Brisbane Substations are Fashionable Again
ink & watercolour illustration, 7" x 8.75" [18 x 22.5cm]
Dotted in and around Brisbane, you'll find old powerhouses and substations that used to power our trams back in the glory days when they ran here, until the late 1960s. {Spoken with the affection of someone who has never had to share the roads with them...}
Several of these buildings have been revived to house arts programmes and the like, as covered nicely in a recent Brisbane News, a lovely {and free!} local magazine I enjoy retrieving from the driveway each week. You can read the story here {click Feature in the dropdown box towards the bottom right of that window}.
With a deft touch, the fashion spread and front cover were shot at the Paddington substation ~ and inspired today's post. To check it out, head over {yes, again}, click Fashion and the magic of online publications will transport you there, to one of my favourite Brissie suburbs. In honour of my two dearest Leos who just celebrated their birthdays, I turned the six foot 13 inch model into a redhead. And I figured a poodle wouldn't go astray with that gown...
I like the heavy metal accessories.
ReplyDeleteLL
It's me when I was younger! I've shrunk with age.
ReplyDeleteAnd I came back from a trip to find your lovely Venetian meep waiting for me - I *love* it, thank you Shell, even more so on paper than on screen (the colors are more quietly vivid), and it's ever so charmingly packaged. It's an honour to have one of your originals.
Isn't it great, Mise? I now have two, and I always get a lift when I look at them, which is frequently, as they're prominently displayed.
ReplyDeleteOk,normally I ignore links, but just this once I'll check them out.
Lori Lynn ~ they rock it up, don't they!
ReplyDeleteMise ~ she does remind me of you! {Perhaps there's an artisanal raw twig step ladder under that gown.} I'm delighted beyond measure that the particular Meep is yours, and you are happy with it. Thank you, dear Mise.
Hiker ~ and likewise regarding yours. Delighted. Thank you!
It reminds me of the beautiful Musee D'Orsay in Paris - an old train station, now turned into the most fabulous art gallery - an absolute delight. It would be lovely to see other cities following and using their old - unused buildings into some-thing similar.
ReplyDelete~Dianne~
Sounds like a perfect use for those old spaces. As for this fabulous gown, I must admit I much prefer your version (surprise, surprise)—now where did I stash that studded belt . . . ??
ReplyDeleteAnd while we're all expressing our gratitude, may I please reiterate how very happy my Shell original makes me?
puddinglane ~ are there similar old buildings down your way? It's lovely to see, isn't it...
ReplyDeleteThank you, dear Alexa! It's wonderful for me, too, knowing my little creations are making you happy on the other side of the world.
I just bet that lady goes to the grocery store in that dress.
ReplyDeleteI really love the colors in this one.
I have to chime in that I heart my Shell Sherree paintings. I'm gonna lovingly gaze at one now. :)
Aww, thank you, Amy! I'm still blushing...
ReplyDeleteIf she goes to the grocery store in that dress, I do hope they let her poodle inside to complete the picture. ;)
What a glamorous gal and pretty pooch! Too bad I just got dressed to go to work; I might have been tempted to put on a gorgeous gown like this. I'll definitely read the article when I have a moment as I love the idea of converting old building, especially when art is involved. Any chance of a Shell showing somewhere soon?
ReplyDeleteI'd be proud to wear that gown; she does look very elegant and the poodle is a perfect touch, Shell.
ReplyDeleteKatie ~ and you'd probably be just about the right height for this gown! A Shell showing? Perhaps if I put on excellent snacks I might attract some people along...
ReplyDeleteThanks, MmeB! I figure I need to keep the diplomatic cat-dog balance where possible. ;)
Moi aussi!!!
ReplyDeleteV
Lovely, elegant, and graceful, mistress and poodle. Now for some music and dancing....
ReplyDeleteMerci, V!
ReplyDeleteMs M ~ a tray of refreshing champagnes first and it could resemble this...
I like how the model and poodle are wearing the same haughty expression. Her features are so delicate. And the hair style is to die for!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cali! Her hair is my fantasy hair. ;)
ReplyDeleteI've always loved the juxtaposition of the elegant and the industrial, as in your illo and in the fashion shoot and in the reuse of these buildings. Pasadena has done a good deal of this in its revival/reuse of old buildings, and it's part of our city's charm. I wonder if the ladies of old would think us strange to admire a beautiful gown with a power station as a backdrop?
ReplyDeletePetrea ~ "juxtaposition"...such an excellent word!! Hopefully the ladies of old would smooth out their gloves and join them.
ReplyDeleteThe Fred Astaire clip is great! I've always loved watching him dance, especially with Ginger. Yes, bring on the champagne!
ReplyDeleteMs M ~ I wonder what Fred would think of this ~ I hope he'd get a good laugh!!
ReplyDelete