Friday, July 13, 2012

Sweet Honey in the Rock and I, in the White House!


             OOAK Private Commission for Sweet Honey in the Rock's 30th Anniversary Tour
             Cassandra Pia Shepard's Le Mariage Shibori Collection in the White House



Look, Mama.  I did it!

My very Capricorn mother would be so proud of this photo.  She always gave me drive and utmost support for my art and creative spirit.  I am my mother's daughter when it comes to my own elation and pride over this most happy occasion, and being a part of a historical moment.

I thank the magnificent ladies of Sweet Honey in the Rock for believing in me and my work, and for carrying it forward in the presence of First Lady Michelle Obama during their groundbreaking White House appearance.  Wow!  I am almost speechless...not quite, but close!!!



            Sweet Honey in the Rock at the White House (hallway to the East Room)
           Shirley Childress Saxton is onstage signing for 1st Lady Michelle Obama



Hold on, and I will be back soon to give you more story bits about Sweet honey in the Rock and me.  In the meantime, here is the link to their website:  http://www.sweethoney.com.

You can, also, find them on my facebook page at:  www.facebook.com/CassandraPiaShepard.





               Glorious Songbirds and Women with a Cause, "Sweet Honey in the Rock"
          Commissioned Kimono (30th Anniversary Tour) from the Le Mariage Shibori Collection


All images, text and content copyrighted, 2012, all rights reserved to perspective owners

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

I'm Just Cyprus Dreaming on the Isle of Aphrodite...


                                                        Artist's Private Collection
                 Le Mariage Shibori Collection - Azul Backsplash Organza Kimono


Hello All,

A tribute to my friends, Vilte and Irit in Cyprus on the island of Aphrodite.  They have just kicked off a two week felting and eco dyeing extravaganza in Paradise.  The workshop is sponsored by my new friend, Tatiana Barry who lives there.  How lucky can one woman get?  I wasn't able to make the trip due to commitments with other workshops in the U.S.  But, I am channeling the energy and creativity of these two magnificent artists, here in California, with visions of pristine azul seas and sunny beaches.

That is Vilte Kazlauskaite and Irit Dulman.  Two names you will want to remember.  Look them up on facebook.  You will be absolutely amazed.  So, while I am waiting for the near future opportunity of meeting them in person, I am "Cyprus dreaming on a sunny California day..."

Good luck ladies.  I am "pea green with envy!!!":)))))


Check out my tribute to Cyprus at my facebook art page:  www.facebook.com/CassandraPiaShepard.



All images, text and content copyrighted, 2012, all rights reserved

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Indigo Indie Morning @ Cassandra Pia Shepard



                                                          Sold to Private Collector
                    Le Mariage Shibori Collection - Organza Silk Kimono in Indigo Indie



Hello All,

If you haven't stopped by my new facebook page already, this is the day to do it.  Check it out at:  www.facebook.com/CassandraPiaShepard.  New pieces and new lines of OOAK silk and felted couture are on the horizon. 

As some of you know, I am on art study/research sabbatical from Studio 32 at Spanish Village Art Center.  But, don't worry, the studio is still open with my very talented fellow artist/jeweller, Ramon Villon, who is there to dazzle and amaze you. Ramon is a master of hand wrapped forged sterling silver and gold jewelry with precious gemstones.  He enjoys sharing his art expertise, and talking about how he creates his jewelry and sculptures.

Not much time to blog, but I will write a line here and there to keep your appetites whetted.  I'll definitely be posting pieces from the new line, featuring eco dyed silk, wool and natural fiber textiles.  The workshops are amazing and keeping me on my toes...my creative toes, that is!

P.S.  "Run...don't walk" to my new facebook page and Like me (comment, too)...See you soon.

All images, text and content copyrighted, 2012, all rights reserved

Monday, June 11, 2012

Walk, Don't Run...to My New Facebook Page!!!

                                
                                       CASSANDRA PIA SHEPARD ON FACEBOOK
                                          www.facebook.com/CassandraPiaShepard     
                               



                  Le Mariage Shibori Collection - Bronze Orchidee Grid Organza Kimono
                                   with contrasting bronze neckband, cuffs and hem



All images,text and content copyrighted, 2012, all rights reserved

Thursday, March 22, 2012

"Shep", Boogie-Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B

                         
                           "Shep", the Boogie-Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B



Hello All,

Say "hello" to my daddy, "Shep", alias John Edward (Burr-ya) Shepard.  Not a bad looking "bugle boy", if I do say so myself.  Well, he may not have been a bugle boy during his stint in the armed forces, but he was most definitely the "boogie-woogie" boy of his company.  I daresay that there has never been a smoother pair of feet on the dance floor, than my dad's...John Edward.  I can still see him "tripping the light fantastic" with my mom.  They were a sight to behold.  Why don't people dance like that, anymore?

Oops, got to run to the studio, again.  But, hold that thought...and imagine the strains of "In the Mood" playing in your ear.  I'll be back soon to continue with the story of my dad, "Shep".

Fade to..."the boogie-woogie bugle boy of Company B..."

Well, hello.  That took a bit longer than I thought.  I am on artistic sabbatical hiatus for research, exploration and experimentation with some new and innovative applications in felt textiles and Eco friendly coloring of cloth.  So much to learn.  But, more on that later.  Right now, let's get back to Shep, the "boogie-woogie" boy of Company B.

My daddy was definitely the boogie-woogie boy during his service in the army, and throughout his life.  It was like walking to him, that "born with it" rhythm and easy movement on the dance floor.  Sure-footed and smooth like a lion...as sure as his sun sign Leo.  King of the dance boards he was... that is actually how my mom and he met at a Friday night social (that's dance party to you young'uns).  Yes, yes Tyler, Texas was the "smoking" hopping place to be in those days.

His older brother, Butch, had arrived on the collegiate scene at Texas College a year before him.  A charming "keep them laughing" athlete, he woefully had (in his own words) two left feet.  Not to be outdone, whenever the girls (my mom included) teased about his dancing skills (or gross lack, thereof), Uncle Butch just laughed and answered, "Oh, you just wait until my baby brother gets here next year.  I may not know what feet are for, but he will put you all to shame!  "Burr-ya" dances enough for both of us. You don't know what dancing is until you meet him."  Ever ready with a perky comeback, my mom, Dorothy, (little miss sparkle twinkle-toes) retorted, "I don't believe it.  Anyone related to you couldn't possibly have any rhythm or control of their feet!  Much less be a "smooth cat" on the dance floor."

Well, one year later, arrive he did...John "Shep" Shepard from Mexia, Texas.  Yep, Mexia, Texas that, at the time, was little more than a dusty road with a grocery store, a feed granary and a Dairy Queen.  If you blinked twice, you would miss it passing through (...hey, I'm not kidding.  That's how I remember it, even when I was four or five years old.)  Not much to do there as a boy, but to go fishing, hunting (with a sling-shot), play sports and polish the dance floor with the soles of your shoes.  I have to admit, my daddy was proficient in all.  When he set his mind to it, there was no equal to him.

As it turned out, everyone (the social crowd) met Shep, not on campus, but, at the Green Top, a popular hamburger joint (best burgers, fries, chili loaves and malts you've ever tasted) where the kids hung out on weekends, and spun records from the jukebox.  Everyone had finished eating, and as was customary, tables were cleared to open the floor for dancing.  Song after song played while couples jitterbugged, and the girls flirted, posed, danced their darnedest hoping to be noticed by that good-looking newcomer who appeared to be glued to the wall (my mom included).

Shep remained stuck to the wall, casually leaning back, one polished foot resting on the woodwork.  It looked like he was going to be a permanent fixture for the evening.  Everyone started to look askance at Butch and taunt, "Baby brother, huh?  See man...we knew you were "shooting the breeze".  He can't dance a step.  What's he waiting for?"  Butch just laughed and said, "Wait, he's watching how they move...choosing a partner that fits his style."  Ohhhhh baby!  And, choose he did.  Another song blared from the jukebox.  A couple of strains into the music, Shep separated from the wall, glided like a panther across the room to a waif-thin dancer and proffered his hand.  (No, it wasn't my mom.)

Spinning her onto the floor like a well-oiled machine on ball bearings, he did not disappoint the crowd.  Everyone watched stunned, and soon cleared the floor for the couple.  Once they regained their senses, catcalls, cheering and animated applause burst from the crowd and filled the joint.  Uncle Butch's proud good natured laughter rang above all the hoots, exclamations and apologies.  My mom, for once, was completely without words.  I asked her if she was jealous he didn't choose her, and she said with a huge smile, "No.  Baby, we were all so happily surprised and absolutely impressed with his dancing, no one cared.  Man, talking about burning up the dance floor!  I didn't think he would ever give me the time of day, really."  Quite obviously, he did... (you know how those "boogie-woogie" boys can be).  And, the rest is history...


   
"Dottie and Shep in between Burning up the Dance Floor"



Fade to..."he was the boogie-woogie boy of Company B..."


All images, text and content copyrighted, 2012, all rights reserved

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

The Eye of "El Tigre"...Rrrrrrrr...rrrrrrrrr!

                                             
                                                           Sold to Private Collector
                                  Le Mariage Shibori Silk Organza Kimono in El Tigre
                     


Hello All,

I just love this color harmony...my Le Mariage Shibori Kimono in "El Tigre".  I feel as if I am channeling the legendary Bengali, whenever I wear these colors.  I can envision the soft, surely placed footing of the heavily padded paws of the Bengali tigress as she walks through her terrain.  Slowly perusing, in no hurry.  The huntress at her leisure.  These were my thoughts, as I worked the fabric, pushing the limits and keeping her close as my muse.  The deep-throated purring rising and falling in my ear...Rrrrrrrr....rrrrrrrr.  Crescendo.  Decrescendo...

This was one of those lovely projects that went easily, without effort and turned out superb!  I guess I really was connected to my "tigress muse" throughout the process.   The textile responded to my touch, and took the colors eagerly.  No sweat, just the rise and fall of the rhythm of my Bengali.

I don't have much to expound upon.  The piece speaks for itself.  My "El Tigre" shibori silk organza kimono.  Shhhhh.  Can you feel her move?  Listen...Rrrrrrrrr-rrrrrrrrrrr!


All images, text and content copyrighted, 2012, all rights reserved

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Les Reves du Papilon (Dreams of the Butterfly)


                                                       Sold to Private Collector                       
                                Le Mariage Shibori Silk Organza Kimono in Sol y Cielo



Hello All,

I just looked at this shot of my Sol y Cielo Shibori Silk Kimono this afternoon, and surprisingly, noticed something I hadn't before.  The positioning of the sleeves and the loose drape of the kimono's collar reminded me of butterfly wings in motion.  Funny how you can miss something like that, and then, with a quick glance at the same picture, open up a whole new observation of something that has gone, previously, unnoticed right in front of you.  Perhaps, it is the furtive motion of the head... glancing and then turning away, which gives one only a brief impression of the composition...like flipping cards to create a moving picture.

At any rate, when I saw this, I cropped the image down which gave me an even stronger impression of the wings of a butterfly..."Papilon en francais".  Voila!  Le Papilon du Sol y Cielo.  Tres, tres bon.  Oh, oui, "Je t'adore!"

Ah, so, my Le Mariage Sol y Cielo Shibori Silk Kimono has metamorphosed into "Le Papilon des Reves!"  Clever Kimono!


                                        
                                                         Sold to Private Collector                          
                                Le Mariage Shibori Silk Organza Kimono in Sol y Cielo
                                      Cassandra Classics Swarovski crystal bracelet
                                                    with Sterling Silver Bangles




All images, text and content copyright 2012, all rights reserved

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Inspiration and Enamored Remembrance

                           
                                 Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre - "Wade in the Water"



Hello All,

Each time I see these photos, I am so inspired.  The emotions they evoke in me are powerful and invigorating.  I just had to share them with you this morning.  Can you feel the energy...their power?


     
                               Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre - "Wade in the Water"



             
                       Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre - "Wade in the Water, Children!"



I am inspired.  I am enamored.  I remember...(pulse of the dance...the faint sound of drums...the soft impact of the step as my toes, heels, legs, arms and torso flex into, and through the liquid movement.  I am the embodiment of the ebb and flow of water.  Water, the eternal flow.

"Water Sprite" calls to me.  "I am inspired.  I am enamored.  I remember..."


"Water Sprite" by PiaZza!  Water inspired felted silk couture with natural fiber textures.


Feeling free form felt forged by feminine hands. "Felting with feeling"...Fabulous!



All images, text and content copyrighted, 2012, all rights reserved to perspective owners  

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Happy "2012" and Rocka My Soul!!!!

                      Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre - "Revelations", (Rocka my Soul)


HAPPY NEW YEAR, ALL!!!!


It's 2012 and I wish for you..."A Blessing on your Heads", Health, Wealth, Prosperity and Love,  and may God "Rocka your Souls in the bosom of Abraham!!!"   For Auld lang syne!


Cassandra Pia




                                       Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre - "Revelations"



All images, text and content copyrighted, 2012, all rights reserved
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...