Beauty through art. Accuracy and aesthetic.

Most of the costumes in my work are historically accurate. But that’s really more often about who I’m collaborating with than what I’m striving for. Though I do love historical fashion, accuracy isn’t imperative in my work. For me it’s all about the aesthetic.

I’m drawn to color. I want richness and depth. I’m happy if what I’m showing is a faithful representation of a time period but what thrills me more is the way the light wraps around my subject. I get excited over building a set and watching the textures pop against a beautifully styled gown and delicately coiffed hair.

I ache over the sheer beauty of it all.

OK that sounds dramatic but I swear it’s true. Isn’t that what beauty does though —what it’s supposed to do?* I think so. If I’m not oohing and aahing all the way through a shoot I know I’m doing something wrong. It has to excite me, pull me in and light me up. If it bores me, I failed. That sounds like I create for myself but guess what? I do. In fact I would argue that we have to create for ourselves. The moment we start creating for an audience (or god forbid an algorithm) we lose a part of ourselves —and we lose our authenticity.

Yes I collaborate with my sitters. I listen to their ideas and find out what they want. But all of that has to be within the framework of my individual creative ability and overall vision. It’s why people choose me. Why any of us might choose a specific person to bring about the vision we have for something.

Of course it’s nice to be paid. Necessary even since we all have bills to pay, but I love this work and I will keep doing it as long as I can. Every new piece brings me joy. Make no mistake though, it’s for me.

Michele

P.S. I don’t care if people think they are an AI thing, you can pry the em dashes from my cold dead hands.