REDONDOWRITER'S SACRED ORDINARY

Sophia the Art Mannikin: Wearing Mom of the Groom Dress

My youngest son Tony married my absolutely wonderful daughter-in-law Gretchen in late September 2001 in Tiburon, CA and I remember the agony of trying to choose an appropriate dress. I chose a two-piece full-length dress with lots of texture and lace inserts at juxtaposed angles. I thought I was carrying too much weight at the time and it was loose fitting; I was also into what I called my intensely nostalgic and feminine period. 

9-11 had just happened and the airports were a mess. I remember bringing the dress home but never could find it it in the closet again. In my recent re-organization of my closets, I found a black garment bag and there was that mom-of-the-groom dress. So, that's what Sophia the art mannikin is wearing this month. 

At the Voluteer Luncheon today of the Palos Verdes Library District one of the librarians came up to me as she has seen Sophia on FaceBook and actually wants to come by and meet her sometime. I always assume I'm so "wierd" about Sophia, that I'm just considered eccentric. Hmm. 

To put the dress and me into context, here is a photo of our family taken at that wedding in 2001. 

There's the blue dress and how in the heck I look better in 2012 than I did in 2001 I don't understand, but I am grateful. My two young grandkids in this photo are now 25 and 24. Joe has married my other wonderful daughter-in-law Laura, and they have six and three-year-old sons. My ex, Ray, is now married to Diana. Tony and Gretchen now have nine and seven-year-old boys. And daughter Christy and son-in-law Lorenzo aren't together, though Lorenzo will always remain another son to me. And the blue dress now belongs to Sophia. If you looked on the back side of Sophia, you would see that I have pinned several inches of dress to accommodate her size 4 figure. Heck, I might recycle this dress again myself although I sure wouldn't choose it as a "special" dress at this point in my life. 

Sophia the Art Mannikin and Fran: Dressed Up and Waiting for Valentines Day

 

 It's hard to know day by day whether to bundle up or take a chance on dressing up and catching a chill. Sophia and I decided we'd take the risk and let her prepare for Valentines Day. 

Have I ever told you I love gloves and hats? I don't wear them much, but I have lots of both and I play out my fantasies with Sophia. 

When you are older like I am, and live only with a dog and a mannikin, Valentines Day can be kind of sad--if you let it be. I choose not to get bogged down in Valentines past, but I'll admit I had some wonderful ones long ago. 

This article from Squidoo encourages you to make a senior your valentine. And, I'll admit, I would LOVE it if YOU make me (and Sophia and Mollie) your Valentine. Leave a comment or send an e-card. We would love it! Nothing like blatantly asking for what you want.

Make A Senior Citizen Your Valentine

Brighten An Elderly Person's Valentine's Day

You can never go wrong when you spend time with senior citizens and the elderly, particularly those who are homebound or widowed. For older folks, Valentine's Day may be a day where they feel lonely or sad, especially if their spouse is gone and they are living alone. It's easy to make a senior citizen your valentine - simply taking the time to send a card to an elderly relative may be very much appreciated. Even better, if you live nearby, take them out to lunch or dinner, or visit in their home. 

If you don't have elderly relatives or neighbors you personally know, you can drop off cards at a nursing home or retirement home in your area or volunteer to help there for the day. This is also a great day to ask about their favorite memories of Valentine's Day and what they've learned about love through their life - who knows, you might learn a juicy family story about Grandma and Grandpa's first date, or come away with some wisdom on what makes for a happy marriage.

 

 

Pullara Preparations Begin for Dia de Los Muertos

Ah, it's Postcards From Paradise Sunday, but for the month of October Rebecca at Recuerda Mi Corazon has challenged us to share our preparations for Dia de Las Muertos via Dia de Bloglandia. As she says:

"so much more than the art of remembering our loved ones

dia de los muertos

is also a tradition

 that sings to the soul of the living, reminding us to...live wildly

straight from our hearts!"

I had company this weekend and lots to prepare for church, my religious ed class, and filling out paperwork for my pieces that will be in the Redondo Beach Art Group's Power of Art two weekend show, but I managed to do the following. 

Sophia the Art Mannikin asked to be part of the ofrenda this year so she began trying on clothes from her fall collection, settling on this outfit for this week. I did unbox all of the ofrenda materials and we were both delighted to find a vase we had forgotten about. And the sign around her neck actually resides permanently in a bookcase, but she's displaying it for now. 

This is the wreath I made on Friday night. The black wreath itself and the flowers were from Michael's post Halloween sale table last year. The bride skull came from the Dollar Store. 

Last year I bought this papier mache bride and groom at the San Pedro Day of the Dead celebration. On the ofrenda this year it will stand next to the beloved photo of my mom and dad on their wedding day. 

Those of you who know me know that I delight in finding, refurbishing and recycling used stuff--or certainly buying stuff on sale if I possibly can. I picked up this old school chair many years ago and painted it olive green. The metal vase is also many years old, from a Michael's sale table. There is a big dent in the back. Yes, the flowers were post fall on sale many years ago. And you get a peek at the courtyard of our townhouse in the Villa Redondo complex. 

Tonight I hope to have quiet time in the living room to begin writing memories of some of my family, friends and heroes and heroines I admire who have passed on. Death does not end a relationship. 

As Rebecca also says today:

"Dios mio!!!

WAKE UP!!!!!

 live brave, believe in good..

offer change, strive for a better world.

live fervoroso,

burning hot!

 

 

 

Art Journal Page: Sophia Loves Red

A few days ago, inspired by art journal teacher Kelly Kilmer and several of the pages she posted on her blog, I started making art journal pages again. It has been several weeks since I've given myself permission to "play." 

For those of you who read here regularly, Sophia, Mollie and I share our townhouse at Villa Redondo. We are kind of like Steve Martin in Lonely Guy, I guess. Sophia is usually on display in the living room and visitors have largely gotten accustomed to her presence. 

This blog began almost nine years ago as my attempt to describe the sacredness of routine things that happen on a daily basis. Though I hadn't really thought about Sophia before in the context of Gestalt therapy, I have a tendency to keep my "little thoughts" to myself, but when I decided to bring Sophia into my life, she was initially just another way to express a more creative side of myself. Through her, I'm able to express myself in a way that I can't in real life. I also loved dolls as a kid and went through a phase of collecting kewpie dolls earlier in the decade--attempting, I'm sure, to recreate my childhood. Sophia is a life size version of a doll. Oh--I always did (and still do) love paper dolls; she's a three-dimensional paper doll. I also loved fashion when I was younger but in my later years, with weight gain, cellulite and wrinkles, clothing has become less important to me. But, Sophia's clothing allows me to be young again,I guess. 

It occurred to me tonight that I have so many images of Sophia in all her outfits and she makes a good art journal model, so you'll see her from time to time. Just some sacred ordinary thoughts tonight about a tiny facet of my every day life. 

Sophia the Art Mannikin Encourages Me to Welcome Fall

So many of my cyberfriends have complained that it was just too hot this summer, but in the South Bay area of Los Angeles, it feels like summer only arrived for about two weeks in August. And, people tell me it was summer here the two weeks I was in Washington and Canada. 

For the past few days it has been downright chilly in Redondo Beach with the marine layer nestled in with a two hour or so window in late afternoon when the weak sun shines through. My evening walk with Mollie requires two jackets for comfort. 

When I woke up this morning, however, the sun was out and I had coffee and read the papers on the patio. 

Which brings me to individuals and their preference for certain seasons. Several years ago we had a favorite seasons writing prompt for my ongoing writing group and it was interesting to hear what times of year appealed to them the most. So, what is your favorite season--and why do you like it best? I'm a summer gal and always have been. 

Sophia, my fashion alter-ego, has no preferences although she admits she likes her Halloween witch costume and her Christmas angel outfits the best. Now she is dressed for fall and at her feet is a beautiful hand-woven Mexican basket where she has encouraged me to write some fall gratitudes--and encourage others who visit to do the same. She reminds me that I am grieving the loss of summer more than is necessary--and also reminds me that Southern California is famous for its Indian summers. So maybe it will warm up yet. 

I came back from my two week vacation exceptionally tired this year and I had to put the house back together from its interior painting which isn't totally done, but it is for now. Saturday I had the carpet cleaned. Every afternoon, on the days I don't go to work, I've been tucking into bed for a few hours of reading and snoozing--and my energy is coming back. I haven't done any art projects since the first week in August, but I put up my art table last night and I made an art journal page. 

 

 

Sophia the Art Mannikin: A Midsummer Night's Dream and the Best Bargain Ever

Sophia and I think that the South Bay area of Los Angeles is probably one of the most beautiful places in the world, but we both admit that the summer doldrums have set in in spite of the heavenly weather and lots of discretionary time. Freedom is an interesting dilemma sometimes. When faced with lots of choices, it can be confusing sometimes.

We both could use a little excitement, but the good kind, not the bad kind, which comes often enough unbidden. So, we gardened today and Mollie got her first at-home bath in the tub. Usually I take her to UShampooch self-wash. It went well. Then my daughter and granddaughter came by to use the computer and chat, but here we are with lots to do but not much inertia. Whitney and Christy adored Sophia's current dress and I added a vintage necklace. But, now what? Sophia begged, "Fran, let's have a little fun, pretty please." 

I'll admit I'm not the world's best Shakespeare lover, but A Midsummer Night's Dream immediately came to mind. I saw it once in the summer in Central Park in NYC and it was magical. 

So, here's Sophia dressed as Hippolyta and her adventures are about to begin. If your memory needs jogging, the play is believed to have been written between 1590 and 1596. It portrays the events surrounding the marriage of the Duke of Athens, Theseus, and the Queen of the Amazons, Hippolyta. These include the adventures of four young Athenian lovers and a group of amateur actors, who are manipulated by the fairies who inhabit the forest in which most of the play is set. The play is one of Shakespeare's most popular works for the stage and is widely performed across the world. (Wikipedia) 

But, it's Sophia's dress that was one of my most incredible finds ever in the world of thrifts and estate sales. It's an extra-large and Sophia is a size 4, but all kinds of amazing things can be done to make a mannikin's dress fit. Just ask any model. 

It's yards of lush magenta satin with a full white satin slip and crinolines beneath. It is beaded with rhinestones at hoo-hoo level and has a lovely stole--and it is brand new! I found it on the outdoors dollar rack last week at PV Thrift. It started at $459.99 in some store long ago, and then the mark-down tag says $229.99. PV Thrift's tag said $28, then $8--and now it adorns Sophia. 

I'll admit, if I still had my lithe young body, I would spend money to have this dress altered to my own size. IF. I don't go bare-necked or armed anymore, but I sure can remember when I did--and how I took that for granted. 

Sophia says she wants to go into the forest fairy land and meet the Fairy King and Queen--and Puck. Maybe they could get in some healthy mischief together. 

For a person who loves a bargain, the tags below make my heart sing. I'm a consumer, I admit it, although I enjoy recycling more than buying new. Does that give me any brownie points? 

 

 

Sophia the Art Mannikin: Marries in Her Hawaiian Wedding Dress

Kind of lost my blog mojo since the weekend but Sophia insists that I share photos of her in her Kauai wedding dress. 

I purchased this Jessica McClintock dress for $10 at the Shared Blessings Thrift Shop in the town of Kilauea on Kauai when my friend Mary Lou and I vacationed on Kauai in March. 

I've had so many fantasies about this dress. It is in pristine condition, probably worn only once, and I picture it on a bride who married in the Christ Memorial Episcopal Church in Kilauea in the 1980s and then went down to the Kilauea lighthouse for the reception. The bride was not a tourist, as so many brides are in the Hawaiian islands, but she settled down there. I saw her with a wreath of Hawaiian flowers in her hair and draped in white ginger leis. 

Why did the dress end up in a thrift shop? My own wedding dress still takes up a lot of space in my closet as does my mother's dress and until I begin down-sizing, I can't imagine getting rid of either one. Well, perhaps this Hawaiian bride's marriage ended up in divorce, as did my own. Perhaps she died and the family packed it up with all the other stuff they donated to the thrift shop. Perhaps she was conscious of recycling and sustainability and decided to pass it on to another bride. 

The dress is a size six and I have kept it on a dress form in my bedroom since I returned from Hawaii, often fingering it and dreaming of what was and what might be. Sophia is actually wearing my own wedding head piece beneath her wreath of flowers. I attached a new veil to it when I gave a party several years ago for my newly married friends Barbara and Jerry. 

I haven't quite finished dressing Sophia yet as I will add heirloom pearls at her neck and put one of my mother's beautiful handkerchiefs bordered with tatting in her hand. 

I am a hopeless romantic, I fear. By the way, this dress is so special I would even be willing to loan it to a special bride. I'm thinking of a few women in my family who will marry in the future. 

By the way, this is third wedding dress Sophia has worn in the four years I've been dressing her and she wants to reassure you that the other two marriages were symbolic, as this one will be. She marries an invisible, perfect man on June 26 and my other mannikin Gillian will be her maid of honor.

My friend Mary Lou holds out Sophia's Kilauea wedding gown on the balcony of the Westin Princeville in Kauai. And, I wonder if that Kilauea bride had someone sing the Hawaiian Wedding Song? 

 

Art Mannequins Sophia and Gillian Join Part of a Larger Art Community

It’s a rare day when Sophia the art mannequin and her sister Gillian are together, but Gillian just returned from the royal wedding and wanted to dish about the clothes and hats she saw. Those of you who read here regularly know that Sophia is my side-kick at Villa Redondo and she gets regular clothing changes depending on my mood. Here they are together on the patio.

Gillian was originally purchased to be the foundation for a mixed media collage project I have never gotten around to. Her face is just so darned haughty, so mostly she remains under wraps in the garage. Or maybe it is her platinum wig. I dressed her to put her on Craig’s List, but don’t have the heart yet to sell her. Anybody in the market? 

When I visited the Brewery Artwalk in downtown Los Angeles last month, I was delighted to see other artists who like to work with a mannequin palette. Here are a few examples.

But when I received my Cloth Paper Scissors magazine for June/July 2011 last week, there was a whole article on art mannequins written by Dorit Elisha. The featured mannequins had been part of a “Hey, Babe” exhibit at the Ein-Hod Artists Village in Israel. Another article from the Jerusalem Post was also exhibited, and I’m wondering if I should remove Gillians stomach and make it into a shrine. What do you think? You have to go to the link to see the shrine mannequins.

The two faces below are from a Savannah art show. This style is what I would like to use on Gillian. 

  

While I was Googling around to find other examples of mannequin art, I was astounded by this very unusual (and somewhat violent) site called VN of mannequins as part of performance art. I was especially touched, actually, by Man Ray's exhibit, but Mad TV's skit is pretty funny. Hmmm. I might have to see about getting a life separate from my obsessions about mannequins. 

 

 

Sophia The Art Mannikin Welcomes Spring

Sophia protested mightily about it being April 12 and she was still wearing her St. Patrick's Day outfit. I dressed her tonight in one of my favorite of her spring dresses, but she told me that she thinks she wore this one last year.

The lace shawl from Coldwater Creek is one of my personal favorites and I took it to Hawaii and never wore it.

For some reason, she seemed a little testy tonight, but I'll admit that she has gotten very little attention lately.

I have collected stuffed rabbits for the Easter season for years and she tried to guilt me into going into the garage and bringing in the boxes.

But, I'm too achy right now. My arthritis went underground in Hawaii and it's back with a vengeance with our cold--but sunny weather.

I did welcome spring, however, on Sunday and Monday and worked extensively in my patio garden, which all of a sudden makes sense about why my legs and knees are so uncomfortable. Anyhow, the usual spring repotting and planting of many new plants thoroughly delighted me and I could feel the weight of the winter lifting.

So, has spring sprung in your part of the world, too?

Sophia the Art Mannikin: Wishes You Happy St. Patrick's Day

Perhaps putting my Sophia and the gorgeous song I love so much, St. Patrick's Breastplate or the Deer's Cry, together are sacrilegious, but here goes anyway. 

In my busy-ness tonight I rushed past Sophia who was still wearing her January outfit. She missed Valentine's Day and Carnival. I swear I heard her whisper, "What about me?" I stopped in my tracks and immediately got out one of her green outfits. So, here she is. I can only hope she doesn't want to get hauled down to Hennessy's on Thursday night.