Collaborating with an angel Part 3

There have been two major stages in the run-up to the Floraportrait on Saturday, the first being the making of the irises I will be posing with. This was a complex affair consisting of a trip up North to my parents in order to spend many hours assembling the irises. We had a production line including Neeta (the smiling beauty with Harry the cat), my mum (pictured) myself and my mums next door neighbour Debbie. Each iris is made of crepe paper with wire throughout each petal in order to bend them into shape, including 3 petals hand drawn with white and yellow pastel then assembled complete with leaf and stem. The finished article will be seen in the next post. We had 100 to make. Work began at 3pm on Friday, we packed up at 2am Saturday morning! The next day was a long stint with Debbie joining us for the daytime shift, Neeta and myself kept going till 3am. My dad took on an evening roll as 'Jeeves' offering drinks and his amazing DJ skills; ending up with many a sing song often to Frank Sinatra. The day shifts were punctuated by offerings of home-made cake and tea. As you can see I gave into red wine at one point. Sunday morning was reserved for some posing practice with the watering can. I shall be using it to pour water (surreal celophane streams) onto my irises. I have also prepared some music for the shoot (as requested) to keep me relaxed and feeling great throughout. It has been decided that I will channel Liz Taylor and Cleo Lane throughout the proceedings, taking on a diva-like persona, exuding sexiness and style (I'll believe it when I see it). I have absolutely no doubt that Neeta can perform miracles with her camera, lighting and make-up. I carried on making iris's in the car on the way back home. We were both tired at the end of the weekend, but had had a thoroughly fantastic time chatting and eating our way one step closer to 'Laura with Irises' ...

Collaborating with an angel Part 2

So time has past and the next installment is here. The next stage of my metamorphosis was the collating of ideas & meeting Kelly Barker first in Winchester to measure me up for the dress/top I am wearing for the portrait. She has made several of the beautiful outfits for the Flora series so far. I brought my corset (yes the one made by the mighty Roz Culling for my book launch) which will be worn underneath. One trussed into it she took the measurements and we discussed the neckline and sleeves which will come to the elbow on a diagonal to keep my arms free for multiple bracelets. Then onto Solent University campus in Southampton to meet the stylist Jennifer Anyan. As this is a fully collaborative project me and Neeta are also stylists for the sitting which is another new experience to be part of. So far every step of the way this has been a journey of first experiences, which at the ripe old age f 35 is a big deal. Jennifer suggested Bulgari bracelets for the shoot and we poured over all the bits and pieces we each brought. I had several kimono fabrics in orange, jewelry a stunning orange, gold and silver obi leant to me by photographer Brittain Bright. Neeta had boxes full of butterflies which will be used on the day.

It is now beginning to feel tangible and Monday I will be going back for another fitting in the calico pattern that Kelly has made. Neeta has today informed me that she has found some orange fabric with butterflies on it, so we are good to go. My sample of crepe paper (imported from the USA, yes everything must match perfectly to the irises) is next to me. We are making the irises next week at my parents house in Derbyshire. A road trip up North is always a good idea in my book and gives the portrait added meaning with my mum becoming part of the process also. Mixed with the real flowers they will be put through the dress so that I appear to emerge from the sea of flowers, pouring a small green watering can with celophane water to add to the surrealist element of the portrait. Till next time...