Keep Feeling Fascination

Work in Progress

keepfeelingjoanna — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:43:59 +0000

One of the most exciting things that happened for me last year was moving into my own studio space. It was not something that I had planned on doing, so even more exciting was that it was totally unexpected and helped me to put my career into perspective in many ways. And to further add to the excitement, behind my walls sit two of my dear friends Melissa and Simone whom I admire both creatively and professionally. Needless to say, the collaborative environment and energy totally works for me and I’m so happy to be where I am. Since I’ve moved in, my studio has been a work in progress and it’s coming together one step at a time. I saw this table below in an issue of Elle Decor a few months back and immediately knew it was the one for me and my space. I sent it over to my good friend Steve for inspiration and asked him if he could build me something similar. What I really loved about it was the size, so aside from that I gave him the freedom (and my trust!) to construct a table for me where I could sit and draw, have a meeting, show textiles, etc. I gasped when he delivered it to my studio. He used various stains to color the wood and gave it some Joanna flavor, and I couldn’t be happier. After my table arrived, I was thinking about a centerpiece that I would want for it. When I was visiting my in-laws in San Luis Obispo one weekend, my very generous and loving mother-in-law, Jacki, told me that I could take her textile art that I had long been admiring. I knew it would be perfect for my beautiful table, and very Joanna. Jacki is beyond inspiring; just ask anyone who has crossed her path and you will get the same answer. I’m so, so lucky to have her, and to have her spirit with me in my office. This morning I emailed her to ask what year she made her textile sculpture and I got the best response ever: “I believe it was 1977 and the name of it is Growth. At the time, my teacher Dr. Jeanne Knorr, who was a colleague of Sheila Hicks was teaching at Norfolk State, in Norfolk, VA, and I was taking classes from her & also majoring in art at Old Dominion University, where my passion was sculpture. Her work (that orange shaman’s fan piece I have in the patio room) and the work of Sheila Hicks was inspiring at the time. There was also a good group of fiber artists I joined in Norfolk. I wanted to do sculpture rather than the wall pieces that Sheila & Jeanne were doing, so I first did a container shape to get the wrapping technique–and old basketry method. I was changing personally at the time, finally adopting some of the feminist values my hippie friends discovered in the sixties (remember I was a military wife & mom) and growth and change was my exploration. Inspired by growing things in nature and the convoluted process of personal growth (I had learned macrame’ from a salty bosun’s mate in Cuba) I made it as a tree and knot form. The second one I made (now being glued) had a root system in addition and some clear plastic tubing to give open channels. It was fun to explore with the freedom to create. Interesting that you are combining it with the table, as I think Steve has the same spirit of exploration and the combining of many techniques and colors, etc. that was prevalent in the 70s. This is way more than you need, but gives you a flavor of the times, I hope.” How’s that for inspiring?! Thank you, Jacki and Steve!

Create Now

keepfeelingjoanna — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:00:29 +0000

I recently started volunteering for Create Now, a non-profit that mentors youth from the ages of 2-25 who come from poverty-stricken families with a history of violence, substance abuse, or neglect. Create Now focuses on mentoring at-risk and high-risk youth through art, encouraging and helping to express themselves creatively and giving them an outlet that they otherwise may not have. I truly believe that art can heal and change lives no matter where you come from or what your background is, and I’m so grateful to have this opportunity. Last week I had so much fun at a Create Now workshop that was all about promoting peace to young kids. We created a peace collage with ribbons, stickers, glitter, crayons and all kinds of fun stuff and talked about what peace means to each of us. The kids were crazy cute and so creative!

A Visible Trace

keepfeelingjoanna — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:54:24 +0000

It’s been a productive week over here and all kinds of exciting things are happening, not just in my world but in the world around us. Below, a few things that inspired me this week. Have a great weekend, and if you live in LA enjoy this crazy beautiful weather.

I’ve noticed new takes on wearing fur both on the runway and on the street, and I’m liking what I see. The fur decorated single lapels that made a mark at the impeccably executed Bouchra Jarrar Couture show and on this handsome man in a photo shot by Scott Schuman had a huge visual impact on me. Such a chic, statement-making detail on both. I had to show the backside of the model, too. The fur and knit piece is completely backless and is fastened by leather onto the model. Very, very cool.

I’ve always admired the artwork and the vision of Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. She was institutionalized in the 70′s for mental illness and although she continues to struggle, she puts all of her energy into her art to create iconic paintings and sculptures. I was happy to hear that Louis Vuitton will be collaborating with Kusama and come spring her well known polka dots will be found on bags, clothing, and jewelry. I think it’s a great message for a luxury fashion house.

My friend Ronda sent me a link to an essay in the LA Observed written by Barbara Kraft where she writes about her LA encounters with both Anäis Nin and Henry Miller. She writes of each individually, but also draws comparisons between the two and talks about their relationship together in Paris in the 30′s. It’s a beautiful piece and full of facts that I didn’t know, further piquing my interest in both of them. Also included is an excerpt (all about Henry Miller) from Kraft’s new memoir, Anäis Nin The Last Days, which has just been released. The book goes into detail about the literary icon’s last days before she wast taken by cancer. Definitely intrigued by this one.

I finally had a chance to read the interview with Jean Toitou, founder of A.P.C., in the latest Interview magazine and I have to say it’s pretty inspiring, especially for anyone who has their own business. His ethics, values, and business model are never compromised and I can’t help but think of what this industry (fashion) would be like if everyone followed suit. But, I guess that’s what makes him beyond special.

I’m not gonna lie, I can be kind of a music snob. So when I first heard that Destroyer recently covered the New Order song, “Leave Me Alone,” I was a little turned off, mostly because New Order is one of my ultimate favorite bands and I couldn’t bare the thought of someone covering such iconic, epic songs that have been so monumental in my life. Selfish, I know. But I gave it a listen and I’m not disappointed; I kind of like how brave he was to take it on. The song is on a compilation released by MOJO that pays tribute to New Order’s Power, Corruption, and Lies album with other artists covering New Order songs that I have yet to listen to, but I’m gonna go ahead and high five Destroyer for this one. You can listen to it here.

Fringed

keepfeelingjoanna — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:41:24 +0000

I scored on the most insane pair of vintage black suede shorts at a flea market a few years back, but they weren’t just black suede shorts. They were black suede shorts with fringe up and down the sides. I wore them one night and met my pal (and now studio mate) Melissa behind the charming line, Wren, and we bonded over said black suede fringe shorts. She was inspired to design a more modern pair for Spring 2012, and voilà. Here you have the “Joanna” short, with some beautiful illustrations by Bernadette Pascua of Decade Diary. Now all I need are those long legs.

Rainbow Brights

keepfeelingjoanna — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:51:44 +0000

Going through my archives this morning I found these from an old issue of Elle. Angela Lindvall wrapped in bright, chunky knitwear in the middle of a forest. I can only feel happy when I look at these.

Newness

keepfeelingjoanna — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:00:26 +0000

Last weekend my very awesome mother-in-law gifted me with this first edition copy of Sonia Delaunay by Arthur Cohen book. It was such a great surprise, especially since it was given to me at my brother’s birthday celebration! I’ve had fun browsing through it and am looking forward to actually sitting down and reading about her gorgeous artwork and prints she became known for. A few pages that caught my eye below:

Texture

keepfeelingjoanna — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:00:58 +0000

I wrote about designer Jenny Postle and her line Leutton Postle a few months ago and just recently visited her site to find her Spring/Summer 2012 collection. She really has a way with textiles, as evidenced in her insanely cool knitwear that brings to mind the arts & crafts movement of the 60′s; in particular the textiles and weavings of that decade. These are definitely pieces worth collecting – a rare case for a designer who only made her debut in September 2011.

A Visible Trace

keepfeelingjoanna — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:00:40 +0000

It’s been a while since I’ve posted A Visible Trace, but this week has been filled with too many awesome things to skip this time around. I’m happy to be home for longer than a month and am looking forward to a weekend filled with museum-going, movie watching, and a sibling birthday celebration. Hope all of you have a dreamy weekend. xo Joanna

I don’t really follow men’s fashion, although I appreciate it just as much as I appreciate women’s fashion. But when I caught a glimpse of the men’s Prada A/W 2012 show I was mesmerized by what I saw. Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe, and Gary Oldman looking both handsome and aristocratic on the runway? Yes, please. They are high on my list of creatives when it comes to film, and I couldn’t help but have a congratulatory moment in my head with whomever the casting director was for the show. I’m guessing Miuccia had something to do with it? Either way, quite brilliant in my book.

And while we’re on the topic of fashion, I have to declare my love for Jil Sander’s pre-fall collection. I look at these photos and think of one of my favorite films, Dead Poet’s Society. But this society is pure feminist. A secret feminist society filled with your closest, most charming girlfriends donning monogrammed dresses and letterman sweaters. You devour books and contemplate what’s inspiring in life while laughing and telling secrets. And then there’s the dress and the hooded coat emblazoned with the words Silence and Promise – so devastatingly cool I can barely handle it.

Olympia Le-Tan’s embroidered “book bags” are a work of art that can be carried and shown to the world. When I read about her paying homage to Italian cinema and books for her project with Pitti in Florence, I expected something smart and beautiful and spot on in her creations. But she went beyond that and completely captured the essence by having a group of friends be photographed as a character in each of the 36 films and books she chose to represent Italy. I adore this photo of Tilda Swinton as Silvana Mangano in Teorema. There’s also a cute little video with Olympia Le-Tan talking about the project here.

I am beyond excited x 1,000 to see the upcoming LACMA exhibition, In Wonderland: The Surrealist Adventures of Women Artists in Mexico and the United States. I have been waiting for this one and it’s right around the corner. To see Frida Kahlo’s work displayed next to the work of Leonora Carrington and Louise Bourgeois will be a dream come true.

And lastly, I’m way inspired by these images from the latest Une Fille Un Style on the Vogue Paris website. So, so good.

Kisses

keepfeelingjoanna — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:39:55 +0000

I showed up to dinner last night and was not only greeted by my two lovely friends Stefani and Gilda, but two goodie bags were awaiting my arrival with open arms. If you read Stefani and Gilda’s blog, A Collection Of, you know that they turn out some seriously cool stuff. Inside my first goodie bag was a mix cd (I looove mix cd’s), a chocolate coin, a candle decorated in a metallic silver drawing, and a pack of matches for said candle, all from Stefani. And if that wasn’t enough, homegirl decorated a second goodie bag in metallic silver kisses and inside were homemade sugar cookies in the shape of lips. Holy wow. I dipped one in my tea for breakfast this morning. Thanks, Stefani! And thanks for a great dinner, ladies.

Oh my god.

Layers

keepfeelingjoanna — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:00:20 +0000

If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you know how I feel about collages. I came across the work of Spanish designer and illustrator Eugenia Lejos and was immediately inspired by her very simple collages that are comprised of a neutral color palette of fabrics, layered on top of illustrations and editorials. The subjects in the editorials appear slightly washed out and take on another meaning when decorated with materials such as organza, gauze, and leather. This series of illustrations is titled, “You Don’t Need a Computer to Make a Poster.” Clearly not.