Changing Seasons (And a Sneak Peak)

Wow, I have really gotten behind on blogging.  The goal is one a day, but the reality lately...  Oh well, it IS my blog, it's an opportunity for self expression, not an obligation!  So... how about another sneak peak from "The Art of a Woman" series.  This is Laura, "She is... a unique as a snowflake")  And there are lots of tiny little airbrushed snowflakes on her shoulders, arms and neck!  Branches from my dogwood in her hair and a lovely vintage necklace that someone gave me along the line somewhere.  The wrap is a luxurious bamboo fleece fabric that is just too soft for words!

And... if you put the lovely Laura together with:

 

Lindsey, Diana and Jill...

One gets the feel of changing seasons.

The Art of a Woman

She is... changing with the seasons.

One more coming soon.  The show is Friday, if you are in the area please do come on out and see the models in the display window at Oasis Gallery.  Oh what fun we will have!!

Happy Creating,

Carmen Rose

Winter In Ruins

I planted this little bitty garden last summer and put it on my deck railing.  I made a little rock path and added a little ceramic  house I had gotten a few years back.  I managed to give it a drink now and then.

And it began to grow.  And each time I found a golf ball, I'd find a little spot to add it to the garden.

The collection is growing and so are the plants.

Lush and blooming, and I quickly lost count of how many golf balls were in there.  I had no idea these plants bloomed, that was a delightful surprise!  And then fall...

And then winter.  I looked at it the other day and took this photograph.  It looks like it's a ruin... a little house reclaimed by the earth and gravity.  It's been a tough winter, this is perfectly fitting.

I could pick up the pieces, clean it out and start over in the Spring... but I like it this way.  It's very beautiful in it's own ruined and broken way, like an old Scottish castle ruin.  Plus... it is authentic.  

Spring is coming, it won't be long now... until then the garden is exactly as it should be.  And even if I can't put the pieces back together, it is ok, it was only a house.  

She is... Growing

Some early shots are back from the photo shoot with Lindsey. I designed her costume, hair and makeup. It all began with a very ordinary long green dress that we deconstructed and then began adding some very earthy elements.

We began with two kinds of mosses, added some silk leaves, feathers, seed pods, twigs...

I tucked some fresh ivy, violets and leaves in here and there.

I had no idea she had those amazing *green* eyes!

Lovely profile shot.

Charles included this photo with the captain: "Mother Nature Calling."  LOL!
Her makeup is airbrushed foundation, and natural green oxide on her eyes with some dots and I added a Marilyn Monroe beauty mark.  She had green oxide on her arms and shoulders as well to complete the look.

It was a pleasure to work with Lindsey, she and I go way back.  It's a gift to have her for a friend.  She gets the award for coming the longest distance to model for me.  Thanks to Lindsey for being such a great model, and to Charles for the excellent photography as usual.

All images 2010 (c) Charles Garratt Photography
Makeup, hair and costume design by Carmen Rose

"She is... Growing"
Number six in the series "The Art of a Woman"

Happy Creating,
-Carmen Rose

Another Sneak Peek

Today's shoot was number six in the series "The Art of a Woman."  This is Lindsey, and she is... growing!

 

And check out those green eyes of hers!

I continue to learn what works and what doesn't and Charles took 180 photographs in pretty short order.  Lindsey was loaded up with moss, feathers, pods, pine cones, branches, fresh violets and fresh ivy.  It was fun to see it all come together! 

Photograph 2010 (c) Charles Garratt

Costume, hair and makeup by Carmen Rose

Happy Creating,

-Carmen Rose

She is... Organic

Some early shots are back from the photo shoot with Diana. I designed her costume, hair and makeup. This costume idea started when I came across some leather scraps in a large bin in a fabric store. I picked up a piece of cow and a piece of buffalo leather, then I came across the feather trim (necklace and arm band) at the same store and that became the top and belt of her costume.

The skirt and cami are hand dyed in a combination of browns and grays with a touch of orange thrown in.

I used some hemlock from the tree in my back yard and some seed pods from the rose of sharon bushes by my house for her top over the layers of leather and fabric.  I used a small oak leaf to airbrush some organic shapes on her skin.  Her eye makeup is a combination of airbrushed color and mineral makeup in an earthy green to match her eyes.

I cut some pieces from the hem of her skirt to layer with the leathers on the bodice, I don't think I have any photos of the hem of the skirt yet.

I think this one is my favorite photo from the shoot so far.  

I wired and glued some things into a branch from my dogwood tree for her hair.

Diana was a riot to work with!

"I am woman, hear me roar!" 

It was a fun evening and we got some great shots.  Thanks to the amazing Diana for driving over to work with us and the talented Charles Garratt for the photography.  All photos 2010 (c) Charles Garratt.

She is... Organic

#5 in "The Art of a Woman" series

Happy Creating!

by Carmen Rose

Another Sneak Peek

 

The lovely Diana, She is... Organic.

Model #5 in my "The Art of a Woman" series and I used the airbrush and a leaf to create cool camoflage patterns on her skin.  More photos coming.

I dozed while the olympics were on and then once I turned off the tv I perked up a bit and could get a little work done.  Now I'm finally headed off to bed.  Pleasant Dreams Blog world.

-Carmen Rose

Sneak Peak

A quick photo from Thursday's shoot:  This is Ashley and it was a pleasure to work with her.  More photos coming when I get a chance.  It seems like I've been fighting off a bug for a few days now so I'm trying to take it easy on myself, eat right and hopefully I'll be feeling better soon.  So with that in mind I'll be going to bed very early tonight (again!)

Nite nite,
-Carmen Rose