Style Imitating Art: Jazz Stories: Mama Can Sing, Papa Can Blow #1: Somebody Stole My Broken Heart by Faith Ringgold
About Style Imitating Art
Style Imitating Art is hosted by Daenel of Living Outside the Stacks, Salazar of 14 Shades of Grey, and Terri of MeadowTree Style. Style Imitating Art challenges us to draw style inspiration from pieces of art. Every other Monday, one of the hosts, acting as curator, selects an inspiration image that they will each post on their blogs. The following Monday, each host shares her art inspired outfit. Participants are invited to submit their art inspired outfits to the curator by 10:00 p.m. EST on the Tuesday following the hosts’ art inspired outfit posts. The following day, Wednesday, the curator will share all of the submissions on her blog.
You don’t have to be a blogger to join! You are invited to share your images on Instagram or other social media platforms! Just be sure to tag Salazar, Terri, and Daenel or use #TeamLOTSStyle and #StyleImitatingArt so the hosts know you have joined. Go have some fun in your closets and join the SIA challenge next week!
The Inspiration Artwork
The inspiration artwork was curated by Daenel of Living Outside the Stacks. You can read why she has chosen this specific piece as her inspiration artwork here.
Jazz Stories: Mama Can Sing, Papa Can Blow #1: Somebody Stole My Broken Heart by Faith Ringgold (Painted Quilt, Acrylic on Canvas with Pieced Fabric Border, 2004)
About the Artist: Faith Ringgold
Faith Ringgold, born on October 8, 1930, as Faith Willi Jones in Harlem, New York, is an American painter, writer, mixed media sculptor, performance artist, and narrative quilter. She is the youngest of three children born to avid storyteller Andrew Louis Jones and fashion designer Willi Posey Jones, both descendants of working class families who were displaced during the Great Northward Migration that occurred between 1916 and 1970.
After the Harlem Renaissance that spanned the 1920s and 1930s, Ringgold’s childhood home was suddenly surrounded by a thriving arts scene in which her parents as well as her environment encouraged her to explore her creativity. She was childhood friends with Sonny Rollins, who became one of the most prominent and influential jazz musicians of our time; and jazz musician Duke Ellington and writer Langston Hughes lived just around the corner from the Jones’s Harlem home. Although she was immersed very early in the jazz music scene, her chronic asthma forced her to explore non-musical creative outlets through the visual arts.
Her mother, a well respected fashion designer at the time, taught her how to sew as well as to work in new creative ways with fabrics. Despite growing up in Depression-era Harlem, she has emphasized that she was not poor or oppressed as she was surrounded by a loving supportive family who protected her from such oppression. Having evolved in such a richly vibrant and supportive family and community, Ringgold’s future artwork was heavily influenced by the people, poetry, and music from her childhood experiences often with a focus on the racism, segregation, and sexism that she dealt with in her daily life.
In 1950, under pressure from her family, Ringgold enrolled in the City College of New York to major in art. However, female students were limited to a small set of majors and she was subsequently forced to switch to art education. That same year she was married to jazz musician, Robert Earl Wallace, and together they had two children, Michele Faith Wallace and Barbara Faith Wallace. Four years into their marriage, Ringgold separated from her husband due to his heroin addiction.
Ringgold continued her studies at the City College of New York, earning her Bachelor’s Degree in 1955, and accepting a job in the New York City Public School System shortly thereafter. She continued her schooling at City College until she received her Master’s Degree in 1959. At that time, she traveled with her mother and daughters to Europe and visited many museums in Paris, Florence, and Rome, where she found the inspiration for her series of quilt paintings titled the French Connection. She and her family were forced to return home to Harlem in 1961 due to the untimely death of Ringgold’s brother. On May 19, 1962, she married Burdette “Birdie” Ringgold whom she currently resides with in their home in Englewood, New Jersey, where she has actively maintained her studio practice since 1992.
Ringgold began her painting career in the 1950’s, shortly after her graduation from City College. Her works from the 1960’s are heavily influenced by African art, Impressionism, and Cubism. Because many of these paintings focused on the underlying racism that existed in her daily life, sales were difficult and galleries were cautious. Despite the hesitancy of collectors, Ringgold began a political series of paintings in 1963 named the American People Series which portrayed the American lifestyle in the heart of the Civil Rights Movement.
In the 1970’s, Ringgold shifted away from painting into fabric and quilt work, citing her desire to move away from the Western/European traditions so heavily associated with painting. Also the use of the quilt as her medium allowed her to advocate more openly for the feminist movement as she required no help from a man to transport her artwork to galleries. She could simply roll up her quilts and take them where she needed herself.
In 1972, Ringgold traveled to Europe again, this time with only her daughter Michele. This trip was the catalyst that led to the development of her quilt paintings. When she returned to the United States, she began her first quilt series, The Slave Rape Series, in collaboration with her mother who taught her how to quilt in the African-American tradition. She was also taught her quilting skills by her grandmother who learned her skills from her mother, Susie Shannon, who was a slave. As an aspiring writer who could find no publishing houses to accept her autobiography, Ringgold used her quilt paintings as a method of sharing her own personal story.
In the early 1970’s, she also began experimenting with sculpture which led to her mixed media costume masks. Her masks eventually transitioned into her performance art in the 1980’s. She has also written and illustrated 17 children’s books since 1991.
About the Art: Jazz Stories: Mama Can Sing, Papa Can Blow #1: Somebody Stole My Broken Heart by Faith Ringgold
One of Ringgold’s newest works is her Jazz Series of painted quilts from the early 2000’s. The specific quilt chosen by Daenel for this Style Imitating Art prompt, measuring 80 1/2 x 67 inches, is acrylic on canvas with a pieced fabric quilted border, created in 2004.
Influenced by the Harlem jazz scene of her childhood, this work aims to capture the musical atmosphere and the movement that comes along with America’s original art form. The image portrays an African-American woman in the foreground donning a bold yellow slip dress, swaying to the music that the colorful band is playing in the background. Ringgold has effectively captured the movement of jazz dance in both the form of the woman as well as the red background with blue squiggly lines which seem to mimic the pulsating beat of the music. She uses bright bold saturated colors in the painting which she complements with her quilted fabric border in coordinating deep colorful hues. This work is the perfect illustration of her signature style that combines painting and fiber art.
This painted quilt currently remains in the artist’s personal collection.
References/Resources:
- Faith Ringgold: Wikipedia
- Great Migration: Wikipedia
- Harlem Renaissance: Wikipedia
- Michele Faith Wallace: Wikipedia
- Faith Ringgold (Official Website)
- Biography: Faith Ringgold
- Faith Ringgold: A View From the Studio
About My Outfit Inspired by Jazz Stories: Mama Can Sing, Papa Can Blow #1: Somebody Stole My Broken Heart
Generally, these Style Imitating Art prompts come very easy to me, but I struggled big time with this one. As much as I adore the chosen artwork from the bright bold colors to the cool jazz musicians to the extraordinarily rich history that is crafted directly into this artwork, building an outfit inspired by this piece left me nothing short of flummoxed. I was hyper-focused on the female subject’s yellow slip dress and was inclined to wear something similar…except I don’t own very many slip dresses and I certainly don’t own any in this beautiful bright shade of yellow that is exquisitely horrible against my complexion.
So I did what I do when I am faced with a difficult style challenge…I walked into my closet room with an open mind and just started looking around until something jumped out at me. And this old thrifted LuluRoe kimono was the first thing to catch my eye. It contains many of the same colors as the painted quilt including turquoise which only appears in the tiniest little sample on the singer’s necklace (I added a turquoise necklace to my outfit as well). The pattern on the kimono really reminded me of the squiggly background of the image and so I was determined to make it work.
Once I had the kimono decided, I ran into one challenge after another trying to create a cohesive outfit. First I tried the kimono over a yellow velvet dress. But the dress is too big and too unflattering on me and I simply could not make it work. I did like the yellow velvet though as a reflection of the singer’s dress. So I turned to my handy yellow velvet skirt. If I keep the yellow on my bottom half, it is not unflattering at all. After some digging around and a bunch more trial and error with styling the top half of the outfit, I finally settled on a color blocked combination in cobalt blue, mustard yellow, and black, accessorized with turquoise and my colorful patterned kimono.
Then I grabbed Archie’s guitar (which neither he nor I nor anyone in my house knows how to play) and headed off to take photos on a stage because that seemed the most appropriate place for this style challenge.
As much as I did struggle with this outfit, I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by how wonderful it looks in the photos. The bright bold colors really make me smile and I felt super feminine and jazzy wearing it. I suppose that really is the whole point of challenging myself with style prompts…they often lead to me outfit combinations that I would never have imagined otherwise and ones that simply make my soul happy.
To see more outfits inspired by Faith Ringgold’s Jazz Stories: Mama Can Sing, Papa Can Blow #1: Somebody Stole My Broken Heart, please visit Daenel’s post for the complete roundup of submissions. You can also read the details of Daenel’s own inspired outfit here, Terri’s here, and Salazar’s here. Have you joined the Style Imitating Art challenges yet? Be sure to check for the next prompt on Monday, October 25, 2021.
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.
Outfit Details: Kimono-Thrifted (LulaRoe) / Cardigan-New York & Co. / Skirt-Target / Belt and Bralette-Torrid / Shoes-Payless / Stockings, earrings, and Necklace-Old / Guitar-Borrowed from my son
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.
31 Comments
Suzy Turner
Considering how much of a challenge it was for you, you look absolutely FREAKING GORGEOUS, Shelbee! All these colours look fabulous on you. And I adore the kimono—the colours of which are simply perfect. I had to chuckle when you mentioned no-one in your house knows how to play the guitar lol!
I found this one very easy, only because I just happened to have a dress almost identical to the jazz singer’s LOL!!
Big hugs, my friend,
Suzy xx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Suzy! I was really happy with how this came together…finally! I spent at least an hour or more trying all sorts of different things first. I do love these bright bold colors but don’t seem to wear them all that often. I will be heading over to check out your interpretation of this piece shortly!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jennifer
This turned out so well!! Especially with the blue and gold!
Jennifer
Curated By Jennifer
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jennifer! I struggled but it did finally come together!
xoxo
Shelbee
mireille
It really came out pretty! Been working on looking at my closet in different ways and it’s fun to come up with something new. I always love shade of yellow with cobalt blue.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Mireille! This is definitely not an outfit I would have created if not for this art prompt! But I really liked the result, too. The bright colors made me really happy!
xoxo
Shelbee
Terri Gardner
I’m always anxiously awaiting to see what you do and this one did not disappoint. I have trouble with a few of the prompts too because of the lack of color in my closet. I love the blue and yellow together by themselves-it works in my book. Take care, Terri
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aw, thanks so much, Terri! I love these art challenges so much. I really look forward to them every two weeks. I have been seriously slacking on my outfit creation game lately and these blogging challenges really help to keep me inspired. As much as I love the bright bold colors in this piece, they are just not colors I wear often. However, after seeing this outfit in the photos, I think I need to be wearing cobalt blue more often at the very least!
xoxo
Shelbee
Anita Ojeda
Yes! I love the way you describe how yellow looks on you–I, too, look exquisitely horrible in yellow. But I did buy a sunshine yellow pair of linen pants because I adore yellow–just not near my face. Thank you for the history lesson, too. I read He Warmth of Different Suns and it was very enlightening.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Anita! Yellow is such a happy color that it breaks my heart when I can’t wear it and look like sunshine! Instead it makes me look I have a severe case of jaundice. Ha. Thank goodness there are yellow skirts and yellow pants for those of us who look exquisitely horrible in yellow! I think I need to add The Warmth of Other Suns to my book list. Thank you for sharing that with me!
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
Looking like a cool jazz cat. You nailed it. Very nice.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aw, thanks, Patrick! I love that compliment!
xoxo
Shelbee
Ashley
This look is just too fun- you’ve got me wanting a pleated yellow velvet skirt for my own closet, nowwww! 🙂
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Ashley! I almost didn’t buy this skirt but it was on Target clearance a few years ago for something like $6 or $7. It is proving to be a versatile piece in my closet. I have worn it a few times on the blog already. I would love to see how you style a skirt like this. I am sure it would be fabulous!
xoxo
Shelbee
Mike
You pulled this SIA off so well, Shelbee! The blue and gold of your outfit compliment each other so well, as well as being very elegant and classy.
Love the guitar prop! I don’t play any instruments either, but if I did, the guitar would probably be third on my list!
Well done!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Mike! I was really happy with this color combination as well. I never would have worn these pieces together if not for this SIA challenge. It’s why I love this series so much! It keeps my creativity alive. I think guitar is probably third on my list behind harmonica and piano!
xoxo
Shelbee
Mike
You did great, Shelbee! And I agree. It’s fun to come up with different color combos that best go with the challenges (or not!) and it has helped me to appreciate color a little more now than I used to. I only wear color for the challenges, but it’s fun to briefly break away from my straight black attire every now and then!
And yep, same here! The piano or cello would be my first choices over the guitar, but it runs a close 2nd after those two! I love how it sounds!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Mike! It is fun to get creative with your clothing and experiment with different color combinations. These challenges definitely help to keep my creativity alive!
xoxo
Shelbee
Mike
Right on, Shelbee!
Gail
Your SIA outfits just get better and better! So clever how you took different colors from the artwork, including the background, and blended them into a very stylish outfit.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aw, Gail, thank you so much! I have been really slacking lately on getting dressed at all so these style prompts and challenges have been really great for keeping my creativity alive and well!
xoxo
Shelbee
Kezzie
I can’t believe you struggled with this because what you came up with is flipping brilliant! Honestly, it is so cohesive! It also reminds me of Snow White a bit! It’s so pretty and I love that it combines so many elements from the quilt!
I really appreciated the history too, it’s really good you do that!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Oh my goodness, thanks so much, Kezzie! I didn’t even think of Snow White at all but now I see it! Ooooh, maybe I need to make a Snow White costume for Halloween now! She is one of my favorites.
xoxo
Shelbee
Jessica A Jannenga
Wonderful interpretation my friend! Love the cobalt and gold from the Jazz art piece, and the print that you wore in your kimono, all blended harmoniously together! Then, the guitar to depict the music. So, your son has a Gibson Guitar? A Les Paul or copy? Whichever, very cool!
Thanks for linking!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jess! I was really pleased with how this all came together despite my struggle with it! As for Archie’s guitar, my sister’s husband gave it to him. It says “Les Paul Model” on it but I don’t know what that means! My brother-in-law is a bit of a guitar snob if that indicates anything about his guitar purchases!
xoxo
Shelbee
Niki - Life as a LEO Wife
You did a great job imitating art! I love coming to read your Style Imitating Art posts because I love, love, love learning new things! Thanks for sharing on Traffic Jam Weekend & Happiness is Homemade at LifeasaLEOWife.com!
Niki – Life as a LEO Wife
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Niki! I really appreciate that! I have so much fun with my art posts because I, too, really enjoy learning new things! I was just explaining to my 10 year old how I basically write a report about the artist like he would have to for a research paper but I do it for fun not because a teacher assigned it. He thought I was a little crazy! Haha.
xoxo
Shelbee
Sheila (of Ephemera)
My skirt! is what my brain said as soon as I spotted this post! I love it – you’ve inspired me to pair it up with some bright blue!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
It is your skirt, Sheila! The very one I wore to copycat you! Hehe. Isn’t it wonderful with the cobalt blue?! I can’t wait to see how you style it with bright blue now!
xoxo
Shelbee
Michelle
You totally captured the beautiful, celebratory vibe of this beautiful piece of art. I’d love to have it hanging on my wall! Heroin was such a prevalent problem among jazz musicians of that time period. It left many wives and girlfriends having to face the choice that she did.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Michelle! I felt really great in this colorful look! I did not know that about the heroin issues during that time in jazz music. But I suppose I’m not surprised. Drugs have been an integral part of the music scene for probably forever! The consequences can be so scary.
xoxo
Shelbee