Style Imitating Art: The Great Mystery of Water by Christi Belcourt
About Style Imitating Art
Style Imitating Art is hosted by Salazar of 14 Shades of Grey, Terri of MeadowTree Style, and Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge. 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 Shelbee 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 chosen by Terri. You can read why she picked this work for Earth Month here.
The Great Mystery of Water by Christi Belcourt (Acrylic on Canvas, 2016)
About the Artist: Christi Belcourt
Christi Marlene Belcourt is a Métis visual artist and author born in Scarborough, Ontario, on September 24, 1966, to national Métis rights activist Tony Belcourt and Judith Pierce-Martin (née Stretch). When her father was elected as the founding President of the Native Council of Canada (now known as the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples), the family permanently relocated to Ottawa from their roots in Edmonton, Alberta.
Belcourt’s deep respect for the traditions and historical knowledge of her people is a driving force behind her work as she expresses and celebrates the beauty of the natural world with an even greater respect. Much of her work focuses on questions about identity, culture, place, and divisions within communities. She is primarily known for her acrylic paintings that are inspired by the traditional beadwork of the Métis and First Nations peoples. Belcourt is the author of three books and has had her work featured in two documentaries. Her art has been used on the covers of many different publications and she has received various and prestigious commissions and awards for her work.
Belcourt is passionately involved in many different community activism projects including Walking With Our Sisters, a crowd-sourced commemorative art installation for the missing and murdered Indigenous women of Canada and the United States, and the Onaman Collective, which aims to preserve traditional knowledge, language, and teachings with a heavy emphasis on the power of Indigenous language restoration. The Onaman Collective also advocates for water protection as well as raising awareness of the need to protect the Great Lakes and other bodies of water.
In 2014, Belcourt was involved in the support of the “blue dot” movement which was a way to visually protest government decisions around the First Nations Control of First Nations Education Act. In 2017, she was involved in the establishment of the 150 Acts of Resistance project which promotes a discussion about the realities of colonialism and Indigenous resistance in Canada and was designed to counter the Canadian government narrative around its sesquicentennial celebration.
About the Art: The Great Mystery of Water
Belcourt’s acrylic paintings are large mural sized works that resemble the traditional beadwork of her ancestors. By using her brush and other tools, she makes dots on the canvas that resemble the beadwork that her people have been creating for generations. She fills her canvases with sprawling floral designs that include birds and insects and other animals, creating stories for each work along the way.
“Belcourt challenges us to think of the artist away from the individual and to think of art as interwoven with the variegated fabric of life. And she challenges us to walk softly in careful consideration of where and how we step.”
Tara Hogue, “Walking Softly with Christi Belcourt”
“The Great Mystery of Water” features Belcourt’s signature beadwork style combined with more fluid brushstrokes depicting a diamond shaped school of walleye which are fish found in the Great Lakes and Northern Ontario waters. Painted in 2016, this work was created as an expression to promote the Great Lakes as a living being along with creative collaborator Isaac Murdoch. While this work is clearly very aesthetically pleasing, Belcourt does not intend to elevate nature to the status of art, but rather she means to indicate that our connection to the natural world is transformative in and of itself.
“…Belcourt’s paintings, which dazzle with visual delight and abundance while also confronting the crisis of history—including our colonial past and present—by making visible the ‘magic’ or mystery contained in the world around us.”
Tara Hogue, “Walking Softly with Christi Belcourt”
On a background of bold blue and turquoise brushstrokes that illustrate the movement and vitality of the water, the fish swim in their diamond formation leaving trails of gold streaming off their fins as they coast amongst the beautiful jewel toned beads that adorn the lake.
Belcourt’s art is just as beautiful and inspiring as the woman who creates it.
Resources/References:
- Christi Belcourt: Wikipedia
- Walking Softly with Christi Belcourt
- Ahnisnabae Art Gallery: Christi Belcourt
- Wisdom of the Universe | Joy
- Water Messages in the Work of Christi Belcourt
- Métis Artist Advocates for Indigenous Justice Through Her Revival Art
- Métis: Wikipedia
- Inside the Studio: Christi Belcourt
- Tony Belcourt: Wikipedia
“In Indigenous ways of thinking and knowing and being, the concept of walking softly on the earth is not a quaint thought. It’s a practical thought about preserving life on the earth.”
Christi Belcourt
About My Outfit Inspired by The Great Mystery of Water
As soon as I saw the painting that Terri chose for this week, my mind’s eye went immediately to this bright turquoise embroidered maxi dress that I featured last summer in The Thrifty Six in Boho Mania. Then I found a turquoise tie dyed tee shirt dress in my closet that was also kind of perfect…until I put it on my body. Then it was actually rather imperfect and will either be donated or downgraded to sleepwear as soon as I can get myself motivated to do that massive clean out project.
It wasn’t just the obvious color connection that made this particular dress so perfect to represent the painting. The embroidery on it very much resembles the brushstrokes in the painting and it is thrifted which goes right in line with Belcourt’s environmental advocacy.
Initially I wanted to wear the dress with my white cowboy boots but when I woke up to snow yesterday morning, I was forced to winterize my spring outfit. So I shifted the focus to the prominent colors of turquoise, black, and white that appear in the painting. I added a black turtleneck and tights for extra warmth and switched to my black cowboy boots. But they were even better than the white ones because the stud detailing on the toes resembles the beadwork and the fish.
As soon as I settled on this dress, I also knew that I was going to pair one of my new necklaces from Michelle with it. Michelle had given me three of these gorgeous beaded lariat necklaces when we had lunch in Asheville in February. One is black and white, one is all turquoise, and this one is white and turquoise. At first, I had settled on the black and white one just to pull in some more black highlights but the beading on that one kept getting caught on the embroidery of my dress. So I was forced to switch. Since I already shared the all turquoise one, I figured the turquoise and white should have a turn. This also was a serendipitous switch because look how perfectly the red and white dots on the beads resemble the painted beadwork!
To complete my look, I added an ivory kimono because I love how it billows and flows like a waterfall, my white crochet hat because my hair needs washing, and my turquoise and black fish earrings that Archie made for me a few years ago with his 3Doodler pen. The earrings are definitely my favorite part of this whole outfit, but I really did love it all from head to toe. It very much pleases my bohemian soul!
“Mni Wiconi”
(Water is alive/water is life.)
How do you think I did with this one? I wanted to travel out to Lake Ontario to have a Great Lake as my background but we just didn’t have the time on Easter morning to do the drive (which is only about 20-30 minutes, in case anyone is wondering). If I had planned it better, I could have done it, darn it.
Be sure to check out Terri’s interpretation of the painting as well as Salazar’s take on it. And please visit Terri on Wednesday to see her review post of outfit submissions. If you want to participate, you still have time! Terri needs your photos by tomorrow at 10:00 p.m. EST to be featured in her post.
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.
Outfit Details: Dress-Thrifted / Turtleneck and Kimono-Charlotte Russe / Tights-Sheertex / Boots-Durango / Gloves-Amazon / Hat-Linda Gibbs Handmade / Necklace-My Bijou Life Original / Earrings-Archie’s Crafting
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.
28 Comments
Suzy Turner
Utter perfection, my friend! From head to toe! I adore the earrings and I couldn’t believe it when you said Archie made them. No wonder they’re your favourite item from the whole ensemble! I had to laugh when you said the reason you wore the hat was because your hair needs washing LOL!!! I Brilliant!
You look absolutely gorgeous and I love that you chose the backdrop of the water. I tried to do the same with my swimming pool but I was having all kinds of problems with the shadows lol!
Hope you’re having a wonderful start to the week!
Suzy xx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Suzy! I washed my hair, by the way! But I still need a hat because now it’s snowing like crazy. I knew right away I was going to wear the fish earrings but I did not remember what color they were at all. For some reason I thought they were red, green, and yellow but that was another pair of homemade earrings Archie made for me. I was even more excited about the fish ones when I realized they were turquoise and black.
I am cracking up at the image of you trying to avoid pool shadows! I will be making rounds soon to check out everyone’s posts! I hope you have a wonderful day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
You so nailed it. Perfection there. Looking so very cute.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Patrick!
xoxo
Shelbee
Deborah Rutherford
Hi Shelbee, what a wonderful idea to combine art and fashion. I learned so much about the artist, painting, and how you interpreted that through your style. Beautiful!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Deborah, thank you so very much! We announce a new artwork every other Monday and anyone is welcome is play along! It’s a super fun way to look at your wardrobe a little differently. I hope you have a wonderful week!
xoxo
Shelbee
Carol
You really nailed the watery color from Belcourt’s painting with your boho dress. Then, the white kimono contributes the flowing movement of water. The necklace, earrings, and boots all work together to complete the picture.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Carol! I do try to capture as many as details from the art as I can! For these challenges, I definitely go for a more is more approach!
xoxo
Shelbee
Marsha Banks
Shelbee, this is abso-freaking-lutely perfect!!! I love everything about it! You’ve got the embroidery, the beading, the colors…everything! And, the earrings…oh, they are sweet and just so cute! Thanks for all of the information on this important artist. I am skipping this SIA challenge…life, you know! But, you did a stellar job, my friend!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Marsha! I was so happy with the end result of this…even after having to change my original plan and winterize the whole thing! I totally understand life interfering…I almost didn’t get this one done in time! What a bummer though…I am sure you would have created something fabulous and I bet these colors look so wonderful on you! Well, you can always style an outfit for it any time you’d like really!
xoxo
Shelbee
Lovely
Love your interpretation of this artwork! The background is just perfect for this outfit.
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so very much, Lovely! I always try to incorporate my backgrounds into the photos for these posts so I am happy that you noticed it! I hope you have a fabulous day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Kathrine Eldridge
This look is the perfect reflection of this piece of art! Loving the dress and the earring are the icing on the cake.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aw, thanks so much, Kathrine! The earrings definitely bring the whole outfit together in harmony with the painting!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jennifer
This dress is so pretty!
Jennifer
Curated by Jennifer
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Jennifer! I love the bright turquoise! I don’t have very many things in this shade so it really cheers me when I put it on! Not bad for an $8 thrift store dress!
xoxo
Shelbee
Joanne
You found such a fun and flowy outfit for this challenge. That blue tone is perfect and the light clothing definitley make me think of movement like flowing water.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Joanne! I remember styling an outfit for a water theme with the Fab 40s a while back and I had similar styling ideas with flowy things. I wore blues and whites and a flowy topper piece for that one, too!
xoxo
Shelbee
Michelle
I adore this look, and it’s perfect for the SIA challenge! Such a vivid turquoise, and I love the way the necklace looks with the dress. Thanks for the shout out. There is nothing that makes me happier than seeing a friend wear some of my jewelry.
The artwork really speaks to me. At first, I thought it was a quilt. I’m going to have to check out more of her work.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Michelle! I am loving all of the jewelry you gave to me so much! The little teal key earrings are favorites. I actually had layered all three of these lariat necklaces together on this dress and they looked so cute that way! The only problem was the black one catching the embroidery and all three together were a little bit heavy! This artwork is one of my favorites so far. I just love her style and her story!
xoxo
Shelbee
Sally in St Paul
That top photo looks like a work of art in itself. You have such a total look going here, it’s terrific!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Oh my gosh, thanks so much, Sally! You are so sweet! I was really pleased with how this turned out as well!
xoxo
Shelbee
Mike
Everything about your photos is so picturesque, Shelbee! Similar to my interpretation, you used the snow to your advantage and it really adds to your overall look! Your white kimono is very cute and it really enhances your overall outfit! 🙂 And the backdrop that you chose is amazing! It would make a great painting!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Mike! I was really disappointed that it was snowing on Easter when we took these photos, but I do love the way the pictures turned out because of the snow! It definitely adds something a little extra. I loved the colors in this painting so much and everyone did such a great job!
xoxo
Shelbee
Mike
Absolutely, Shelbee! What do we do when we get lemons? We make lemonade! We always make it work! I hope that this weekend will be much warmer for you. It’s going to be over 80 for me, both Saturday and Sunday! And I agree! Everyone did awesome!! Have a great weekend!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Mike! Yes, it is going to beautiful here for the next 2 days (in the mid-70s) but then it drops back to the 30s and we have more snow coming on Wednesday. Ugh. I hope you are enjoying the weekend, my friend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Mike
The same happened here, Shelbee! For the past two nights, it dropped to the upper 20s and it barely hit the 50s in the daytime. Winter’s holding on to us with an iron grip, but we will escape it soon (I hope!)
Enjoy your weekend! Take care dear friend. 🙂
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Mike! We just had some snow flurries again on Wednesday. But it looks like the afternoon temperatures will be holding in the 50s and 60s now. But it will still drop below freezing on most days for at least a few more weeks. But soon, very soon, it will be warm again. Have a wonderful weekend!
xoxo
Shelbee