travel . explore . create . THE ART OF DEANNA MARSIGLIESE

Ciao Vespe!

2011-10-19T16:36:00.004-05:00

The summer weather has left our fair city, and with it went the flowers, the outdoor cafes and the Vespas. The Italian word 'Vespa' translates to 'wasp' and I love to see them buzzing along our main strips, lane ways, back alleys and Victorian neighbourhoods. Until next Spring...

The more I draw, the more I love it...the more I love it, the more I draw.

2011-10-17T23:53:00.000-05:00

This year has been one of the most rewarding years I've ever experienced. Never have I had so much fun and learned so much jumping from project to another. Creatively, I feel I'm breaking new ground and look forward to what lies ahead.

The Joys of Costuming...

2011-09-21T17:00:00.000-05:00

My love of fashion and costuming are not lost on anyone. One of my most favourite aspects of designing a character is delving into what he or she would wear on a day to day basis. So often, a character's clothing is over-looked, or treated as a mere after-thought. I believe that the clothing an individual wears, and how he or she wears it, says a lot about the person they are...or are trying to be. When a freelance project requires research into a specific historical time period or far-off place in the world, I grow even more excited. Suddenly a whole new world of opportunities arise in the form of shape and movement, embellishments, colours and patterns. As of late, more and more clients are presenting me with unique projects, many of which involving a far-off place in a time long forgotten...and I love it!!! Through my work, I am able to travel to these places, and help to make them more whimsical, more magical and more opulent then ever imagined!

Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day

2011-02-07T23:18:00.003-06:00

I saw this movie a few weeks back and was really inspired by the beautiful set/costume designs. I decided to take a crack at the female leads...Delysia Lafosse, Guinevere Pettigrew & Edythe Dubarry.

Cultured Swine!

2011-02-04T20:34:00.011-06:00

In a tiny neighbourhood bar, tucked behind an old 'snack shop' sign, I was having some wine with a friend. It was Monday, otherwise knows as 'De-cide On The B-Side' night at Communist's Daughter. Patrons bring their favourite LPs, and one at a time, they're played out for the entire bar. Once A-side finishes, it's time for everyone to vote. Would you rather listen on to the B-Side? ...or embrace 'the mystery' that is the next record. The A-side of my record had just finished. It was an Italian album by Robertino Loreti, a 1950s teenage singing sensation. We would have listened to the whole record, if not for a table of particularly hipsterish Hipsters who voted the album out...no B-Side. A gesture to which I replied, 'You uncultured swine!'

Then I thought to myself...what would cultured swine look like?

...because they can't all be uncultured, right?

This is the result...(and yes, I know I'm weird).

Casati Continued...

2011-02-04T15:14:00.006-06:00

"The door to where we sat chatting suddenly opened. A dead woman entered. Her superb body was modeling a dress of white satin that was wrapped around her like a shroud and dragged behind her. A bouquet of orchids hid her breast. Her hair was red and her complexion livid like alabaster. Her face was devoured by two enormous eyes, whose black pupils almost overwhelmed her mouth painted a red so vivid that it seemed like a strip of coagulated blood. In her arms, she carried a baby leopard...She pointed a small diamond-studded monocle on the other guests and invited them to a masquerade ball."

Gabriel-Louis Prinque (Paris, 1948)

If I have peaked your curiosity about Luisa Casati, you may want to check out a book entitled The Marchesa Casati: Portrait of a Muse. Written by Scot D. Ryersson & Michael Orlando Yaccarino, this beautiful book accounts the extraordinary details of Casati's fascinating life with incredible stories, gorgeous artwork and incredible photographs.

For the Love of Character Costume Design...

2011-02-03T05:42:00.082-06:00

In previous posts, I've made no attempts to hide my obsession with the art and style of the 1950s...lucky for me, at least someone noticed! That someone is Andrea Haid. She's a Toronto-based animator, pouring her blood, sweat and tears into a personal project on which I have the privilege of designing.

This here was one of (several) Birdie concepts. In this particular lineup, I had a lot of fun exploring her stylish clothing options. Character clothing design is always one of my favourite parts of the process, as I love vintage fashion...especially from the 1950s.

For more information on Pickled, visit Andrea's Production Blog!

A Note of Thanks...

2011-02-03T04:01:00.000-06:00

To all those who have supported, and continue to support my artistic endeavors...THANK YOU! This space has gone through a number of incarnations over the years and yet I find that the encouragement I receive remains consistent, even when my posts are not.

In short, I hope that you will enjoy the direction in which I am travelling now.

Should you find any inspiration in the artwork featured here, even in the smallest measurement, it would bring me great joy to know that it did so.

So please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, suggestions, ideas or comments. I always enjoy hearing from you.

La Marchesa Casati: A Living Work of Art

2011-02-03T02:43:00.008-06:00

Luisa Casati (23 January 1881 – 1 June 1957)

Heiress.

Eccentric.

Muse.

Artiste.

"I was falling asleep in my studio one night...my manservant came to me in a frightened state after the unexpected arrival of a visitor- a woman in black velvet with a large silver dog. The lady, he claimed, appeared so strange as to make him wonder whether he was dreaming. Intrigued, I went downstairs. There I saw a woman with brilliant eyes accompanied by a slender Russian greyhound in a silver topcoat and pearl collar. The visitor introduced herself. 'I am the Marchesa Casati. Two days ago in London, I saw one of your canvases and I have decided to be painted. In my hands, I will hold a blue crystal ball... Now, get your paintbrushes. I have only this night to give you'."

Federico Armando Beltran-Masses (Paris, 1922)

"She sits motionless. Transfixed. Set in a face the colour of bleached bone, two great orbs focus inward... Perhaps in defiance or wicked amusement, the twin spheres refuse to offer up their secrets easily. A torrent of flame caresses the contours of her ivory mask. The tremendous heat of the day poses no threat. For shadows forever cling to her as if in adoration."

An excerpt from 'The Marchesa Casati: Portaits of A Muse'