“The Thousand Quilt” by Elizabeth Shippen Green
Style Imitating Art is a group collaboration between Salazar, Terri, and Shelbee. Please do visit each of their blogs to see not only their SIA looks but other posts as well. For this collaboration, each of the contributors takes turns selecting an inspiration image. They then invite others to interpret that art work through their style. You can read more about the process on each blog. Terri selected this piece of art this week. You can read more about why Terri chose this particular inspiration here.
Inspiration Art Work
About the artist
Elizabeth Shippen Green was an American illustrator who became well-known at a time when men were doing most of the illustrating in periodicals. Green, born in Philadelphia in 1871, was the daughter of Jasper Green who was an artist/correspondent during the Civil War. Green was educated at the Philadelphia Academy of the Fine Arts as well as at the Drexel Institute. Green met and became close friends with Jessie Willcox Smith and Violet Oakley. The trio moved to the Red Rose Inn in Villanova, Pennsylvania where Howard Pyle christened them the Red Rose girls. They were trailblazers in a world opened only to men at the time.
Elizabeth Shippen Green became well-known for her contributions to Saturday Evening Post and Ladies’ Home Journal as well as St. Nicholas Magazine and Woman’s Home Companion. “She credited (Howard) Pyle with teaching her the importance of visualizing, then realizing, the dramatic moment key to illustrating a narrative text” (Library of Congress) (source). In addition to her work on periodicals, Green illustrated many children’s books including Tales from Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb. Her illustrative style is delicate, feminine, and evocative. You can read so much more here!
My interpretation
Once upon a time, I had a plethora of quilted jackets. But, upon retirement and weight loss, I got rid of them. I actually thought of just wrapping myself in my bed quilt for a hot minute! As I kept looking back at the inspiration, I decided to just let go and work with colors, lots of colors! I purchased this Kantha Bae cross front top (similar) in the sale. I wrote in an earlier post about kantha cloth not realizing I would soon be wearing this top for an SIA challenge! I thought the kantha embroidery mimicked the quilting found in the art work. The stripes of my tee are reflected in the colors of the cross front top. Although my pants don’t match perfectly, they do go!
The Lewk
Well, let’s call that a fail! I forgot to get photos of all of my accoutrements! I think you can pick up on them in most of the photos. My sandals are from a couple of years ago and are L’Artiste. The cuff is one I bought in La Villita Historic Village on one of our train trips. It’s a recycled belt and signed by the artist! My earrings are cork and so light they usually end up tangled in my hair or all wonky! I went with a delicate little necklace from Stella and Dot as I wanted the focus on the colors and embroidery!
Not quite there yet, but…
I do not currently have any types of affiliate links. But, I thought I’d include the disclaimer information should this ever happen! Just a reminder that Marsha in the Middle may use an affiliate link. Those links are usually italicized. If you click or make a purchase from an italicized link I provide, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for your support. On this post as well as all past posts, italicized links are provided as a convenience to you.
And, a reminder…
Just a reminder that it’s almost time for 10 on the 10th with me and Leslie! This month focuses on Spring!
Wrap it up, Marsha!
I’ll admit this SIA challenge kind of intimidated me at first! There is so much from which to choose! There is the quilt itself, the colors, the rich green of the wall, the intricately carved chair, the mother’s dress, or the child’s dress! In the end, I just went with the colors and the idea of a quilt. I do love this series as I like to learn more about the artists than I knew before. What do you think? Isn’t it wonderful women have so many more (but not enough) opportunities today? Did you pick up on the pattern mixing going on? Would you wear Kantha Bae? Let’s have a conversation. We can do that if you leave me a comment or two! I promise to respond. Sometimes, I’m later than others! Thanks for reading today. I’m hopeful you enjoyed the post and learned a little something, too!
Where I frequently link up:
Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, My Bijou LIfe, Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, The Grey Brunette, and Away from the Blue. I also link up with This Blonde’s Shopping Bag, Doused in Pink and Mummabstylish. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs!
That’s another cool kantha bae piece. I did look at rhe website and plan to visit the store when I’m in Nashville. I love seeing how you all interpret the artwork. It’s a great way to trying something new.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Oh, you’ll have to let me know what you think, Mireille! I’d love to visit the store!
Thanks for coming by!
I love this Kantha Bae piece and you look so happy and comfortable in it too! I did look at a few of their pieces that I think will be perfect when summer hits. I love this series since I love art and being introduced to new artists. So many that Shelbee and the other pick are not ones I am readily familiar with.
I am with you on not knowing many of the artists! And, I think that’s one of the things I really enjoy about this series…learning something new and pushing myself to think outside my comfort zone!
This top is so perfect for the piece of art! I love the colors and prints of it. Amazing look Marsha!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thanks, Kathrine! I just knew I wanted to go for the quilt look, and this top came to mind!
These colors are so pretty on you, Marsha! The SIA challenge seems super intimidating and I don’t think I could ever decide on an outfit. I am always amazed at how the art is interpreted by all of you who participate. Such creative souls!
xo,
Kellyann
Thanks, Kellyann! It took me a bit to finally be brave enough to do it. But, once you do, you’re kind of hooked! I do love how everyone usually ends up with totally different outfits!
Daenel introduced me to kantha bae. Her textiles are so full of life and texture and interest. And your quilted wrap is a prime example of that. I think the angles of the lines in your jacket and within the pattern itself reflect the quilt pattern in the art. The colors in your outfit are spot on, too. And what?? No snow?? Hardly recognized your yard without its white blanket of snow. Do you miss the quilted pieces you gave away when you retired? I have many of the same clothes in my closet from my librarian days. I just don’t have much occasion to get dressed up unless I am going to church or subbing.
Thank you for the bio about this artist. A woman ahead of her time. Bravo to Green for being successful in a predominantly male career field.
Nope, no snow! We had some for a little bit (I took advantage and did lots of photo shoots on the same day), but it’s been this blah brown stuff for weeks now. I actually don’t even think about them unless I need something…I had a gorgeous jacket from Coldwater Creek that was just way too big. And, there was no way to alter it because of seaming and details so I decided it needed a new life with someone who could love it more! I do make an effort to get dressed up several days in the week says the woman in jeans and a sweater with no jewelry on!
I love finding out about women who soar, don’t you?
What a fun challenge!! And your outfit is a beautiful and I can totally see the correlation!
Thanks so much, Erin! I love these challenges because they really do challenge me to step outside my comfort zone and try something new!
Thanks for coming by!
I am SO impressed with the print mixing in this look Marsha. I swear, I just got my Kantha Bae pants and can’t wait to wear mine…the colors are so beautiful!!
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
My go to when print mixing is a stripe rather than an animal print! I’m not sure if I’ve ever successfully created a look I loved with animal print and another pattern, but you never know!!! There will be another Kantha post coming!
Oh my gosh, Marsha, your top is exactly what I had imagined for this challenge! I have nothing like it but I pictured something like your outfit. Your top is amazing! I love all the colors and the mixed up prints on it as well as the quilt-like stitching. The top and the flowy pants paired with sandals…all of it really appeals to my hippie heart!
Shelbee
I love how comfy this outfit is (Nigel hates it, though)! I came up with the outfit in my head first and wasn’t sure it would all come together. I was thrilled when it did! If you really want to indulge your hippie heart, follow Kantha Bae on Instagram or Facebook…the hippie runs free!
Love the whole look and how it ties to the painting. I agree that the running stitches on the top give it a quilt-like appearance. Your pattern mixing is perfect. Thank you for participating. Can’t wait to see what Shelbee has planned.
Thanks, Terri! I really thought I still had a quilted jacket and was going to use that. When I discovered I didn’t have one, this was the next logical step! I love how it came together!
Oh, I’m sure Shelbee has something pretty awesome in mind!
Your top is gorgeous! Love the print! So perfect for this challenge!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thanks so much, Jill! I really did like how this turned out!
I love the mix of colours and print – that is such a lovely top and a really good way to meet the theme I think! I hvae a few cross front tops, although they are in plain boring neutrals, and you’re making me realise I haven’t worn them in such a long time! Thanks for the reminder!
Thanks so much for joining the #WeekdayWearLinkup! Hope that you are having a good weekend 🙂 We had a fun playdate in the park this morning!
Thanks so much, Mica! It is a bit out of my usual look, I’ll admit. I’m trying to stretch my fashion horizons!
For some reason, your comments keep going into my spam folder…I’m not sure how to fix that, but I’ll just keep checking there!!
You’ve captured the colors in the challenge perfectly with your Kantha top, imo! Such happy colors.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
Thanks, Michelle! I keep looking at it and trying to figure out how it was sewed. The crafter in me wants to make my own…even do some kantha embroidery. But, I just can’t figure out the pattern of the top! It does make me happy to wear!!!