LBD

Little Black Dress: a Fashion Evolution.



This is an exhibition at the Washington State History Museum that runs through December 5th.  I had a free pass so decided to see this before it closed. 

"The little black dress, or 'LBD' as it is frequently called, has been a fixture in many wardrobes for over a century. One of the most iconic items of clothing in the 20th century, the LBD continues to hold a place in both fashion and memory".

I have never owned an LBD. I suppose that is because I almost never attend the sort of parties or events where it would be worn. However, that suit from 1960 is something I would wear even now. It looks classic.

Sketching this was difficult as everything was black, of course, and poorly lit. The lighting was a preservation issue, I presume.

I decided to do a montage with much of the page devoted to the Victorian era. I was rather surprised to find such pointy shoes from that time period. 

A unique experience

This was both the first evening sketch outing for Urban Sketchers Tacoma as well as the first time we've been involved in sketching for a cause.  We were invited to sketch last night at an event commemorating World AIDS Day hosted by the Pierce County AIDS Foundation (PCAF).  We didn't really know what to expect or what there might be to sketch.

This table for "Butterfly Knots" caught my eye.  "The butterfly has stood....as a symbol of transformation.  For those grieving a loss, the chrysalis phase of a butterfly represents the...turning inward.  The healing is reflected in the metamorphosis phase.  Butterfly Knots are written and tied with intention.  It is an act that honors a vow and sets a firm promise.....Write the name of a loved one lost to HIV/AIS.  Write of the loss experienced from this pandemic.  Write a message of hope for our community.  Write an action you intend to take".  


Next is the "Altar of Remembrance".   


We shared our sketches with each other and with the event attendees after the program finished.  There was much positive response to adding this experience to the event.  





Once the event was over, we had an opportunity to sketch in the Washington State History Museum.  I chose this display about "Hooverville" which was a homeless camp in the early 1930's.  I was still thinking about how sketching can bring attention or focus to the problems of the day.  The stock market crash on Wall Street resulted in massive unemployment in the Pacific Northwest. A squatters settlement of scrap materials was one of the results.  I thought about the parallels with the current issues of homelessness. 


 

Photos from AIDS Day event & the Museum:  https://redharp.smugmug.com/SketchOutings/2016-1201-World-AIDS-Day/

Leroy

The paper I'd ordered came in at the UW bookstore in Tacoma.  I drove down to pick it up. I now have 20 sheets of 22x30 Strathmore Series 500 Mixed Media paper with which to make some sketchbooks.

Since it was such a beautiful morning, I brought my sketch kit.  I sat in the sun on the patio across from the Washington History Museum to again sketch the classic view.



I used my reciprocal benefit from MOHAI to visit the Tacoma Museum of Art.  I saw the George O'Keefe exhibit.  No photos and I didn't do any sketches.  Photos not allowed but pencil sketching was.

I did sketch Leroy, the Big Pup by Scott Fife of Seattle. It's made of  cardboard, carpenter's glue, and drywall screws. The 10-foot-tall Pup has become an icon of Tacoma Art Museum. He even has a LinkedIn page.   "Languages:  Dog"  Ha!



And he's been made into a plush dog, available in the Museum shop.

Tacoma Urban Sketchers Gathering - Washington State History Museum

A most enjoyable gathering at the Washington State History Museum. It was my first visit here and I certainly didn't see all the exhibits, yes, there is a sequel in the works. Kudos to the museum staff, they were welcoming, friendly, and helpful (not something I experience at all museums).

The fish butchering machine on the right is much more complex than represented. One of the benefits of the two and half hour format is that it often keeps me from 'biting off more than I can chew' when it comes to what is included in a sketch. I've gone back to putting a border around a lot of sketches in this book and the boxed date is blatantly stolen from Pat Graham's work. Pen and ink with a watercolor wash in a Moleskine watercolor sketchbook.

 Post-sketching lunch was had at the Tacoma Art Museum Cafe, I recommend the coconut black bean soup. Good food, good conversation, looking forward to the next gathering.