Opera Art Project… 50th Anniversary of the Edmonton Opera

October 1, 2013 | Valerie Baber Designs

Opera Art Project Anniversary Collar scarf and hand warmers. The Edmonton Opera is having their 50th Anniversary this Opera Season. To help celebrate this wonderful moment and year I decided my designs for the Opera Art Project would be a combination of all 3 Opera’s in the colours of their 50th Anniversary theme. The Edmonton Opera started with their first Opera being Madama Butterfly and fittingly are topping off this year with the very same Opera. What a wonderful way to make tribute to all 50 years of incredible talent and hard work.

The Opera Art 50th Anniversary Neck warmer scarf is done in black with gold trim. The trim is made with 100% beaded silk for the Golden 50th Anniversary. I made a second one in black with red trim the colour of the Cherry Blossom and other parts of Madama Butterfly. On each of these neck warmers you see the lace edge which symbolizes the “dance of the 7 veils” in the Opera, Salome. The Full Moon is also a big part of the first Salome, Opera this season.

In the second Opera, Die Fledermaus, there is a pocket watch that has an important role and meaning in this Opera. I stitched some of the clock onto the Full moon on one neck warmer and on the other made a separate clock also on a white face. Each scarf has an additional metal clock face to add a unique touch to the design.

The third Opera, Madama Butterfly is the season ender to celebrate 50 years. The Red Cherry Blossom is done in a merino and silk hand painted yarn and accented with a 100% silk beaded yarn. Cherry Blossoms are seen throughout this magnificent opera in addition I added a metal butterfly to each for this wonderful Opera.

The hand warmers are designed in the same manner with mutual influence from each Opera. There will be other styles for each of the 3 Opera’s this year so pop by again for a peek at what I am working on.

The Opera Art Project is a wonderful collection of local Artists, the Alberta Craft Council and the Edmonton Opera together bringing a new and exciting venue with one of a kind and unique pieces. You can view more about this wonderful project at http://www.albertacraft.ab.ca/special-projects/

There will be pictures of some of the upcoming designs and works by the Opera Art Artists soon at this link above.

or the Edmonton Opera at: http://www.edmontonopera.com/

Sneak Peek…Designs for the Opera Art Project

September 16, 2013 | Valerie Baber Designs

Opera Art Madama Buttlerfly, Salome, Fledermaus

A sneak peek into the Opera Art Project designs for the up coming season of the Edmonton Opera. As I have mentioned in previous blogs I have the pleasure of designing with a group of amazing local Artists in the Opera Art Project. These two collar style scarves are one of a kind pieces and add a unique touch to your wardrobe. I will go more into the designs and what overall design is symbolic for as well as the embellishments. These two designs pertain to all three Opera’s this season in one way or another. The gold bling silk yarn, by www.artyarns.com is for the 50th Anniversary of the Edmonton Opera.

I will talk more in detail about these designs and the corresponding hand warmers when I finish them. Just thought I would tease you with what I have been working on lately. Stay tuned for more Opera Art designs…..hint these are based on the 3 Opera’s Madama Butterfly, Salome, and Die Fledermaus.

For more information and my previous Opera Art Project designs see the links below:

http://vbaberdesigns.com/page25.html

http://vbaberdesigns.com/page27.html

http://edmontonopera.com/

http://www.albertacraft.ab.ca/

Opera Art Project – Steam Punk Flashback

July 9, 2013 | Valerie Baber Designs

The Opera Art Project Steam Punk flashback on the Les Contes d’Hoffman Opera by the Edmonton Opera season 2012 – 2013 was an amazing Opera production and my new favourite. The Opera Art Project is a special Artist collection based on the various Opera’s of the Edmonton Opera. The Alberta Craft Council, Edmonton Opera, and various local Artists have come together to bring a unique collection of Artisan creations that are inspired by the different Opera productions. Last year was the first year for this exciting venture.

My absolute favourite Opera to design for was the Les Contes d’Hoffman Opera which had a Victorian Steam Punk theme throughout the production. Steam Punk style is very interesting and full of unique designs and embellishments which was right up my alley. I love the asymmetrical design of this era in time and the wonderful flowing ruffles with a edgy feel. The colours I choose were red, sepia, black and some purple and pinks that were in the incredible costuming all made by the Costume Designers of the Edmonton Opera. Adding embellishments in metals and other fibers is also a wonderful essence of the Steam Punk era. My favourite character was of course Olympia, the mechanical doll in this production. Her costume was stunning with a shear fabric over a dress of gears. Below are some of the different pieces I designed for this wonderful production.

Geared Up for the Opera Shawl:

The Geared Up for the Opera Shawl is designed after the character Olympia in the fabulous Opera. This Opera has a real Steam Punk feel in the stage design and costumes. Olympia is a doll with gears and such on the costuming which inspired this design. Done in Sepia tones seen throughout the Opera in the Stage with the stunning Circus Tent and the various costumes.

Olympia Neck Warmer:

The Olympia Neck Warmer is also designed after this character, but a much smaller version. The eclectic essence to the design enhanced by the Steam Punk accents with the a-symmetrical neck warmer and the embellished broche are reminiscent of this era. One of the fashion statements during this time was to use found objects and apply them to your clothing. The broche is embellished with a Steam Punk essence to add to this fashion style. The broche can be worn on or off the scarf and used on other pieces in your wardrobe.

Antonia Wrist Warmers:

The Antonia Wrist Warmers are designed with her in mind with the textured striping in a solid colour as with her beautiful dress. Done in a hand painted merino wool in Red tones. They were also available in Sepia tones.

I am busy designing for the next season of the Opera Art Project with the Edmonton Opera having it’s Golden Anniversary of 50 years. It will be quite a celebration! I am honoured to be a part of this amazing venture and looking forward to another year. I look forward to seeing the wonderful designs of the various Artists involved will be inspired to produce.You can view the current Opera Art Project and purchase from http://www.albertacraft.ab.ca/special-projects/ and for more information about the up coming Edmonton Opera Season at www.edmontonopera.com

I will be blogging my Opera Art Journey here and on Ravelry at http://www.ravelry.com/people/vbabdesign I hope you come along for the ride! Off to work on more Opera Art designs.

Inspired by the Aida Opera – Opera Art Project

June 4, 2013 | Valerie Baber Designs

Aida Opera Collection — Aida Opera
Collection

The Opera Art Project – Aida Opera

I had the most wonderful opportunity this past year to design and make various knitted and crochet pieces for the Opera Art Project. You can find more information about this amazing project on my website: http://www.vbaberdesigns.com/page25.html or check out the Alberta Craft Council website at http://www.albertacraft.ab.ca/special-projects/ to view work from the other Artists involved. This collection above is based on the costume designed for one of the main characters, Aida.

The Opera Art Project is a group of Artists, the Alberta Craft Council Gallery and the Edmonton Opera www.edmontonopera.com who joined together to design and make various pieces that were inspired by the costumes, sets and themes of the Edmonton Opera Productions this past year. They were sold at the Edmonton Opera Productions and are currently being sold at the Alberta Craft Council Gallery Store www.albertacraft.ab.ca

Inspiration for the Aida Opera came from the costumes that were part of the two main characters, Aida and Amneris. It was an amazing production and my first Opera experience. I must say that I am now hooked on Opera and the Opera Art Project, quite literally that is! I was surprised how much I enjoyed the Opera, but when you think about it the combination of singing, acting and music is a wonderful experience for all. There are subtitles so you can understand what is being sung. Absolutely loved it. The designs below are based on the costume worn by Amneris.

Inspiration can be found almost anywhere. Look around you today, on the internet, a blast from the past, nature, architecture and more to find what inspires you to try something new. The colour of a flower, texture of a building, look of a historical piece of clothing or your favourite colour. Being inspired by your surroundings can catapult you into a new and exciting design world. What inspired you today, this week, this year?