What Suits Art Gowns?

On October 6, 2019 By ResaIn Art Gowns Art130 Comments

Darlings! Rene Rosso here, in a suit! Can you believe it?

However, it’s an Art Gowns suit. So when Holly and Resa asked me to host this post, I said “okay!” Still, how did this happen? Well, there was no multi-medium paper at the art store. Resa had to buy a sketch pad.

It’s been awhile since Resa just pencil sketched. She was excited to rise to the occasion, & started with Shehanne Moore in a Town Suit, very 1980’s come 1930’s.

Then it was GiGi’s turn to model this ultra-uber, never seen before style. No one can wear an imaginary time unknown suit like Gi! (Above)

Craving some colour, Resa added ballpoint pen and turquoise ink pen bows. There was no way I was going to wear a suit with bows! Holly had no choice but to model it.

The musicians were going wild downstairs when Resa came up with a Crazy Free Style Art tulle skirted suit for Marina Kanavaki. Having a colour meltdown, Resa went nuts with felt pens. They soaked through 3 pages of paper, and she had to iron the sketch.

Resa should have drawn me in the above suit. DARN!

This Art Gowns Suit is more like it. Now, I can work on the next song being added to my repertoire “Sweet Love”. I’ve been very inspired listening to Anita Baker sing it.

Their names are hot in the descriptions under the suits they have modelled. They all have fab blogs to visit.

Rene Rosso Character © Resa McConaghy & Holly Rene Hunter

Mermaid Holly will be hosting the next Art Gowns post. It’s a feature on Art Gowns Mermaids with surprise guest Mermaids. Don’t miss out!

Eye’ll see you there!

Mademoiselle Emily

On February 12, 2019 By ResaIn Romance166 Comments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mademoiselle Emily has many gorgeous angles.

⭐️Mini-Me has a special announcement! ⭐️

by Holly – House of Heart

She is fine

like Dynasty porcelain.

Her words are the chimes of

a host of carillons that ring

True and wise, as clear as bells.

Her hair is a storm

Of Harlow platinum

eyes, a deluge of diamonds.

Not to give in to Winter

She winks over her shoulder,

saunters Emmy’s catwalk

adorned in Chanel and Lavender.

OUTTAKES

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

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

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

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

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

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

Art Gown Mademoiselle Emily designed & made: © Resa McConaghy

Story & Character Art Gown Mademoiselle Emily © Resa McConaghy

Photos © Resa McConaghy

Poem: Gigi © Holly Hunter

♥️Thank you, Holly!♥️

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

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

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

It’s a long & fab journey!

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

Goodnight!

Art Gowns Dazzle the Runway at the Coop

On November 2, 2018November 2, 2018 By ResaIn Art Gowns Art, Art Gowns Guests120 Comments

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

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

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

“Thank you, Empress!”

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

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

Presenting: MIA in Mystic Lake

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

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

“So, are those feathers I see?”

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

“Fascinating”

Presenting: INA in Athena ⭐️Graffiti Goddess⭐️

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

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

“I supposed Aquileana helped Resa with that.”

It is Obvious, isn’t it!

Presenting: LACY in Mnemosyne

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

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

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

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

Presenting: ISABELLE in Tenesa

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

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

“From the alley?”

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

⭐️ 💥 ⭐️ BEHIND THE SCENES ⭐️ 💥 ⭐️

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

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

“Let’s take it away!”

IRIS – Working on Lady Anne

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

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

“She appears to be all leather & lace.”

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

“She looks familiar?”

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

LOIS & LILY pinning the flowers on Flora Blanca

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

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

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

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

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

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

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

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

Resa McConaghy 2013 – 2018

All Chicklets art © Georgiann Carlson

🌹🌹🌹THANK YOU, GEORGIANN🌹🌹🌹

Art Gowns Art Cards

On July 13, 2018July 15, 2018 By ResaIn Art Gowns Art, Art Gowns Brand100 Comments

🌹Thank you🌹to Georgiann Carlson. She made 10 “Art of Glamorous Fantasy” business cards for me. I chose the one below.

Rubber stamp art by: Georgiann Carlson

“Not so fast! As one of your very first Art Gowns, first to get to 175 likes, dedicated to your niece, Sherrie, and first post after the Art Gowns were evicted from Queen’s end,”

Flora Blanca

“I think I, Flora Blanca, am entitled to a say in this! I’ve picked out the card below, as I see it embraces us, the Art Gowns, and Resa.”

Rubber stamp art by: Georgiann Carlson

“Don’t be absurd Flora Blanca! Resa would never run around naked, not since that incident when she was 22. She makes the Art Gowns, and we are all very elegant.”

Mystic Lake

“Something sophisticated, like the Fitzgerald’s “Romantic Egoists” is in more order. The card below is the way to go. I’m sure Zelda would approve!”

“Mystic lake, I adore you and Flora Blanca, but really, the two of you are so pretentious! As the Empress d’Amore, I am highly educated, and qualified to be royally opinionated.”

Empress d’Amore

“Resa’s card should express the fact that we, the Art Gowns, are a collection. That she makes us from scratch, by herself. She is, after all, classically trained.”

Rubber stamp art by: Georgiann Carlson

“I treasure the Empress’ opinion. Her taste in fantasy business cards is impeccable.”

O Royal Treasure

“All due respect Empress D and O Royal T, you may both be royalty, but you are not from Fairy! Magic only happens in Fairy.”

La Esencia de Titania

“Resa’s card should express the coming of glyphs, a name askew & the bottom line. Simple, fun and to the point of magic is the way to go. As a 5 thousand year resident of Fairy, I say this card delivers that message!”

“Hello! I might be standing in the dark over here, but I can see you all clearly in the moonlight. However, I just don’t see your logic.”

Artemis by Moonlight

“The card should enforce the fact that Resa’s work is original, unique and glamorous! Voilà “

Rubber stamp art by: Georgiann Carlson

“I expected this cacophony from all of you Art Gowns, especially Artemis. You are always over analyzing the situation.”

Goddess Mnemosyne

“Simply put, the card should be of contemporary street art style and pointed at the brand. May I present the only obvious option!”

Rubber stamp art by: Georgiann Carlson

“I’m sorry Mnenosyne, I just don’t see the brilliance in that. Where’s the gleam and glow of the Art Gowns?”

Ballroom Lux

“I have no choice but to insist on the card below. It’s simple, yet emphasizes Resa’s ability, which results in us, the Art Gowns.”

“Wow! That is just not sexy enough. Lady Anne and I discussed this last night, and believe we have the perfect selection. Lady Anne!”

Cecilia Lionheart

“Thank you, Cecilia Lionheart!”

Lady Anne

“We now introduce, to all of you, the perfect card!”

Rubber stamp art by: Georgiann Carlson

“Look, you’re all right, and all wrong. Why can’t she just use the one she wants? Why can’t we all just get along, instead of bickering about the minutia of Resa’s life?”

Atlantis Mermaid Love-in

Hey! How did all of you gowns get out here? I thought I locked the door to the back yard?

Resa wears Tenesa

“You left your keys laying around one day. I found them and sent Mini-Me out to have copies made for all of us.”

Autumn Orchid

“Having explained that, I’d like to put my two cents in! This card is a modern classic, and really the one for Resa.”

Photo © Sherrie Yager

As you can see, Georgiann, I’m being bossed around by a bunch of Art Gowns.

Well, they are my girls, so I love them. AND I adore you! How fabulous & generous you are to have made these cards for me. Thank you x all the cats and flowers in the world!

All Art Gowns & Art Gowns stories © Resa McConaghy

All photos of Art Gowns © Resa McConaghy

All Art Gowns Art Cards designed and made by © Georgiann Carlson

Mini-Me in the Nine of Pentacles

“Don’t look a me! All I did was run out and get a few keys cut. By the way, has anyone seen my set? I seem to have misplaced them.”

Mystic Lake

On September 28, 2016February 26, 2018 By ResaIn Romance118 Comments

Did you ever design an Art Gown for the birds, in particular Ducks, Swans & Pigeons?

Probably not, but if so, then you might know Ceramic Artist Belén Soto from Arcilla y Fuego. Mystic Lake is dedicated to her.

You see, I bought an adorable Black Drake from Belén . As he is lonely & looking for a wife, Belén & I started a Marriage Agency for Ducks. I’m hoping we will expand to Swans & Pigeons in the near future.

Already Belén has designed 2 beautiful candidates, Lúa and Mar. Soon a wedding gown will be needed. I am hoping the duck bride to be & all future swan & pigeon brides will love this gown.

Depending on the natural light, Mystic Lake magically changes from grey to blue. The best blue tones were captured at daybreak on a sunny day. Grey was exposed best on sunny afternoons.

Well, Art Gowns don’t hatch from eggs, so let’s get “down” to the making of Mystic Lake.

White satin was draped over a strapless long-line corset bra that opens in the back. As a real model will eventually wear her, I had to be practical.

The next item I needed was feathers.

Yet, I am a vegetarian, so I decided to make feathers out of Swiss dotted net & cotton muslin.

The fabrics were hand sewn together, the cotton being larger than the net.

Then the cotton was sliced into sections & frayed by hand.

Finally, a strip of feather perfection was added to the décolletage.

The skirt, with a velcro closure lined up under the corset’s opening, was added to the bodice.

The tail feathers were now needed.

I made a waistband. It closes in the back w/Velcro. I sewed bars across the center back of the band, so the tails could hook on.

First came a major white tail.

Then there was a grey voile tail, with fake feather bustle that hooked onto the white tail.

Finally, a decorative black & grey tail piece topped off he tail feathers quite nicely.

Lastly, wings of grey voile were attached to her sides.

It took days to fray the feathers for the wings.

When the back looks as above, the front looks as below.

OUTTAKES

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Mystic Lake made a special beauty shot for the photographer who is coming in a week to view her. Looks like she could be the first Art Gown to be worn by a beautiful model.

As we know, Art Gowns refuse to do housework. They especially hate the smell of the cleaning products. So, Mystic & the Art Gowns are all going shopping, while I clean the bathroom.

Mystic Lake Designed by Resa MCconaghy – Summer – 2016

Photographed by Resa McConaghy – September – 2016

Again, special thanks to my dear friend, Belén. I am very excited to see the next Duck Bride Candidate. Be sure to watch for it on her blog, Arcilla y Fuego

Visit Belén‘s online shop Tienda de Ceramica.

⭐ MORE THANK YOU’S ⭐

I also thank Marina Kanavaki – Art Towards A Happy Day for sending me a gift of art & music.

“Atom Flowers” © Artist Marina Kanavaki – 2016

It was inspiring to listen to MK-O while I created. Hear them on http://www.mk-o.com/

dnoir-3 — “Black Drake” © Artist Belén Soto – 2015

Finally, a sweet thank you to Le Drake Noir. It was Belen’s post Pájaro Negro / Drake Noir that started this whole crazy happening.

Cecilia Lionheart

On August 2, 2015February 26, 2018 By ResaIn Royalty93 Comments

Was your heart ever broken enough to switch Art Gowns in mid creation?

Then outrage has compelled you to do a Tribute to Cecil The Lion, #CecilTheLion.

With tail thrown under her neck & crisscross armor to protect her, Marina Kanavaki, must be who this Art Gown is dedicated to.

Take a look at Marina’s blog Art Towards A Happy Day and be convinced. She is vegan, & a champion for all animals both wild and domestic.

Being a last minute creation, I was in an absolute uproar about what to make the gown out of.

Then I realized I owned about 500 men’s ties, mostly dated. I figured why not?

I deconstructed about 80 ties. A step ladder was used as an organizer.

I opted for regal colors red, gold & purple. Solids, paisley & medallions became the chosen patterns.

Old purple curtain lining was fashioned into a skirt on Judy. Ties became points, trims, bows & braids.

Contrary to regular established procedure, I made the tail first.

The bits on the back of the ties, that you pass the skinny part under, were fashioned into Cecilia’s dangling choker.

MORE CECILIA BEAUTY SHOTS

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Of course the Art Gown I had originally started will be back next post, but I just had to break rhythm and design this tribute.

Marina & I are sick about what happened to Cecil The Lion. So, we’ve signed petitions & are doing what we can. You’re welcome to join in, if you already haven’t!

Cecila Lionheart designed by Resa McConaghy 2015

Art Gowns Love

On March 5, 2015April 22, 2015 By ResaIn Art Gowns Brand, Gowns36 Comments

Thank you all who supported that I had an Award Nomination. I have taken forever (unless you follow GLaM ) to tell you I didn’t win.

I had the time of my life. I have a new “Art Gown” on Judy. I have a surprise post in between this and the new “Art Gown post”

In the meantime visit Art Gowns for Charity and and knock some socks off!

La Vie en Rosé

On January 31, 2014January 19, 2015 By ResaIn Gowns105 Comments

Were you ever inspired to embellish an Art Gown with 300 wine corks?

Tip #1 – Do not attempt to drink 300 bottles of wine all in one night. Spread them out over a few days.

Shot in Magic Hour with Incandescent lighting — Shot in late afternoon with Incandescent lighting

Tip #2 – Share them with friends.

Tip #3 – Read a romance novel by Imelda Evans while you sip luxuriously

La Vie en Rosé is inspired by and dedicated to Imelda and her latest novel “Playing By The Rules”

OF course I would have to attach all the corks somehow so I bought 110 meters of old gold soutache. It was easy getting else wise creative with that soutache.

I wanted more creative fuel for so I asked Imelda,

“If you could put 1 color to Kate & 1 color to Josh what are those 2 colors? Not that I will use them, but what would they be?”

Imelda’s answer:

“Okay, this was a mind-bender for me, as I don’t think this way normally (although I’m going to do it for all my characters now).

Kate is a rich, autumn brown. If it were shiny it would be burnished bronze. Josh is a bright, apple-y green. I have no idea why!”

I couldn’t resist buying some new yardage

I found this gorgeous tie-dyed (the pattern does not repeat) stretch velvet.

In the warm lighting of the store the colors were a perfect bronze/brown with a kind of apple green coming though.

As I was paying for it, my eyes caught the most enchanting brown/bronze organza ribbon so I grabbed 20 meters of that.

When I set up in the”Art Gown” room which is filled with natural light the colors appeared to be burgundy and teal. When shot with a flash the green magically appeared.

The gown is a chameleon!

This is why I opened with 3 similar shots of La Vie en Rosé I was completely at a loss for what was more beautiful.

I loved Imelda’s first book, “Rules Are For Breaking”

As “Playing By The Rules” is a prequel. I just had to ask,

“Was it easier to write the second book having already developed the
characters in the first book?”

Imelda’s answer:

“That’s a bit of a tricky one, as this book was actually written first! I did rewrite a lot of it after I published the other one though, so I guess I can still answer that.

Yes, knowing the characters first makes it much easier to write their stories. But I get to know the characters by writing their stories, so it’s a bit of a catch 22! Not sure what comes first, sometimes, the story or the people!”

Both of Imelda’s books are available on Amazon.

Playing By The Rules

and

Rules Are For Breaking

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Oh! If you want to know how the French title and wine corks tie in, you’ll have to read the book. I hope you do!

La Fin

“Art Gown” La Vie en Rosé designed by Resa McConaghy _ January – 2014

Lady Anne

On November 20, 2013November 12, 2017 By ResaIn Royalty114 Comments

Did you ever toss and turn through the dark of night trying to figure how to make a gown out of an old black leather coat and studded leather pants?

If your answer is “yes”, I feel your stress!

Lady Anne is inspired by Norman who donated the coat & pants to my “Art Gowns” supplies stash.

Norman is a musician & composer. He works in film & television, and is an amazing guitar player.

Black leather and studs made me think “Hard Rock” and “Metal”.

However, this is a gown, so I thought “Rock Ballads” and bought 9 meters of very inexpensive cotton gauze and Chantilly lace.

I removed the coat’s sleeves, and each sleeve became half of the bodice.

The pant legs became the skirt’s front panels. I cut scallops around the raw edges, and used glue to attach the fabric.

I surgically removed the lower half of the coat’s fronts and the entire back in one piece.

This became the back of the gown. I split this up the center to add a flouncing bustle with skirt of gauze.

I over-layered the skirt of gauze with a triangle of lace.

I needed something to pull Lady Jane together so I pulled a grommet laden S&M harness from my pile of leftover production stock, and chopped that up.

Lady Anne is, Medieval, Elizabethan and Renaissance all rolled into today.

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Her name, Lady Anne, came to me as I was shooting her.

Soon after I was humming Lady Jane, an old Rolling Stones tune. In the song, Lady Anne is being left for Lady Jane. There is only one color to describe that feeling …. blue.

"My dear Lady Anne, I've done what I can. I must take my leave, for promised I am This play is run my love, your time has come my love I've pledged my troth to Lady Jane." Mick Jagger/Keith Richards — “My dear Lady Anne, I’ve done what I can.
I must take my leave, for promised I am
This play is run my love, your time has come my love
I’ve pledged my troth to Lady Jane.”
Mick Jagger/Keith Richards

Norman, Lady Anne is like the music you make, a romance of many eras, places and feelings. Thank you for the inspiration!

Norman Orenstein Music

“Art Gown” Lady Anne designed by Resa McConaghy – November, 2013

All photos of Lady Anne taken by Resa McConaghy – November, 2013

Atlantis Mermaid Love-in

On July 13, 2013January 19, 2015 By ResaIn Gowns112 Comments

Did you ever get the urge to design an “Art Gown” who could swim the oceans & seas spreading love and peace?

Well, then you know she’d have to be a mermaid, and speak a lot of languages.

Le Drake Noir, as you speak 8 languages (reading and writing in 4), and are constantly posting pics of or from oceans and seas, This “Art Gown” is for you.

My personal challenge with this “Art Gown” was that I could only use what I had in stock. I was not allowed to buy anything.

I found:

Blue Crushed Velvet yardage

3 white T-shirts, of my design, and 2 boxes of purple dye. I immediately tie-dyed 2 of the t-shirts, thinking of hippies in their tie-dyes and velvet bell-bottoms.

When it comes to “Love &Peace”, the Hippies were full of it.

Scraps of $200.00/yd. French Lace

Blue and purple acrylic paint.

I soaked the lace in watered down acrylic paint.

When it dried it had become plastic-like, and looked like fan seaweed.

I found I could cut around the lace patterns and it didn’t run. What fun!

I also found a bottle of glue, which I used to adhere the cut out seaweed pieces to her.

The thing about mermaids is, if you were under the water and saw one, she might be swimming under you, or over you.

As I don’t have a glass floor, I climbed a ladder.

It looks like she’s swimming up at me.

What a beauty!

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I usually do a Black & White here, but this “Art Gown” has a lush glamor that precedes the glamor of the 1940’s, so I antiqued it!

Le Drake Noir, I enjoy your blog, and I know you’ll look great in this gown!

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