I was recently in Sweden and while I was there I had a phone conversation with Gia Kourlas who is one of the dance critics for the New York Times. In addition to writing for the times she also writes for TIme Out New York. The Interview Came out last week and I was amazed by how exactly it follows the conversation Gia and I had. I was very flattered to have been chosen for this interview, and I am very happy for the attention it has received.
Thank you Gia.
Click HERE to read the interview
I live with 2 extraordinary women. Lindsay Clark and Jenna Fakhoury. I have worked with both of them in various dance companies, and now we occupy a spacious 3 bedroom in Brooklyn, where I do most of my work. Here are some images from the years I spent dancing with these women.
These days, I am not on stage dancing with Lindsay and Jenna... though they continue to work as 2 of the finest female dance performers in New York.... So now... I have them be my models for various projects I am working on.....
To thank them for their generosity in helping me to see my progress.... I will occasionally make them special pieces they can have and keep.
I can't thank these ladies enough. I am sure there will be lots of clothes for them to try on in the future... and hopefully I will have lots more custom made couture garments to give them in return........
When I don't have one of their bodies to use..... sometimes I have to resort to my own.........
This past weekend I spent the weekend with 16 strangers on a beautiful lake in northern New Jersey. The home belongs to the family of Mark Junek and he has been organizing 3 day artist retreats since early 2012. This was the third iteration of makehouse, and I was lucky enough to be a part of it.
For 3 days we lived within a nurturing and productive structure that enabled us to work on projects totally free of distractions and the outside world. The setting was beautiful and serene and the environment of artistic sharing and openness made for a really extraordinary weekend.
In the mornings we were asked to remain silent until the end of breakfast .... I would quietly sketch people in the silence.
I worked on initial construction for a project I am doing for Lar Lubovitch. I presented my design process and a finished muslin of a jacket for my share on Saturday night. Others shared small dance and music performances or reading from scripts they have been working on. Others shared their thoughts for future projects or words to provoke thought among the other artists.
The trip provided amazing clarity and momentum in my practice. Now the goal is to hold onto that practice and keep my momentum going through the chaos of New York City.
Thank you Makehouse! I am forever grateful. I can't wait for the next one. If you are curious about applying to future make house sessions click here... MAKEHOUSE
I was having dinner with David Hallberg this evening. He is one of my closest friends, and one of very few who people in my life who is as interested in fashion as I am. David is really knowledgeable in many areas of the arts, and he helps keep me aware of what is going on... as I can sometimes get lost in my own process and thoughts. I don't do it as much as I should... but seeing the art of others is so important in my process as a designer. Anyways...... I have been reading a book that Harriet Jung gave me for graduation about Geoffrey Beene. He was a very important American fashion designer who I plan on blogging about very soon... Getting back on track...... Geoffrey Beene often used dancers as models for his clothes..... and David has had the good fortune of being photographed in fashion editorials in recent years..... Is this making any sense now?
The dancer as model is the subject for this blog. Seeing the movement of clothing is always fascinating to me... and who better to illustrate that.... than a dancer. Enter David...... and here we go.. Pictures.
This is a photo from L'Uomo Vogue, March 2012
By clicking on the movie still below you can view a film where David discusses the interest of dancing in real clothes.
I've been drawing people on the subway for a couple years now... but very irregularly. I recently started up again, and I wanted to share some of my sketches of people who are still enough to draw.
