RECLAIMING THE RENAISSANCE!

featured in ONE EIGHTY MAGAZINE

June 2010

www.180nation.com

*

model - joy riddle

photography - carie thompson

hair - kayla ward

makeup - stephen mee

stylist - :::donovanswick:::

*

THE SYMPHONY CHAIR

1st concierto

*

composed by

:::donovanswick:::

performed by

andrew heneise (woodworks)

rodney cash (metalworks)

http://www.rodneycash.com/

:::H20 FASHION::: AVEDA event for CLEAN WATER

LeT's Go CrAzY!!! CONCEPT BY :::donovanswick::: of ART-ECO

HAIR & SET by SALON AZURE

BACK STAGE :::donovanswick::::

MAKEUP BY STEPHEN MEE

DJ MICHAEL Xi

TELEPHANT W/ UT STRING QUARTET


Now for the models and clothes...

SWEET...

GRRRRRRRRRL!

!

FINALE!!!

ENCORE!!!

THANK U LORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CARIE THOMPSON...MARK LANE...HOLLY SCHENCK

COUNTER-COUTURE:::RENE' BRETON MAKEOVER

AHOY MATIES! Welcome aboard! We have set a voyage before you in this installment of ART-ECO in which you shall be introduced to uncharted territories. The images you shall take with you are from the movement in Re-Created fashions termed, "COUNTER-COUTURE". As well, you shall be a witness to the transformation of a band...RENE' BRETON!

The deck has been swabbed, the bridge is at ready position, your accommodations are prepared, the band is assembled and the ballroom floor is open..."Shall we dance?" BON VOYAGE!

COUTURE- The high-fashion clothing created by designers; designing, making and selling of highly fashionable, usually custom made clothing.

What you are witnessing is "Couture for the Counter-Culture's New Renaissance Kids"!

This journey begins with our honored guests, RENE' BRETON, the muse currently based in Nashville, TN...but not for long! Our subjects are Ryan Hurtgen (composer), Tobin Sio (drums), and Nicole Taher (manager). What we have overcome is the challenge of a makeover. The garments featured are COUNTER-COUTURE by :::donovan:::swick::: of ART-ECO. The offering presented before you each have a life all their own and a story to tell. Each of the ensembles represented here include the recreation process of high-fashion vintage pieces with embellishments of reclaimed high -end fabrics, leathers and jewelry orchestrated into individual requiems of style. All are hand-made, hand-sewn and personally chosen to reveal the hidden person inside of each member of RENE' BRETON.

Enjoy?! CHEERS!

...all photos by Carie Thompson...
cariephoto@gmail.com

before...Tobin/Ryan/Nicole

after: Tobin/Nicole/Ryan

before: Tobin

after: Tobin (front)

after: Tobin (rear)

before: Ryan

after: Ryan (front)

after: Ryan (rear)

after: Ryan (front)

after: Ryan (rear)

before: Nicole

after: Nicole

THANK YOU RENE' BRETON!

"I GET BY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS"

You may be wondering, "What in the @#+% is ART-ECO?" Simply put it is a movement in Art and Ecology where, based on their relationship to one another, the two become one flesh. In last month’s feature you were introduced to this concept in the art-form of jewelry made from repurposed objects. Well, that medium only scratches the surface of this unlimited form of expression. I intend to take you on an adventurous journey through the lands of the highest peaks, most glorious shores, serenest valleys, and most mysterious terrains of this art-form. However, for now, let us start here in good ol’ Knoxville, Tennessee!
The objet d’ art featured here tells a story all its own…This first in a series of tables is crafted from 100% recycled materials cultivated from the heart of Downtown Knoxville. If you look closely at the base of this table you should notice that there is what looks like very old floor trusses. You are correct! As a matter of fact this wood was being thrown away during the remodel of the old JFG Factory on West Jackson Avenue in the Old City. I simply asked the foreman if I could haul off the trash for him and save him the extra expense of several trips of full construction site dumpsters. He said, "Certainly!" and Bada Bing, I was halfway home on my design. So, I call my buddy Chris Horton and say, "please get your flatbed down here now, I’ll explain later!" He did. "I get by with a little help from my friends." Unbelievable, because this wood was over 300 years old Heart of Pine cut into solid planks measuring over 3 inches thick, close to 2 feet wide and spanning up to 30 feet long, just being thrown away! I held on to this wood for two years due to its scarcity.
The quest was not complete as I wanted to mix 2 types of wood for this particular design. I was in search of two oversized solid wood doors from the turn of the century to be the icing on the cake (top of the table). Lo and behold as I found help from another friend, Daniel Schuh, who had such doors left over from one of his Historic North Knoxville Homes. Ahhh…now to the drawing board! So next is the design. This is the part I personally enjoy the most. I execute the drawing, call another friend, Terry Martin, and show him the design. He takes over and in a few days we have what you see below. Note that Terry built the piece and also did the faux crocodile finish based on my specifications. I simply love this process and hope you at least appreciate it as well. Just like a symphony…many distinct pieces and players coming together in harmony. ENCORE!

BACK IN BLACK...

Here is the TEASER...I mentioned a while back that I would post up a black dining room that I completed in a previous post(see Sneak "Peaks")...Well the rest of the reveal should be up on www.HGTV.com (Designer's Portfolio) very soon!

In tribute to the Tennessee Vols on Halloween Night vs South Carolina...with the black Jerseys...Homecoming...BACK IN BLACK!

More to follow...news at 11...!!!<3 LOVE <3!!!

"I WANNA THANK U..."

Well folks, "It's been a long time since we Rocked and Rolled!" I had to post something on this day of Thanksgiving since without gratitude I would have absolutely a miserable life overall. There truly is so much that I am grateful for that a blog entry would not even do it sufficient justice. I simply want to say "THANK YOU!" (You know who you are!)

I have had a lot of wonderful love-filled experiences since my last post. Two very successful ART-ECO shows, the most glorious International Furniture Market I have ever attended, a brilliant experience in meeting fellow designers/artists whom I deeply respect and the news of expecting a new child to come into my life once more.(Baby Number 6, unless we have twins!)

I have determined, and am not alone on this one, that we are on the cusp of a New Renaissance! This time it is based completely on one thing: <3 LOVE <3 ! "You know it makes me wanna, shout! Kick my heels up and shout! Throw my hands up and SHOUT!" Now, wait a minute, you say? LOVE? Yes, LOVE! A true Revolution of Love! I call it by the name of the RE-LOVE-UTION! www.re-love-ution.com coming soon. Be prepared for the invasion of LOVE in all forms of music, art, design and such. You cannot avoid it or deny it. We Got to Let Love Rule!

I want to thank you for letting me be myself again!

HERE COMES TROUBLE

Once again, my apologies for the delay in a new post, but here we go! I am having my first own ART show this evening that will feature many mediums (furniture, jewelry, scuplture, lighting, publications, poetry, drawings, designs, sketches, videos, accessories, etc.) of artistic expression that I have completed over the last 20 years. I am also doing a Vintage/Reclaimed/Couture Fashion Show which I have embellished Couture Vintage garments with reclaimed fabrics, leathers, patches and the like. I personally have never done my "own" show, simply because I did not feel the need to and because I would rather fly under the radar. However, I have coordinated and participated in countless of such (art/fashion shows) both as a model and an artist/designer for a number of others. I just happened to be re-designing a new Historic Club in Downtown Knoxville (RELIX...Owner Daniel Schuh) when the idea just made sense to open the venue with a showing of all that I have touched over these past 20 years in art.

To me, the most precious and priceless pieces of art in the entire Universe are the relationships I have acquired with clients, strangers, musicians, fashionistas, stylists, family, friends, co-workers, and even the broken lost souls roaming our rugged streets. The ART-ECO pieces that will be shown are a reflection of just that. They are parables of a certain sort, hoping to draw in the interest of someone who can be ministered to by the power of Re-Creation. There will be no prices on my art. Only the open invitation to discuss it. Thank You ALL! Hope U enjoy!

Tribute to

William Kristopher Kendrick "Billy Ray"

and Rebecca Maxwell...

U both saved me from myself while teaching me to be

myself.

Thank U ...May U Both Rest in Perfect Peace

"FOR THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK..."

We salute you! My apologies for the delay as I have been in an artistic hurricane of activity. However, I am grateful and humbled by your support. Thank You for your patience. Now back to the news; uninterrupted coverage with no commercial breaks. Have you ever wondered where all of those wonderful iconic fashion ensembles came from that adorned the likes of the "Rat Pack", Elvis, The Beatles, Michael Jackson and Johnny Cash (among multiple others)? Well, the answer is simply, MANUEL. http://www.manuelcouture.com/ If you cherish a favorite iconic celebrity outfit, chances are MANUEL did it!



The man is the modern day Da Vinci when it comes to fashion in the entertainment world. His nickname is aptly "The Rhinestone Rembrandt" and the inventor of "Cowboy Couture". He is quite simply a living legend. He still works every day with his son, Manuel Jr. aka "Manny" in their couture boutique and factory on Broadway in Nashville. Even the building itself has a story to tell as it was originally a brothel.To this day, the legend continues through his son who began sewing at the age of eight and almost thirty years later, the father and son dynamic duo still "rock" the worlds of fashion for clients like Kid Rock, Keith Urban and on and on and on.



Be on the lookout for Wear It Out Manuel http://www.wearitoutmanuel.com/, the next generation of product that could literally end up on your toothbrush as the MANUEL Lifestyle broadens it reach. That's all I can tell you kids right now so, sleep tight; don't let the bed bugs bite! Shalom Y'all!

"SWEET DREAMS ARE MADE OF THESE..."

http://www.margecarson.com/

www.margecarson.com


Sleep is necessary and dreams are only ushered into our lives through this doorway. The bedroom is a very important, personal, romantic and unique place. It should be our own private sanctuary. As a result, it should feel as such. We spend more time on this furniture than on even our office desk chairs. These dreamy offerings are presented to you by Marge Carson Furniture. http://www.margecarson.com/ (Just a few examples of what you can create as the gateway into your castle in the air.) Explore the world within your visions of rest and relaxation. I encourage you to be daring in the bedroom: Not in the way that you are thinking, but in the way that you are decorating. Your place of refuge should reflect the fantasies of what inspires you yet leaves you recharged. Like a "New Moon on Monday," once you are well rested, you can embark on the journey that life has laid out ahead of you. So, dream a little dream and create! "SWEET DREAMS ARE MADE OF THESE..."