Style Imitating Art: Woman with a Dog by Pierre Bonnard
It is Style Imitating Art time again!
About Style Imitating Art
Style Imitating Art is hosted by Daenel of Living Outside the Stacks, Salazar of 14 Shades of Grey, and Terri of Meadow Tree Style. Style Imitating Art challenges us to draw style inspiration from pieces of art. Every other Monday, one of the hosts, acting as curator, selects an inspiration image that they will each post on their blogs. The following Monday, each host shares her art inspired outfit. Participants are invited to submit their art inspired outfits to the curator by 10:00 p.m. EST on the Tuesday following the hosts’ art inspired outfit posts. The following day, Wednesday, the curator will share all of the submissions on her blog.
You don’t have to be a blogger to join! You are invited to share your images on Instagram or other social media platforms! Just be sure to tag Salazar, Terri, and Daenel or use #TeamLOTSStyle and #StyleImitatingArt so the hosts know you have joined. Go have some fun in your closets and join the SIA challenge next week!
The Inspiration Artwork
The inspiration artwork was curated by Salazar of 14 Shades of Grey. You can read why she has chosen this specific piece as her inspiration artwork here.
Woman with a Dog by Pierre Bonnard (1891)
So let’s get talking about this painting and the artist as well as my inspired outfit.
Pierre Bonnard (1867-1947) was a French painter, illustrator, and printmaker who was known for his bold use of color and the stylized decorative qualities of his paintings. With his early works influenced by Paul Gaugin and Japanese artists, he was a leading figure in the art world as it transitioned from impressionism to modernism. Bonnard was recognized for painting landscapes, urban scenes, portraits, and intimate domestic scenes in which the colors and painting styles of the background usually took precedence over the subject of the painting.
During his early education, Bonnard show much talent for drawing, water colors, and caricatures as well as a strong interest in literature. He received his baccalaureate degree in the classics and eventually earned his license in law at his father’s urging. He began practicing law in 1888 and later that same year sold his first commercial work of art which helped to convince his family that he could make a career as an artist. At this point, he had already failed his examination for the official registry of lawyers leaving art as his only viable option to make a living.
Bonnard continued to make a living as an artist until his death in 1947. He finished his final painting, The Almond Tree in Blossom, one week before his death. If you want to learn more about this French painter, Eight Essentials to Know About Pierre Bonnard is a really great, concise, and informative article.
Now about the painting…Woman with a Dog is oil and ink on canvas. It measures 16 1/8 x 12 13/16 inches (41 x 32.5 centimeters) with the frame measuring 26 7/8 x 23 11/16 inches (68.3 x 60.2 centimeters). The painting shows Bonnard’s sister and cousin playing with the family dog in a garden. There are three other figures barely visible behind them.
He compressed the space and simplified the forms in the painting by flattening the folds and patterns of the women’s clothing. The checked blouse on the main subject in the painting was inspired by Japanese prints of that era. The shapes were outlined in pencil and ink with Bonnard occasionally scratching them into the paint. These techniques were experimental at the time and very characteristic of the decorative style of Les Nabis, a group of young French artists in Paris from 1888-1890. Bonnard was a founding member of this group which played an important role in the transition from academic art and 19th century impressionism to abstract art and other movements of early modernism.
Creating an outfit inspired by this painting started out fairly simple as I knew immediately I would incorporate some sort of blue and white checks. Once I decided on this blue gingham dress, the challenge became much more difficult. First, it is a summer dress and I am clearly still living in the midst of a bitter cold winter. Second, I really wanted to work in all the colors and textures in the painting without looking too crazy. For me, I want these style challenges to result in actual wearable outfits.
The gingham dress is slightly big on me and so I needed to belt it. I decided on tan and brown accessories to pull in the golden hues of the dog and some of the background colors in the painting. My two-tone thrifted cowboy boots felt right due to the color palette and the full swingy gingham dress does has some Western vibes to it. Since I had no fur baby to pose for photos with me, I added my olive green fur trimmed poncho instead. The colors and the pattern seemed to perfectly represent the remaining background shades in the painting.
It is kind of an odd outfit combination, but I liked it. To see more outfits inspired by this painting, please visit Salazar’s post for the complete roundup of submissions. Have you joined the Style Imitating Art challenges yet? Be sure to check for the next prompt on Monday, March 15.
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.
Shop my look…
Outfit Details (Everything was shopped from closet): Poncho, Boots, and Gloves-Thrifted / Shirt-Gap / Dress-Target / Scarf-NY & Co / Earrings-Good Life Gift Shop / Tights and Belt-Old
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.
36 Comments
Tamar A Strauss-Benjamin
What a cute dress!!! Amazing painting recreation!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Tamar! This was another fun styling challenge!
xoxo
Shelbee
Nancy
I always forget this series. Should write it down. Thats a lovely interpratation and a lovely painting.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Nancy! This series is really fun and it really does motivate me to get more creative with my outfits. Check the hosts’ pages on Monday for the next prompt! Or I can email you a little reminder, too.
xoxo
Shelbee
Christie Hawkes
First of all, hello Shelbee. I am coming to you through your Outstanding Blogger Award on Dee’s Grammy’s Grid. Everyone had such nice things to say about you and your blog. I just had to check it out for myself. Nice work on your art-inspired fashion. Not only did it tie in well, but it looks great on you and was so well adapted to the weather. I don’t know about you, but I am ready for spring! I hope you have a lovely week! I’ll be back again soon!
~Christie
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Christie, thank you so very much! It is lovely to make your acquaintance! These art challenges are so much fun and keep me interested in getting dressed during this long final days of winter. I host link parties every Tuesday and Friday, I would love for you to join us!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jennifer
I love your dress!!
Jennifer
Curated By Jennifer
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Jennifer!
xoxo
Shelbee
mireille
The cape was the perfect element to add to remind us of the dog. I love how you managed to make the dress work for a winter day and not freeze!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Mireille! I do like to find ways to transition summer pieces to colder weather! This was a super fun challenge.
xoxo
Shelbee
Suzy
OMG I don’t think anyone could nail this as well as you have, Shelbee! I totally picked up on the western vibe. Not just because of the boots but that fabulous ‘throw’ (for want of a better word!). You look super pretty in the dress — I love how you belted it. Your hair is getting SOOOOO long! It looks gorgeous!
Huge hugs
Suzy xx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Suzy! This was a kind of crazy outfit, in my opinion, but I had fun with it, for sure! My hair is super long because there is never a chance to get it cut! LOL
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
Looking very nice. Love the history that you shared. Great knowledge. Cowboy boots and tights are always a winner.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Patrick! I do love cowboy boots and tights!
xoxo
Shelbee
jodie filogomo
I just love how you interpreted this painting Shelbee!! Bravo!!
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jodie!
xoxo
Shelbee
Gail
Such an inspired interpretation! You really captured the essence of the Bonnard with the print and colors, not to mention the location!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Gail! I actually really struggled with the location because everything is so snowy and the painting is obviously not snowy! Ha. These photos were taken at the entrance to our little local zoo.
xoxo
Shelbee
Terri Gardner
Had to drop by and let you know how much I enjoyed your interpretation. You Americanized a French painting-very cool. I am also impressed by all your extra research. Bonnard heavily influenced me when I was in art school (his later phase). Well, here’s to next week with what ever Daenel picks.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Terri! While I do not have any background in art at all, I do love learning more about it so this series is really so much fun for me! I am looking forward to Daenel’s pick as well! I need something to get me inspired to put on something other than leggings!
xoxo
Shelbee
Ann
That painting is gorgeous, and as the artist wasn’t familiar to me, it was interesting to read your background information on Pierre Bonnard.
I love how you based your outfit around that blue and white gingham dress, and how you winterized this Summer staple by layering it with the white shirt and blue opaques.
Your wonderful two-tone cowboy boots and fur-trimmed poncho are the perfect finishing touches! xxx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Ann, thank you so much! I am having so much fun with these art challenges as they are forcing me to be more creative with my wardrobe as well as teaching me lots about different artists. I wasn’t sure if this outfit would be very wearable for every day, but now I do think it works!
xoxo
Shelbee
Mica
The gingham dress is beautiful on you and I really like the olive poncho with it too, such a cosy addition! You did a great job creating an inspired outfit! 🙂
Hope you are having a good week 🙂
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Mica! I was really afraid that this wasn’t a very wearable outfit. I felt it was more tossed randomly together and didn’t really make sense. But I am so glad that it did end up being a cute outfit!
xoxo
Shelbee
Kathrine Eldridge
Love your take on this piece of art! I adore the dress and it looks great with the belt and boots.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Kathrine! I haven’t worn this dress in years, it was fun to style it for a different season.
xoxo
Shelbee
Lovely
I LOVE your interpretation! I really like how you styled the dress to match the art! Love that poncho!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Lovely! I really look forward to these art challenges!
xoxo
Shelbee
Daenel T.
Shelbee, having you join us has been so much fun. I always enjoy your interpretation of the outfits. And, gosh, I totally agree with you… When I put together my outfits, I try to make sure that it’s something I would actually wear and not just something thrown together to snap a picture. I think you did a great job of making a summer dress winter ready. So not easy to do, especially with gingham. And in the snow. Those cowboy boots are fabulous. I had a pair of red ones that I bought second hand in Missouri and I gave them away — I have so many regrets.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Daenel, thanks so much! These art challenges have been so great for me in providing me with a purpose to get dressed. Honestly, I feel like the only thing I get dressed for lately is for some blog challenge or prompt! I am so glad that I finally got myself organized enough to join you consistently. What a bummer about your preloved cowboy boots! I love my red ones. I just found another pair of brown ones for $6.99 but I haven’t had occasion to wear them yet. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Sheila (of Ephemera)
I saw immediately what you were going for – I love the gingham dress with the “tough” cowboy-themed accessories and the furry collar. The feel of your outfit goes with it. It’s not exactly, but neither is art!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Sheila! I really appreciate your perspective that style like art does not have to be perfectly matched or coordinated or whatever. It is just a random self expression and that is all we really need to make a perfect outfit!
xoxo
Shelbee
Michelle
I’m not usually a fan of gingham, but that dress looks great on you! Something about that shade with your dark hair….. And you did a wonderful interpretation of the painting!
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Michelle! You don’t seem like much of a gingham girl! I do love this print. I always have. Actually, there are not too many prints and patterns that don’t appeal to me. Chevrons maybe, I am not a big fan of chevron prints. But the gingham definitely has to be the right garment for me before I will entertain it.
xoxo
Shelbee
Kezzie
So sorry it took me so long to come and visit your post! I LOVE what you did with this and you made a really lovely, wearable outfit (your aim was achieved definitely!)- it’s beautiful and looks good as well as comfy and I see the painting in it. Love the inclusion of fur poncho for the dog- great idea!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Kezzie, thanks so much! I was really afraid that this outfit was not very wearable, but it did work out! I love faux fur so I am always on the ready whenever I can incorporate it into an outfit with a purpose. A few years back, I did a style challenge that was Disney Princesses. I chose Merrida from Brave and added a black faux fur clutch to represent the black bear that Merrida turned her mother into! That was a really fun challenge! I am excited for the next SIA prompt as well! I hope you have the most wonderful day!
xoxo
Shelbee