The Moldy Doily

Watch Out Winfrey

There's a new OPHRAH in town and she's an artist. Sure she spells her name a little different but who wouldn't? Her last name is SHEMESH, and she hails from Israel. Her first solo show will be held at FREIGHT and VOLUME (this is her 3rd show in NYC) is titled "I and Thou "

23 Feb - 29 Mar 2008

the following info is from the article in re-title:
"Ophrah Shemesh's subjects are simultaneously submissive and empowered. She addresses notions of objectification, narcissism, and the male/female psychodynamic. Her figures appear with an ambiguously fixed stare - never directed or confrontational, but always to a third party - or to oneself looking inward. These portraits could be considered eloquent depictions of either loneliness or independence. " David Freedberg

Shemesh's newest suite of paintings I and Thou are based loosely on the poignant '70s art house film Night Porter, a tragic love story starring Charlotte Rampling who turns tables, years later, on her Nazi captor. But these iconic male and female images only use the film as a starting point, in their almost Balthusian investigation of transcendent themes of love, strength and vulnerability, opposite attraction, domination and submission, and ultimate redemption between the sexes.

Naughty naughty.

Behave

do you still cry about...

GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS

(photo credit VERONIQUE MESSIER)

I have been lucky to be asked to help create an art image of sexy singer/songwriter Eleni Mandell. She will be touring around Quebec and other fab places. It's always hard for me to draw people I know. I think it has something to do with the fact that they are no longer two dimensional, and I can imagine them smiling and laughing and it's hard to pinpoint the single features that embody their essence.

here's some cool pics that photographer Dan Monick shot of her

check out her amazing songs and website here:

eleni mandell

on a side note, this dress would be perfect for a stage performance- don't you think?

Something tells me my lucky number's gonna be changing soon...

it's all in the details
everything on it's own is simply a piece of the bigger pie
take into consideration that the parts are often greater than the whole

open brain insert gems, then have Basquiat add a colorful spin

The past few days my artistic side has been bombarded by strange and exciting stimuli:

V. Westwood's Ready-to-Wear dream line (Children helped create the fabric)
The exploding stars and gem display at WACKO La Luz on Hollywood Blvd.
The Doily additions to M.M. Margiela's line
Annakim's Snake fetish a la the MARCHESA Luisa Casati

pretty in punk

I've always loved the incredible work of fashion designer ZANDRA RHODES. She is a textile & construction genius. Her 60's debut rocked the runways while her 70's cut out feather dresses float and form works of art of your bedroom floor. Known as much for wild pink hair and color explosion ensembles, she has an adventurous fashion spirit that has always echoed true Punk. I just caught word that she also recently hosted some dinner parties at her penthouse, and there is a surreal film that captures the scene.

"On Friday the 30th of November, the first of a series of online dinner party art films took place in Zandra Rhodes’ penthouse. Featuring Zandra herself, the dinner party discussion was led by Natt Weller, son of Paul Weller and included guests such as Marios Schwab, artist Andrew Logan, Bishi and Piers Atkinson (Daily Rubbish) amongst others.

Produced by Glass Loves, ‘Chapter 7: Eat Your Chiffon’ was shot by up and coming Photographer & Film Maker Ben Charles Edwards who ‘knows how to turn everyday scenarios into warped cartoon fantasy-lands on film.’ - Jodie Harsh.

Inspired by ‘Eat Your Make Up’ and Chapter 7 of ‘Alice in Wonderland’, the film has managed to capture raw discussion amongst the iconic guests whilst visually acting as an online art installation. The film is being released online in 3 parts in January 2008. Details are at www.glassloves.com

Stay tuned for the next chapter of iconic dinner parties featuring ‘very special’ surprise guests. To be announced shortly....

Make-up for ‘Chapter 7: Eat Your Chiffon’ was provided by James Molloy for M.A.C
Filmmaker www.bencharlesedwards.com

START watching go here:EAT Your Chiffon

For further information, please contact Michelle Arnusch – michelle@glassloves.com"
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there's no place like home

When you just can't bare to take yourself out of the house, nor tidy up your own pad, may I suggest you take a virtual tour of someone else's sweet space? Get yourself hooked up with some inspirational mojo by waltzing through apartment therapy. go here: APT Therapy

You may decide to rush your closet and spruce it up, or grab some paint swatches at Home Depot . So far today I've helped assist in hanging a boutique clothing bar in my back room. (Sure you may remember it as the old painting room and then later the sewing station and then more recently the hub of all garbage and storage) BUT- from now on that room will be a glorified GLAMOUR closet. Mark my words, that room will someday have a purpose. It may take weeks, but it will take shape soon.

**Remember, The time to change is NOW.

The start of my MINDLIST

real love
creative outbursts
countless hours to make art
build things
listening to all of my records while painting
more goodness
true friendships
a lovely window facing a yard full of trees
art all over my walls
my apt floors bare
dancing in the moonlight
yoga, my body able to bend/move fast
peonies scattered everyplace
dreams reality
something to take me on adventures
acceptance
Friends that remain happy
jobs that I love
happiness found within myself
curiosity to try new things
Go new places
healing
family to find their bliss
opening up to everything and letting go

the down home lovin

This past week my cat has not left my side. He has slept near me with his head burrowed into the mattress snoring, occasionally rolling onto his back and muttering strange sounds. I can't believe I took this long to get a gizmo pet like him. When he is by my side I am calm. I am pulled into the slow rhythm of his heart and reminded that naps are good. It's strange loving something so much that has only been in your life for less than a year.

look up look forward

Tonight while driving home I witnessed the lunar eclipse. Slowly, ever so slowly the fingernail moon forming under a whole lilac circle. I was in a hurry with destiny to get home in time to change and make it to Annakim's bewitching party. You see, according to astrological lore, on the evening of the lunar eclipse if you write down everything you want to manifest and force out the things that no longer suit you, POW! it can come to light. So on my way out the door, running late, I made it to the car only to hear Annakim's dad singing "Free Falling" What a strange magical moment.
The evening was coated in good intentions. Towers of candy and luxurious treats, including a massive unicorn cake. As the ladies slowly showed up, we all piled on makeup and took turns pouring "sacred glitter powder" over our heads, sort of a baptism.
Sure it seems weird to you, and yet in the moment I was willing to believe in anything. I surrendered my cynicism at the door and embraced the not knowing.
We sat in a circle and took turns narrating a goblin rainbow book, every page re-imagined by a new participant. And then we ventured to the roof where we stared at the final stages of the moon phase. In a flash it was to be all gone. We decided to dance holding hands and singing "She's Like A Rainbow" loudly til the energy took over the entire room. Any awkwardness replaced by a sense of true understanding and loyalty towards each other that this moment was somehow significant to all included.
When the pizza man arrived I can only imagine what he must have witnessed through that large window, Screaming glitter raccoon eyed ladies rocking out in a ceremonial ritual. We then sat around in a circle while Annakim read:

The Death of Lovers by Charles Baudelaire

We shall have beds full of subtle perfumes,
Divans as deep as graves, and on the shelves
Will be strange flowers that blossomed for us
Under more beautiful heavens.

Using their dying flames emulously,
Our two hearts will be two immense torches
Which will reflect their double light
In our two souls, those twin mirrors.

Some evening made of rose and of mystical blue
A single flash will pass between us
Like a long sob, charged with farewells;

And later an Angel, setting the doors ajar,
Faithful and joyous, will come to revive
The tarnished mirrors, the extinguished flames.
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After that we sat in a circle and wrote out what we saw for our futures. The things we wanted to happen and then talked about what we hoped to kick out of our minds.

Things are gonna change, I can feel it.

Total Lunar Eclipse of the Heart...

It's my muse Lara Stone again, gracing the pages of Italian VOGUE and the latest W magazine. Her sultry pout and spacey teeth are part of the charming package. This first spread reminds me of all things Cockette and playdates with makeup trays. Of course as soon as the store is remodeled, it's back to painting

Don't forget tonight around 7:26-7:45 there is a total eclipse in Virgo! Let's get metaphysical!
Don't know what all this means? Let me explain it to you better, according to Elaine (who also has a cool gap in her teeth)at the MANIFEST CHANGE NOW blog:
During the phase of a Lunar Eclipse some folks feel heavy or sad or burdened with something from their past. The Solar and the Lunar Eclipse always work in tandem. The Lunar Eclipse sheds light on a feminine issue that needs to heal. Once this issue is brought to the surface the Solar Eclipse takes over and shows either how to deal with it or shows you the next direction in life.

Many times the Lunar eclipse portends a ‘letting go’ of something or a release of a behavior that no longer serves you or a situation that does not support you or in some cases the release or passing of a person in your life.

And in most cases you feel relieved that a part of your life is completed so that you can now move on. So please don’t think that disaster is about to befall you. Through the end of March you’re shown a fast track to healing. Strap on your roller blades, hang on to your trust, and flow with the go.

To learn more about Eclipses check out your astrological sun sign and rising sign info at http://www.thewholecosmos.com/

according that that wholecosmos site my sign simply states that " a Lunar eclipse means facing feminine issues…sometimes the loss of something: perhaps the loss of an expectation, an attitude, a situation or a role in life. Sometimes you're faced with how you don't allow yourself to receive. This applies to both men and women.

The Eclipses are a surge of energy to help you ride a wave toward a goal. If you've been resistant or stubborn or if your body needs to heal, sometimes the wave knocks you on your ass (sues you, divorces you, runs into your car, or just simply annoys the hell outta you) to get your attention….about what YOU have been focused on…OR on what the focus NEEDS to be.

Eclipses are portals of energy that help us facilitate issues. Be certain that by the end of March you're shown a door and given a gift to redirect your focus toward ABUNDANCE.

I dunno about you, but it looks as if the key word this month is RESOLVING A LONG STANDING ISSUE….take the time to consciously let something go in order to receive a dream come true."

WOW, huh.
I'm ready.

this palette of mine

Leave it to designer label MISSONI to pour out a collection straight from my palette pages. I know one is supposed to recognize the clothes, the models, but truth be told I am swaying from the colors.
It's all about the combinations and mutations of colors that inspire me to work. The way a bright can be settled by a muddled neutral or fleshy tone. I haven't completely cleared out my work space, but this is cause for an upheaval.

I want these sunglasses - AH the color!

on a side note, off the subject... isn't this Roberto Cavelli flamingo print pant suit darling!?

the artful weekend

This past Friday, Mr. Scheid invited me to the EchoPlex to see his friend Annie's band ST. VINCENT. Before the big show we first headed over to SUGAR salon to see a closing art show. The place was jumping with people and super cool art pieces created by an art duo. There was this amazing bedazzled mobile floating in the front window, which on closer inspection revealed the components to be bound animals and dolls. It was very Joshua Tree dream catcher cool.
The walls had large painting collages and a handpainted deer statue.

.

Too bad we ate already, because the catering looked DIVINE! Seriously the best food I've laid eyes on since being in Italy. The pizza looked like the kind my Northern Italian grandma used to make. I found out it's from this new place called ANDIAMO(Silverlake), which will deliver organic meals fast! They also are eco-friendly and all of the packaging is environmentally sustainable.

back at St. Vincent, I finally got to hang out with David's friend MARY. The show was incredible. They had this crazy FX Screen that showed the band breaking down into electric rays and streaming psychedelia

SATURDAY: Of course had to attend the SWOON art show at New Image ART Gallery. Just like I knew it would be, walls and walls adorned in breathtaking AMAZING cutouts and drawings. There was even a long boat in the space with curling paper swirls of water.

Marsea and the female artist SWOON

Kutmah invited us to a house party he was DJing

We all danced to New Order, Joy Division, The Pixies, etc...

NINA Cherry was in full effect

short dark dreams shatter into blinding ecstacy

Couldn't sleep again, and decided to troll around the web for things that matched my mood. It was dark and perhaps mystical. I had one of those days where you are walking and feel a warmth spread across your chest as your heart practically beats til it breaks. A swirling in your stomach that signals no food should enter. I can only say that this Mercury retrograde period has successfully kicked my ass. As the last few days linger and the planet pauses before going direct- I can't imagine what is next. (Do I sound like Annakim now or what? )

I saw this response on an astrology forum to someone questioning this planetary time:

" Eclipses don't take away anything still valid and useful in our lives, only that which obstructs our future growth into a new light. Why not affirm your openness to finding a better, more fulfilling job you could enjoy and learn from? Fear won't get you a new job, but determination and mindfulness with absolute expectation that something better for you personally will attract something good. It always does, if we don't mess up the thoughtform with impatience or fear."

Oh hell, what does it all mean? I need more sleep, Georgie boy needs a girlfriend? By the way I saw a few cute kitties for adoption with names like Sequin, Glitter, DAISY, Sadie, winnie...WOW

I will say that this mysterious mood has seemed to effect some designers as well, who have run off and created gnome couture- mystical ghostly gypsy dresses and creatures from the haunted forest. It's surreal on that runway and those Optical illusion dresses are calling my name. I think wearing one of those with red tights and warpaint might make me feel electric

what do you think, for the furry feline?

from the spooky closets of dust coated mansions

the longest days sountrack

I took my love, I took it down
Climbed a mountain and I turned around
I saw my reflection in the snow covered hills
till the landslide brought me down

Oh, mirror in the sky
What is love
Can the child within my heart rise above
Can I sail thru the changing ocean tides
Can I handle the seasons of my life

Well, Ive been afraid of changing
cause Ive built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Children get older
Im getting older too

Oh, take my love, take it down
Climb a mountain and turn around
If you see my reflection in the snow covered hills
Well the landslide will bring it down

If you see my reflection in the snow covered hills
Well maybe the landslide will bring it down

Happy V.D.

I always anticipate my annual Valentine from artist/pal Emily Ryan. She is one of those sweet souls who celebrates the holiday by surprising folks with a brand new darling art card. I am more a member of the "really wanted to make my friends cute cards and send them out, but didn't quite get to it" girls.
(art by emily ryan)

It seems Georgie Boy has decided to sleep this holiday off, tired of being a Romeo

For those of you who just received your "It's not you it's me" letters... and are more inclined to take the bitter pill, and are more intent on killing cupid, check out this info that was sent to me earlier:

Anti-Valentine, your time has come. It's now HOT and COOL to be single, mate-less and totally available on Valentines Day. And to prove that you're not just a sullen, lonely, bitter, ostracized person, that you're welcome and even respected in certain circles, Anti-Valentines have made it to the very selective group of observations recognized by GREETING CARD COMPANIES!

Valentine's Day is the second most profitable time of the year for the card companies... but why stop there? Anti-Valentines, aka "people not paired," account for 43 percent of Americans. Why shouldn't they get ripped off for a $4.95 card and envelop too? The government might even be able to squeeze some extra postage out of them for irregularly-sized Anti-Valentine cards.
Inside, it reads: “A lifetime commitment was completely out of the question. Happy Anti-Valentine’s Day (for the woman who knows what she doesn’t want.)”

If Niki de St. Phalle were still alive, I'd imagine her anti-Valentine would go a lil something like this:

Personally I like to remain positive on this blog, so should you in fact be alone this hallmark holiday, take a deep breath and be happy you can do whatever you please today. Who needs flowers and more candy? Get on Ebay and buy yourself a nice pair of heels. Make some art, sew a sexy dress, and either go dancing or watch mindless cable. Cynthia and I suggest Make Me A Supermodel, simply for the River Phoenix like model Casey. Just a suggestion. Come on, who doesn't need a little Velvet Goldmine to sugar coat the day

the real deal, River Phoenix playing DEVO in I LOVE YOU TO DEATH.

Oh, but I know what will make you smile tonight

The gang headed out to Dublab's GIVE UP event at La Cita. They really sell the night with the slogan, "Stop dancing and cry, and then slowly start dancing again". We conquered the dance floor (well we were the only fools dancing...) Upon entering the place D.J. Michael Stock had Pavement playing :
i was dressed for success
but success it never comes
and i'm the only one who laughs
at your jokes when they are so bad
and your jokes are always bad
but they're not as bad as this

come join us in a prayer
we'll be waiting waiting where
everything's ending here
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Not even the music could turn our smiles down

walking on sunshine

It's hard to believe it's been 4 months since my big operation. Thanks to all of you sweet supporters and friends who read my blog and cheered me on the road to recovery. The time has finally arrived for me to throw on my hiking gear, get out the yoga mat, and unearth my zen core. I am still trying to unleash the clutter over here, and am taking applications for motivational organizer. You have to be ruthless, and persuade me that my Xanadu-Dynasty-Italian Princess frocks are never going to look good out. Today is the first day, as Britt and I woke up and wandered around Elysian Park in the blazing sun wearing our sweaters. What were we thinking?

eley kishimoto

Mark Eley and Wakako Kishimoto are spinning out koo koo clashing color combos that speak my language. I am also excited that the design duo have been selected to take over the house of CACHAREL. I'm sure their graphic print genius will shine on over there as well.

I used to wear the Cacharel fragrance Lou Lou in high school, that is still on of my favorite color combos on a bottle

thriftwares

dig it, find it online at thriftwares ebay shop

http://stores.ebay.com/thriftwares

everything in her heart told her to go and yet things would never be the same if she did

It has been a long few weeks of travel and returns. The annual tradition of heading for the desert for Cynthia's birthday seemed nearly impossible. Considering the store still needs an overhaul and all the artwork piling up and so on and so on. I had told my friends that it would be an impossible feat. In my mind I had declared it just about the worst thing I needed to do. In agonizing I realized that this has been a year of eliminating the things that no longer suit me, while reclaiming the love of other things.

It was at that moment that I realized that the store wasn't really going anyplace, I mean what is one more messy day in there? The money isn't really gonna be made in two whole days? The apartment cleanup was probably gonna be vetoed for cable t.v. and I might truly regret not spending the birthday weekend get away with good friends.

And so it goes. Age of Consent by New Order ringing through the ears as we wind around giant surreal rock formations piled high like lady fingers on a tiramisu cake. No one saying anything as our faces tilted out into the desert sun. Four women riding in the same car with separate daydreams and expectations of what this weekend may have in store. The nostalgia of the drive in, the little pioneer rooms lit up with magical lights almost killed me.
I can't explain the sense of utter euphoria that the desert air stirs, but the faded structures serve as a reminder that life keeps on living out there. The tourists come and go, and this space will wait for them to revisit. The smell of BBQ reminded me of Mr. P and his love of the place. I wanted to eat what he would have ordered. I wanted to snap pictures with my cell phone and send them to him of the perfect plate.

We spent the weekend scouring the antique junk shops, Indian stores, and running around from room to room. In our down time we told tales of our lives and laughed so hard that we nearly wet the bed.
The weekend also reminded me that this new moon in Aquarius has pushed me through a new door and gently closed the old one. I have always struggled with change, ever since I was a kid. But change has always forged new adventures for me, and so I blindly accept this new challenge.

The band SPINDRIFT was playing at Pappy and Harriets and Plucky and Cynthia shared a birthday celebration. The evening started off with a nice game of cornhole. A game where you toss a bean bag into a hole. After that we drank, and ate until we felt electric. The night seemed to melt away

this was the picture that made us laugh til we cried. One wild eyed man with a chin ponytail and the other playing guitar with his tongue- who would you pick?

meet darling jasmin, a sweet local 18 year old girl who danced all night with us

we survived the weekend, and I'm glad I chose plan B

Get Your Heart On

The latest collections by Marchesa, Zak Posen, Vera Wang and Anna Sui conjure up good Valentine feelings. If you don't have a Valentine, don't fret, you can still have a love affair with yourself.