Style Imitating Art…
Welcome back to my interpretation of a fun and unique piece of art. Salazar, Shelbee, and I are the curators. You can think of this series as fashion meets art museum! SIA challenges people to find inspiration in different art works, create looks based upon that art work, and share them with the curator for that piece. Salazar is this week’s curator with this fun and beautiful textile. I hope you enjoy this post, the information, and my interpretation.
How it works…
Every other Monday one of us selects an inspiration piece of art and posts the image on their blog. We then invite others to interpret that art work through their style. The following Monday, we share our outfits. The curator shares submissions the following Wednesday on her blog. Salazar chose this week’s art work for this round of Style Imitating Art. If you’d like, you can read why she chose it here. Please send your photo to Salazar by Tuesday, March 24th, 2026 by 10 pm EST. Style Imitating Art is an interesting way to inspire your outfits. You can see a few of my looks here, here, here and here.
The artist…
Born on April 15, 1944, during the Nazi occupation of Holland, Annemeike Mein and her family emigrated to Melbourne, Australia in 1951. Though she left behind the occupation and food rationing, Mein also left behind her beloved grandparents. She would never see them again. An only child, Mein developed a love for insects and the natural world. Her father was a dental technician, and her mother was a skilled dressmaker.
A little more…
Mein attended Brighton State School, Mitcham State School, and Nunawading High School. Initially, she didn’t speak English when they first moved to Australia. Mein was seven at the time. Imagine attending school and not understanding anyone! After beginning school, she quickly picked up the language through language immersion. Partly due to being an only child and partly due to not being an English speaker, Mein was a bit of a loner and spent her days wandering the outdoors. There, she discovered the astonishing diversity of Australian wildlife and began sketching and collecting insects. She also learned how to breed and raise butterflies.
Still more…
Once she finished school, she enrolled in an art course at Melbourne State College but abandoned that for a career in nursing at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, graduating in 1967. In 1968, she married Phillip Mein who was a general practitioner she’d met at the hospital. In 1971, Mein, her husband, and six-month-old daughter, Joanne, moved to Sale in Gippsland, Victoria. A son, Peter, was born in 1972. Following the births of her children, Mein left nursing behind for motherhood. When she attempted to return to nursing, the policy was not to employ wives of medical staff! She turned to crafting and dabbled in many different types. As I mentioned, Mein’s mother was an accomplished seamstress, and it seems Mein may have inherited some of that talent.
“She made gift cards, lace, and then lace pictures. She also made pictures out of bird feathers, and later out of bark. Knitting and crochet, spinning and weaving, clay modelling and papier-mâché, leather-work, jewellery-making, paper-making, découpage, patchwork quilting, felting, dressmaking, etching, and restoration of old furniture were all experienced and mastered. Her flair for interior design was put into the house and into some friends’ houses. Perhaps it was her experience with hand embroidery (ranging from traditional cross stitch to crewel embroidery), and fabric collage work, that led later to machine embroidery (source).”
Even more…
In 1977, she began experimenting with textile pictures. Some of these early works were copies of other designs or simple drawings she’d made then translated into textiles. By 1978, Mein was designing wildlife pictures and then recreating them in textiles. In that same year, she won the inaugural Family Circle/Coats Patons Craft Award. Thousands of entries in every kind of craft from throughout Australia poured in, and Mein won with Coastal Banksia. First prize was a trip to New York. The real prize for her, though, was formal recognition of her artistic achievement. This encouraged her to continue with artworks rendered in textiles.
A skosh more…
During this time, we should also remember Mein was a young mother so she completed her domestic and parental chores before settling down to creating. She continued this pattern even after her children had grown. Mein’s first major exhibition was “Invited Gippsland Craftsmen” at the sale Regional Arts Centre in 1979. She showed approximately eighteen works and received accolades, strong emotional responses, and even tears. People returned with their significant others, children, workmates, and friends. It was then the question, ‘Why do you work in textiles, which take so long, when you can paint and draw so well?’ was answered. In 1988, she received the Order of Australia Medal for services to the arts.
Still more…
In addition to creating these amazing textiles, Mein also held regular workshops and has no problem sharing her techniques and experiences with those who attend. In 1992, her book, The Art of Annemieke Mein, shared rare insights into her creative process for producing these works of art. The illustrations also offer “a comprehensive cross-section of her textile pieces.” Her husband wrote the profile for her book, and you really should read it. You can tell it’s written with lots of love. You can find that here.
A sad diagnosis…
Sadly, Mein suffers from cryptogenic sensory neuropathy which is an autoimmune condition. This condition has stolen the feeling from her hands and feet. I cannot imagine how heartbreaking that initial diagnosis was for her. But, please read this article in which she discusses that as well as what’s she’s currently doing. This woman is amazing.
The artwork…
I have to say I’d really love to see Whirlpool Frog! It measures 41 x 67 in (105 x 170 cm) and is a large textile wall sculpture. Mein used hand-painted silk organza, quilted it, and embroidered it to create this three-dimensional piece. It is based on a real- life experience when Mein discovered a frog caught in a flood. She flipped it out with a stick! It is part of a private collection at this time. If you want a piece of her work, visit Gippsland Art Gallery in Sale, Victoria, Australia!
Sources…
My interpretation…
I knew exactly what I was going to wear for this SIA challenge! I bought the Rasgulla Sari Gold Dust Muu (just an example) back in October. It’s a weird kinda garment. It’s very wide, has these ruffles down the side, and those humongous sleeves. But, I really liked the print. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. You really can never quite tell what color you’re going to get from Kantha Bae. Of course, that’s the way online shopping is, right? Your monitor tells you one thing; the item is something a lot different. With Kantha Bae, the difference is usually pretty noticeable. Well, either before or after, I had also purchased this sleeveless wrap dress. The problem with wrap dresses, as I’m sure you know, is they have to fit you right. If they don’t, you’ve just got a mess. There are two problems with the KB wrap dresses. One is they are called One Size so that they fit sizes 00-22/24. The second is they forget to include holes for the ties to go through! So, while I appreciate their mission, their size inclusiveness, I don’t really get the fit I like. This time, I am wearing the wrap dress under the Gold Dust Muu. I wrapped it tightly around me and belted it. I really just need to get my sewing machine out and put a hole in the side! All that to say, I was thrilled to see how closely these two items matched. I thought they were the perfect “watery” combination of colors and prints for our little froggy art. Under both pieces, I am wearing a lace Halftee in Latte to mimic the froth of the whirlpool.
The Lewk!
It reached 80 (26.7C) the day I took these photos so it was definitely sandal weather. My Shay sandals from Miz Mooz in sage were the perfect color for this watery look I created. I now have them in black and a beautiful pink. Honestly, if you have arch problems, these will fit your arch like they were tailored just for your feet! To pick up that purple in the artwork, I added in this Purple Multi Strand Millie Necklace from Sylca Designs. I cannot say enough about the quality and uniqueness of their jewelry. I have loved everything I’ve bought there. I added these amethyst drop earrings from my eBay shopping days. I don’t know why I don’t have a pair from Sylca. I need to fix that pretty quickly!
Wrap it up, Marsha!
I am pretty positive Shelbee will have an amazing outfit as these are two of her favorite colors, too! And, I will go so far as to say Salazar will have a frog or frog-adjacent brooch. I do apologize for the wonky photos. Using a tripod requires some learning, and that’s what I’m doing. It was a very warm day, and I really can’t leave Nigel alone for long. We go to the doctor today (Monday) for a check up/check in. I really have no idea what to expect. As soon as we get home, the home health nurse is coming to replace his PICC line bandages. I kinda doubt she’ll check his incision though she might be required to do so. Then, the occupational therapist is coming for an evaluation, I think. I’m not 100% sure why that’s occurring, but I’ll keep you updated. So, can we talk? What feelings does this piece evoke in you? How do you think losing her sense of touch will affect future art for Mein? If you were going to create a piece like this, what would the subject be? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as quickly as I can.
Don’t forget…
If you want to be included in the Style Imitating Art round up, send Salazar your photo by 10:00 pm EST, Tuesday, March 24th. Photos of everyone participating will appear on her blog on Wednesday, March 25th! If you’re interested in joining us, consider all of your options…the colors, the textures, the feelings they evoke! Come on, give it a try! I think you’ll love it!
Thank you!
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Where you can find me:
Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, Suzy Turner, and Away from the Blue as well as Deb’s World . I also link up with I do deClaire, Mummabstylish, Style Splash and Elegantly Dressed and Stylish as well as the Senior Salon Pit Stop (Esme’s Salon) and Slices of Life. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I also am a co-host for Ageless Style on the third Thursday of the month and Songful Style on the last Monday of the month as well as the Global Writing Challenge on the second Thursday. I co-host Traffic Jam Weekend every Thursday with Melynda, Lisa, Cat, and Rena. I also host 10 on the 10th on the 10th of the month! I do hope you’ll check out all of these blogs and link parties!
Oh my gosh, Marsha, you look like a work of art in textiles in this amazing combination of Kantha Bae pieces! I love every bit of it! The colors are stunning and they match each other and the artwork so well. I definitely struggle with any type of wrap dress so I don’t even bother buying them anymore. Like you, I have to get out my sewing machine and make some repairs and complete some upcycle projects. But I realized I really dislike sewing! Which is very funny today because I am going to Ralph’s school this afternoon to teach some of the students in his gifted and talented class how to sew! I’m a little nervous because I’m such a novice! In any event, I love this artwork, I find this artist completely fascinating, and you did a fabulous job interpreting the art into an amazing outfit!
Shelbee
Thank you so much, Shelbee!!! That’s a huge compliment. I couldn’t believe it when I realized how well the two pieces went together. They really look like one piece, right? How strange that you don’t like sewing anymore. I am sure you did an amazing job in Ralph’s class. I bet you made it fun, interesting, and educational. I would love to try something like this. My friend and her daughter (we did a piece of her painted silk a while ago) could probably do something close to this. I thought it was amazing how it didn’t even look like a textile at all. Her life is so interesting to read, too.
The colors are perfect! I love the addition of the purple necklace to bring that color in too.
Thanks, Joanne! I love green with purple, so I was really happy to combine the two!
WOW Marsha, I freaking LOVE this so much!! The colours, the shape and movement in the garments are so perfect for this outfit inspiration, And speaking of inspiration, gosh that artwork is DIVINE! I want it on my wall lol. What an incredibly talented woman to create something like this out of textiles. I had fun with this one too, because the colours are some of my favaourites!
Big hugs
Suzy xx
Thanks so much, Suzy! I knew, as soon as I saw the art, I was going to wear at least one of these. I was thrilled when they went together so well! I would love to own one of these pieces. I mean, it’s just incredible! I bet you have just the place for one!!
What a beautiful flowing and soft outfit!
Thank you for introducing me to that artist, I already put the book on my reading list.
Thanks, Cat! I can see you doing something like this. I hope you’ll read Shelbee’s post. She goes into more detail on how the textile was created.
The movement, color, draping of this outfit 😍🤌🏾 Absolutely love this!!
Thanks, Edi! I really love the way this dress/muu moves. I can’t wait to wear it to the museum!
Well, i’m glad you fixed it.And that’s an easy fix. Because the silhouette is truly amazing.And is perfect for this challenge
Xoxo
Jodie
Thanks, Jodie! I really just need to do it because I really like the dress and the print. I thought it would be perfect, but I didn’t realize just how perfect!
I really love that purple with the green! And think this is such Shelbee outfit! You would love each other’s closets!
Thanks, Nancy! I immediately thought of Shelbee and what she was going to wear when I saw the colors. I am sure we’d have a fun time playing in each other’s closets! I somehow think hers may be bigger or, at the very least, better organized than mine!
You are a goddess in this look! It’s stunning on you. I love the color and print. It works so well with the art!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Aww, now I’m blushing, Kathrine! But, thank you! I was so very happy with the way it came out. And, I knew, as soon as I saw the art, that I would use both of these pieces.
What a beautiful piece of art! And as always, so fun to learn about a new artist! You dress is perfect for this piece! Love the colors and movement!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thanks, Jill! I was thrilled with the outcome of the two pieces together! I was really fascinated by this artist, and I would love to see an exhibition of her work.
How could you ever have imagined how you would use that dress? You would almost think it was the inspiration for the print. The artist is worth writing about. I love the back stories of people’s careers, especially when they involve medicine. A nurse married to a doctor, I know a few of those. And of all conditions for an artist to develop, neuropathy is one of the worst. I am curious to know how she is coping. Thanks for sharing this fascinating story and your creative interpretation.
Thanks, Aletha! When I got the first piece, I wasn’t expecting to find another that so closely matched it. I was beyond thrilled that they went together so well. I was thinking I would wear the “dress (the inner piece)” as a vest over the outer piece. But, they just didn’t work that way. I’m so glad you enjoyed the story of this amazing woman. I really loved the preface her husband wrote for her book. I would think neuropathy would be especially bad for her since she works with textiles. But, she seems like such an upbeat person that I’m guessing she’s found a work around.
Thanks for the introduction to Mein! I bet that artwork looks amazing IRL with the 3D elements. Your dress/kaftan was just waiting for this special opportunity. Perfect choice. Hope it went well for Nigel yesterday. Thanks for linking at #TuesdayTwirl
You’re welcome, Gail! I just kept enlarging the photos trying to find how it was a textile. I did see stitch lines, but I had really magnified it. I would love to see any of her pieces, for that matter. Thank you so much for the well wishes. His stitches came out, and the next aspiration is already scheduled. Hopefully by the first or second week of May, he will have a hip!
Hi, Marsha – Wow, what a gorgeous outfit! I’m tempted to get the Gold Dust Muu in the blue green (not that I need another maxi or caftan in blue green. Lol!) because the way you wore it as a duster is so amazing. But I don’t wear my dusters enough either… My mom would have loved that frog painting; she had frog everything. Thanks for these awesome images – Angie, http://www.yourtrueselfblog.com
Thank you, Angie! The Gold Dust Muu is really just a big old rectangle with ruffles on it. It does button all the way in the front. The other warning I would give you is to enlarge the photos as much as possible because the colors can be way off. Also, look very closely for patches and inserts of fabric. Sometimes, the garment can look a lot like a quilt! I have passed on a couple of things because they’d throw in a patch that was wildly out of sync with the rest of the garment! I think this Muu would be a really nice lounging around in the backyard kinda piece, too. I love that your mom collected frogs. My mom collected owls when everyone else was.
This is such a fun interpretation of the Whirlpool Frog! I love how you pulled those watery colors and movement into your outfit—it really feels like the artwork came to life. The layering and mix of textures are especially so creative. These challenges are always so inspiring to see!
Thanks so much, Laura! Watery…yes! That’s the word I was trying to get to. I really loved this look and will definitely wear it to the museum. I would really love to see a piece of Mein’s work…to own one would be even better!
I was fascinated by reading your detailed and lovely illustrated narrative about the artist. Shame about her condition. Love your interpretation, Marsha, this voluminous outfit looks amazing. Hope Nigel will get better soon. Anna
Thanks you so much, Anna! I was just as much fascinated by this artist. I can’t imagine how terrible it must have been to receive that diagnosis. But, she appeared to have rebounded and on to other artistic ventures. Thank you, also, for the compliments and the good wishes for Nigel.
What a simply amazing dress! It’s just wow, so sumptuous and beautiful! And such an interesting artist that I’d never heard of before. This blog series is so interesting. I love that you do this.
Thank you so much, Penny! It’s actually two dresses that happened to match almost perfectly. Wasn’t her story amazing? I hope you read the preface or whatever they called it that was written by her husband. It is so interesting, and you can tell he loves and respects her for her self and her art. I love this series because it makes me think about my clothing in a different way as well as learning about different artists and movements.
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Wow what a story and life. And I am so glad to hear that she saved that frog! It is a wonderful piece of art and you captured the look so well!!!
Thank you, Erin! I thought it was so lovely and kind that she not only saved the frog but created this amazing textile. I would love to have a small piece of her art (as that’s all I could maybe afford).
What an interesting woman. Thanks for sharing her story, Marsha. I love the frog artwork and your interpretation of it. That’s a beautiful shade of green.
Thank you, Christie! I was amazed at all the creative outlets she’s had over the years. I’ve done some of those things, but I highly doubt I could ever create a textile like this!
Your outfit has all the drapey drama that is perfect for the whirlpool inspiration!
Thanks so much, Sally! I just love flowy clothes so much. I knew I was going to wear at least one of these pieces. When they both worked together so well, I went with it!
I love this outfit! That dress is in one of my favourite colors, and the flow of the fabric is INSANE! You look absolutely ethereal. <3
http://www.couture-case.com/
Thanks so much, Jelena! I really did get lucky with both dresses working so well together. I love that word…ethereal…thanks again!!
Wow! I love that whole outfit! It just really suits you and I love you can twirl in it! Can’t wait until Nigel is back being your photog!!
Thanks, Lisa! I was just messing around with the tripod, and those photos turned out quite well. I am anxious for his return, too. I wonder, though, if he will tell me he’s retired!
I hope not!
Me, too! I’m still not any good with the tripod as you’ll see in Monday’s post!
That green is quite beautiful and I love the movement in your pictures which is similar to the whirlpool. The 2 garment really work well together and I love how it fits you. I feel like I would have a hard time with KB pieces despite liking the general idea of them.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Thanks, Mireille! I was quite happy when I saw how well the two dresses matched. I think you just need to find the style that is more you. There’s a store in Nashville. You could visit it the next time you go there.
This is such a beautiful look Marsha! I love the artwork and you’ve captured it perfectly!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
Thank you so much, Emma! I had a lot of fun putting this look together!