Last night I went to the monthly meeting of Front Range Contemporary Quilters (FRCQ), (www.artquilters.org) the textile art guild I call my creative home. Every month we have a speaker on some aspect of textile art and last night it revolved around wearable art. I tried to create a vest once in my textile career, but I need further instruction on clothing construction.
The meeting started with a fashion show presented by the wearable art special interest group. The main event was Lynda Faires (www.lyndafaires.com), noted textile artist and wearable art creator extraordinaire. Another one of my favorite wearable art creators is Kate Cox (www.katecox.net). Her work is magical and evokes feelings of mystery and wonder!
Kate Cox, Water Coat, In Private Collection
What we wear can be another way we can express ourselves. Everyone who works with me knows that I have an extensive wardrobe of shirts. The shirts are striking patterns and colors. I don’t shy away from shocking colors and designs because I think they’re striking. They allow me to sing with clothing.
I find that I select what I wear based on my mood and wearing something colorful puts me in a good mood. It’s interesting because people may not say anything about a painting or sculpture, but because clothing is such an integral part of our consciousness we all make comments about it.
Think about shows like Project Runway, a reality show for up and coming fashion designers. The judges always make a point of asking the designers about their design aesthetic and point-of-view. Fashion is a means of expression and can reflect how we’re feeling and thinking. It creates a personal experience when we put on an item of clothing that makes us feel good or stand out in a crowd.
Our creativity doesn’t have to be exhibited in a gallery. It doesn’t have to show up on a canvas or emerge from a piece of stone. It can simply be something as personal as your favorite shirt, your favorite purse, or a piece of jewelry. However you choose to express yourself do it with gusto! Let your inner artist shine through your clothing!!
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Time to Live Creatively 