THE DRAGANS ESCAPE

A regular reader here of several years will know the tradition of the Dragans. I have featured them over the years many times this time of year. They are all creatures made with love, wire and papier mache and other materials, and each one has its own unique personality. For more than 20 years, visitors flocked to North Union Street each Halloween, where it's big business. On Halloween night, so many people are in costume and trick or treating, all the streets literally shut down, and flood with town folk and visitors. But Dolores Dragan, a retired high school art teacher created the Halloween House, affectionately known, became local legend- drawing thousands to marvel at her hand crafts sculptures, color characters and playful scenes that transformed her huge house and yard. I love talking with her when I go into Lambertville from New Hope. Such a warm person, and she told me once how each character was based upon someone she knew or other town folk. But since moving I just heard from a friend, Dolores decided to stop the labor-intensive work setting up her home for Halloween and asked the Lambertville Creative Arts Fund to carry her work to a new chapter and share the magic. Her beloved creations now come to life as the Memory Maker's Trail of Magic- a month-long, citywide celebration produce by the group, and the creations appear throughout Lambertville shops, businesses, store fronts, dining establishments and community spaces. In the few times I met her, it was never about the decoration she said but rather the role of memory making. She always said she wanted kids to remember this when they're 70. I know I never saw anything like it. Here are some of my pictures from over the years.

While the set up might not be the same as seeing all the gang altogether, well over 80 creatures, not to mention at night with black light, its great she loaned them out all over town. Dolores gave this town a gift that went far beyond Halloween- she gave us a moment of fun for a holiday and memories that will last. 

CHILDSPLAY

 

One of fastest growing favorite fashion designers for me at least, has to be Robet Wun. If Im going to a runway show. I want drama, creative creations, and well-made garments, and pieces that could be transitioned into design for pedestrian wear. And it you want drama then you came to the right place, because he'll give it to you. Robert Wun's fall /winter showing was titled Childsplay at the Paris Galliera in Paris. This Hong Kong designer brought childhood imagination, memory and fashion nostalgia and wrapped it all up into one. The showing reimagined iconic characters and darker childhood motifs, ranging from Cinderella, to a "wolf" wool inspired tailored suit, which the Mistress would gladly wear if I was a power bitch, to Snow White in a cobalt gown with doves to Maleficent-esque dark silhouettes. Looks incorporated playful surrealist elements such as balloon adorned gowns, paint splattered textures, conical party hats, vibrantly colored space helmets, to stuffed animal accessories and spin art patterns. The House of Borghese give this showing all 10's! 10 10 10 10's across the board!

Now hit play and sit back and take in the wonder, delight and magic kids...

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE.....

When a favorite illustrator of mine collides with my favorite holiday I love it. Leo Di-Fazio is a French hyper realistic sketch artist, them mixes it in with digital illustration and other techniques to get a very unique look to his works, which are recognized for their evocative, and rich detail and a distinct blend of portraiture, folklore and mythic, homoerotic and spiritual symbolism. His finished product often blends a poetic atmosphere with striking color contrasts.  His portfolio heavily showcases allegorical figures, historical portraits, and at times depictions of Greek Gods. In addition to his art he also collaborates with the French design house La Kigne 29, in which his designs are adapted onto high end home decor textiles, wall hangings, cushion covers and printed canvases. I'm not opposed to this version of Halloween, with tricks that treat!

SEAS THE DAY

Yes, yes, time for another break....off to Ptown and then the island of Fire for just a few days. By time this post, I will have arrived in Ptown yesterday with my touche on a barstool for happy hour  at the Boatslip.I can't think of a better time to go and start to wind down summer, even though we still enjoy the warmer temps sometimes through October.  I think these very fun and cool looking works by Leo'di Fazio will hopefully sum up my holiday to the seasides. Leo" is a hyper-real drawing specialist, painter, textile designer and digital artist, who self-taught himself in 1985. I love the fun vibes of his works. I will return sometime in September and may drop a post card or two.

And don't think for a minute I can't pull off those shorts and that striped tank top!

See ya once back kids!

SEEN IN BALTIMORE

Seen this weekend with the clan. Not sure what took me so long to go see this museum. Over 100 years old, this museum was founded on the belief that access to art and ideas and culture is integral to a vibrant and healthy civic life and I couldn't agree more. It's important to go and see and support these places before it's too late and the billionaires get their greedy mitts on them, and start charging Disneyland admissions!!! Art should be able to be viewed by all. The museum had a great exhibit called the Cone Collection, with over 1, 200 works by Matisse, Picasso, Cezanne, Degas, Gauguin, Van Gogh and Renoir. The George A Lucas Collection was very impressive, with over 18,000 French mid-19th century works, and one of the greatest single holdings of French art in the US. I also enjoyed the African and Native American art as well, not to mention there was a pretty impressive sculpture collection in the gardens surrounding the museum. I have been going to Baltimore for years. Shame on me for not going to this place sooner.

Is there anything better then art and music for the soul?

Except maybe gin?

MOOD BOARD

 

Could it have been another glorious weekend? Hell yes! Time away on another get-away, glorious weather, good friends, art, libations and good food. But all good things come to an end as we face the dreaded thing...called...going back to work! Needless to say...as the gay anthem goes, We Will Survive! And made just a tad easier as it is the gay Christmas time!!!!! Pride Month!

Let us all have a fabulously gay month!!!