Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot? I Think Not!

As another year comes to a close, we are urged to reflect on ourselves and clean house, both inside and out. You know how it goes - out with the old, in with the new. But should we always follow the creed of Auld Lang Syne? Perhaps not all old (or auld) acquaintances should be forgotten, because from those contacts can spring something new and beautiful, inspiring on its own.

Just as I have drawn inspiration from powerful feminine political figures and heraldry of medieval times, so too have I looked toward fellow artists for my latest drive. Those of you familiar with my blog know my affinity for Art.sy, the innovative online platform for artists and art lovers alike to buy, sell, inform, and discuss. I often find myself browsing the site to kickstart my creative juices and find motivation for my baubles in other media. Below are some of my recent translations. 

Happy New Year to you all.. it's off to a colorful and textural start! 

Marlene Tseng Yu "Forces of Nature"

translates to: Red Azalea "Wavy Disks" Mesh Necklace and Earrings

Lionel Bawden "Underworlder" 2011

translates to: Antique Brass Geometric Links and Pink Beads Choker

Jed Novatt "Chaos: Defining the Invisible"  2012

Translates to: Black "Geo" Cube with Pyrite Necklace

Toby Ziegler "The Cripples" 2012

translates to: "Crystal Mountain" Pendant with Quartz and Pyrite on Silver linked Chain

 I recommend you check out Art.sy as a source for inspiration, and I encourage you to post your results here on my blog! 


Pauletta Brooks

www.PaulettaBrooks.com
www.Pauletta.Etsy.com

It's "Brand" New

As a new business, I’ve been reading constantly about the importance of ‘branding’, keeping a unified message of words and images to always represent ME and who I am as a business and artist. (Not as easy as one might think). In the sea of internet clutter we face everyday, everyone seems to be looking to distinguish themself as unique; to ‘brand’ themselves with something identifiable. We make ourselves ‘public’ every day on our Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Tumbler pages, but don’t necessarily set ourselves apart from all the rest of the flotsam and jetsam out there. Perhaps we write some memorable text, add a catchy slogan or signature phrase, or upload our own unique images. But what is that one symbol or identifying mark that identifies us as unique individuals and what is our consistent message? This is where branding comes in. Branding is really nothing new. We can trace its roots back to ancient times, to heraldry.

The dictionary defines a herald as “a royal or official messenger, especially one representing a monarch in an ambassadorial capacity during wartime.” From there we find heraldry, “the practice of designing, displaying, describing, and recording coats of arms.” In medieval times, this artistry was painted on shields so that knights could ascertain friend from foe in battle, with each color, pattern and shape having its own symbolic meaning. (learn more at www.internationalheraldry.com)

(Arms of the Earl Spencer, courtesy www.internationalheraldry.com)

            A coat of arms may also relate to a family crest, as a way to display one’s noble lineage. Branding through heritage.

(Kate Middleton’s former coat of arms, before achieving royalty status, courtesy www.internationalheraldry.com)

              Heraldry is still practiced today. On the blog IDTG, you can find a list of modern masters of the practice, devising ever more shields while still adhering to its traditional artistic methods.

            But if you think it’s just for the stuffy and old, check out artist, Rashaad Newsome’s work, honoring the ‘royalty’ of rap and hip-hop. They use their own version of heraldry to promote their status, (by way of BLING!)

(By Rashaad Newsome, courtesy Sick of the Radio)

            Which brings me back to my own brand. I may still be searching for that one image or logo that will set me apart in the vast marketplace of wearable artists, but I certainly am not put off by thinking that heraldry is the exclusive province of the aristocratic or fabulously hip. I’m bestowing my own brand of heraldic regalia on even the most common folk, with pieces fit for a king and prices a rapper can sing about.

            Find them at my shop: www.Pauletta.Etsy.com.

Peace, Love, Coats, and Arms,
Pauletta Brooks

www.PaulettaBrooks.com

www.Pauletta.Etsy.com

Exercise Your Right ... To Accessorize!

            With all the hullabaloo that Superstorm Sandy has caused in my area, it’s easy to forget that Election Day has been fast approaching and is now upon us. Obama and Romney are focused on the economy, foreign relations, and education, but for the fashion-conscious, all eyes are focused on First Lady Michelle Obama and Ann Romney’s clothing selections. The effort that goes into a spouse’s campaign wardrobe can come under fire if it is too flashy or expensive, an especially sensitive subject as the nation is recovering from the most recent recession.

Our most recent memories might be of Hillary Clinton’s never-ending collection of pantsuits, or the reported $150,000 that Sarah Palin spent on her wardrobe during her run on the McCain ticket in 2008. But luckily, this election cycle has brought on some more fashionable tastes. On October 22, at the third and final presidential debate in Boca Raton, FL, FLOTUS hit the right note with a “recycled” (read: previously worn) Thom Browne gray and black-lace dress. And is that a brooch placed perfectly at her collarbone??

(Source: Pool/Getty Images North America, stylebistro.com)

            The ornamental brooch is making a comeback, adding a stylish touch to a dress or a coat. But this isn’t the first time the brooch has entered the political arena. Former Secretary of State Madeline Albright was famous for her costume jewelry brooches, which were later featured in a book, Read My Pins, and in a display collection at the Smithsonian Museum in 2010.

(Source: trumanscholars.org)

A particularly American pin. Wouldn't that look nice on a ladylike lapel? (Source: oomphonline.com, Lekakos Jewelry)

Here is Varina Howell Davis (1826-1906), the wife of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. The well-raised socialite certainly knew how to accessorize, even in wartime.

(Source: robinettfamily.org)

‘Tis the season to let your voice be heard, so head to the polls tomorrow! And don’t forget to do it in style: samples of my brooch collection are shown below. What better way to show your patriotism than with American-made accessories?

Peace, Vote, and Brooch,

Pauletta Brooks

email for purchasing info: paulettabrooks@gmail.com  or visit

www.PaulettaBrooks.com   www.Pauletta.Etsy.com

Uniting in Sugar (Skulls)

Traditionally known as All Hallow's Eve, Halloween is the tradition of when the living and dead meet. The closely associated Day of the Dead, celebrated on November 1 in Mexico, Spain, and Brazil, is a time for families to meet and pray over their late relatives. Despite the differences in origin, both Halloween and Dia de los Muertos share a lot of graphic imagery (skulls, death), traditions (dressing up, offering gifts), and indulging in food.

No matter what you call it, it's a time for being scared, reveling in sugar, and for dressing up in something 'costume-y'. Blending Howlite replicas of traditional sugar skulls and minerals such as Fluorite and Turquoise, I drew inspiration to create my own collection for the holiday. Think less macabre and more marvelous.

Turquoise and quartz skull necklaces (here ), perfect for an ethnic look for celebrations.

(Above) The Spooky "Skeletons in my Closet" Tassel Earrings are a great fit for a night out if you want to add some personality to your outfit or maybe if you just don't want to dress up for Halloween!

For the holidays, I thought it would be fun to put a twist on my traditional pyrite quartz necklaces. 

Day of the Dead figurines, known as calacas. Shown in more of a Guatemalan tradition, they are meant to represent death itself and a fear of death.  Did you know this seemingly dark trend actually came from something sweet? Sugar skulls are actually constructed from boiled sugar, which is then molded into eerie skulls, as seen below. Now it makes sense why the typical American celebration of Halloween includes so much candy!

Traditional Sugar Skulls

Traditional Sugar Skull

Can you believe how intricate this work is and that it's actually made of something as simple as sugar?

It's inspiring to see how a cultural holiday can turn into a global phenomenom and employ art in all forms.  Below, is a painting by David Lozeau, a sand sculpture commenting on Occupy Wall Street, and a traditional altar shown in a museum.

David Lozeau

Calavera Del Toro

Typical Altar

How do you plan on spending your Halloween?

The Set NYC Kicks Off Fashion Week NYC with After Party to Benefit "Restore"

The Set NYC Kicks Off Fashion Week NYC with After Party to Benefit "Restore"

Global Fashion Wire did a write up for the Sep. 7th Fashion Week event! Read it here:http://globalfashionwire.com/press/en/64008/The_Set_NYC_Kicks_Off_Fashion_Week_NYC_with_After_Party_to_Benefit 

Art.sy Inspiration

As a creative type, I'm like an open receptacle for visual input. A total 'junkie', always on the search for my next visual fix. Whether it'll molest me from a dark city dive bar or caress me while on a purifying walk in a rustic woodland- I can never predict. All I know is that I'm ready to receive it. I appreciate most when it comes from inside my own head, like from a fanciful fever dream, but more often these days, it comes just from an arm's length away, hovering at the edge of my laptop screen.

Segue... I was recently invited to the online art site, Art.sy.  Their entire mission is to make art accessible to anyone with an internet connection (very promising!).. Lots of great images to peruse and so many new artists to discover.
I immediately went into visual overdrive.

Exploring Art.sy quickly became an addiction. I was discovering new artists, techniques and styles, and rediscovering artists I had long forgotten. And with so many great images I was getting the jitters just thinking about how exciting it would be to connect these new 'finds' to my other 'visual addiction', Pinterest.  Ultimately, what transpired was my Art 101 assignment: To select a group of portraits and artworks from Art.sy, and, with my jewelry, accessorize them for Sept. Fashion Week! How purely trivial and fun.
Here's a look at some of my art muses:

Chantal Joffe's,  Blonde Wearing a Lace Collar will wear one of my pink Calcite pendants

Bodgdan Vladuta's, Mirela  and Anselm Kiefer's, Totes-Meer will wear a multi-minerals pendant in silver frame

Picasso's, La Femme Fleur will sprout some fingers in this green octahedron ring with pyrite

Judy Pfaff's, Year-of-the-Dog number 3 can tie on a Rubber Assemblage choker

Faille 's Falling can continue the rust and turquoise color story with a multi-minerals in silver pendant

Simmons and Burke, Collage-number 8 will wears a neon pink feathers and gems Rubber Assemblage combo

Moholy-Nagy, Lighting Equipment For An Electric Stage can circle the stage with Carnelian rings in silver filigree

and Franz Kline's, The Bridge will bridge the connection of jewelry to art in crystal mix pendants

I could keep going, but Now it's your turn.  I'm curious to see how others would approach this. 

And to make it more fun, I'm holding a Pin It to Win It contest! Here's what to do:

1. Sign in to Pinterest.com and search for Pauletta Brooks Wearable Art

2. Using a piece of jewelry from my Wearable Art board (or from my Etsy or web site) as your 'muse', create your own board with whatever images it inspires in you (can be art, fashion, nature photos, recipes, etc) 

3. Then email the link to your board to: pbwearableart@gmail.com so we can track it.

Creativity counts! 

Show us your board (minimum 6 images) by Sept. 30 to be entered to win a piece of Pauletta Brooks jewelry. Enter as many boards as you'd like.

Best of luck!

The Grass Is Greener

Part of my fascination with art is the sheer innovation, especially when it comes to materials.  As you learned in my last post, I am continually inspired by natural materials and it seems that I'm not the only one.  As our environment continues to be a hot topic in society, the use of nature in art is becoming more prevalent.  One trend I find most intriguing is the use of grass, manipulated and sculpted in intriguing ways.  These are not your typical english garden topiaries!

Take for instance this sinking sculpture, entitled "Mud Maid" by Sue and Peter Hill. They use grass in its normal form and environment to create a surreal earthly sculpture in an unexpected location.

This grassy car photo is actually a postcard I received some years ago. While I'm unfamiliar with the story, I do know that it was a photo taken by Stanislav Tuma in 1978 and has since become an integral part of Beetle iconography. And apparently, there are now lots of grassy cars out there as you'll find by doing a quick google search.

One of the most interesting concepts I've seen thus far with grass, is its use as a live portrait.  As you see above, the grass portrait grows with age and creates a beautiful mirror to the natural life cycle.  You can find more of the works on the artists' online portfolio, Ackroyd and Harvey.

More interesting is when the art has a strong statement behind it.  Artist, Mathilde Roussell, wanted to work in soil and wheat grass seeds to show that food we plant in our bodies makes an impact on all of our organs.  She believes this exhibit of living grass human sculptures makes us aware of food cycles in every form.  This collection was displayed in 2010 in Brooklyn's Invisible Dog Gallery.

The intent with my "Miniature Gardens" pieces of  Wearable Art is to create both an aesthetically pleasing and magical sense. I enjoy creating something natural to hold close to your heart.  With the Crystal Garden Pendant, the fluorite is strongly grounded in the moss, which can be a great representation of your strength or commitment. With the Miniature Amethyst Garden Earrings, you can also have a beautiful reminder of all things whimsical and novel.  You can find the rest of my Garden Collection here.

What are your thoughts on the use of grass in art?