It's all over now, Baby Blue

Tuesday 29 July 2014


I can't believe it's already Tuesday. June seemed to go by so slowly...I had weeks of summer to spend however I liked; I could go swimming in the ponds with friends, have spontaneous sleepovers, explore London on day-long shopping trips, get the train back and forth and generally do whatever popped into my head. Then all of a sudden it was July, and now it's almost August; my two-week holiday in France is getting ever closer and the days are slipping through my fingers like sand, leaving me slightly panicked and desperate to fit in as much as I can before I go.
I started this sort of last-minute rush on Saturday by seeing the Matisse and Malevich exhibitions at the Tate Gallery. I had been meaning to go for ages, especially as Matisse's work not only influenced a lot of my childhood experiments (many failed attempts to reproduce The Snail) but is beginning to influence me again - I like his bold use of shape and colour, and would like to channel some of his creations physically with clothes, as well as taking inspiration for my own artwork. Also, I adored the photoshoot by Eleanor Hardwick and Maria InĂ©s Gul for Rookie which was inspired by the exhibition (and features the perfect Rachel from Toby Knows).
I didn't know much about Malevich, although the name was familiar, but the tickets worked out to be only £2 more to see both, so I was introduced to his work as well. It was accidentally perfect really, as he was influenced by Matisse and so seeing his exhibition after Matisse's worked really well. Basically it was definitely worth the trip, and is worth a look (even if you aren't a desperate future art student like me).





I had been shopping the day before for my holiday and had gone a little overboard in my new favourite place ever: 'Pop Boutique' in Covent Garden. It's a tiny little shop but is full of so much vintage treasure and I can't wait to wear everything I bought. The shirt is one of these new pieces, and although it's not visible under the dungaree dress (from Beyond Retro but embellished by me with some antique fair ribbon) has the sweetest elasticated bottom that then frills out a little like the puff sleeves. The bag is from Camden Passage in Islington, the socks are from Topshop and the shoes from Clothes Show Live.




I wore my Mum's old parrot brooch with my locket, which has become something of a jewellery staple for me recently. I think that might have something to do with the little picture of David Bowie I put inside it, though. My sunglasses are from Camden Market.




(Images from here and here)
After the most amazing hazelnut iced coffee (I don't even like coffee so it must have been good) we went along to the Tate and luckily managed to get tickets straight away, which is sometimes hard for popular exhibitions like the ones we wanted to see. I was definitely surprised by just how much was on display - I had no idea about just how much work Matisse had produced over his lifetime, and how amazingly stylised and personal it was. From a distance it looks simplistic, but I'm sure it would be difficult for any one of us to just sit and be able to put together such effective compositions as his; it is clear he had an exceptional eye for colour and pattern that not many other people have. I loved being so surrounded by his huge collages and prints...it makes you really reconsider just opting for a simple canvas when you could be using a whole wall instead. I sat on the floor and drew for a while, as is my custom in art galleries, and spent a long time wandering and trying to commit my favourite pieces to memory. 
The Malevich exhibition was amazing too - unlike Matisse, his style changed and fluctuated seemingly as his environmental influences changed. He also had produced an immense body of work that was fascinating to be able to see all in one place, and it was perfect to see his work just after seeing Matisse's. 






I love the bright and vibrant colours of Matisse's work - I tend to avoid it in my own as previously I've always been a little tentative and cautious with paint, but I'm trying to bring about a more carefree feel to my style. I think with a little more practice my own work will match up to my expectations a little more. I intend to spend a lot of my holiday painting so you never know, some kind of creative gene might come to light in me yet.




Unfinished sketch from the exhibition, postcards and leaflets. I always buy some postcards of my favourite pieces after I see an art show, and of course I was over the moon when they had Red Interior: Still Life on a Blue Table, which I am holding along with a Blue Nude in the photo below. For some reason I absolutely love it. I think it's the fact that it is so unrealistic; I've grown tired of things being typically 'good'. Art is expression -  it doesn't have to be perfect, as that goes against the whole point of 'expression' as it's unusual that the thing you are trying to express or get across is actually perfect itself. It's hard to explain but I much prefer impressionistic pieces at the moment...I think they capture emotion better.



Anyway, I hope you are all having a good week...please come down to Great Portland Street this Thursday to bag yourself some super cute vintage goodies from Motel, I'll be helping out! It's going to be a great event so I really hope you can make it!


29 comments:

  1. I love Pop Boutique, it sells the perfect one-offs! Great look.

    ANIKA MILLER // UK FASHION AND STYLE BLOG

    ReplyDelete
  2. that top looks gorgeous! and I'm much the same way, it's always nice to get a postcard and a bunch of brochures after an exhibit for my sketchbook or journal <3

    secret-hipster.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. That blouse is perfect, and I just love that you have David Bowie in your locket!
    I really enjoyed reading your thoughts on the art exhibition too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thankyou and hehe it's like my guilty secret..xx

      Delete
  4. I love your blouse, its perfect for a Matisse exhibition :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. gorg!
    xx
    daniella
    simplybeautifulelegant.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love the entire look and its so original!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love the vibrant top underneath these denim overalls. It's good that you got a nice day at the art gallery. Looks like you had fun! And I can't believe summer's almost over either! I'm panicking over here!

    Theatricality by Mariah

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thankyou so much! I love a good pair of dungarees!

      Delete
  8. I love your stlye, your top is gorgeous, I love the colours. Matisse is such a great artist, very jealous you got to see the exhibition! H xx

    www.hopesgone.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Your style is gorgeous, this outfit is pretty amazing *-* Your blog is so cool i like it a lot
    Have a nice day
    Salo <3
    http://driftawayfromthenormallife.blogspot.de/
    PS:I followed you maybe follow back ?

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your outfit is so adorable!
    xx Tessie

    ReplyDelete
  11. Matisse is my favourite and your colourful outfit fits in so well cuttteee <3 <3
    where-is-frank.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Love the bag! Also Matisse! The colors are so vibrant and upliftting!

    we are each angels with one wing, and we can only fly by embracing each other.

    ReplyDelete
  13. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Just discovered your blog after reading Company! You have got style omg !!! I am 15 and live in London too :) Cool if you could check out my blog xx paintingtheoceanblog.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  15. loving this outfit ellie x

    love from Holly │ The English Eccentric

    ReplyDelete
  16. All your outfits are so perfect and your blog is lovely :) You've defiantly found yourself a new follower <3 Gisforgingers xx

    ReplyDelete
  17. I really love the combination of the dress and the shirt;)

    XX

    elsewise-but-enee.blogspot.de

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'm heading down to this exhibition next week and seriously can't wait. Your outfit is perfect <3

    http://www.lexilikes.com/

    ReplyDelete
  19. So obsessed with your overall dress and the part on the bottom. It's so pretty and feels like it would go with everything. Ugh, I want one so bad, but haven't been able to find one anywhere.

    http://sonjatitanic.blogspot.ca/

    ReplyDelete

Thankyou so much for your comment! I read each and every one and will try to answer any questions or queries as quick as I can ♡♡♡