Sunday, October 21, 2012

What the Art Teacher Wore #39

Last Day to Dye Monday: Tie-dye that is. We managed to get all 400 plus shirts rubber banded and dyed just in time. I've been asked by several of you just how we went about the process of organizing (which is not handled by me but an amazing parent), preparing and dying all of those shirts. I'll share that with you in a future post. birdie top: Old Navy, last year; dress: thrifted, Isaac Mizrahi; tights: Target; shoes: Fluevog; poodle pin: antique shop; belt: gift from a friend

What's happenin', hepcats? Nothin but lazin' and loungin' on this here Sunday before my lovely week off. Usually on Sundays I'm dreaming up what kind of mischief we are going to get into in the art room but not so today. I've managed to spend my day sewing (I'm just two zippers and two hems away from finishing two dresses!), running errands (I had to venture into The Mall-shivers-), and dining out. Usually on my days off, I'm lucky if I manage to get out of my 'jamas and shower, so today I'm feelin' mighty proud.

While I share my what-I-wore's with you this week, I have to share this British portrait artist I just discovered: Gerald Leslie Brockhurst. When I came across his paintings, I had a serious, "Where have you been all my life?!" moment. I love portraits of women, especially these with their beauty and incredible fashion sense. These paintings are well over 50 years old and look as though they could have been painted yesterday. My personal favorite is the one below: those puffy velvet sleeves, those barely-there eyebrows and That Stare.

I hope you have a lovely week and I'll chat with you soonish!

Ophelia 1937, Oil on canvas Gerald Leslie Brockhurst was born in England on Halloween in 1890. Apparently his drawing skills were so awesome that by the age of twelve he was enrolled in the Birmingham School of Art (that would be the B'ham in England, not in 'bama).

Tent Dress Tuesday: I needed it on Tuesday. Had to save room for an afternoon of fro-yo. sweater: Anthro; dress: BCBG; tights: Target; shoes: Dolls by Nina

Portrait of a Girl I love paintings with an unfinished look about them. I feel like it allows you to see into the artist's process, how he drew with his brush and built the colors over time. Brockhurst's amazing talents won him a scholarship to study art in Italy and France. That happened to me once. But I decided not to go.

Painted Dress Tuesday: It was a wild day in the art room and my dress reflected it. I'm used to having visitors hang out in my room, but on this particular day, it just felt a little crazy. I actually didn't wear these boots but my DIY splatter paint shoes which you can see with the dress DIY here. dress: thrifted Target dress, painted by me; tights: Target; boots: Frye; belt: Anthro; scarf: picked up in Germany

Sorry, can't seem to find the title on this one. While Brockhurst was studying in Italy, he fell in love with the work of Leonard da Vinci. I think you can see that influence of a dark and mysterious background in this painting. It's very similar to the background in da Vinci's Mona Lisa.

Thursday, The New Friday: Thursday was our last day with kiddos before they were off for Fall Break. We still had one more day of professional development before we could call it quits. dress: anthro; top: anthro, gift from a friend; tights: Target; boots: old, Seychelles

Portrait of Mrs. Lebus In the 1920's Brockhurst became a pretty big time portrait artist, painting the likes of Marlene Dietrich and the Duchess of Windsor. His portrait etchings are equally amazing.

Fall Break Friday: Can you find the creeper in this photo? dress: Anthro; tights and necklace: Target; shoes: Sofft

Awww! Well isn't dat the cuddest widdle kitty eber?! All 20 lbs of her (just kidding, we've managed to wittle her down to 16).

Jeunesse Dorée, 1934 Just like every great artist, Brockhurst life involved a scandal. You see, he was married at the time he met the model of the painting above. Their affair became public when she gave an interview with a magazine that was probably the 1930's version of InTouch or People (my personal faves). Oops.

His wife at the time was already a little miffed because he'd messed around with her sister, Marguerite. Double oops. He eventually divorced his first wife, moved to the U.S., became a citizen and married Dorette, the woman he dubbed Ophelia in the first painting. This just in, this painting is actually NOT by Brockhurst but Gerald Festus Kelly. Sorry for the mistake...and thank you, kind reader, for the correction!