Happy Outfit: Fairytale

I get questions all the time about why I dress like I do. I always give the same answer: because it makes me happy. Which is true, and it is indeed the only reason why I dress like this. 

However, I started asking myself the question lately; why does it make me happy? 

What do I want to convey?

I feel that todays outfit really reflects what I like and why it makes me happy. I have been obsessed with fairytales, myths and legends for as long as I could remember, and I love to put some of that obsession into what I wear. In short; I like to look as if I stepped out of a story.

Todays outfit consists of a dress by Hell Bunny that I got for my birthday from the lovely ladies at my work. I saw it in the autumn-winter catalogue and I fell in love with it, but I had no intentions of buying it as I felt I'd spent enough money on clothing the past few months. I was so happy when I got this though! It's perfect and I love the print, the neckline and the sleeves.

The flower crown is by Claire's. I used Lime Crime Red Velvet on my lips.

My eyes are MAC Gleam on my browbone and eyelid and Lime Crime Incantation blended in the crease.

I am so happy with the shoes too! I found them at Vintage per Kilo (which is exactly as the name suggests a massive vintage sale for a fixed price per kilo). I only paid a few euros for them and they remind me of Cinderella's glass slippers. They go surprisingly well with nearly every outfit!

Love,

Jopie

My new job!

I  really wanted to write a blog post about my new job. I'm thrilled to announce that I currently work at the most beautiful shop in Amsterdam! I took the pictures in this blog post off the website because it's not allowed to take pictures in the shop and I, of course, respect that as an employee.

I have been a regular visitor of Chimera for years and years. I remember when I was about 12 years old, that I would save up for ages to buy jewellery, figurines and art books there. At that time, they still had a shop in a smaller space at the other side of the road. I've left my CV there multiple times, and honestly, if there was one shop in the Netherlands where I would want to work, it would be Chimera.

The ambiance and creative styling of the shop are just breathtaking and very relaxing at the same time. I used to go there and just walk around for an hour or so to calm me down. Even if I didn't have money to buy something, I still liked to be there, just because of the calm atmosphere and the many creative things all around. I guess I could've called this a 'happy place' even before I was actively trying to get better from my depression.

I've been working there for two days now. I must admit that I've got alot shoved up my plate in the first days but I've never really felt stressed because the mood that the shop radiates just calms me down and makes me happy. It makes it very easy to work there and I get inspired by everything around me. Even though my anxieties sometimes make it hard for me to do what I want; this shop helps me to be and stay myself.

This is the view from the counter. Isn't it stunning? Chimera is part of a family business and they haven't really hired anyone in years, so I was very fortunate to get to work here! One of my new colleagues even said that I looked familiar to her - perhaps it was because I've been coming there for years and years! :)

I am incredibly happy! I will be working there full time for two months, and hopefully I can continue on the weekends once I start with my second university year.

I think this could easily be called the job of my dreams. I love it to bits and I am so thrilled to be actually working there! As if you didn't get that earlier ;) I think you could definitely categorize this as a 'happy job'!

You can check out their website here: Fantasy Shop Chimera. If you happen to be in Amsterdam, you should really come and visit us! Even if you don't want to buy anything it's still a beautiful place to visit. Anyway, I hope I will be there to be of service to you!

Love,

Jopie

Painting process: Flight to Freedom

Sorry for the silence last week! I had some very important exams that I had to focus on.

I already made this painting some time ago but I still had the process pictures to share, so, why not do it now?

This painting was an assignment given by my therapist. Firstly she wanted me to draw my biggest fears and anxieties, which turned out to be incredibly confronting and difficult to me. I even left some at her office because I didn't want to look at them. Needless to say I was very happy with her next 'assignment'; to draw myself as the person I would like to be - free and happy, without anxieties, fears and depression.

This picture from an earlier outfit post on this blog was my reference. I edited a few things out and I made myself look thinner in the actual painting. Why? Because I'm in the process of losing weight and it couldn't hurt painting my goal at the same time, right?

I really liked the feel of this picture. I first wanted to paint myself surrounded by my loved ones, but then I realised I already am surrounded by my loved ones (and very happy with that!). So I decided to paint myself as a faery, rising from the dark into the sky, into freedom.

 I don't have a picture of the sketch alone, unfortunately. But here you can see I've started on the dress and the skin and hair. I first indicated the print on the dress with large blobs of paint, and then added a shading layer, then more detail to the print, then another shading layer, and so on.

I painted most of the painting in my garden with copious amounts of fresh mint and lemon balm tea. I wouldn't be Jopie if I didn't pick a matching tea cup!

I decided to paint myself with dragonfly inspired wings as I really like to paint the iridescence and I thought they would fit wonderfully with my dress. Here you can see the process from bottom to top. The key is to add lots of very thin layers of differently colored paint.

I started out with indicating the panels with a very thin layer of indigo paint, leaving the veins white. Then add some light blobs of a reddish pink, and then for the third layer, paint some yellow and green very lightly on random patches. When it's dry, paint a very light wash of indigo all over the wings. And for the last step - define the panels, edges and veins with more indigo and a small brush.

I already explained how I made the printed dress, but here's another picture that shows the process well!

I finished the painting at Bagels & Beans, one of my favorite lunchrooms. Here you can see some process on the background washes - the more and more different layers of colour I add, the darker it becomes. Here I used a bright foresty green on the first layer, and then added lots of layers of indigo and Vandyke Brown untill it was dark enough for my liking.

And here is the result! I hope you like it.

My website isn't up to date - working on that!

Love,

Jopie