Best Laid Plans....

It seems more often than not even best laid plans go wrong and you have to improvise to make the best of it.  I know not every event is going to be a success, hell not every event is even going to take place and sometimes you just have to shoot from the hip. 

Case in point, this past weekend I was supposed to be the subject of an outdoor Steampunk photo-shoot at the historic Ornamental Metal Museum in downtown Memphis.  I was so looking forward to this shoot and I even spent a week or so prior hand building several new pieces to feature in it.  

Day One - Hair & make up done and looking good.  Wardrobe, props, and accessories in hand and off I go to meet the photographer on location.  After a half-hour of standing around being gawked at by visitors I realize, to my horror, that I am A DAY EARLY.  Yep, your calendar is only as accurate as the user.  Trying to be optimistic, I figure, hey, one more day to prep!! Wonderful.  I can clean up some last minute details add a few more bells and whistles!! 

Day Two, Hair & make up done and it looks GREAT!!!  Even better!!!  Wardrobe, props and accessories in hand again and I am on my way.  Half way there I notice the sky is starting to cloud over and the thunder starting to roll…urgh!!!  Hand built accessories with a lot of metal gears, leather and glue do not always work well in the rain.  As I arrive I am on the phone with the photographer who is now huddling under the gazebo with his equipment and I am stuck in the car.  After sitting for a bit we mutually decide the storm is not going to pass in a timely manner and it may be best to reschedule.  Clearly this one was not meant to be. 

 

 

OK I am officially bummed out….but my hair & make up look great!!

So now comes the improvisation.  A quick stop by my house removing all traces of Steampunk gears and swapping my black Victorian walking skirt, tapestry jacket and neck corset (yes it is a miserable as it sounds) for a black and red gothic / circus get up, I grab my personal photographer and off we go in search of a location. 

We went to a great location only to find we couldn't get in anymore due to a new locked gate. Still looking like the effort was for nothing. Finally we were able to find a great old cemetery in a neighborhood close to my house.  The overcast day offered perfect lighting and with some acceptance that I was going to get this dress wet, was able to produce some of my favorite images to date.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What a save!

 

I am still planning on the Steampunk shoot as a matter of fact we are scheduled to reshoot later this month.  Keep your fingers crossed for good weather!

My Confession

I have a confession to make …I cannot draw.  There I admit it.  My lack of art skills can from time to time make the creative process a bit complicated.   

Example:  I was recently in contact with a local F/X artist to discuss building a custom prosthetic facial appliance which is to accompany my latest steampunk dress design.   The dress, which is still in the VERY basic stages of construction, is a basic formal skirt and a corset top.  Looking at this piece now reminds me more of a prom dress than a steampunk creation.  So when the F/X artist asked me to send photos or drawings I was almost embarrassed to say “I don’t have either.” 

Like most of my designs, I have an image in my head.  I can attempt to explain my image however it can sound like someone reading technical instructions aloud.  Until I know I can realistically create the image that is in my head I won’t even discuss the design.    

My saving grace in the creative process is I make a lot of notes and I can doodle.  Wow that sounds awkward…I am a doodler!  I keep a journal on me at all times and at any given moment will make notes and childlike drawings of art projects, sewing projects or anything else I want to create.  In some cases my rudimentary drawings resemble stick figures with notes...A LOT of notes! 

Anyone who knows me knows that I am passionate about art and design.  The mention of a possible project and my mind starts the creative process immediately.  My lack of sketching skills, although hindering the process, does not stop the end results.  I guess I shouldn't feel so bad.  Every once in a while I will see a show like SyFy's Face Off and catch a glimpse of a sketch by a truly talented sculptor, that looks like it was rendered by a 3 year-old with crayons.  I see those and say to myself, "look, a kindred spirit!"



Seriously DO NOT LAUGH