Diana Rigg and I suffer from the same terrible affliction: baby girl face.
At 27, I look 16. And unfortunately I can't help it.
Women tell me that's a good problem to have, and I appreciate that.
But it's still a bit annoying when someone asks what college you are thinking about. Or if you are really qualified to be teaching an adult art class. Uh... just trust me, I guess?
Anyway, I was watching "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" the other day, and realized just how awesome Diana Rigg is. And how similar our taste in clothes are!
I'm not a small-pattern kind of person, I don't know why. During a massive re-haul of my closet, I ended up consigning or giving away a good 60% of it, and realized what was left - the 40% that I really, truly loved and wore all the time - were bright, solid colors, and lots of texture.
I noticed watching Diana Rigg as Mrs. Peel in the Avengers, that she, also, - pretty much NEVER wears a pattern! Only striking colors, high contrast and rich textures.
Be still my heart!
I thought I was supposed to emulate the "gamine" look. But
gamine means "impish" in French, and that's not headed in the right direction, haha. Diana's style feels more mature.
I have what's known as a boy-ish figure, or a rectangle shape. I have broad shoulders, very little waist definition, and calf muscles from years of sports and gymnastics.
When I tried to dress older, I was apt to just throw on a blazer and glasses, but with little attention to how they fit.
I was obsessed with thrift-stores, and because of that, often settled for a shape that was wrong for me, but liked everything else about it.
Ended up still looking young, now in grandpa's tweed.
I used to really have a disdain for fashion, thinking it was "only for rich people".
How silly! What if someone said "
Art is only for rich people"
???
But now my love for it has
really blossomed, and I definitely understand better how to shop for my body type and tastes specifically,
instead of what I think I should look like, or
emulating someone else.
It's really liberating owning much less clothes, and relieving yourself of the pressure "to must have something right now!"
There are, in reality, very few clothes that are just right for me.
And I like not feeling like I have to own something, but appreciate it from a far.
It feels similar to when I stopped feeling
like I had to emulate certain artists.
My own perception of how I should paint,
stunted my personal growth as an artist.
Some people are lucky and find out their identities early, some never know.
I think we evolve and change all the time, constantly shuffling off skins like a snake, until we get down to who we really are, what we want, and why.
I found my journal from my wedding/honeymoon this week. It was heart-warming and heart-breaking to read. I was so different only 2 years ago! And yet, my worries were still the same.
Why did I worry about stupid stuff then? Why do I now?
Should it bother me that people think I'm young?
Nah, it really shouldn't.
I know who I am, what I'm capable of, and they can think what they want.
Right, Diana?
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