I am doing many a community art project at the moment and finding lots of friends of the Cowgirl Mermaid. One thing I loved about growing up in Jackson is all the funny small town things for kids that would happen. I love as an artist now bringing the Cowgirl Mermaid whismy to the kids of town. I started dressing the Sinclair Dino 2 halloweens ago, the first outfit was Dino Ghost. There have been many outfits since and the most commentary I get about the dino is how much kids love it and all their ideas for outfits. Ciara and I hatched this plan for a contest so kids could draw their own ideas and we would pick one to make for this years costume. I'm so excited to see their ideas! I can't imagine what they will come up with. I find out tomorrow eeeekk!! Ill make it next week! Keep your eyes peeled. This has been one of my favorite projects and I am very excited for this new chapter of Dino outfitting.
A project I have been working on since January is a nest of Egg pillows for the Jackson Hole Children's Museum. They put out a call for local artists last year to help them build out the interior of the new permanent home of the museum. One big element is a jungle gym osprey nest and they wanted egg pillows to fill out the nest. After researching more about osprey nests I learned a couple things, one ospreys use lots of materials to upcycle into their nests. Two, because of environmental damage osprey egg shells are getting more fragile and thinner and less ospreys make it out of the egg. I wanted to make eggs of discarded clothing quilted together to create these fun pillows. I have made 6 prototypes this year since Jan and now ready to go into production. First I am gathering clothing, if you are in Jackson area and want to donate clothing, send me a note
I am looking for all types of clothing we wear here in Jackson to patch work together, basically everything but sweaters. I am looking for clothes in the colors of the Osprey Eggs. Through the prototyping process I have ended up really truly making an egg, with a weighted yoke, many layers of different materials surrounding the yoke, to multiple shells. All of these are to make very strong pillows that can withstand lots of play, washing and wear and tear, all while being very comfy to nest right into. I am definitely nervous going into making these as it is the most epic thing I have made to date but the protos helped me practice for production.
The third epic community project I am doing came along more recently. I was asked to help make costumes for a original adaptation of the Velveteen rabbit the local theater was putting on. Once I got to know the take on it, saw the character sketches I was hooked. I wanted to live in this little forest world. I am using all materials found around the theater that have been donated, it has been a really fun collage sewing process. Making costumes is so fun because they just have to live on stage. You can go deep into your imagination to help bring stories to life. I have been sewing them in the dressing room. There is something very special about bringing things to life in the place they will live. I also love to listen to rehearsal while I sew. I was never a theater kid growing up but since working on a movie set a couple years ago, to diving deeper into content creation to being involved with the theater I love using fashion to tell these world creating stories.
I think I am doing with all these projects right now to create a little world for myself. One were dinosaurs getting all dressed up on the side of the road, kids have their own life size nest, and rabbits and toys come to life. We need to remember in these times when the powers in the government are dark and filled with hatred, creativity and imagination can help us create alternative realities to look forward to more positive futures. Small town girl fall is all about creatures big and small and they are all besties with the Cowgirl Mermaid.
xo Courtney