The Art of Dressing Elegantly - For Women of a Certain Age - Intro

Aging can be traumatic for both men and women.  The pressure to look good, however, is mostly placed upon women by an unforgiving society.  Magazines, TV programs all feature women with flawless skin, lustrous hair, and gleaming smiles, wrapped (or unwrapped) in clothes that emphasize their shapely figures.

The process of getting old is unavoidable.  No matter how much we fight nature’s course, time will make its mark on our faces, hair, and bodies.  Those who can afford it spend a fortune on plastic surgery or regular non-invasive procedures to slow or counter the aging process.  Some look terribly different from their former selves; others just look worse than ever. 

Yet, women don’t have to take that direction.  There are more reasonable options available to us.  We really need to correct our attitude towards aging, but we don’t have to surrender to it.  We can fight it gracefully.  Mature women no longer struggle with the meaning of life or agonize over what they want in life.  We know what we want.  It doesn’t matter that we weren’t blessed with great beauty.  We want to look good! 

Sure, women have different tastes and styles in clothing.  What we strive to achieve is elegance, whether casual or not.  How does one explain elegance?  Merriam-Webster defines it as refined grace or dignified propriety; dignified gracefulness or restrained beauty of style.  It basically means propriety in both dress and manners.  This article will attempt to focus on how we can dress elegantly without breaking the bank.

Whether we are in our 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, or older, we need to take care of our health.  Practice good grooming, eat right, exercise, and stay active.  Wear pajamas all day if you want, as long as you’re in the privacy of your homes.  Once you’re outside those boundaries, you need to consider the propriety of your appearance.  Make sure your clothes are clean and free from wrinkles; and your shoes clean.  A little vanity never hurts.  It can motivate us to take pride in ourselves.  

We do not have to be slaves to fashion or spend a lot of money to look good.   Choose clothes in classic styles that fit well and hide the flaws in your body.  A simple wardrobe can consist of tops, skirts, and trousers in neutral hues (black, brown, gray, white); a few dresses, and jeans for casual wear.  Your shoes and handbags can be in any color that will match or even enhance your clothes.  What you buy depends on your personal style and finances.

LEARNING HOW TO SUFFER

"Leren Lijden" (roughly translated, "Learning how to suffer") is a book on psychology by Martin Appelo published in the Netherlands.  On the front cover is an image of my painting "Grief".  While I can't understand a word of Dutch, I am flattered that they chose "Grief" for its cover.

 

Maryland Federation of Art Water Works Exhibition

My painting, Floating Leaves II, was selected as one of 54 artworks (out of 580 pieces submitted) for the Maryland Federation of Art Water Works juried exhibition at the Annapolis Maritime Museum from September 16-November 1, 2015.

Floating Leaves II, oil on canvas, 19" x 15"

 

 

WILDFIRE

The devastation caused by the wildfires in Alaska and California reminded me of a painting I did below, "Wildfire", which I dedicated to the elite group of firefighters, Hotshots, who were killed in the Yarnell Hill wildfire in Arizona in June 2013; and to those who have suffered losses due to wildfires.

Not many people would want this on their walls - but I paint what I feel, and hopefully, touch a heart or two.

Wildfire, Oil on Canvas, 21" x 31"

Piano or Brush?

Since the death of my beloved piano teachers more than two decades ago, I virtually stopped playing my equally beloved Knabe upright. This year, I made a decision to stop painting until I sell more of my piling canvasses. Well, the piano beckoned again and I painfully started doing Hanon exercises and a couple of "treats" like attempting to play a Bach Invention and Liszt's Liebestraume Notturno III. My dexterity and sight reading have a long way to go but it feels good to play again. But...I can't wait to return to painting.

Current VIDA Design Collection

Okay, the Purple Spray design did not meet the required 3 pre-orders so it will no longer be available for purchase.  Currently, the following items from my design collection are available.  Use the code VIDAVOICES to get 20% off your order.  Here's where to order:

http://shopvida.com/collections/voices/cynthia-angeles

    Glamour Girl Scarf $40                                      Black Tupelo Scarf $40

 Autumn Leaves Scarf $40                                 Steaming Rocks Silk Top $75

My VIDA Design Collection

I have added two more items to my design collection at ShopVIDA:  Autumn Leaves and Purple Spray.  A minimum of 3 pre-orders are needed within 7 days, starting July 9, 2015 for each item to be put into production.  We all need to buy gifts for the coming holidays so tell your friends, relatives, and neighbors.  Use the code VIDAVOICES to get a 20% discount on your order.

To order, here is the link:

http://shopvida.com/collections/voices/cynthia-angeles

 Autumn Leaves (modal scarf)                               Purple Spray (silk tee)

 

The Colors and Stripes of Our Flag

When I received my US Citizenship in 2006, I painted "Land of Many Stripes" (see below) to represent the United States of America.  I was born and raised in the Philippines which I love and honor.  Now, I have sworn loyalty to this country which I admire and have grown to love, yet criticize at times.  Because I can.

Land of Many Stripes

I painted a second piece, below, as a variation of the first one, above.

Stripes II

In light of the recent Supreme Court's 5-4 ruling that same-sex couples be allowed to marry, my "flags have never been so meaningful" for they represent all the peoples of this land of all "stripes" - white, black, red, yellow, LGBT, or straight.   

My VIDA Designs

The Glamour Girl Scarf

The Black Tupelo Scarf

The Steaming Rocks Silk Top

To order:  http://shopvida.com/collections/voices/cynthia-angeles

Exciting News!

I am now a designer for ShopVIDA!  This is a new concept for a company and a new project for me.  ShopVIDA uses artists's paintings or photographs to make them into wearable art.  Part of the earnings will be used to send their overseas workers to literacy schools.  My designs (four for now) will be used on scarves ($40) and a silk sleeveless top ($75). Use the code VIDAVOICES to get 20% off your order. A minimum of 3 orders of every design is required to put it into production, unfortunately, but this should improve as the company grows.  There are artists all over the world participating so, please check it out!  The link below will take you to my designs.

http://shopvida.com/collections/voices/cynthia-angeles

Painting with a knife

 Flaming Lava

I took a one-day class in knife painting when I visited Honolulu almost four years ago and completed a canvas painted solely with a knife.  It was difficult for me to adjust to the knife but the results were pretty good for a novice (see above).  I gave the painting to my nephew who lives in Waipahu.

Since then, I tried to incorporate a few knife strokes on my canvasses but have not been able to complete one solely with a knife.  I have watched a few videos about it and was transfixed with the ease with which the artists had filled the surface with stunning results.  Ten days ago, I went to an art store and bought a couple more painting knives to work with.  Instead of starting with a simple picture, I opted to paint the arms and hands of a farmer, and I am struggling.  I will continue working on it this weekend and post the results upon completion.  I hope it won't take me too long.

Artists' Talk - Food for the Body, Food for the Soul

Well, the talk is over and done with.  I had prepared a short paragraph describing what my art is all about but was, instead, asked to talk about my interpretation of the show's theme.  My painting, "Repose" (see image in my previous post) is about seeking balance in one's life.  We nourish our bodies with food and drink, but we also need relaxation and some quiet time to re-energize our mind and bodies.

Someone asked if "Repose" was a self-portrait, perhaps, because of the subject's Asian features, but it wasn't really.  I did not have a model for the painting so I created the image of a woman trying to achieve a moment of tranquility in her busy life.

   

Food for the Body, Food for the Soul

I am one of 30 artists participating in the exhibition “Food for the Body, Food for the Soul” at the Watergate Gallery and Frame Design, from January 31 – March 31, 2015. The painting below, “Repose”, is my interpretation of what fuels the body and soul.

 Repose

Come join us at “Meet the Artists” evening at 6 pm on Wednesday, March 11th.

Watergate Gallery and Frame Design (lower level near CVS)
2552 Virginia Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20037
TEL: 202-338-4488

My Lola and I - print version

I had already published an ebook version of this children's book last year but thought about having a print version later.  Because I already finished a painting for the book cover, I did not want to pay for a book designer to develop the cover.  I also wondered how I could design a cover spread (back cover, spine, and front cover) myself.  I scoured the internet for how-to's and concluded that InDesign was the best program available for it. 

Well, InDesign is a very expensive program used by graphic designers in their work.  Fortunately, a free 30-day trial software was available online, so in early November, I downloaded it and bravely set out to learn it.  It was not easy and I made a lot of mistakes trying to form a cover spread.  Finally, I had a graphic designer check to make sure that my design conformed to the printer's specs.  I was soooo pleased that it did, but there was another step.  My publisher and the printer had to approve it.  Two days ago, it was!  I expect to receive the galley in a few days.  What a blessed relief!

Pricing Art

I just can't seem to get the pricing right on my artwork.  In the Washington, DC area, my prices are considered either too low or just right.  Some others think they are high.  In the last 6 - 7 years, I have barely raised my prices.

I am always willing to give courtesy discounts if asked; but I don't fancy haggling as if in a flea market.  There is always a delicate balance between wanting to sell and maintaining the integrity of one's art.

Affordable Art Fair, NYC, September 25 - 29, 2014

Well, my paintings below won’t make it to a wall at the Affordable Art Fair in New York (The Tunnel, 269 11th Avenue, between 27th and 28th Streets).  The spaces were sold out.  I hope they get some kind of exposure at Julio Valdez’ booth.  Keeping my fingers crossed!

 

Floating Leaves

 

Floating Leaves II

 Misty Lake

 Creek Reflections

           

Trials and tribulations of an artist

Because I don't drive and my husband is away, I took an early bus from DC to New York City to deliver 2 big paintings and 2 smaller pieces (well wrapped and packed) for an exhibition.  I placed the big ones upright in the belly of the bus.  Thankfully, my packages were unharmed.  The walk from the bus stop to NoHo Gallery took about 13 minutes.  I was so relieved when I delivered all four that I decided to leave them as is, wrappings and all (which may be a bad decision).

After the exhibition on the 16th, I have to take the bus again, pick them up, and lug them 10 blocks to the bus stop.  Let's hope the wrappings are still available so the paintings will survive the 4 1/2 hour trip back to DC.  Or I could be so lucky and someone will buy one of the big paintings!

"Undressed & Not" at Barebrush @ NoHo Gallery, Chelsea, NY

I will be part of the "Undressed & Not" exhibition at NoHo Gallery from Aug 12 - 16, 2014.  If you are going to be in the NYC area then, please check it out.

Anguish - One of My Suffering Women

 Anguish

watercolor, 20" high x 16" wide

Painting often involves a lot of thought and work. Sometimes, one gets lucky and something worth keeping comes out of a canvas or paper. I started to paint this while waiting for the electrician to finish his repair work. This was done before he was.

New painting, new style

I am almost done with my new painting - a portrait.  I used a combination of palette knife and brush.  Although I've used this mix before, I've never done it on a portrait.  I used my photo for the pose, and a vague idea of the mood of the subject.  Then, I just let the image develop over time.

I don't like painting wet on wet because it muddies the colors, so I wait until it dries, then paint some more.  The palette knife allows me to be more free with my strokes and has even infected my use of the paint brush.  The results are very encouraging.  The image below has already undergone some changes on the eyes and the background but you can see that the brush strokes are more obvious here than in my other pieces.  The title I have for this is "Worries". 

    

Worries