Her Special Brand of Magic

We visited the award winning exhibition, Diana: a celebration at The Mall of America this week.

I was privileged to attend the exhibit with great admirers of Princess Diana. Four of the girls had even taken a pilgrimage to the same exhibition when it was held in Missouri.

It was unanimous amongst our crew that this woman resembled Anna from Downton Abbey, "Mr. Bates."

Though it looked like I was taking a picture of the new Mrs. Bates, I was trying to capture the picture on the screens behind her. There was a no photography rule and I was trying to get the urge to take pictures out of my system...to no avail.

They had a nice back drop for the perfect photo-opt.

This photograph was taken by Caroline C. Kilgore and trust me, it doesn't ruin the surprise. The magic surrounding this tiara could never be captured on camera.

You may be surprised, but this was actually my favourite part of the exhibit. I just loved being able to see these jewels up close on these blood red cushions. And I couldn't get over the artistry of John Singer Sargent and his original sketch of Princess Diana's grandmother, Lady Cynthia Eleanor Hamilton. There was something that stood out about the way the date was drawn in the bottom right corner that made me search for the name of the artist. Otherwise, I may have completely overlooked that it was a Sargent. (Another Photo also by Caroline C. Kilgore)

I just love the bold strokes of the backgroud. Fearless.

As her brother Charles stated, Princess Di radiated a special brand of magic. She dazzled us with her generosity and love for mankind. It was evident throughout the enitre display.

I was especially touched by the stacks and stacks of condolences in her honor. They were leather bound and covered an entire wall. Her life affected so many others in the most unselfish way. It was very moving how people from all over the world took the time to acknowledge her with a note or drawing.

The gift shop was nothing short of grand. See for yourself!

At the end, they had a pseudo-replica of the wedding cake and a book that we could write in. Here's Jody transcribing her thoughts.

Here's an example of the gorgeous exhibition logo.
Don't miss out on this exhibition. It runs until June 4th, 2012 at the Mall of America and then it will be travelling back to her estate at Althorp. You don't want to miss it.

Dear, Sweet November

I'm quite fond of November. It's the month before my birthday which allows me to contemplate what I will include on my wish lists. That's always fun. November also marks the beginning of when the radio stations start to play Christmas music. And it obviously contains Thanksgiving which may arguably be the cosiest of the holidays. Am I right?

It also happens to be the month when Breaking Dawn: Part 1 is released.

I'm starting to get somewhat excited. That may have had to do with the fact that they have been airing steamy Volvo commercials while I've been slaving away on the Breaking Dawn Pillows that lapinedesign will be giving away this month.

They will be featured on Book Nook Club & Bacon Time With The Hungry Hypo!

K-trix (My Die-Hard-Twi-Hard Best Friend) has been keeping me posted all throughout the year of the current developments. She's read the book several times, when I've only read it once and that was awhile ago. So I'm anxious to be reminded of portions of the novel that I have forgotten since the first read-thru. How could I forget that Bella's diamond hair clip contained sapphires?!?! I don't even deserve to call myself a fan these days! I'm expecting quite the cliff hanger. Do you think Part 1 will end as it does in the book or will they keep us hanging in suspense prematurely?

So I have 11 goals for the 11th month.

1. Send off the Breaking Dawn Pillows to the winners.
2. Post the enthralling Breaking Dawn Treasury that K-trix (Super Fan) and I created on Etsy. Just you wait, Enry Iggins, just you wait! It's gonna be legen...wait for it...dary.
3. Make clever necklaces for the group that will be attending the midnight show.
4. Finish the poster for Rubber Chicken Theater's Holiday Revue.
5. Finish writing the 2nd pre-chorus of my new Christmas song.
6. Record my Christmas song.
7. Photograph my latest Breaking Dawn Pillows.
8. Record a sad song with my talented friend, Hannah. Here's her myspace. She rocks and agreed to sing a song for me!
9. Continue to work on the illustrations for my cousin's children's book concept.
And if time permits
11. Paint a pomegranate.

Please, let me explain number 11.

I've been watching a bit of Modern Family and couldn't help but notice the pomegranate painting in the Dunphy's kitchen.

The Modern Family in an Edwardian beach scene which I love a bit too much!

The Dunphy's kitchen.

Amy Runyen's artwork adorns the Dunphy wall.

If that wasn't enough inspiration...

Barbara Andolsek's masterpiece.

John Singer Sargent. Sigh.

Sandy Burr. I'm not sure if this is a photograph or a painting. Either way, it's enticing.

An interesting twist to a classic, by Pat Koscienski

They're almost vampiric if I may say.


Ah, and I love this Q/A between Reckless Bliss and artist Nathan Rohlander:
RB: What advice can you give to budding artists?



NR: Keep the dream alive! To do that you must never give up. Excellence is the result of hard work, practice and experience. A person who is willing to work hard will out perform a person with talent who isn’t. Focus on surrounding yourself with inspirational people and images. Embrace passion! Be gregarious and feed yourself with museums, galleries and travel. Create boundaries for yourself and within those boundaries try to break free. A decision is better than no decision at all. Worry not about what to create, respond to the world around you and produce!

Now if I can only apply that advice.

Reader, I hope your November is off to a sweet start!

John Singer Sargent

I just finished reading one of the worst books I have ever read.  At least it was short and quickly over.  Gee, the television show it was based on is so good. Where did I go wrong?

New rule: Never read a book based on a television show.

This rule should apply to books based on movies inspired by an original book as well. Didn't Michael Scott read the "novelization of the movie Precious based on the book Push by Sapphire"? Or was he just listening to it on audio tape? That brings me to a WHOLE other debate...If one listens to a book on tape, can they claim that they have read that book? You can voice your opinion below.
Back to this atrocious book. It felt like it was written by an amateur who had to meet a deadline and sloppily churned it out to his/her publisher over a weekend.
The only redeeming quality of this book was that a large portion of it was about an art collection. And it led to my discovery of this:
 

"Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose" by John Singer Sargent is mentioned as one of the protagonist's favourite paintings. And the print is later given to her as a gift. I could see why she loved it. 
 

I had not been incredibly familiar with Sargent's work, but as it turns out, I have had a postcard of one of his paintings in my room for many years now. The painting, "In the Luxembourg Gardens at Twilight" made quite the impression on me, so much so that I had to purchase its postcard form in the Minneapolis Institute of the Arts gift shop after the tour.  I don't know if I can describe why it moves me, but I think it may reside in the motion of the piece. It looks as if the subjects are still moving and the smoldering lighting drapes a romantic mood upon the scene. I really liked what this blogger had to say about it. http://artdurkee.blogspot.com/2007/01/john-singer-sargent-appreciation.html
 
Here are several other paintings by Sargent that I admire.
 
The reflected clouds are stunning.

 

And like many artists and musicians, Sargent was close friends with other talented artists like himself. Apparently he was close to Claude Monet. "He did landscapes." If you ask me,they should be featured on the Awesome People Hanging Out Together site.