Style Imitating Art: Gumball II by Charles Bell
I finally got my act together in time to participate with Style Imitating Art.
In case you are unfamiliar with this series, Style Imitating Art is hosted by Salazar of 14 Shades of Grey, Kim Fierce Fashion Blog, and Daenel of Living Outside the Stacks. Style Imitating Art challenges us to draw style inspiration from works of art. Every other Monday, one of the hosts selects an inspiration image and they each post the image on their blogs. The following Monday, each host shares her art inspired outfits. And that Wednesday, the curator shares all of the submissions on her blog.
I have been following along with all of the creative women who have participated in the Style Imitating Art prompts for quite some time but I could never seem to get myself on the right schedule to join. I usually always end up seeing the art prompts too late to style an outfit and photograph it. But by some chance of fate, I did see Daenel’s most recent prompt in time to join. So let’s get right to it.
The Curator
This week’s image was chosen by Daenel of Living Outside the Stacks.
Why Daenel chose this inspiration piece…“I chose this image because it reminds me of being a child and begging my mom for a quarter so I could get some gum then hoping that I wouldn’t get the dreaded gumball. Did you have a favorite flavor?”
Inspiration Art Work
The first thing that struck me about the inspiration art is the red gum ball machine in the front. I had one just like it as a child. It was one of those super special childhood Christmas gifts that you keep it forever. And I would have kept mine forever if I hadn’t broken the glass dome during my college years. I searched and searched to find a replacement for it when it happened, but after about 10 years of searching and never finding one, I eventually disposed of the base as well.
This Charles Bell image brought so many memories of my beloved gum ball machine flooding back. The nostalgia was just the thing to inspire me to get creating a fun outfit that is filled with childlike joy. And nothing screams childhood nostalgia quite as much as dousing myself in all the colors of rainbow gum balls and playing in the snow!
When it came time to get styling, the first thing that came to mind was this old colorful striped sweater that I have had for years. The colors remind me of the gum balls in Mr. Bell’s machine. I decided to pair the sweater with reddish cropped denim to mimic the base of a gum ball machine (even though no base is visible in the inspiration art) and then I anchored the top and bottom of the outfit in navy blue to draw out the darker stripes in my sweater. Plus this gum ball machine outfit needed a topper so the candy doesn’t spill out. My new kitty hat was the perfect thing…childish, cute, fun, and warm in the snow.
To pay homage to another favorite childhood Christmas gift, my parakeet that I had to have when I was 16 (which turned out to be a nightmare), I chose my colorful birds on a branch necklace. Magenta dangling globe earrings were an obvious choice for ear candy…they are like tiny little gum balls hanging from my lobes.
Because the weather was kind of frightful, I went digging for a scarf that would properly coordinate with all the colors going on in this outfit. At first I considered a solid colored scarf but then figured that I was already a crazy concoction of patterns and colors, so why not just keep adding more colors and patterns. And so this bright checkered scarf and my old paisley coat were added just before I plunged forth into the snow.
When I go to childlike places in creating an outfit, I tend to embrace the persona completely. This generally includes acting like a child. Because what fun is this crazy life if we let our inner child disappear? We should be reigniting our own childlike wonder and whimsy in everything we do.
Especially this year, when our entire world and way of being has been so dramatically disrupted. It is important to find ways to get back to a place where laughter is abundant and fears are few. With little to do and no place to go, I am tapping in deep to the things that keep my creativity alive and well. For me, it’s clothing and writing. For others, it may be music or painting or sewing or any other multitude of pastimes that keep you interested in life.
Whatever your creative outlet may be, I encourage you now more than ever to embrace it and give your creativity more time to be expressed. For creative people, our craft really is our life source that we cannot allow to deplete. We must keep our creative vessels filled to the brim because inspiration is needed everywhere.
While I am speaking of childlike wonder and whimsy as well as the creativity inspired by children, I have to share this story.
I had every intention of taking some bubble gum with me to the park for photos. I wanted to imitate those adorable bubble gum pop art photos you have seen of Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, and Queen Elizabeth II with giant pink bubbles coming out of their faces. But I forgot the gum at home.
When we got home, we ventured into the snowy back yard to try my little idea. First, let me tell you how much I hate chewing gum of any kind. I don’t like the texture or the consistency or anything about it really. It just kind of grosses me out. The gum I tried was just as disgusting as any other. Then to add insult to the nastiness of it all, it wouldn’t even blow decent bubbles.
This is what happened…
Having accepted my failure because Jeff had to leave for work, I went back indoors a bit saddened because I really wanted the giant pink bubble coming out of my face like Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, and Queen Elizabeth II.
As I entered the living room feeling defeated, Archie inquired about my bubble gum photos. When I explained to him that my idea didn’t work, he handed me a pink balloon from one of Naughty Rudolph’s recent shenanigans and very matter-of-factly stated, “Here, use this. It’ll be better.”
Damn, if the kid isn’t just way smarter and more innovative than me. He’s got good genes, I guess. And then he played photographer for me as well.
I have to say, this is probably the most fun I have had with creating an outfit in a long while. Now I have to mark my calendar so I don’t ever miss another Style Imitating Art prompt again. It really is such great nourishment for the soul to have fun with creativity.
What have you been doing lately to stay creatively inspired?
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.
Shop my look…
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.
26 Comments
Michelle
You captured those gumball colors perfectly! This whole outfit is adorable. Archie’s solution for the pink bubble gum photo was brilliant!
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Michelle! I do love the way this outfit sort of magically came together…including my balloon bubble gum! I do have one smart and innovative kid!
xoxo
Shelbee
Nancy
Hhahahaha, oh my word! So funny! And what about that awful snow!! I don’t want to think that would be here. I hate snow and cold. But I love your outfit! Especioally the sweater. I missed this month SIA. And I have that necklace too, always reminds me of The Birds! The Hitchcock movie that is….not the band.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Nancy! I am so glad that I finally got my act together to participate with the Style Imitating Art prompt this time. Actually, the day we took these photos it wasn’t all that cold. Cold enough for snow, but it all melted within a day or two. This necklace is like Hitchcock’s The Birds! Such a terrifying film! Another reason that birds frighten me!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jennifer
This sounds like such a fun challenge to do! And I think you pulled off a gum ball machine well! I also hate chewing gum too. I have TMJ so it hurts my jaw.
Jennifer
Curated By Jennifer
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jennifer! This was super fun. Something a little different from our norm so I am totally embracing it! I don’t have TMJ but I can imagine that chewing gum would be awful with that. I just can’t stand the texture. I don’t like things like jello or pudding either with their strange textures!
xoxo
Shelbee
Tamar A Strauss-Benjamin
Love the colors!! So fun against the pretty snow!!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Tamar! This definitely was super fun and cheerful to wear.
xoxo
Shelbee
mireille
You are my favorite from the challenge!! I love how colorful your outfit is and the beanie is so perfect!! Such happy pictures and smart kiddo with the balloon idea!! These are awesome! I always think I should participate but never plan it ahead enough to take pics.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Mireille! Ooh, I haven’t even had the chance to visit Daenel’s round up post yet. I have to go check it out now! I am going to mark my calendar in the new year to make sure I don’t miss the prompts. This was too fun!
xoxo
Shelbee
Joanne
What a cute and colorful outfit!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Joanne! It definitely had me smiling all day long!
xoxo
Shelbee
Ashley
This is such a bright, fun outfit! I really love the meaning behind it as well, I can totally feel the nostalgia for me too on the picture of the gumball machine.
Make Life Marvelous
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Ashley! This was a really fun style prompt!
xoxo
Shelbee
Donna
Shelbee,
You could not have created a cuter and more theme appropriate outfit (okay, okay, you could have worn tights with bubblegum balls of every color and a really cute skirt–I know you have one!) but today was another style homerun! Hugs, Donna
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Donna, thanks so much! You are so kind! This was so fun to create an outfit inspired by the artwork. I wish I had bubblegum tights! Now I might have to go searching for such a thing. I hope you are well and enjoying the holiday season.
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
Looking so very fun and sassy in that weather. Love the look. I used to have a gumball lamp. I still think I have the gumball part of it.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Patrick! A gumball lamp sounds fun! I hope you are well and enjoying the holiday season!
xoxo
Shelbee
Donna
Hi Shelbee,
This may be a bit too playful, but here is a link to how some bubblegum tights look—really super cute
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/r5YAAOSwJWxbhtkv/s-l640.jpg
or
https://www.redbubble.com/shop/bubble+gum+balls+leggings
It would be a real surprise to see you wearing something like them next year (hint hint)
XOXO
Donna
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Oh my goodness, Donna, these are so stinking adorable! I will have to keep my eye on these cutie pies and see what happens! Thanks for sending me the links!
xoxo
Shelbee
Lovely
Such a fun outfit! I love all these colors and you look so happy! The birds on a branch necklace is so cute!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Lovely! This was such a cheerful outfit to wear! It kept me smiling all day long. I hope you are having a great week!
xoxo
Shelbee
Sheila (of Ephemera)
This is SUCH a fun outfit, Shelbee! I love this cacophony of colour! I like how the little ears on the hat are a nod to gumballs too. I agree, gum is gross. Did you know there is a gum called Thrills that tastes like soap?? I kid you not – I remember it from when I was a kid, and saw it at a local candy shop the other day.
I concur, we need to exercise that creative muscle or it gets flabby! I got a bag of wool from my darling Mom, and am planning on seeing what kind of monstrosity I can create with it. Ha!
Brilliant idea of your son! As I discovered with my stair pose (did you have fun trying to replicate it?), it’s more about what looks right on camera than what you’re doing in 3D.
Happy happy snow!! This fills my heart with joy. Thank you!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Sheila! First, I love that you used the word cacophony. It is one of my favorite words in the English language! Second, soap gum, seriously? Although I suspect that it’s better than the whole soap in your mouth for cursing business! Haha. Next, I cannot wait to see what beautiful monstrosity you will create from your bag of wool! I am sure it will be absolute creative genius. And finally, we had a good hearty laugh when I tried to replicate your stair pose! My husband was standing there looking at your photo and directing me what to do with my body to recreate the pose. So I have issues with left and right and he will say something like, “Move your left hand to the side,” and I will move my right hand and then he shakes his head in disbelief that a 46 year old woman still cannot process left from right! Oh it is all so silly and ridiculous. I got the pose done but it is not nearly as good as yours and those steps were wicked cold on my tush!
xoxo
Shelbee
Barbara Chapman
OMGosh, Shelbee!!! Your son was spot-on with using the balloon in place of the bubble gum! You can’t tell and the color is perfect!!! I love your outfit and I’ll have to look for a sweater like that one! The colors are fun. 🙂 It must have been downright freezing when you were out there, though… We were down to 26 degrees this morning. Covered a bunch of somewhat tender plants and brought others indoors (1/9/21).
Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year’s! Happy to feature your post this week after I took two weeks off. <3
Big hugs,
Barb 🙂
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Barb! You are so kind! My son has quite the imagination and thinks of some pretty creative solutions to certain problems. And actually it wasn’t al that cold in the snow the day we did these photos. It was right around 32 degrees which isn’t really all that cold in these parts. It’s when it gets too cold to snow and the rock salt freezes when I can’t stand it anymore! I hope you have a wonderful new year as well, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee