Holly has featured my drawing of Ronnie Spector with a fab bio she has written.
THANK YOU HOLLY!
The Ronettes perform “Be My Baby” at the 2007 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Ronnie Spector
Tag: Romance
The Delta Pearl Duology
You can judge these books by their covers!
“Multi-genre author Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene presents her most mysterious, magical creation – the steampunk riverboat filled with enigmatic people and clockwork creatures.”
The cover Teagan designed is every bit as charming as the unbridled whimsy behind it.
A Gift of Steampunk Gowns
When I told Teagan I was making the post an Art Gowns special feature because of the glorious steampunk gowns, she created 4 original gown designs for the post!
I am so excited.
FIRST - ALL ABOARD THE DELTA PEARL
In the early days of following Teagan’s blog, I participated in Teagan’s ‘Three Things” that readers suggest that helped drive her blog serials.
Resa – I can only remember leech barometer (pedestrian name). Do you have a list of what I contributed?
Teagan – I kept a matrix of the random reader things. Yours were: flat iron, Gibson Girl hairdo, Pince-nez, Tempest Prognosticator, brooch, crochet hook, rum, and jet (as in the gem or beads).
The Gibson Girl hairdo helped inspire the “look” of the character Eliza Needleman. Jet, I used to name the character of the apprentice librarian. Pince-nez exposed a bit of vanity for the secretly nearsighted chief porter, Garnet Redford when Eliza loaned him her pair to see something in the workings of her music box.
I’m honoured to say I was gifted ebook copies of “The Illustrated Delta Pearl”. Unfortunately you can’t buy one. This is a tad sad, as Teagan’s images are magnificent.
Resa – So Teagan, why can’t others buy the illustrated versions of The Delta Pearl and The Geostrophic Pearl?
Teagan – I had almost finished the illustrated version where I made a gigantic number of images — when Amazon made a change to their policy regarding internal book images which didn’t allow mine. I didn’t want six months of work to go to waste. So, I gifted illustrated copies to a handful of people.
I felt like a kid reading the books. I could hardly wait for the next chapter’s picture.
Resa – How long … months … weeks did the serial run on your blog?
Teagan – I started writing (and “finished”) The Delta Pearl in 2016. However, I wasn’t satisfied with my work. Feeling the story needed a “middle,” I put it on my blog as a serial, getting 3 random reader things from followers, which inspired new content. To my delight, the story was warmly embraced. It seemed the “end” was really just the middle of the story, and serial episodes went on from there. The Delta Pearl was my longest running blog serial at about two years.
Resa – How long did it take to put The Delta Pearl & Geostrophic Pearl into book form?
Teagan – Hummm… I had several stops and starts, mostly with deciding how I wanted to format it. The serial episodes also had to be edited to adjust for “bookizing.” After it was finished, I decided to illustrate it, and that took another six months. Then of course, I had to start over again when Amazon changed their images policy. All in all, it took a couple of years.
Resa – What made you decide to create a duology?
Teagan – Several things 1) I’ve gotten a lot of great feedback about writing shorter length books, like the light-horror 1920s series “A Medium’s Peril.” (By the way, I plan to have a new novelette in that series ready for Halloween.)
2) The Delta Pearl was becoming a large manuscript when I started illustrating it, and my admittedly old computer was bogging down due to the manuscript size.
3) I could feel a distinct transition point in The Delta Pearl story-line when I started to reveal more about the riverboat. With those things in mind, I decided that it would be best as a duology (even though the manuscript became smaller when I had to remove the illustrations).
Resa – Your visions of Steampunk are vivid, exciting and appealing, It is a sub culture even today. I’ll bet those involved in today’s steampunk would go wild over your images.
Teagan – You are so kind, Resa. Thanks, that means a lot to me. My take on steampunk is not really typical. It often has a dark, even sooty aesthetic, reflective of the coal-burning that created the steam-powered gizmos. The Delta Pearl is bright, whimsical, and opulent. I hope I managed to give the words the same feelings you got from the images, since they are not in the published version.
Resa – The words work beautifully!
Resa – What drew you into Steampunk?
Teagan – In steampunk and diesel-punk you’ll usually find odd contraptions, and misfit characters. I have always loved both, so I couldn’t resist
Resa – Okay, Jaspe is a heart throb, and you did great with his character. I think most females would fall for him. He loves cats. I should be head over heels.
Teagan – I think you might be right, Resa. LOL. I kept Jaspe an enigma throughout the story. I don’t want to fully define him even now, because that makes him more interesting, and it lets the individual reader have their way about precisely who or maybe even what the Dealer actually is. Whatever the case, Jaspe has a loving and loyal soul. Giving him a cat helped anchor that idea.
Resa – However, I developed a crush on Victor. What do you say to that?
Teagan – LOL. Victor is flattered, Resa. I was fond of so many of these characters. Most of them had little flaws, and that made me feel like a parent to all of them. Although, I have definitely had crushes on some of my characters! Especially Tajín in “Dead of Winter.” (Fans self) Ha-ave mercy!
Resa – Yes! “Ha-ave mercy! (Turns up air conditioning) I read 3 instalments, and I know who that is.
Glorious Steampunk Gowns by Teagan
It’s time to say good-bye. Think I’ll take the Steampunk Speedboat to shore.
About Teagan
Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene’s stories range from paranormal to high fantasy and urban fantasy, to whimsical versions of the various types of “punk,” to mysteries with historic settings… and anything else that strikes her fancy.
AND there is much more. To read ” Who is Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene” just click on the above image of Teagan and Onyx Owl!
To buy The Delta Pearl Duology on Amazon, click on the books above!
With Hallowe’en coming up, A Medium’s Peril could be just what you’re looking for!
Lilac Fan Dance
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
Lilac Fan Dance © Resa McConaghy – 2024
Peach Blossom pics © Timothy Price from Off Center Not Even
Charlotte Hoather Wears Midnight Nightingale in Performance
I could not be more thrilled.
Reuniting With Old Friends: A Night to Remember with the Poynton Male Voice Choir
I’m whirling around with GLEE! Pop over and read about Charlotte’s night with the “Poynton Male Voice Choir”
The Vi-Queens
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.
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.
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
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.
Charlotte Models Midnight Nightingale
Soprano Charlotte Hoather models “Midnight Nightingale”, and interviews me.
I’m thrilled with how terrific “Midnight Nightingale” fits Charlotte, and I’m over the moon 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.
BONUS
Charlotte made a wee video with a few pics and her splendid voice!
The gorgeous shots of Charlotte in the gown were taken by her brother Matt.
Midnight Nightingale
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.
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
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
Belle Grâce – A La Gala
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.
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.
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.
Art Gowns 
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