2025

One of my favorite things to do is create custom patterns, and I thought the water lilies oil painting I did earlier this year would be the perfect candidate! I photographed it and took it into Photoshop to make a repeat pattern (I did all the cutting and pasting myself in case anyone is wondering…). 

Once I was happy with how the pattern was laid out, I ordered a few yards in a lucent satin fabric. The way it catches the light is exactly how I hoped it would!

Next, I went to my dress form and started designing the bodice. It took a couple of mock ups before I was happy with how it looked, but installing the boning to give it structure is always easier than I think it will be. And I f you’ve been here a minute, you know I had to add some ties at the shoulders.

I wanted the whole painting to be visible when you look at the skirt, so enter the poofy hip design! This allowed there to be more flat real estate on the front of the skirt to show off the painting. 

I knew I had to photograph the dress and painting together, so a studio photoshoot it was! I kind of felt like that Barbie as Rapunzel movie where she could magically create her own ballgown using her paintbrush… anyone else remember that early 2000s gem?

My dress and painting are on display for the month of August at the Chestertown RiverArts gallery in their Wearable Art show. The opening is Friday, August 1st from 5-7pm and there will be an artist talk on Friday, August 8th at 5pm.