you Rene!
Wow, seems Shey’s tree sent her to Miami with some enchanted roses. As the roses change colour, so do the roses on her boho, sheer voile angel gown. This is Flower Power at its finest!
And now, from the Florida Room of her ocean view home: with the sand, ocean, sky and sea birds behind her and surrounded by one of Tim’s roses in many spellbound colours here’s RR with a parting message!
Dahlings, Sweet Dreams until Art Gowns & friends returns with another extravaganza! Until then, remember to Love-Up everyday, everywhere!
Here’s a FAB send-off featuring Boogapony skating a go-go through Ocean Drive! Check out those crazy high jumps
Art Gowns drawings & storyline © Resa McConaghy
Music selections – Holly Rene Hunter
Ms. R & Boogapony Holly © Resa McConaghy & Holly Rene Hunter – since 2019
Loved Like Roses © Holly Rene Hunter
THANK YOU BIG TIME TO
The AGM’s. Visit them on their blogs!
Dale – A Dalectable Life, Marina – Art Towards a Happy Day, Holly – House of Heart, Shey – Smexy Historical Romance, Gigi – Rethinking Life
Visit Rebecca Budd at Chasing Art
Welcome Charlotte!
You are my only fave soprano, ever! Thank you so much for this interview! Just so everyone knows, I put my questions/voice in regular type. I put Charlotte’s answers/voice in italics. So, let’s get rolling!
Resa: – Charlotte, have you ever worn an expensive costume, and spilled something on it, torn it or otherwise perhaps even ruined it?
Charlotte: I can remember two occasions with costumes/dresses that I was performing in that I owned. However, stage costume wise no mishaps happily. Touch wood! I’m always really careful.
I was at Edvard Grieg’s house in Troldhaugen, Norway. I was about to perform in the composer’s home. It’s a converted living museum, with his original piano and lots of important antiques around. It has a beautiful concert hall.
In the green room in the basement of the house, I was with the other singers from the workshop. Another person had just made herself a fresh hot red berry tea. She spun around and spilt it down my tight-fitting, gold sequin evening dress. She was horrified and pregnant, so I spent a minute telling her it was fine.
The boiling hot liquid was all over the tops of my thighs in a huge red berry puddle. When I felt the heat, I ran to the toilet. The dress’s tight fit made the dress cling, and taking it off was a nightmare. I ripped it off over my head and quickly, with everyone’s help, put cold water on my thighs. They rescheduled my songs till later in the programme. I washed the liquid out under the tap and tried to dry it as best I could. It was the only performance dress I had with me, so just before the performance I put it back on. It was like a wet suit, but I wasn’t not going to perform or sing in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. I still have the dress. The dry cleaners managed to get the stain out.
The other costume mishap was at the Llangollen Eisteddfod last year. I was going to be performing with the World-renowned tenor Rolando Villazon and was very excited about it. I’d always wanted a Sherri Hill dress, and this was a perfect excuse to invest in a beautiful ball gown stage dress. I was so excited about wearing it. It was a princess line, in pale lilac satin. I’d bought a new strong roll-on deodorant; one of those that last 48 hours. I put my deodorant on, then put my dress on. I normally put my shoes on first, and step into a dress like this carefully. But this deodorant was still wet. I leant forward to tie my shoe buckles, and I then had two perfect wet circles on the front skirt of the dress with no time to do anything about it.
Perhaps I should be more careful with gowns I own!
Resa: Speaking of gowns, I only wish I could have been around to supply you with Balcony Gowns, during the lockdown. I watched and listened to ALL of your balcony performances with George. I’m thrilled that “Je Veux Vivre” will be among the songs on your upcoming CD!
Resa: Have you ever had to wear a costume that fit you like….umm… a ship? Did it affect your vocal performance, or your acting performance?
Charlotte: So far, I’ve worn everything without complaint. The worst for me are shoes that are uncomfortable because most costume people will just adjust wrong fitting items.
I do remember two awkward costumes, but they were from my childhood. I had a costume as ‘Pumba’ in the Lion King. In order to give me more girth, the costume department attached a hula hoop to my trousers. It was fun, and the costume was light. However, it did impact on my spacial awareness. I had to be careful not to bump into the other dancers, and it was awkward to roll around in.
The next one was when I performed as King Louis, from The Jungle Book. The costume department wanted to elongate my arms so they attached mop poles within my costume arms. At the end of the poles, they attached huge purple hands. The costumers put orange/red fur sleeves over my arms and hands, to disguise the added length. I had to make orangutan gestures with those arms. It was really fun, but challenging. I took care not to hit anyone else. Yet, there was a hood that came over my eyes, which made taking care more difficult 😊. I’d love to do something like that again in an opera.
Resa: Oh, Charlotte! thank you so much for sending in these photos of when you were that cute Orangutan! Everyone will love how cute you are in the slideshow!
Resa: As an Opera Soprano, who are your 3 fave female Rock Singers (living or not)? What song from each would you like to sing?
Charlotte: Annie Lennox – I love her views on singing. She really believes “Singing a song is one thing, but expressing a song is another. It’s deep. There is magic, an alchemic quality. Everyone should feel free to sing. Singing is uplifting and freeing of your spirit. There are no rules”. I’m not sure which song I could manage because I think she’s a contralto/mezzo but I love ‘Walking on Broken Glass’.
I grew up listening to female singers like Blondie [Heart of Glass or Call Me]. Is Kate Bush considered rock? Some of her tracks sound it to me; perhaps Babooshka. Gwen Stefani I loved her songs in No Doubt like Don’t Speak.
Resa: I’d say Kate is in an Art Rock category. She really is an independent artist.
Resa: I’d love to see you and George do a set of Rock Classics – Any songs between 1968 – 1998! What songs would your set include?
Female rock singers I like are usually in the mezzo-soprano middle voice range. Maybe one of Taylor Swifts songs, a Bjork song or Evanescence’s Wake me Up Inside. My Dad loves Queen so something adapted from them maybe. Are Prince, Alicia Keys and Blondie considered rock? Perhaps you could give me some suggestions Resa, I asked my Mum and she said perhaps something by Stevie Nicks.
Resa: Those all sound like great options. Yes, Prince, Alicia Keys and Blondie are all in rock categories. I would love to hear you do a Stevie Nicks song! Of course Freddie Mercury had a great set of pipes, and you are a very colourful singer. I’m sure something could be adapted for you. Just thinking about it gives me shivers!
Resa: Who is your fave male Opera Singer? Which would you pick to do a duet with?
Charlotte: My favourite is tricky. I really enjoyed singing with Rolando Villazon. I also like listening to Joseph Calleja. I met Piotr Beczala, and he was just lovely and friendly. All of them, anybody! I’ve had some great male singers in all my performances.
Resa: Would you ever do a Rock Opera; say the role of Nora played by Anne Margaret in “Tommy” by the Who, or how about Janet Vice in the “Rocky Horror Picture Show”?
Charlotte: Definitely. I absolutely love being on the stage and I like trying out different genres it keeps me on my toes. I was a dancer in The Rocky Horror Picture Show when I was younger so I know Janet’s songs inside out and would love to do it. I’ve never heard of The Who’s rock opera but I’ll have a listen now, yes, bring it on.
Resa: Charlotte and I began this journey over a year ago. I began by drawing her face, to get a feel.
Resa: I needed to loosen up, so binge listened to Weber -Kommt Ein Schlanker Bursch Gengangen and did Crazy Free Art to Music. The abstract of Charlotte’s face, below the video, was the result.
Resa: I did some gown sketches, and asked Charlotte what operas they might be appropriate for. I tried so hard to do my best drawings, that they came out stiff/out of proportion. Although I quite like all of the designs, this is the only one I still like the drawing of. I will redo the others.
Charlotte: The white dress reminds me of wedding dresses, so Suzanna in ‘La Nozze di Figaro’ or Zerlina in Don Giovanni, or Elvira in the mad scene in ‘il Puritani’. Another new aria I’ve learned is Qui La Voce.
Resa: Here’s another design I did for Charlotte, during the loosening up period. She adores the colours!
Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Charlotte+Hoather&i=digital-music
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/3ymVzeeFpusYCTqPqjFUco
Deezer http://www.deezer.com/us/artist/6887897
My Website http://www.charlotte-hoather.com/music/
✨ Charlotte and George’s Album! Songs From our Balcony” is now available on above links!✨
Drawings by & © Resa McConaghy – 2019 – 2020
Art Gowns 
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