BIRTHDAY DOTS

 Today is a certain someones birthday!  So....in honor of Braxton, all things sweet, and scorpios everywhere.....I give you polka dotted cakes.  Yum.

Are you hungry yet?
Happy Birthday sweetie.  I love you.

Have a beautiful weekend.
YANCEY

THE ART OF THE POLKA DOT

YAYOI KUSAMA

 I've done a lot of research in the past couple of days regarding artists who rock the dot, and I must say Yayoi Kusama wins the prize for the visual artist who's love for polka dots borders on obsession.  Born in Japan in the early 20th century, Kusama freely admits to struggles with mental illness through out her life, and has stated that her use of polka dots or "infinity nets" (as she calls them) are a product of her hallucinations.

I have included some quotes of hers which illustrate her artistic philosophy, but it's worth googling her for more information.  She is clearly a unique artist with a powerful need to express herself with.....dots.

 "Red, green and yellow dots can be the circles representing the earth, the sun, or the moon.  I paint polka dots on the bodies of people and with these dots the people will self-obliterate and return tot he nature of the universe"            YAYOI KUSAMA

 "A polka dot has the form of the sun, which is a symbol of the energy of the whole world and our living life, and also the form of the moon, which is calm.  Round, soft, colorful, senseless and unknowing, polka dots are a way to infinity"   YAYOI KUSAMA

 "I, Kusama, am the modern Alice in Wonderland"  YAYOI KUSAMA

Alice in Wonderland Happening in central park N.Y. 1968

A "spot" painting by British artist Damien Hirst titled LSD.  Hirst is quoted as saying he personally painted only five spot paintings and allowed his assistants to paint the rest.

A collaboration between Hirst and graffiti artist Bansky

 The following two paintings are examples of Australian Aboriginal dot painting.  Though the art itself seems happy and childlike the history of Aboriginal art in a complicated one involving camouflage, secrecy and ritual.

Damien Hirst's spin art

Roy Lichtenstein

 The following painting is by Georges Seurat who created the technique known as pointillism.  Pointillism is a series of small distinct dots of pure color which are applied in patterns to form an image.  The eye and mind of the viewer blend the colored spots.

Damien Hirst

Makeup artist Emma Farrel

Have a beautiful day.
YANCEY

POLKA DOTS FOR PETITES

 As a petite woman (I stand about 4ft. 11in.)  I am often thwarted by pattern in fashion.  The "fashion police" are always telling me I can't wear horizontal stripes, two colors at once, large scale pattern, anything too fussy, layers......really the list never ends....and I rarely ever listen.  But still......I do realize that some things looks much better on my taller sisters than on me.
Which brings us to polka dots....a truly democratic pattern.  With all the sizes and colors to choose from there's a polka dot for everyone.  So....I've chosen a few of my favorites for all you petites out there.


If you are skittish about wearing pattern, or just new to the game, patterned tights are a great place to start.  I think these dotted stockings are adorable and very wearable for petites.



 Did you know that when asked about pattern in womens fashion, men almost universally despise polka dots, calling them too girly and unsexy.  Do you agree? 

This polka dotted ring by Marc Jacobs would bring a smile to any outfit. 

The sheer fabric keeps the pattern from being overwhelming.

I love this dress so much, I would have it in every color.  The mid century silhouette (cinched in waist) is perfect for petites.

Again, the sheer fabric keeps things light.

Even though these dots are rather large in scale, the contrast in color is subtle, making this wearable for petites.

I would prefer these dots to be a bit smaller in scale so as to avoid veering into clown territory, but I think these would work on a petite who was as young as the model here.

Classic, lady like, lovely.  Who wouldn't look and feel pretty in this blouse?  As a petite I would pair this with a knee length skirt or slim jeans.

Yep, I want each one of these.

 Who's to know what's underneath, right?  Yes to polka dotted underwear!

Are you  a polka dot wearing petite?  Do you think polka dots can be sexy?
Have a beautiful day.
YANCEY

THE SOPHISTICATED SIDE OF POLKA DOTS

As you know, braxtonandyancey is all about youthful/colorful/mod/fun ideas in decorating as well as fashion.  When it comes to decorating with polka dots, finding happy examples is a little too much like taking candy from a baby.   We needed a challenge.  So......we give you sophisticated polka dots!  Enjoy.

The dimensional aspect of these dots adds to the grown up appeal.

Though this room is clearly quite colorful, the black/white dotted bench adds a touch of sophistication.

Feminine without begin too girly.

Usher, the epitome of cool sophistication, not to mention sexy.

This fantastic diy idea could be whimsical or sophisticated depending on the color choice.  Personally, I do love the silver on grey combo here.

The polka dots add a touch of mid century that we love so much to this otherwise traditional look.

Such a sophisticated guest room.  I would love to replace the chocolate throws with orange ones to match the bolsters.

This sexy home office has a masculine appeal, complete with polka dotted rug.

My favorite....cabbage roses as polka dots, and the orange/blue color scheme is to die.

Tomorrow we get dotty with fashion....join us won't you?
Have a beautiful day.
YANCEY

IT'S NEW MUSE MONDAY SO LETS TALK POLKA DOTS!

The world of design is full of geometric shapes.....lines, curves, squares, circles, etc.,.. which are used to make patterns.   As we've learned already, the eye will naturally follow a line, weather it's straight, curvy or ends in a point (such as an arrow), making the line a perfect tool to convey height or width within a pattern.

  But what happens when the eye views a series of filled in circles?  We smile!

 This week let's explore the use of spots, circles, polka dots or whatever you wish to call them, in fashion and interior design.  Apparently polka dots are much more whimsical than I originally thought, because I've been having difficulty finding photos of interiors that rock the dot, other than nurseries or kids rooms.
I will be searching for examples of dots used in sophisticated design as well as the fun happy design we love so much here at braxtonandyancey.

 Remember in the movie Legally Blond (which is a really fun one btw)?  Elle's college advisor responded to her desire to attend Harvard Law by saying...."Harvard won't be impressed that you aced The History of Polka Dots".  Seriously?  Who wouldn't be impressed with that?

On the outside chance there is someone reading this who isn't quite certain about the whole polka dot concept...let's define shall we?



Polka Dot: a pattern consisting of an array of filled circles, generally equally sized and spaced relatively closely in relation to their diameters.


Thank you once again Mr. Wikki.

 Please join us this week as we rock the dot, it's bound to make us smile!
Have a beautifully dotty day.
YANCEY