About Ephemeral
we are xander dumas & elliot mittens, a collaborative duo, sweethearts, makers, performers & story tellers. Inspired by antiquated devices of wonder, ornate vintage costumes, the bold & the subversive we thrive by observing the connection of pattern. every object & thought & notion & expression derived in infinite scale boundless in each direction. From these patterns we collect the ones in which we resonate to display within our cabinet of curiosities.
Ephemeral… more
Ephemeral… more
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Charmion
Charmion
1875 –1949
hard & soft
graceful, breath, extension, strong, bronze, brass,
confident, proud, risqué
A vaudevillian Strong Woman & trapeze artist,
Charmion queered up Victorian era gender presentations
in her abundant displays of muscle, skin & moxie.
She scandalized the stage by performing a
‘Trapeze Disrobing Act’,
in which, between incredible displays of
strength, grace & endurance,
she disrobed down to her corset & pantalettes.
You can still witness this tantalizing performance as it was documented in one of Edison’s premier motion pictures: ‘Charmion 1901’
present here, an 1890’s era, Circus Arts advertisement-style poster explored within a life-size, sculptural tapestry vignette; Charmion poses graceful & defiant moments after her spectacle of opulently plumed, mesmerizing musculature.
Created for an upcoming installation called ‘Gay Wax Museum’ during Austin Texas’s OUTsider festival, which highlights queer and or gender defiant persons within the LGBTQIA history, present & future.
This multi-dimensional installation diorama measures 8‘ tall & 4.5’ wide, and is created with fabric, gatorboard, illustration, paint & inspiration.
1875 –1949
hard & soft
graceful, breath, extension, strong, bronze, brass,
confident, proud, risqué
A vaudevillian Strong Woman & trapeze artist,
Charmion queered up Victorian era gender presentations
in her abundant displays of muscle, skin & moxie.
She scandalized the stage by performing a
‘Trapeze Disrobing Act’,
in which, between incredible displays of
strength, grace & endurance,
she disrobed down to her corset & pantalettes.
You can still witness this tantalizing performance as it was documented in one of Edison’s premier motion pictures: ‘Charmion 1901’
present here, an 1890’s era, Circus Arts advertisement-style poster explored within a life-size, sculptural tapestry vignette; Charmion poses graceful & defiant moments after her spectacle of opulently plumed, mesmerizing musculature.
Created for an upcoming installation called ‘Gay Wax Museum’ during Austin Texas’s OUTsider festival, which highlights queer and or gender defiant persons within the LGBTQIA history, present & future.
This multi-dimensional installation diorama measures 8‘ tall & 4.5’ wide, and is created with fabric, gatorboard, illustration, paint & inspiration.
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CharmionVaudevillian Strongwoman & Trapeze Artist
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Charmionin process, close up of her hat which is made from repurposed fabrics, Victorian era lace, yarn, velvet & trim
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charmionin process, the hand cut-out pieces of frame
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Charmion's bodicefinished bodice, based on bodice she wore in 1901 image of her before trapeze performance. Created with Victorian era lace, trim, repurposed fabrics & inspiration
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Charmion illustrationAs well as a strong woman, Charmion was also a trapeze artist. This illustration is her, midair during her famous 'Disrobing Act'
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Charmion-in processCharmion, with first layer of sewn bodice, sewn hat and 'makeup'
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Charmion's bodice in processbodice in process, based on bodice she wore in 1901 image of her before trapeze performance. Created with Victorian era lace, trim, repurposed fabrics & inspiration
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Charmion-installationAll of the elements are finished, only thing left is final installation of armature
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Charmion's bodice in processbodice in process, based on bodice she wore in 1901 image of her before trapeze performance. Created with Victorian era lace, trim, repurposed fabrics & inspiration
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Charmion & Elliotwhile in process, here is a posed life size Charmion, and a life size Elliot Mittens!
the dandy vagabonds
The Dandy Vagabonds are a Baltimore based pair of curious, playful, artists who thrive on telling stories of whimsy, adventure, insight, & balance through performance art, circus arts, fiber arts, the tactile & the ephemeral.
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The Crest of the Full Moonanimated film & circus arts performance, 2014 a found piece of ephemera titled, ‘Planet Number‘ inspired a series of illustrations. simultaneously, an encompassing, multi-dimensional sculptural tapestry was created as an object of exploration. within our pockets we had playful tricks, and dramatic costumes to fill in the rest of the voyage. ‘Crest of the Ruby Moon‘ is a Méliès inspired cosmic voyage a la hot air balloon, wit & balance. image by Kathy Mclean, Solace Photography
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Crest of the Full Moonanimated film & circus arts performance, 2014 a found piece of ephemera titled, ‘Planet Number‘ inspired a series of illustrations. simultaneously, an encompassing, multi-dimensional sculptural tapestry was created as an object of exploration. within our pockets we had playful tricks, and dramatic costumes to fill in the rest of the voyage. ‘Crest of the Ruby Moon‘ is a Méliès inspired cosmic voyage a la hot air balloon, wit & balance. image by Kathy Mclean, Solace Photography
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Crest of the Full Moonanimated film & circus arts performance, 2014 a found piece of ephemera titled, ‘Planet Number‘ inspired a series of illustrations. simultaneously, an encompassing, multi-dimensional sculptural tapestry was created as an object of exploration. within our pockets we had playful tricks, and dramatic costumes to fill in the rest of the voyage. ‘Crest of the Ruby Moon‘ is a Méliès inspired cosmic voyage a la hot air balloon, wit & balance. image by Kathy Mclean, Solace Photography
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Convergence of Cityscape & LandscapePerformance art piece performed for Transmodern 2012: Body Extended & the Deleaware Fringe Festival. an amalgam of extension, transformation, sublimation, convergence & suspension. A collaborative cabaret, pulsing to the soundscape of Lurch & Holler. performances by Seasonal Affective Disorder, The Dandy Vagabonds, Joe Meduzza, Ada Pinkston, Lexie Mountain, Jacob Whyane Dillow, Dan Van Allen & more under the direction of Laure Drogul.
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MarionetteTransmodern 2012: Body Extended & the Deleaware Fringe Festival. an amalgam of extension, transformation, sublimation, convergence & suspension. A collaborative cabaret, pulsing to the soundscape of Lurch & Holler. performances by Seasonal Affective Disorder, The Dandy Vagabonds, Joe Meduzza, Ada Pinkston, Lexie Mountain, Jacob Whyane Dillow, Dan Van Allen & more under the direction of Laure Drogul.
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MarionetteTransmodern 2012: Body Extended & the Deleaware Fringe Festival. an amalgam of extension, transformation, sublimation, convergence & suspension. A collaborative cabaret, pulsing to the soundscape of Lurch & Holler. performances by Seasonal Affective Disorder, The Dandy Vagabonds, Joe Meduzza, Ada Pinkston, Lexie Mountain, Jacob Whyane Dillow, Dan Van Allen & more under the direction of Laure Drogul.
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Penelopea collaborative journey 2014 Penelope is an avant-garde, shadow play adaptation of Homer’s epic poem, 'The Odyssey'. Told through the soundscapes of ‘Lurch & Holler’, movements by The Dandy Vagabonds, Selena Schreyer, Joe Meduza, Isa Leal & Diane Hugé, garments by John Flowers, animation by Laurence Arcadias, set design & direction by Laure Drogoul.
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Night Visioncollaborative East Coast tour 2012 A 4 city, East Coast tour introducing 'A Stick & a Stone's album, 'Night Vision' through a conceptual multimedia collaboration; interweaving music, visual art & performance to explore the polarities between the visible & invisible, the natural & the supernatural, internal experience of gender, senses of heightened awareness & encounters with spirits of the unseen world. image by Kathy Mclean, Solace Photography
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Night Visioncollaborative East Coast tour 2012 A 4 city, East Coast tour introducing 'A Stick & a Stone's album, 'Night Vision' through a conceptual multimedia collaboration; interweaving music, visual art & performance to explore the polarities between the visible & invisible, the natural & the supernatural, internal experience of gender, senses of heightened awareness & encounters with spirits of the unseen world. image by Kathy Mclean, Solace Photography
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vampinginthecosmos
Ruby Moon: A Parade of Vintage Elegance
‘Ruby Moon: A Parade of Vintage Elegance’ is an interactive exhibit highlighting several early 1900's, innovative, female performers who defied gender stereotypes such as Josephine Baker: a comedienne & dancer, Charmion: a strong woman &trapeze artist, Loïe Fuller: an avant-garde dancer, Maria Spelterini: a tightrope equilibrist who was the only woman to cross Niagara Gorge on tightrope & The Planet Number: a follies style performance. The stories of these rarae aves are told through sculptural tapestries, toy theatre vignettes & advertisement style illustrated posters.
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Ruby Moon A Parade of Vintage Elegance Gallery ExhibitThe Cosmic Room- An interactive exhibit told through advertisement style posters, toy theatre vignettes & a short write-up of each performer. The exhibit was broken into two rooms, the cosmic room which highlighted sewn cosmic sculptural tapestries & illustrations of Follies-style performers, the 'Planet Number', & the bigger room which showcased Loie Fuller, Maria Spelterini, Josephine Baker, Charmion & us: The Dandy Vagabonds image by Kathy McLean, Solace Photography
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Ruby Moon A Parade of Vintage Elegance Gallery ExhibitThe Cosmic Room- An interactive exhibit told through advertisement style posters, toy theatre vignettes & a short write-up of each performer. The exhibit was broken into two rooms, the cosmic room which highlighted sewn cosmic sculptural tapestries & illustrations of Follies-style performers, the 'Planet Number', & the bigger room which showcased Loie Fuller, Maria Spelterini, Josephine Baker, Charmion & us: The Dandy Vagabonds image by Kathy McLean, Solace Photography
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Ruby Moon A Parade of Vintage Elegance Gallery ExhibitCharmion- An interactive exhibit told through advertisement style posters, toy theatre vignettes & a short write-up of each performer. The exhibit was broken into two rooms, the cosmic room which highlighted sewn cosmic sculptural tapestries & illustrations of Follies-style performers, the 'Planet Number', & the bigger room which showcased Loie Fuller, Maria Spelterini, Josephine Baker, Charmion & us: The Dandy Vagabonds image by Kathy McLean, Solace Photography
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Ruby Moon A Parade of Vintage Elegance Gallery ExhibitLoie Fuller- An interactive exhibit told through advertisement style posters, toy theatre vignettes & a short write-up of each performer. The exhibit was broken into two rooms, the cosmic room which highlighted sewn cosmic sculptural tapestries & illustrations of Follies-style performers, the 'Planet Number', & the bigger room which showcased Loie Fuller, Maria Spelterini, Josephine Baker, Charmion & us: The Dandy Vagabonds image by Kathy McLean, Solace Photography
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Ruby Moon A Parade of Vintage Elegance Gallery ExhibitJosephine Baker- An interactive exhibit told through advertisement style posters, toy theatre vignettes & a short write-up of each performer. The exhibit was broken into two rooms, the cosmic room which highlighted sewn cosmic sculptural tapestries & illustrations of Follies-style performers, the 'Planet Number', & the bigger room which showcased Loie Fuller, Maria Spelterini, Josephine Baker, Charmion & us: The Dandy Vagabonds image by Kathy McLean, Solace Photography
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Ruby Moon A Parade of Vintage Elegance Gallery ExhibitMaria Spelterini- An interactive exhibit told through advertisement style posters, toy theatre vignettes & a short write-up of each performer. The exhibit was broken into two rooms, the cosmic room which highlighted sewn cosmic sculptural tapestries & illustrations of Follies-style performers, the 'Planet Number', & the bigger room which showcased Loie Fuller, Maria Spelterini, Josephine Baker, Charmion & us: The Dandy Vagabonds image by Kathy McLean, Solace Photography
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Ruby Moon A Parade of Vintage Elegance Gallery ExhibitThe Dandy Vagabonds- An interactive exhibit told through advertisement style posters, toy theatre vignettes & a short write-up of each performer. The exhibit was broken into two rooms, the cosmic room which highlighted sewn cosmic sculptural tapestries & illustrations of Follies-style performers, the 'Planet Number', & the bigger room which showcased Loie Fuller, Maria Spelterini, Josephine Baker, Charmion & us: The Dandy Vagabonds image by Kathy McLean, Solace Photography
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Ruby Moon A Parade of Vintage Elegance Gallery ExhibitThe Dandy Vagabonds- An interactive exhibit told through advertisement style posters, toy theatre vignettes & a short write-up of each performer. The exhibit was broken into two rooms, the cosmic room which highlighted sewn cosmic sculptural tapestries & illustrations of Follies-style performers, the 'Planet Number', & the bigger room which showcased Loie Fuller, Maria Spelterini, Josephine Baker, Charmion & us: The Dandy Vagabonds image by Kathy McLean, Solace Photography
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Ruby Moon A Parade of Vintage Elegance Gallery ExhibitThe Dandy Vagabonds- An interactive exhibit told through advertisement style posters, toy theatre vignettes & a short write-up of each performer. The exhibit was broken into two rooms, the cosmic room which highlighted sewn cosmic sculptural tapestries & illustrations of Follies-style performers, the 'Planet Number', & the bigger room which showcased Loie Fuller, Maria Spelterini, Josephine Baker, Charmion & us: The Dandy Vagabonds image by Kathy McLean, Solace Photography
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Ruby Moon A Parade of Vintage Elegance Gallery ExhibitAn interactive exhibit told through advertisement style posters, toy theatre vignettes & a short write-up of each performer. The exhibit was broken into two rooms, the cosmic room which highlighted sewn cosmic sculptural tapestries & illustrations of Follies-style performers, the 'Planet Number', & the bigger room which showcased Loie Fuller, Maria Spelterini, Josephine Baker, Charmion & us: The Dandy Vagabonds image by Kathy McLean, Solace Photography
Ruby Moon:A Parade of Vintage Elegance continued
illustration, sculptural tapestries & toy theatre vignettes 2014-ongoing
‘Ruby Moon: A Parade of Vintage Elegance’ is an interactive exhibit highlighting several early 1900's, innovative, female performers who defied gender stereotypes such as Josephine Baker: a comedienne & dancer, Charmion: a strong woman &trapeze artist, Loïe Fuller: an avant-garde dancer, Maria Spelterini:
a tightrope equilibrist & The Planet Number: a follies style performance. The stories of these rarae aves are told through sculptural tapestries, toy theatre vignettes & advertisement style illustrated posters.
‘Ruby Moon: A Parade of Vintage Elegance’ is an interactive exhibit highlighting several early 1900's, innovative, female performers who defied gender stereotypes such as Josephine Baker: a comedienne & dancer, Charmion: a strong woman &trapeze artist, Loïe Fuller: an avant-garde dancer, Maria Spelterini:
a tightrope equilibrist & The Planet Number: a follies style performance. The stories of these rarae aves are told through sculptural tapestries, toy theatre vignettes & advertisement style illustrated posters.
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The Dandy VagabondsThe Dandy Vagabonds 2011-ongoing a puppet toy theatre within a photo within a performance art piece within in an illustrated animation short film within a found object ephemera within sculptural tapestry within a performance in which we take a hotair balloon to the moon to meet ‘The Planets’ who will be the tour guides through the parade of vintage elegance which is the ‘Ruby Moon’.
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The Dandy VagabondsThe Dandy Vagabonds 2011-ongoing a puppet toy theatre within a photo within a performance art piece within in an illustrated animation short film within a found object ephemera within sculptural tapestry within a performance in which we take a hotair balloon to the moon to meet ‘The Planets’ who will be the tour guides through the parade of vintage elegance which is the ‘Ruby Moon’.
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CharmionCharmion 1875 –1949 hard & soft graceful, breath, extension, strong, bronze, brass, confident, proud, risqué A vaudevillian Strong Woman & trapeze artist, Charmion queered up Victorian era gender presentations in her abundant displays of muscle, skin & moxie. She scandalized the stage by performing a ‘Trapeze Disrobing Act’, in which, between incredible displays of strength, grace & endurance, she disrobed down to her corset & pantalettes. You can still witness this tantalizing performance as it wasdocumented in one of Edison’s premier motion pictures.
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CharmionCharmion 1875 –1949 hard & soft graceful, breath, extension, strong, bronze, brass, confident, proud, risqué A vaudevillian Strong Woman & trapeze artist, Charmion queered up Victorian era gender presentations in her abundant displays of muscle, skin & moxie. She scandalized the stage by performing a ‘Trapeze Disrobing Act’, in which, between incredible displays of strength, grace & endurance, she disrobed down to her corset & pantalettes. You can still witness this tantalizing performance as it wasdocumented in one of Edison’s premier motion pictures.
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Maria SpelteriniMaria Spelterini 1853 -1912 Maria Spelterini was the first... & only woman to cross the Niagara Gorge on tightrope. She crossed four times in the span of three weeks. First, on July 7, 1876, (in celebration of the U.S. centennial) with strength & poise she danced across vast, rushing water, on 2 1/4” wire, pausing so slightly at the finish, only to reverse this daring feat-backwards! in heels! & bodice! If the restrictions of her outfit wasn’t hard enough, for her second performance, On July 12,she donned woven peach baskets. Her third, July 19, she wore a blindfold to ‘better impress’ her spectators, who, thus far commented more on her “buxom build”,bodice & beauty, than her skill , strength, grace & focus. Her fourth & final crossing, on July 22, she manacled her wrists & ankles... Oh, and she wore a ‘jaunty hat’.
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Maria SpelteriniMaria Spelterini 1853 -1912 Maria Spelterini was the first... & only woman to cross the Niagara Gorge on tightrope. She crossed four times in the span of three weeks. First, on July 7, 1876, (in celebration of the U.S. centennial) with strength & poise she danced across vast, rushing water, on 2 1/4” wire, pausing so slightly at the finish, only to reverse this daring feat-backwards! in heels! & bodice! If the restrictions of her outfit wasn’t hard enough, for her second performance, On July 12,she donned woven peach baskets. Her third, July 19, she wore a blindfold to ‘better impress’ her spectators, who, thus far commented more on her “buxom build”,bodice & beauty, than her skill , strength, grace & focus. Her fourth & final crossing, on July 22, she manacled her wrists & ankles... Oh, and she wore a ‘jaunty hat’.
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Josephine BakerJosephine Baker 1906-1975 Passionate. Passionate in every breath of her many talents. Noted: Activist, Dancer, Comedienne, Shadow Puppeteer, Actress, Singer, Mother , Animal Lover, Humanitarian... Josephine was passionate. but the racist, segregated society of early 1900’s U.S, her home country, Dismissed Josephine & her passion of her many talents. A Survivor of many injustices including the 1917 race riots in her home town, St. Louis, A booming voice demanding equality A strong pulse- in search of her stage in 1925, Josephine exiled to Paris, where she called home the rest of her life. Paris during les ‘années folles’ Josephine was Celebrated. Her charm, her style, her swagger & her passion Josephine quickly became an icon, personifying the energy of the ‘Art Deco’ era She became one of the highest paid performers of the era. Staring in two famous cabaret shows: "La Revue Nègre" & Les Folies Bergère... Although celebrated, Josephine was also objectified & exotified. The rest of her life Josephine passionately poured energy into righting the wrongs of the world.
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Josephine BakerJosephine Baker 1906-1975 Passionate. Passionate in every breath of her many talents. Noted: Activist, Dancer, Comedienne, Shadow Puppeteer, Actress, Singer, Mother , Animal Lover, Humanitarian... Josephine was passionate. but the racist, segregated society of early 1900’s U.S, her home country, Dismissed Josephine & her passion of her many talents. A Survivor of many injustices including the 1917 race riots in her home town, St. Louis, A booming voice demanding equality A strong pulse- in search of her stage in 1925, Josephine exiled to Paris, where she called home the rest of her life. Paris during les ‘années folles’ Josephine was Celebrated. Her charm, her style, her swagger & her passion Josephine quickly became an icon, personifying the energy of the ‘Art Deco’ era She became one of the highest paid performers of the era. Staring in two famous cabaret shows: "La Revue Nègre" & Les Folies Bergère... Although celebrated, Josephine was also objectified & exotified. The rest of her life Josephine passionately poured energy into righting the wrongs of the world.
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Loïe FullerLoïe Fuller 1862 –1928 La Loïe was curious. A born performer, activist, outlaw. La Loïe was strength. She was a personification of an era She was amorphous, gender fluid, genderless swirl of manipulated fabric, shadow, light, tension & suspension. She was an affectionate partner to her sweetheart, Gab, who enjoyed creating reactions when she donned ‘men’s attire’. She was a mentor. She created opportunity for female dancers, sharing a stage with her all female company in many of her 135 captivating performances in which she metamorphosed, wearing a costume she designed surrounded by luminescent lighting affects she created. La Loïe was a sensation.
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Loïe FullerLoïe Fuller 1862 –1928 La Loïe was curious. A born performer, activist, outlaw. La Loïe was strength. She was a personification of an era She was amorphous, gender fluid, genderless swirl of manipulated fabric, shadow, light, tension & suspension. She was an affectionate partner to her sweetheart, Gab, who enjoyed creating reactions when she donned ‘men’s attire’. She was a mentor. She created opportunity for female dancers, sharing a stage with her all female company in many of her 135 captivating performances in which she metamorphosed, wearing a costume she designed surrounded by luminescent lighting affects she created. La Loïe was a sensation.
Sewing Machine Study
illustrations of antique sewing machines
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1914 Singer Sewing Machineillustrated study, facing right
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1914 Singer Sewing Machineillustrated study, back
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1914 Singer Sewing Machineillustrated study, front
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1914 Singer Sewing Machineillustrated study, facing left
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Kingston Precision Deluxeillustrated study, facing right
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Kingston Precision Deluxeillustrated study, back
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Kingston Precision Deluxeillustrated study, facing front
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Kingston Precision Deluxeillustrated study, facing left
Custom Paper Dolls & Portraits
illustrated moments of friend's personal important history
Nature Hoops
Nature Hoops, is a tangible, dimension exploration of the love of natural observations. These collages of flowers, seashells, branches & bark, rocks, rust, richly tactile fabrics & vintage metal embroidery hoops have been sculpted to create a naturescape of imagined, whimsical scenery.
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nature-hoops-yellow-berry.jpg
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naturehoop-delicate-pink-flowers.jpg
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nature-hoops-yellowring.jpg
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naturehoop-pineconeseedpod.jpg
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nature-hoops-rusty-fabric.jpg
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nature-hoops-mauve-berries.jpg
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nature-hoops-spacerock.jpg
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nature-hoops-mauve-background.jpg
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lavender-coralsnature-hoops.jpg
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group-of-nature-hoops.jpg
Heurtoir de Porte/DoorKnockers
illustrated series of French Heurtoir de Porte/DoorKnockers
Planets & Moons, sculpteral tapestries
Sewn tapestries of the Solar System to coincide with illustrations of a found piece of ephemera of a 1927, Follies-style performance called, 'The Planet Number'
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Phobos-Mars's MoonSewn Sculptural Tapestry 13"x13.5"
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VenusSewn Sculptural Tapestry 28"x27"
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UranusSewn Sculptural Tapestry 44"x42"
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Titan- Saturn's MoonSewn Sculptural Tapestry 13"5x13"
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Earth's MoonSewn Sculptural Tapestry 20"x20"
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MarsSewn Sculptural Tapestry 22"x22"
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MercurySewn Sculptural Tapestry 22"x21"
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Ganymede-Jupiter's largest MoonSewn Sculptural Tapestry 13"x13.5"
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JupiterSewn Sculptural Tapestry 48"x36"
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NeptuneSewn Sculptural Tapestry 23"x22"
The Planet Number
Planet Number
illustrated series 2014
Each illustration within this series was inspired by a found piece of 1927 ephemera of opulently attired cosmonauts so simply titled, ‘Planet Number’.
illustrated series 2014
Each illustration within this series was inspired by a found piece of 1927 ephemera of opulently attired cosmonauts so simply titled, ‘Planet Number’.