Roll call...

I'm 27 days late a many dollars short (hey, teacher pay ain't the best) HOWEVER...I really did want to take a few minutes and write just a bit about some of the 'WONDERful Women' that I chose to depict in my series.

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The Project Runway ladies...

For starters...as I was working on the series Season 16 of Project Runway was finishing up and I felt compelled to illustrate a few of my fav designers from this season. 

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​Kenya!

...some of my fashion sketches of Kenya's work along with a pic of Kenya herself holding...ummm...HERSELF as Wonder Woman!!

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Kenya Freeman was definitely one of my absolute favorites.  I loved her designs, but I loved her story.  She really had my heart the whole season and I was rooting for her.  I know that she will go on to do big things- and I can't wait to see what the future has in store for her.  Early on as the episodes aired she had liked my fashion illustration of one of her garments from my September #DrawnToFashionJLG series...so I mailed it to her in Atlanta!  Once she saw the image I made of her as Wonder Woman she loved it!  We arranged a fabric/art trade...fast forward to the work in it's new home in Atlanta!  (I also threw in some of my other fashion illustrations of her work just 'cause she's so great!)

http://sylviamollie.com/

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Ayana!

...some of my sketches of Ayana's looks...

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Another designer that I loved this season- Iyana Ife!  She came in this season committed to her modest aesthetic and stuck to it- and did so effortlessly and beautifully.  My favorite pieces from her were her unconventional materials pieces, and her couture piece was crazy and fun.  She really had a smile that would light up the room, and I am excited to have had a glimpse into her world as a designer.  

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http://ayanaife.com/about/

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Margarita!

My version of Margarita as WW...and my sketch of her winning look for the JC Penny challenge!

​Margarita Alvarez was another designer that I loved for so many reasons.  Obviously, one reason was her talent.  I also loved her wild and crazy colors, and her finale looks were some of my favorites from the whole season.  I loved the glitz and the fearless use of colors and graphics- and even more so because she designed so many of her own textiles.  I was also pulling for her because to me she represented a shining light for Puerto Rico in the dark aftermath of the hurricane...a darkness that still has not been lifted.  

Sending love to Puerto Rico

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And since we're talkin' fashion...gotta include my fairy glam mother- Iris Apfel!

Some of my past Iris illustrations and my attempt to become Iris...oh, and Iris as WW!

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Next up...some art history book favs!

 Sometimes I have a plan when I am working on a series...like, to a fault.  There are months where I plan out each day of the series, often time in a chronological order or based on some narrative in my head. Examples include my Friday series, where I followed events in her life and included her own words...my cheer series, where I chronicled the history of cheerleading...and more recently, my series based off Greek myths, where I made a calendar and planned which goddesses and female characters I would depict each day.

And then...well, sometimes I just wing it and see what happens.  Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.  I used to stress over it, but not so much anymore.  Having said this- at the beginning of this series my intention was to focus on the depiction of Wonder Woman, specifically her costume, throughout the years.  And I did that for a little bit...and then I started off on a tangent with the Project Runway pieces...then moved onto other female artists that inspire me.

I did share this in some art teacher groups on in on Facebook for some suggestions, and everyone was more than happy to give me some great ones!  Frida is always top on my list of inspirations from art history, and I really admire the styles of Louise Nevelson and Georgia O'Keeffe...not just their art but their own personal style.  

...and Yayoi had me seeing spots...

I  also connnect with the work of Yayoi Kusama...so much so that I have featured her in my previous #GirlTalkJLG series...and I even made a last minute solo trip out to see her show at the Whitney 

Yayoi Kusama, love her! I even went to see her show at the Whitney...and drew her back in my #GirlTalkJLG series!

​...and we could ALL use a lil' Faith, right?

And of course fiber rock star Faith Ringgold had to be part of the mix! I actually go to meet her (and give her an angel painting!!) a few years back!

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Next up...some IG favs!

I was on a bit of a roll with my ladies from art history- well known women, important women- all inspirational to me. I was all set to keep going down my list...and then I felt like I was just selecting women artist just because...well, because they were WOMEN artists- not based on my connection to them.  The whole idea behind the series at this point is to highlight woman that I personally look to as WONDERful Women...and you know, the ladies on my list were great...but I wanted to add some new talent into the mix.  So I looked to my Instagram feed and started selecting some of the female artists that I follow that always brighten my day with their art AND their posts.

'The PINK ladies'

Mab Graves, http://mabgraves.com/
Amina Mucciolo, http://bystudiomucci.com/
​Sara Leigh, https://www.etsy.com/shop/stitchofwhimsy

(Left) Mab Graves...I LOVE her work! Everything she posts is so fun, and I enjoy the narratives that she creates to go along with each piece. She was also the ringleader of the 'Mab's Drawlloween Club' that inspired me to create an extra 31 pieces this past October! (Middle) Amina Mucciolo of 'Studio Mucci'...also love her bright, unicorn colors, her interior design style and overall fearlessness! (Right) Sara Leigh of Stitch of Whimsy...I have seen her work in some shows I have attended and participated in and it really IS whimsical and wonderful!!!

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And another interweb fav...Cassie Stephens!!
https://cassiestephens.blogspot.com/

Cassie is an art teacher out of Tennessee that is A-MA-ZIIIIIING!  Seriously- such a wealth of knowledge and SO GIVING!  She literally shares something fun EVERY DAY!  I don't teach elementary art anymore but I think just about any level art teacher can find some inspiration in Cassie's posts!  Not only is she an accomplished art teacher, she is also and author and a funky fashionista!  She is ALWAYS creating some fun frock or home/classroom decor.  I love seeing what she is up to, she is such an inspiration!!!

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Local favs...

Next I started to look at some local ladies that I actual do know and interact with...and admire!  This was really fun to surprise them- they had no idea I was drawing them.  But you know- it just goes to show, you never know who you might be INSPIRING!  

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Kianga Jinaki, ​http://www.kiangaart.com/

It has been a few years since Kianga first reached out to me from Clay Glass Metal Studio.  She saw a 'wish-list' for my LWHS students and contacted me about donations of fiber and treasures like BEADS.  We hit it off.  She gets me.  She truly is my fiber sister, and someone that understands when I am speechless over some texture or stitching detail.

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Nicole Galluccio, 
https://www.facebook.com/nicolegalluccioart/

I adore Nicole's pop-fab style.  Much like Nicole, her art is colorful and bold.  And she is ALWAYS working, something that I love to see.  Nicole has always been super supportive of not only me, but of other artists in the community, and is always out and about with a big smile at the local art events...and she has the BEST laugh.  I mean...when she laughs you FEEL it down in your soul, and I dig that.   I admire her for really going after her art dreams including maintaining a studio in the Boynton Beach Arts District.  

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Raquel Williams
https://www.etsy.com/people/raquelannwilliams

When I think of Raquel the first thing I think of is GLAMOUR.  She really is a stylish gal.  She is a gallerist, a singer AND a seamstress- creating gorgeous bags that are cruelty-free.  If Kianga is my fiber sister (and she sure is!) ...Raquel is my SPARKLE sister and totally gets it when I swoon over glitzy gowns, yardage, jewelry...basically any kind of bling.  She has always been welcoming and supportive of me and my art and of the local art community...and we have the same birthday- just another reason she's so fab!

...only two more to go in the series...
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I WONDER who they will be?!