Tag: muses

I have SO MANY PRESENTS

It’s like Santa exploded at The Compound last night, if Santa is named TomTimRhondaLindseyMarikaMichael/Katie. I can stretch this amazing haul over a sleigh-load of blog posts, but earlier today, I was reminded of the thrill of one of my favorite Christmases from childhood. It was the morning I ripped the Christmas paper off my Barbie and Ken Bride and Groom fashions and Barbie’s honeymoon trousseau. To a little girl who loved Barbies, opening those clothes and smelling everything new and plastic-y was heady stuff, and I played Wedding all day long. And all night. And all forever. Oh, how glad my family was.

This morning, as I was playing with a few of this year’s gifts, I felt like a total kid again. I dressed two new Barbie Basics from Tom in fashion I received from Rhonda and Lindsey and my Tom-family-Santa, Michael (though I feel like shopping for Barbie clothes may have fallen to Michael’s wife/Tom’s sister Katie).

Here’s how my dolls look in their new duds:

They’re standing on a black-and-pink woven basket that The Brides gave me, posed in front of a Barbie calendar page, also from The Brides. And therein lies the contrast between Young Becky’s Mattel and Old Adult Becky’s Mattel. The illustration is so chic, so classic, so Audrey Hepburn. And my Basics look very “So Lindsay Lohan and Tara Reid walk into a bar.”

Which leads me to the cautionary cross-stitch that is Marika’s gift:

I’m using it differently here, but “Don’t be a hooch” comes from a fantastic Tom Hanks spoof of “Toddlers and Tiaras,” which you can see here.

My new Model Muses have no names yet, so if you have suggestions, don’t judge them by their flashy fashion. They’re lovely girls. You can see names I’ve already used in this Flickr set. If I choose your name, there’s no prize EXCEPT GLORY! Don’t be so greedy–I’m sure Santa was good to you, too.

Magnetic Poetry 365:345

In October 2001, Tom and I joined Tim, Timmy, Jim, and many friends in New York for the release of the first Timothy James Beck novel, It Had to Be You. It was a strange time in Manhattan, but traversing the island together in support of the book, having dinner with our editor, and doing a few tourist things helped keep our moods mostly positive.

One place we went was Keith Haring’s Pop Shop, a boutique providing public accessibility to Haring’s art, as well as clothing and gift items bearing images of some of his most iconic drawings. (The shop was closed to the public in 2005; the link above is its online site, where merchandise continues to be available.) While we were there, I sneakily bought Tom a couple of Keith Haring ties that I later gave him for his birthday and Christmas. He liked them so much that a couple of years later, I ordered him another one. Among them, he had a favorite.

On Saturday, he came inside from doing some work around The Compound grounds to five happy dogs (Tim’s and ours). None of those dogs had silk hanging from their mouths or necktie-icide in their eyes. But Tom’s favorite Keith Haring tie must have slipped off the rack and been visible under his closet door, because Pixie and/or Penny someone had left it in the middle of the living room. And it looked like this:

I texted Tim, who agreed that the tie carnage sucked, but then he said, “Though maybe now a Barbie might get a Keith Haring skirt.”

Hmmm. But my Barbies are all packed away until after the holidays.

Except apparently Santa has a secret stash in the house, because here’s a new Model Muse, who I’ve named Shannon after a character in one of my early (never published) novels. And she’s got a fancy new silk dress and jacket.

Your assistance is required

One week from today is the first show of Project Runway’s Season 9 on Lifetime. This is one reason why I’ve been getting my Model Muse pool in order. I have no idea which dolls I’ll use, but I’ll probably start with new models, of which I’ve acquired several since the previous season.

The lineups of familiar and new models are these:


Tim Gunn poses with the Birthstone Beauties. Standing left to right: Dandy, Natalie, Tajma, Patricia, Katie, Sarah, Emily, Toni. Sitting, left to right: Olivia, Gina, Ava, Lily.


From the Basics 01 collection, left to right: Marcella, Laura Lee, Alexandria, Jillian, Maia, Cassidy, Tabitha, Rachel, Justine.


From the Basics 02 denim collection, left to right: DJ, Amelia, Arlina.


From the Basics Red collection, left to right: Sharon, Rome, Juliet.


I have three of four Basics 1.5 dolls, left to right: Morgan, Louise, Gail.


Random Model Muse dolls, left to right: Grace, Barcelona, Cari, Victoria, Esperanza, Dallas, Heidi 2, Ellison, Heidi 1, Rocky, Christine, Noelle.

And of course, the Top Models, who began this madness.

Left to right: Summer, Lacy, Susannah, Rita, Tamala, Faizah, Barbie, Kikki, Maggie, Tanya, Jessica, Abby

Finally, in case they’re needed, male models are standing by. They do not have names yet, but I’m taking suggestions. If you give me a name and I choose it, there’ll be a prize. Damn if I know what the prize is, but I’ll come up with something. Here you see the unnamed Basics 2.0 models posing with Twilight’s most malicious vampire, Jane.


I’m disqualifying either “Edward” or “Jacob” as their names, and not just because I have the actual Edward and Jacob dolls. I’m refusing to choose Team Edward or Team Jacob. When New Moon director Chris Weitz is asked to choose a team, he always diplomatically says, “Team Bella.” But I’m not Team Any Vampire, because in truth, I am Team Bella’s Truck. It is the thing she has that I most envy. In the book, it’s a 1953 Chevy, like this one:

In the movie, it’s this 1963 Chevy:

Frankly, I would love either of these trucks, or any old beat-up red truck that Kathy S could keep running for me. (Hi, Kathy!) Until then, I’ll just dream of Bella’s truck. Now you know my true secret Twilight obsession. I got those pictures from the web site On Screen Cars, and you can read more about the Chevys or vehicles in other movies on that site. If you’re into that kind of thing.

Wednesday out and about

On Wednesday, Tom, Jim, and I had a wonderful lunch at Té House of Tea. Then they helped me take down my paintings so another artist could hang work there.

I once again thank Té for providing the space and the opportunity to show my paintings. I appreciate it so much.

While we were finishing the de-installation, we were joined by Hanley and Tim.

Poser!

Jim had suggested that Tim and I put the “Fluid” app on our iPhones. To the tune of new age music, the app lets you see see water on rocks (or a photo of your choice); you can touch the screen to make the water ripple or flow in different directions. Hanley kept telling Tim she wanted to see the eggs on his phone, and he wasn’t sure what she meant. Then she said the “sparkly egg,” and I was sure she was saying “Sparkly Ed” and professing her allegiance to Team Edward. Tim figured out that the larger pebbles are shaped like eggs, and Hanley finally got to enjoy her serene moments with the phone’s nature scene.

Hanley and her entourage then went to the Menil Collection, where she pointed out paintings by Newman and “Roshko” (Rothko) by name, much to the mirth of the docents. I came home and started spaghetti sauce while whipping together outfits for a few of my models. You might remember the argyle dress I did during 30 Days of Creativity. Now there are four, plus these:

Model muses posing in front of my painting “She Dreams of Tuscany.” By the way, Project Runway returns July 28 on Lifetime.

30 Days of Creativity 2011, Day 7

You guys who’ve been following this blog for a while know that for each season of the Bravo/Lifetime show Project Runway starting in the fall of 2008, I’ve completed the show challenges at 1:6 scale for Mattel Model Muse dolls. For my final collection in the fall of 2010, I painted unbleached muslin canvases and turned them into dresses.

Since I didn’t cut any of the canvases, once I removed them from the dolls and took out all the stitching, they became paintings again. My goal was to mount the canvases with photos of the dolls wearing them in hope of showing the finished artwork somewhere in Houston. I’m in the process of pinning down a venue now, so I’ve begun the task of framing the work. It has been challenging, but fortunately, I have my in-house Tim Gunn to assist me. In fact, after offering an excellent suggestion today, my Tim–Timothy J. Lambert–left me with the parting words, “Make it work.”

I’ve shot a couple of the framed pieces for today’s 30 Days entry–which is, coincidentally, “Fashion.” My models look a little distorted because I had to shoot down at them to avoid reflections. Two down, twelve to go!

When these pieces are done and exhibited, they will be for sale–prices yet to be determined.

Eight more days!

I suddenly realized that it’s only eight more days until the return of my second favorite (and maybe the only one I’ll watch this fall) reality show, Lifetime’s Project Runway. It’s moving up an hour (9 p.m. Eastern and Pacific, which means 8 p.m. Central–and I don’t know what time Mountain people can see it) on Thursday nights. The format is ninety minutes, but details haven’t been provided as to whether they’ll feature another season of Models of the Runway or are expanding air time for the design competition. This season has more contestants than usual–seventeen–and tonight I watched all their casting videos and picked my favorites to keep an eye on and my favorites to go home early.

Will I be playing along and designing for Mattel’s Model Muse dolls?

Does Barbie have a dream house?

I’m already auditioning my models. In case you think they’ve just been lying around naked in a wicker box all summer, you should know that some of them have joined together to form an all-model rock band, The Opposite of Math. As for whether or not my own personal muse Summer will return–stay tuned!

Hump Day Happy–Early Edition

I was sitting on the front porch Tuesday afternoon after I dropped all the rose petals into the flower bed. I was thinking about John Lennon and Riley and their eternal connection in my heart while I sang to the dogs. The dogs LOVE it when I do this; in their excitement, they run to distant corners of The Compound, probably hoping I’ll sing even more loudly so the world can share in the thrill of it all.

I wasn’t singing a John Lennon or even a Beatles song, but one of my favorite Neil Young songs, “Birds.” I was sad, and it occurred to me how one of Riley’s gifts was that no matter how crazy awful our lives were (and 1980 delivered a ton of crazy awful), he could always make me laugh. As I sang, I remembered Riley telling me a story about a day he was sitting on his front porch, singing and playing his guitar. He was working on a song of his called “I Saw the Light” about the rotten luck of his alter ego, the Mysterious Vagabond Poet. Each time the MVP thought his life was taking a turn for the better, another awful thing would happen. And as Riley sang, he suddenly realized that across the street, his neighbors were sitting on their front porch and laughing their butts off. That’s when he knew he’d accomplished what he wanted to with the lyrics: He’d taken all the crazy awful and made it funny. He came to my house a couple of days later to make sure the song would get the same reaction from me. Remembering how I laughed back then gave me a much welcomed lift.

And then came magic.

Windows, No. 6

That’s a photo I shot in Chelsea when I was in NYC in 2007. It’s one of my favorite window photos.

As you might surmise, I haven’t been posting or commenting much because I’m sewing. But I AM reading you, so don’t try to slip anything by me. I’m like Santa that way. Or a mother. Or a Compound dog when someone’s in the kitchen. Or the Talamasca. (Hi, MGH.)

Enough with the similes. Right now, one of my models is posed in front of me wearing a design I just finished and she’s SO FREAKING ADORABLE. I’m having a lot of fun with this collection because I’m making myself take on new challenges. I know that some of my readers are not into the doll stuff and the fashion; others of you will see it, evaluate and comment on it, then move on and forget it. For me, however, there has to be a reason to do this beyond just making doll clothes. I have to learn something from it or take something from it that I can use in the future.

To wit:

I begin with raw materials. The doll comes first. Then I choose fabrics after much consideration of color and texture. Once I’ve settled on those, I begin to create a context that includes structure and story. I create new patterns or modify old ones to cut my design pieces. Then I start putting the pieces together. Very often, this involves a lot of frustration. I make false starts. I do things wrong and have to rip them out and redo them. Sometimes I throw everything away and start fresh. Eventually, I have a look. Then I choose how to accessorize it, enhance it. Sometimes it all requires research. Sometimes I need another pair of eyes for praise, criticism, or input. Sometimes I need help doing something I haven’t tried before.

Finally, where there was nothing, there’s suddenly something!

For those of you who create in the visual or performing arts, I don’t know how much of this is relevant to you. But for those who have asked what my writing process is, go back and read that paragraph.

I always begin with a character. Like each doll I work with, my character becomes my muse. Everything I’m going to develop in terms of plot, setting, point of view, or theme, for example, is structured based on who that character is. Conflicts, career, relationships–these are how I accessorize and enhance my character. And writing has all the same frustrations: starting and restarting, deleting, talking through some snag with someone who understands my writing style. For each new work of fiction, I have to try new things, meet new challenges, to keep the process from feeling stale.

Finally, where there was nothing, there’s suddenly something!

It’s possible that I’ve begun to forgive myself for my year of not writing. It’s possible that all this sewing and painting and photographing things were ways of refilling my creative well. It’s been kind of crazy to have a fully-formed character in my head for several months now, to wake up thinking about her and figuring out more things about her life, to even talk about her and her story to other writers, and STILL not be writing. I guess she’s just not posed right in front of me yet, looking SO FREAKING ADORABLE that I can’t resist her.

Thanks to everyone who commented and e-mailed about my runway post from Monday. I do need to clear up something. I didn’t make a lot of those clothes. They are vintage and new Mattel (or Mattel knock-offs). I’m going to put some thumbnails behind the cut of exactly what I did make. Because I’d never take credit for anyone else’s work. Except maybe, you know, Tim’s. 😉

Click here to see what I did sew if you’re interested.