In a MOOD

I just returned home from a four day mini-vacation to New York City. My boyfriend Travis is pretty good about planning big vacations around events that he wants to partake of, this time it was the Ringo Starr concert at Radio City Music Hall, on the drummer's 70th birthday, but he always allows the in between time for things that I like to do. This year we went to Mood Fabrics in the garment district. I have to tell you, when the elevator operator cranked open the door (yep, just like in the old days) it was like baby Jesus had opened the gates of Heaven. What an experience. I'm a big fan of Project Runway, and being in that store gave me a whole new appreciation for what those designers create. First of all, the fabric is not cheap, so those budgets are really, really limiting. I mean, if I could run to the dollar bin in the Wal-mart fabric section, I wouldn't have a problem building something for $100.00, hell I could treat you all to big pretzels at the snack bar with that kind of money, but here at Mood it is a different story. I found some jersey knit to make a lil' something for the new collection, but a yard and a half of that set me back $18.00. Secondly, it is the most organized fabric store I've ever been in. Literally every kind of fabric you could ever hope to find is clearly labeled and ready for the taking, the down-side to this is EVERY SINGLE KIND OF FABRIC YOU COULD EVER POSSIBLY WANT IS IN THIS STORE. It's overwhelming. I usually like to go to a fabric store with an abstract vision of what I want and let the fabric speak to me. Well Mood doesn't shut the hell up! Every bolt of fabric has the potential of becoming something amazing! Third, how are you supposed to concentrate on fabric shopping with a dog as cute as Swatch running around begging you to play with his rubber bagel? I mean really. It's a wonder they create anything! I loved it. As I left with my mood bag, and my business card (thanks Travis, for reminding me to grab one), I could almost hear Tim Gunn say "thank you Mood". Loved it.

An artfit for Forest

Forest was a student of mine about three years ago. I caught up with him while teaching summer art studio in Green Bay this summer. Practicing what I preach, I created this artfit in the spirit of the course. It features a vintage Levi's jean jacket embellished with copper paint, and appliques cut from a tapestry wall hanging along with patches found at a thrift shop. The t-shirt is hand-painted, the shorts are cut-offs from some old green polyester pants and feature a little fawn peeking out of the back pocket. The shoes are mint condition Bass boat shoes (thanks Green Bay thrift), and the hat is a Banana Republic newsboy (a touch too small, but it added that certain little something).