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Welcome to Style Imitating Art. You guys, I just completed my second photo shoot on Saturday and I cannot wait to show you the pictures. I was so incredibly nervous. I came thisclose to calling and asking her to find someone else to do it. Shooting for people is unnerving because they have expectations. When I shoot for the school, I’m catching people in action, there’s no posing… I’m in my bubble and I don’t have to worry about directing and posing. I can focus on lighting and angles, no pressure. But I think I nailed it. Or, at least, she was happy with the initial images so that makes me incredibly happy.
ABOUT STYLE IMITATING ART
Style Imitating Art is hosted by Salazar {14 Shades of Grey}, Terri {Meadow Tree Style}, and me. Style Imitating Art challenges us to draw style inspiration from pieces of art. Every other Monday one of us selects an inspiration image and we each post the image on our blogs. The following Monday we share our art inspired outfits. Participants submit their art inspired outfits with the curator by 10 PM Tuesday and, that Wednesday, the curator shares all of the submissions on her blog.
THE CURATOR
This week’s image was chosen by me. I chose this painting because there are so many options for colors and patterns: blues, greens, reds, and pinks with polka dots, tapestry, and stripes. I also just like the image of a young girl learning to count. You can just see the focus in her eyes.
INSPIRATION ART WORK
The Counting Lesson by Albert Huie
February is Black History Month, so, it only seems fitting that the first inspiration piece is by a Black artist. One of the founding tutors of the Jamaica School of Arts and Crafts, Albert Huie was a Jamaican artist who exhibited around Jamaica and the United States. As a painter, he was known for his landscapes, but often painted portraits as well. Influenced by Rastafarianism, Garvyism, and cultural nationalism, many of his paintings expressed sociopolitical themes and showed images of manual labor. To learn more about Huie, click here.
SUBMISSIONS
Charlotte {jodie’s touch of style}
Jodie submitter her eighty-plus-year-old mother’s picture because “…the SIA painting with the bow gave me a whimsical feel. And seeing my mom in this polka dot jacket (that is actually mine), gave me that same vibe.”
I totally agree on both points. Her mom looks fun and every bit as engaging as the young girl in the inspiration piece.
Kezzie {kezzie ag}
How cute is Kezzie’s outfit? I’m so loving her polka dot top. Kezzie’s outfit has a secret surprise, to find out what it is visit her blog. The link is above, next to her name.
Michelle {my bijou life online}
Michelle wrote: “After studying the painting, I felt that I wanted to capture the colors that the girl is wearing – her black with white polka dots dress and red bow. When I thought of the outfit I’d put together, I realized I did it just a few weeks ago.”
I’ve done that as well, worn an outfit and thought Oh! That fits perfectly with the theme! Sometimes things are just meant to be and this outfit was meant to be…. I told Michelle that her bag had me screaming: it’s just so perfect!
Mike {postcard purposes}
Mike shared that he “…”kept it real simple, going with black and white to emulate the black and white on the woman’s dress. I didn’t have any polka dots, so I went for the colors that I have the most of.”
Sometimes, simple is best. The black and white hints at the polka dots in the girl’s dress and, I dare say, the images behind Mike add to the whimsy.
Shelbee {shelbee on the edge}
Shelbee wrote: “The first thing that caught my attention in the painting was the girl’s polka dot top/dress. I immediately knew that would be my starting point for creating an outfit inspired by the artwork. I opted for a black and white polka dot dress with a bow at the neckline similar to the girl in the painting. I added bits of pink ribbons and pink tights inspired by her pink bow. I imagined that the girl is wearing Mary Jane style shoes so I chose a modest pair of black Mary Janes. And I attempted to style my hair in a similar way! I am not sure I succeeded in that part, but I had fun trying! Otherwise, I kept this look fairly simple and let the little details speak for themselves.”
Shelbee nailed everything about the inspiration piece. I’m almost certain if we had a full-body image, the girl would be wearing Mary Janes. Well done, Shelbee.
MY COHOSTS
Salazar {14 shades of grey}
Salazar wrote: “don’t have a lot of polka dot things in my closet, so I built the outfit around these polka dot socks, with the blazer and the sweater to mimic the colors and textures of the painting. I also added a lace collar with a red brooch as a nod to the girl’s Peter Pan collar and red bow.”
The polka dot socks were the first things I noticed when I received Salazar’s pictures. I like the soft feminine look with the brogues – so very cool. And the pop of red against the neutral top is a perfect nod to the bow.
Terri {meadow tree style}
Terri wrote that she: “wanted to work with it all: pink, red, polka dots, and black.”
And she did. Her red brogues are absolutely fabulous. I also like her polka dot top, so sweet.
MY OUTFIT
You can see the full details on my outfit in my original post. However, I will share that this is an Ian Mosh skirt. His work isn’t available very often {especially not in larger sizes}, so if you run across an item of his, get it. It’s well worth the hunt. I get my pieces at Zulily at a big discount.
JOIN US
Come back on Monday, 15 February to find out our next inspiration piece.
You don’t have to have a blog to join, you can share your images on Instagram as well! Just tag Salazar, Terri, and me or use the hashtags #TeamLOTSStyle and #StyleImitatingArt so we know you’re there. We’d love to see how you interpret the inspiration piece.
LET’S CONNECT
For more stylish inspiration, check out the following linkups:
Where I Co-host
- Fab Forties – Six bloggers, over the age of forty, show they’re still fabulously fashionable. First Monday of the month.
- Style Imitating Art – Style inspired by pieces of art. Every other week.
Where I Link Up