:::SWICK STUFF:::

:::TRINITY COLLECTIVE:::
KING SUBTLE WING CHAIR

featuring artwork by Brian Davis
of brianstudio
chainmaille embellishments by Kelly Jones
of Shadow Oak Maille
and
custom reclaimed hand-sewn panels by donovanswick
of :::SWICK:::

REMADE IN THE U.S.A.

:::HONEY DEW:::
custom panel for a vintage vest
by :::SWICK:::


THANK U 4 YOUR TIME

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!

"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

"VINTAGE-EMOTION"

Fashion: the one form of art that seems to drive the bus in the entire industry of aesthetics. On top of that you add the wonders of vintage and you can surmise quickly the influence it has on what we see today. Designers these days are searching through the archives of history to find patterns, fabrics, products and materials that can be reinterpreted and modernized. As a result we are beginning to see new forms of old. Color studies that were ahead of their time way back when are regularly seen on the new products of upholstered goods we have grown to love in our homes of late. Look at how many clothing designers, namely Ralph Lauren, who now have their own furniture collections. It doesn't take long to do the math and see that this equation equals success.

Fashion sets the tone within the music industry. Consider the iconic ensembles adorned by the likes of Elvis, Madonna, Frank Sinatra and even Michael Jackson. Then pay attention to what shows up on the runways, and eventually ends up on your very own sofa. The most wonderful thing, in my opinion, about vintage is the principle of timelessness that it instills. Almost all of art is cyclical. Classics endure. But sometimes, the extraordinary (even the flamboyant) shine out from the crowd and turn your head. Styles evoke emotions. Styles are born from emotions. Emotions are like the wind as they come and go, sometimes barely noticed and other times forces to be reckoned with and subdued by in our lives. Vintage is that "Peaceful Easy Feeling" that we can all hum along with and end up smiling. And as I have covered previously, when used properly it is extremely responsible. So, look in your closet and see just what treasures may be hidden once you look at that garment with "Betty Davis Eyes."

Pictures from the Sanctuary Vintage Fashion Show