When we explore the intersection of art and emotion, we delve into a realm where the ineffable aspects of our psyche find expression in tangible forms. Art, in its myriad manifestations, acts as a medium through which the complex, often contradictory facets of human emotions are conveyed and comprehended. It transcends the boundaries of mere aesthetic appeal, venturing into the depths of our emotional landscapes, both bright and shadowed.
In the act of creation, artists reach into the core of their emotional experiences, drawing out feelings that might be sublime or disturbing, serene or chaotic. This process is not just a means of personal catharsis or expression; it establishes a profound communicative link between the creator and the audience. When we engage with art—be it a piece of music, a painting, or a literary work—we are often moved beyond mere intellectual appreciation. We find ourselves resonating with the emotions embedded in these works, sometimes experiencing a profound empathetic connection with the artist's inner world.
Art also serves as a unique language of emotions, allowing for the expression of nuanced emotional states that might be difficult to articulate in words. This language is not static; it evolves and expands, offering both artists and audiences new ways to understand and articulate complex emotional experiences. Through art, we can explore the subtleties of our feelings, distinguishing between closely related emotions and gaining a deeper understanding of our emotional responses.
Art's impact on our emotions is both immediate and reflective. It can elicit a range of responses, from awe and surprise to contemplation and introspection, highlighting the diverse ways in which we interact with and are affected by art. This interaction is not limited to the conscious level; it often involves an intricate interplay between our cognitive processes and emotional responses, enriching our experience of art.
In essence, art in its various forms offers a powerful means for exploring and expressing the rich tapestry of human emotions. It is both a reflection of our inner selves and a window into the emotional experiences of others, providing a bridge between personal expression and collective understanding. Through art, we gain insights into the human condition, exploring the myriad emotions that define and shape our experience of the world.
Recently, I've been diving into the world of large-scale canvases, where my materials—acrylics, graphite, inks, and charcoal—get plenty of space to mingle. The journey begins with intuitive mark-making, where spontaneity leads and each stroke is a step toward something bigger.
Working with a larger canvas is liberating. It invites me to use bigger brushes and get creative with tools, painting not just with bristles but with whatever can leave an interesting mark. The goal? To strike a visual balance that feels just right—where fluid lines meet bold, dramatic strokes.
I want my art to spark conversations. Up close, it's about the details that invite you into the piece, but step back, and the dialogue shifts, offering a new perspective that's meant to be pondered from a distance.
Collage - backyard findings in photos - J'Amy Tarr
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Books I am reading:
The Creative Act - By Rick Rubin
See me illustrate Pam Hogg, fashion legend here.
Pieces from the collection that I'd love to see on Pam Hogg.... xo
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I am a huge fan of silver and love this metallic when worn in an unexpected way. Pair our new Sage Cotton Biker Jacket with a silver pleat skirt for that perfect juxtaposition that creates interest and "tension" in an outfit that balances modernity and intrigue. (J'Amy Tarr Sage Biker Jacket, J'Amy Tarr T-shirt, Tibi Silver Pleat Skirt, Marla Aaron Bracelet and Nike trainers)
Perfect with LIGHT DENIM JEANS!
I've become a fan of wearing one item oversized to balance an outfit. It's modern to step away from the 100% body con look. It's too much and not fresh. Seen here, with oversized jeans, it balances the fitted jacket and makes it look effortless and chic. Grocery store run, coffee date with mask! or walking the dog. (J'Amy Tarr Sage Biker Jacket, Saint Laurent Hoodie, Raey Jeans, Loewe Sunglasses, Isabel Marant Sandals and Bea Bongiasca Ring)
Wear it with A LOUD PRINT DRESS!
I think that balancing a vibrant printed dress takes some work. I know if I wore this dress by itself, I'd feel uncomfortable - not like myself. If I added the Sage Biker Jacket over it, I'd feel more like myself with a calming neutral to balance it out. The combat boots calm it down even a little more. To me, this balance feels modern and fresh. (J'Amy Tarr Sage Biker Jacket, Gucci Dress, Suzanne Kalan Necklace and 3.1 Phillip Lim Boots.
When you think of the typical neutral, you think of the colors below:
(above neutral palette source www.theconceptwardrobe.com)
But a New Neutral is a color that is special. It isn't a pastel, but rather a dusty or earthy sister version of a pastel. It looks more like these:
(New Neutral color palette above source @cypress.and.wool instagram)
What I especially like about New Neutrals, is that they work really well with your more basic neutral palette and uplift the entire look. Check out your wardrobe to see if you have any new neutrals and give them a try with a Navy or Army green....
Our new Sustainable Cotton Biker Jacket in Mauve Blush is a non-color color ie New Neutral. Which means it will pair with a TON of other colors you have in your wardrobe.. In an age where we want our clothing to be extremely versatile and go the distance, this is a new fav.
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I've called the San Francisco Bay Area "home" for several decades. No place inspires my outerwear pieces more than San Francisco and it's fickle weather patterns. One minute you are freezing and the next you're warm. This city has taught it's inhabitants to love layers. While San Francisco may not be known for it's vibrant seasons, people here know that it is quite usual to experience a few seasons in just a single day.
With the unique San Francisco weather patterns in mind, I wanted to design a jacket that could allow the wearer to bundle up or down as their day progressed. Knowing that at any moment the fog can roll in under the Golden Gate Bridge and cool the city off by 20-30 degrees in minutes.
Meet the Funnel Neck Jacket. Named after the shape of it's collar, the Funnel Neck Jacket was designed to keep you comfortable throughout your day from crisp mornings to moderate warm afternoons and back to cold foggy nights. SF weather has met it's match.
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I had the BEST time as a guest on The Mean Show Podcast recently with host, journalist and editor Kristen Philipkoski. We felt like old friends from the start of our heartfelt chat. Conversation flowed enthusiastically as we found common ground on life as moms and discussing the deceiving time waste of social media. We explored additional topics including what's actually going on with the fashion industry today, why I choose jackets as a business, which Gen X stereotype we identified with most and what it feels like to be a middle aged women today.
Mean Magazine
Juliette Lewis is a living legend, as far as I'm concerned. She embodies a free spirit and a rock'n roll attitude that is unlike any other. Someone who lives life to the beat of her own drum, she has always been one of my favorites. She began acting at a very young age, received an Oscar nomination at 18 and threw herself completely into music and started Juliette and the Licks at 30.
In this illustration, I took on a few challenges: illustrating someone that is a well-known celebrity and trying to navigate a major head tilt / proportion. After a few tries, I was happy enough with it. I think that if I got back in and work on this anymore, I would rough it up a bit, I'd lose some of the smoothness - but this is where it is now and I am taking a beat to analyze it.
I tried to showcase her personality a bit in the drawing through the line quality of the feather and shirt... Utilizing a sketchy-like vibe in expressing these components gave it an "undone" vibe contrasting with the polished high detailed shading of the face and skin, I think it balanced well. I would actually go deeper with this idea next time.
If you have someone you'd like to see illustrated, comment below! I'd love to hear.
Reference photo by Anthony Saint James
Great article about Juliette Lewis in Rolling Stone Magazine.
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-YouTube?
-Etsy?
-Pinterest?
-Instagram?
-Facebook?
-Twitter?
Did you know all of these apps have social media components to them. I bet you don't feel the same when you get off of Instagram, for example, then you do when you get off Pinterest. These tech companies have different intentions and business models. Some are more questionable to your well being than others. How do you protect yourself and your state of mind?
If you have an iPhone, the first way to protect yourself would be to update your phone to iOS 14. Once you do, you are now in charge of which apps can have access to your behavior on the phone. Did you know that all of your apps before this update had automatic access to your unique phone's internal number which allowed them to track your every move online? Many of us would say, well, what's the big deal? In time, you will learn that there is a new commodity and it's called human futures. Sounds frightening. What it means is that we are the product. Our attention is being bought and sold and we aren't even halfway aware of it.
Watch The Social Dilemma and you will see how social media is manipulating you on such a deep level, that it is shocking. The way we got to this point was through gradual light imperceptible changes to our behavior. So small that you didn't notice all along.
For more info on this, watch The Social Dilemma. It starts to put things into perspective, and it gets really dicey.
Some topics discussed in the movie:
-snapchat dysmorphia
-eroding the social fabric of how society works
-feels like the world is going crazy like the world has fallen under a spell
-asking tech industry to bring ethical design to social
-Gradual light imperceptible change in your behavior so you don't notice
-Did you wonder why pulling down to refresh is like a slot machine in Las Vegas?
-Tagging a person is a growth hack for their platform and it works!
-We know kids are having difficulties with it, we are no different as adults - the dopamine effect is real and it is addictive.
-Ever wonder why tech execs especially in social media do not allow their kids on Social Media? And many of their kids go to Waldorf or similar type schools with no tech?
-People pick up their phone at any chance they get - ie downtime anywhere - social media is like a digital pacifier.
There are things you can do, but becoming aware is the first step.
I decided to keep a diary of my feelings for the first 48 hours after deleting the app - have a peek below to see my stream of consciousness...
⁃ Felt free beyond belief
⁃ I will miss the bday wishes a little on Facebook, not gonna lie
⁃ Felt immediately more present in my life, in the moment
⁃ A rooted feeling in the earth - a physicality that felt solid and strong
⁃ I could feel this "weighing down" feeling evaporating
⁃ I thought of my friends starting businesses and talking about their “socials” as in social media and I felt a nod of acknowledgement but no feeling of associated dread
⁃ I felt that I would have so much time for art, could dive deeper, more fully and not worry if what I was producing fit what would get me likes and follows. I didn't need to produce for the "squares"
⁃ People will find me if they want on my website where I will be pouring more heart and soul into what I do and say - because it is on my terms
⁃ I feel like I flipped a switch
⁃ Open the creative flood gates
⁃ No control over that digital kind of social life, those apps control who you see in your feed, how often, what they hold back and what they advertise to you - I was ready for real life again
⁃ No regrets day later
⁃ I now see deleting FB and IG as the ultimate form of self care
⁃ Able to delete 10 apps on my phone dedicated to editing photos for social. Kept only two favorites - more space!
⁃ I realize I need a quiet place for creativity - a quiet mind = creative waterfall
Listen to our Biased Cuts Podcast for MUCH MUCH more. It's been a choice I've labored over for a while. Coupled with lots of research, self reflection and time, I feel like I made the right choice.
Sending love to you all who read this whole post! BOOM!
xo
J'Amy
]]>As a parent, I'm a big fan of grab and go outfits that are relaxed, comfortable yet embody that California cool vibe. The recipe is simple, grab a cool graphic tee, a pair of denim that feels great and isn't skin tight, pop on a sneaker or slide sandal and a baseball cap and you are ready to go.
I always take one of my Biker Jackets with me, most often in the soft Japanese Wool, to wear on top if the fog rolls in or it is just a bit cooler than expected at that soccer game.
Shop our Salmon Japanese Wool Biker Jacket below! They are my favorite go-to weekend jacket for 9 months of the year.
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Have I told you that my brilliant friend, Lisa Anderson Shaffer of Zelma Rose & THESE THREE THINGS, and I have started a podcast called Biased Cuts?
We share over 30 years of experience in the fashion industry and have seen a lot. Together we dish on the warm fuzzies, big wins, huge losses, and all the bad behavior (including ours) we've encountered during our time in business. Take a listen to Biased Cuts on Apple Podcasts or anywhere you listen to podcasts for the real juice on what it takes to run an indie brand in the big, badass fashion biz.
What started off as a small concept, has now turned into an empowering project for Lisa and I to share our experiences with small to mid-size women-owned businesses. We have embraced this safe place to share what we are changing, learning and going through during this time where nothing seems like business-as-usual.
Let's learn a few new things this year, find work/life balance and deepen our connection with each other. I invite you on this journey along with me! There will be beautiful new products, peeks behind the scenes of my business and
how I run it as well as a deep dive into my art and inspiration.... Up first is my new favorite pastime, Linocut.
When I need to recharge my creativity, I consume content that is unrelated to my business. These past few months, I've immersed myself in podcasts, art, independent films and books. One art technique I've become mesmerized by is a printmaking technique called Linocut. It is a variant of woodcut in which a sheet of linoleum is used as a relief surface. A design is cut into the linoleum surface with a sharp blade or gauge. When ink is rolled over the raised areas with a brayer, it creates a mirror image of the carving. You then press a sheet of paper onto the ink with a press and reveal the final print. Guess where you might be seeing these prints in my line?
For a more detailed video of the linocut process, see Maarit Hänninen below.
I love a good date night!
Taking time to reconnect with my husband over good food and drink allows us to slow things down, regroup and recharge. The daily grind of work - family - repeat is fantastic, but sometimes you need to shake it up. We talk about everything on our date nights. Recently, we've discussed setting business goals, planning vacations and overall catching up on where we are emotionally and mentally in the moment.
We recently grabbed a delicious meal at FARMSHOP in Larkspur Landing's Country Mart. They boast of "innovative eclectic plates & creative cocktails delivered in rustic-chic quarters" See photo of me amongst the small vineyard in the back of the restaurant.
How I Wore It - I am not usually one for ruffles or super frilly outfits. In my opinion, a great pair of trousers, a hybrid cowboy low boot and a cool piece of jewelry are a solid foundation for one of my jackets. This time, I chose the Structured Blazer. It's got a really cool tuxedo vibe made from a textured cream fabric that reminds me of concrete. The high contrast black grosgrain lapel dresses up any outfit - even jeans. I love this super lean, structured shoulder jacket. You can flip the pocket flap out or in, depending upon the proportion you want.
Masculine tailoring coupled with a streamlined silhouette made just for a woman is a winning combo. It's my go-to for date night, the office, ladies night out or just about anywhere you want a little tailoring to compliment your outfit. Wear it with a maxi skirt, a ripped boyfriend jean, a dark skinny jean, a trouser, a wide leg pant or a ruffled dress. It works perfectly every time.
Style the Structured Blazer with any of these pieces for the perfect night out:
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