Guest inspiration: Strider, by Lauredin of Elendilmir

"Suddenly Frodo noticed that a strange-looking weather-beaten man, sitting in the shadows near the wall, was also listening intently to the hobbit-talk. He had a tall tankard in front of him, and was smoking a long-stemmed pipe curiously carved. His legs were stretched out before him, showing high boots of supple leather that fitted him well, but had seen much wear and were now caked with mud. A travel-stained cloak of heavy dark-green cloth was drawn close about him, and in spite of the heat of the room he wore a hood that overshadowed his face; but the gleam of his eyes could be seen as he watched the hobbits." 

 J.R.R. Tolkien: The Fellowship Of The Ring - Chapter 9 - At the Sign of The Prancing Pony

I already quoted Strider's description from the book once - when I made a Strider inspired outfit, which I am now almost ashamed to link (well, not only almost). Lauredin did an awesome job - his Strider inspired outfit made me feel like I was there, in the Prancing Pony, being in Frodo's place and watching disguised Aragorn warily. This is in my opinion as close to a ranger as one can get without the upcoming ranger cosmetics. Do you like this outfit too? Let us know in the comments!

 Strider in the Prancing Pony (LoTR: Fellowship of the Ring movie)

Chest: Reinforced Leather Dunlending Jacket, umber dye (Dunland quest)
Shoulders: Padded Mantle of the Dunland Soothsayer, ranger green dye (Dunland quest)
Hands: Fingerless Gloves, grey dye (Yule festival)
Feet: Threadbare Shoes of the Dunland Healer, umber dye (Dunland quest)
Back: Plain Hooded Cloak, ranger green dye (Outfitter vendor)

A Conversation with Jeanne Beker about Fashion and Art

Jeanne Beker: AGO Collector's Series 2011

Jeanne Beker's personal art collection is whimsical, eclectic, and captivating - descriptors that can also be used for the woman herself. In a one-on-one interview with this fashion powerhouse, Jeanne and I had a lively conservation about fashion and art and she also gave me a tour of her favourite artworks now on display as part of the Art Gallery of Ontario's 2nd Annual Collector's Series Exhibition.

The Birthday Party by Marion Perlet

For Jeanne, each work of art in her collection evokes a memory. She said "They really serve as a kind of visual diary for me of my travels, certain stages I was going through in my life, of certain changing aesthetics I've had over the years." One of her favourites is an oil painting by Marion Perlet called "The Birthday Party" in which the artist painted her memories of her birthday party as a child. Jeanne said "This was a cherry pie but my girls always thought it looked like a pepperoni pizza. It sat right over our table in the kitchen of our old house and now it hangs in my dining room and it just makes me feel good. And yet, there is something about the look in their eyes, some of them look a little dysfunctional, or that they have their grudges or own stories to tell or their own feelings about themselves, their particular plight - they are your typical dysfunctional family I think."

Toller Cranston gave Jeanne her first artwork and encouraged her to start her collection. He told her to buy Canadian art and "just chose one artist that you really like and go with it." Jeanne followed that advice and has several pieces from Marion Perlet. She offers advice to other collectors and said "Just buy what you love. Don't buy as an investment."

Yves Saint Laurent by Andre Rau

Jeanne's collection also includes several exquisite photographs by David LaChapelle, Paul Alexander and Andre Rau that capture the intersection of the fashion and art worlds. Jeanne was surprised when I told her about my interviews with Valerie Steele, Chief Curator of The Museum at FIT and Matthew Teitelbaum, Director/CEO of the Art Gallery of Ontario on the relationship between fashion and art. She said "I just think it is old fashioned to not see fashion as art. Of course, I'm talking about a particular kind of fashion. Fashion with a capital F, not fashion put out there for mass consumption." 

Jeanne and I agreed that fashion and art have a complex relationship. She put it this way: "There are a precious handful of designers [that would quality as artists]. I'm certainly not intimating that all of fashion  is art, not by a long shot. But I do think that there are some fashion creators who are, without question artists, in terms of the techniques that they have learned, in terms of the statements that they want to communicate or in what they are saying in their impact of their creations on humanity. I don't know what the definition of art is, if it is not that."

In closing my interview, I asked Jeanne if there was anything left on her list of things she wanted to do given her long list of accomplishments to date as television journalist, as well as author and editor. She answered "I'd like to return to the places I've been to for work that I didn't get a chance to explore on my own, but really what I look forward to doing in this next chapter is to continue doing a lot of things that I have done, but just do them better. I want to continue to make great television - but better; I want to write more books - but better." When I told her that she must have a wicked perfectionist streak because so many people look up to her and admire her that I cannot imagine her having to do anything better, she said "Sometimes I feel like I've barely scratched the surface in terms of my potential. I am turning 60 next year and that only gives me another 20-30 years to go, but who knows. Diana Vreeland didn't start editing Vogue until she was 60".  I left utterly enchanted by Jeanne and her zest for life. 

The AGO's 2nd Annual Collector's Series
AGO Art Rental + Sales Gallery
481 University Avenue
Toronto, Ontario
November 30, 2011 to December 19, 2011

For more information, see the AGO website link here.

P.S. Jeanne Beker's interview of Harold Koda as part of the Bata Shoe Museum's Founder Series Lecture was published yesterday in the Toronto Star. The link is here.

Wish: Courageous and noble warrior

This outfit was wished by Vikuuta, level 38 champion of Firefoot more than two weeks ago. It is an example of outfit which doesn't contain any quest rewards - only not bind-on-acquire items, which can be crafted or purchased at any level and equipped cosmetically via wardrobe. Basically, if you have gold or good friends (or both :)), you can wear it from level 1 (more or less - after you can access the wardrobe) until level 75 and it looks pretty good in most colours.

Vikuuta asked for following criteria to be met by his outfit:

• Armour should show the metal parts, but still show the colour of the armour
• Colour of the armour:  grey (the metal), green and, if possible, some details in gold
• A helmet that doesn't show the face of the warrior
• Some big boots
• Some giant shoulder guards
• Some big gloves, too

I sent Vikuu the first design:

...and I was really surprised by his amazing reaction, he loved the initial design very much and didn't want to change anything! But I myself wasn't still confident that this outfit is something that would really make him stand out in the crowd, as he wanted to.

I played with other cloaks and gauntlets. I didn't want to change the boots, which might not be big and badass looking, but it was my purpose. I wanted to make them "disappear" and kinda compensate for the upper part of the outfit being very broad. This way, the whole body creates a V-shape so typical for well-trained warriors.

I sent Vikuu the variations of gloves and cloaks, as well as colour switch - I tried Ered Luin blue just because of the noble feeling to it. And voila - to me, it clicked absolutely!

Vikuu liked it very much also and agreed blue one is better, because it adds to the 'warrior' feeling. However, he also mentioned beautiful symbolics he wanted to express by colour of his outfit - green being the colour of courage. So in the end, we decided to show you, readers, both variations :)

It might take Vikuuta some time until he gets all the pieces necessary with the help of his friends, so he asked me to publish his outfit with screenshots of my character. I hope we will be able to update this post with Vikuuta's own screenies soon!

Please let us know you opinions on the outfit :) Do you like green or blue version better?

Final result:
Chest: Elven Soldier's Armour, Ered Luin blue/Rivendell green dye (T5 crafted)
Legs: Elven Steel Leggings, Ered Luin blue/forest green dye (Heavy armoursmith vendor in Rivendell)
Head: Strong Westfold War Helmet, Ered Luin blue/forest green dye (T7 crafted)
Shoulders: Dwarf Leather Shoulder Guards, Ered Luin blue/forest green dye (Medium armoursmith vendor in Thorin's Hall - only the one near the throne sells it)
Hands: Resolute (or Sustaining) Gauntlets of the Galladhrim, Ered Luin blue/forest green dye (T6 crafted)
Feet: Defender's Boots, Ered Luin blue/Rivendell green dye (T3 crafted)
Back: Ceremonial Wig-feld, Ered Luin blue/forest green dye (Store)

Guest: Daerundros of Laurelin

The Spirit of Gondolin lives on in the Noldor, particularly Daerundros, who honours her mother, a member of the House of the Swallow, by donning the White Colours of Gondolin in the Wilderness. With her bow and her quiver full of the Silver Arrows of Gondolin, servants of the Enemy and any who dare to contradict this fierce Archer be wary; Her shots almost never miss.

Daerundros said about her outfit: "I wanted to create an outfit that resembles the splendour and glory of Gondolin while still retaining a slightly rusty woodland look. I was really pleased with how it turned out." Are you? Let us know in the comments!

Chest: Footman's Armour, white dye (T6 crafted)
Legs: Footman's Leggings, white dye (T6 crafted)
Head: Circlet of Adamant, default dye (Store)
Shoulders: Quilted Shoulderpads, white dye (Light armoursmith)
Hands: Gloves of the Helmingas, default dye (Isengard pre-oder)
Feet: Vibrant Skirmish Boots, default dye (T7 crafted)
Back: Elven Quiver, white dye (Outfitter vendor in Rivendell)

What to Wear to Interview Jeanne Beker

Jeanne Beker (Source: CP24 News)

Although I have an enormous stack of work on my desk, I am obsessing what I should wear to interview Jeanne Beker today. The Art Gallery of Ontario Annual Collector's Series highlights the personal art collection of notable Canadians and Jeanne Beker is the curator of this year's exhibition which opens to the public on November 30th.

Even though I've interviewed people like fashion scholar Valerie Steele, rock star curator Harold Koda, and Director/CEO of the AGO Matthew Teitelbaum, there is something about meeting Jeanne Beker that makes me nervous.  On days like today, I really wish I had an assistant.

I have prepared my questions carefully and now I'm staring into my closet..... I'm leaning towards my black Prada suit or maybe a Balenciaga jacket -- something that feels like fashion armour....

I'll be posting my interview with Jeanne Beker on Fashion is my Muse! Stay tuned.

The AGO's 2nd Annual Collector's Series
AGO Art Rental + Sales Gallery
481 University Avenue
Toronto, Ontario
November 30, 2011 to December 19, 2011

For more information, see the AGO website link here.

Creative Process Journal: The Dress

It's been one of those weeks.... I sort of feel like I've been to hell and back and so spending some time in the studio was a dose of joy. This is the dress - a post-modern pastiche of Marie Antoinette's dress from the Royal Ontario Museum. 

Post-modern Marie Antoinette Dress by Ingrid Mida 2011

Post-modern Marie Antoinette Dress Back by Ingrid Mida 2011

It's a mash up of 18th century and contemporary style with heavy doses of pink in reference to third wave feminism. I made the skirt to accommodate paniers and without them it drags at the sides somewhat, but that's all I had time for. Besides if Marie Antoinette were here today, she would probably wear jeans or a miniskirt under this get-up.

Post-modern Marie Antoinette Shoes by Ingrid Mida 2011

Instead of the pink Converse shoes, I decided to go with these patent leather pink and cream brogues with a heel by Bass. I fancy I can wear them myself - perhaps with my upcoming interview with Jeanne Beker of Fashion Television!

Project clock: +10 hours
Total to-date: 53 hours

Guest: Hydarnes of Maiar

A knight in a golden armour is who many little girls dream of. Shiromir managed to impersonate this in this astonishing outfit and described process of its creation: "When my warden reached level 75, I got the Rohirrim Shield and was fascinated by its design. So I decided to build an outfit, which has the same golden color and which was also inspired by the easterling warriors in the Lord of the Rings movies. A proud infantry soldier in glittering gold, marching with his comrades in close formation and fifhting the hordes of the enemy."

With help of his kinship, Shiromir managed to gather various Ost Dunhoth armour pieces and put together a great selection of matching items, which is quite a challenge for golden dyed armour. Now he can fearlessly march into any kind of fight, because even a Nazgûl would be mesmerized by the glitter of his battle garb.

Chest: Blade of the West Armour, gold dye (Champion level 65 Ost Dunhoth set)
Legs: Arrow of the West Leggings, gold dye (Hunter level 65 Ost Dunhoth set)
Head: Strong Westfold War Helmet, gold dye (T7 crafted)
Shoulders: Ward of the West Gauntlets, gold dye (Guardian level 65 Ost Dunhoth set)
Hands: Gloves of the Riddle Teller, gold dye (Burglar level 75 Dunland set)
Feet: Boots of Dungon, gold dye (Captain level 65 Ost Dunhoth set)
Shield: Combat Shield of Théodred (T7 crafted)

Brave cub of the East

Phloxie has never cared much about clothes. She is a warden and wardens value utility above everything else - even she as a hobbit prefers protective and flexible attire to fancy mathomy robes. Yet when she saw travelling merchant's goods in Oatbarton, she didn't hesitate for a second and bought this armour. The merchant said he bartered for the leggings and helmet in Celondim harbour (which has been frequently visited by travellers from Rhûn). Phloxie's wary guess is that he'd rather stolen it, but who cares - now, the armour will bear the blood of all who attack Phloxie's friends. She will defend them with her bear strength!

Phloxie is my baby warden, currently leveling in Evendim. Similar to Brewbelly, I've awfully neglected her in terms of outfitting. I have been searching for a nice leathery outfit, which would express the warden character as well as cuteness of a hobbit. I was lucky to get the Survivor's Jacket as nobody needed in it my raid and decided to combine this typical warden piece with more exotic clothes from Dunland.

How do you like this outfit? Please, leave your feedback in comments!

Chest: Survivor's Jacket, rust dye (Drop from Prancing Pony raid level 75; shares appearance with Spear-hurler's Armour - part of Moria warden set)
Legs: Clanweave Leggings, umber dye (Dunland quest)
Head: Helm of the Graduate, rust dye (Drop from School of Tham Mirdain level 75)
Shoulders: Hardened Steel Dunlending Pauldrons, rust dye (Dunland quest)
Hands: (August) Resilient Gauntlets of the Golden Wood, rust dye (T6 crafted)
Feet: Vibrant Westfold War Boots, umber dye (T7 crafted)
Back: Heavy Fur Dunlending Cloak, grey dye (Dunland quest)

Guest: Tomori Greybeard of Riddermark

Tomori Greybeard, a dwarven minstrel of the The Westfold Marshals (kinship on Riddermark server), has always admired the free spirit of mariners. They might be just greedy merchants with no sense of higher good for the Middle-earth, but they get to explore the rivers up to Belegaer (Great Sea) and generally enjoy a lot of adventures. Tomori decided to dress like a corsair himself. It's always good to have such a dangerously looking pirate on your side (as long as you can keep your pocketses safe)! :))

Chest: Ale Association Robe, black dye (Ale Association reputation barter - kindred)
Head: Mariner's Hat and Eyepatch, default dye (Talk Like a Pirate Day reward)
Shoulders: Dwarf Leather Shoulder Guards of Vigour, black dye (world drop)
Hands: Gloves of the Helmingas, default dye (Isengard pre-order)
Feet: Boots of the Eorlingas, default dye (Isengard pre-order)
Back: Cloak of the Ale Association, black dye (Ale Association reputation barter - kindred)
Shield: Dwalin's Shield (Quest: Vol. I, Book 7, Chapter 6: Thrór's Hammer)

New blogs about LOTRO cosmetics - volume 2

It was still hot summer when I presented new LOTRO outfitting blogs - the time has come to bring you more, as a very skilled fashionistas have joined the blogosphere recently!

Savs, a player of Evernight server, started blogging just few days ago and she already has nice bunch of very high quality outfits on her blog! If you are interested in seeing fresh new inspirative ideas for your wardrobe (and you know you are ;), visit LOTRO Savvy Cosmetics blog!

Another new joiner to our community is Nyvaine of My Precious LOTRO Outfitting. She has been posting a lot on official forums and decided to collect her new creations on the blog. So far she concentrated mostly on very efficient, yet beautiful and original winter outfits - those of you who voted "I don't have a winter outfit" in my poll should definitely go and gather some inspiration there! :)

Tip: You can find these links altogether, as well as other LOTRO related links, in right side panel of this blog.

Coming in Update 5: New Shimmering Draigoch cloaks!

Another exciting preview from Bullroarer features shimmering versions of Draigoch cloaks. Don't worry, your old precious cloaks won't become obsolete - you will be able to upgrade them!

Screenshots by Jadzi

From left to right: Shimmering Protector's Cloak, Shimmering Acrobat's Cloak, Shimmering Wizard's Cloak, Shimmering Blademaster's Cloak

Kemendin spied for you on Bullroarer before its closing and obtained following info: "The shimmering cloaks are bartered from the sigil vendor in the same area as the new armour sets - you trade in one of the regular cloaks and some sort of cloak clasp barter item which probably drops from the new raid, and receive the equivalent "shimmering" cloak in return. I believe these cloaks have slightly better stats than the regular Draigoch ones, and as far as I can tell they "technically" can be dyed, but it doesn't actually change the appearance, probably because they actually do shimmer and change colour."

I'm personally so excited to see these cloaks with the actual shimmering effect! Pity we can't see the motion on screenshots, but I can imagine it will be a really nice effect and will definitely distinguish the top raiders (or people with enough gold ;) from the crowd.

My big thanks goes to Jadzi and Kemendin for providing screenshots and information!

Update: I found a valuable forum thread with screenshot including stats of the shimmering cloaks. Enjoy!

How Georgia Became O'Keeffe: Lessons on the Art of Living

 

There are many, many books on the life and work of Georgia O'Keeffe - so many in fact that there are multiple pages of listings on Amazon.... Her visionary brilliance as an artist, her fierce independence as a woman, and her turbulent relationship with Alfred Steiglitz give her a mysterious aura that fascinates us all. It is almost a wonder that there is anything left to write about her. And yet, this did not faze Karen Karbo when she decided to put her own spin on the life of this artistic legend. 

Karen Karbo is the author of The Gospel According to Coco Chanel and How to Hepburn. She has a unique gift for biography, crafting a narrative that both delights and amuses the reader, as well as mining that person's life for nuggets of inspiration and life lessons. (Read my January 2010 interview with her here). When Karen wrote to me about her new book, I knew that I had to put down my scholarly journals and get this book, especially since Georgia O'Keeffe's flowers were a huge source of inspiration in my earliest painting attempts. Not yet available in Canada, I ordered How Georgia Became O'Keeffe: Lessons on the Art of Living on Amazon and it has been my company in the wee hours of the morning during my latest bout of insomnia. 

Although I am not yet finished the book, I've read enough to know that this is another gem. Karen has a unique voice and is both frank and funny in her analysis of the realities of Georgia's life. One passage that encapsulates Karbo's style of writing is this analysis of Georgia's defiance of conventional standards of feminine beauty:

"With her fabulous rawboned frame, straggly brows, and schoolmarm's bun, her black vestments, man's shoes, and odd assortment of hats and turbans, O'Keeffe was out there. There was no one like her, then or ever. A few months before she left her teaching post in Canyon, when someone mustered up the nerve to timidly ask her why she wore her hair that way, O'Keeffe said, "Because I like it." Freeing herself from the endless demands of looking like other women released her into a parallel, and freer, universe. After people adjusted to her curious look, they accepted it and expected nothing else." (pg 13)

This is a book to add to your Christmas wish list!

New Update 5 armour sets (SPOILER ALERT)

Yesterday you had a sneak peek at Volume III Book 5 epic questline rewards, today you can see preview of new Armies of Isengard armour sets, thanks to Jadzi!

Heavy sets (first three are purple, last three are teal):

Medium sets (first three are purple, last three are teal):

Light sets (first three are purple, last three are teal):

As you can see, sets again don't differ in appearance based on class - heavy classes share armour look and the same applies for medium and light armour wearers. There will be 6 sets for each class (3 purple which will be easier to acquire, 3 teal ones gated by the new raid) and those differ in small design details.

What do you think of these armour designs? Tell us in comments!

LOTRO Fashion on Twitter

I've been completely ignoring Twitter for a long long time. Today, with all the excitement from 100 000 views celebration, I noticed that a lot of traffic to my blog is coming from there. So I decided to make a Twitter account, to have another communication channel with you guys :)

Please let me welcome you at LOTRO Fashion Twitter profile - follow me and be the first to know about recent outfits and cosmetic news! :)

LOTRO Fashion is celebrating 100 000 views!

Dear readers,

today I was lucky to see the 100 000th view in my blog's statistics. I want to thank you all for being such amazing readers, and I want to especially thank:

• LOTRO fashionistas who contributed to 75 amazing guest submissions,
• my dear Loki for being the best critic for those more than 100 outfits I made,
• everyone who made one of almost 500 comments (feedback is very important for me and I appreciate it so much, being positive or negative),
• 20 people who trusted me so much that they asked me to create a personalized outfit for them (half of them are still in progress!),
• fellow LOTRO outfitters and bloggers Hymne, Devonna, Lydia, Miss Rossier, Xhii, Cythrith and others for being a constant source of inspiration and information,
• people such as Goldenstar and Merric and Gunky for promoting my blog

 ...and everyone who made those 8 months of blogging so enjoyable for me! Sending virtual kisses to all of you :)

Frey

Preview of Update 5 ranger cosmetics! (SPOILER ALERT)

Dreams of many have finally come true. We will get true ranger cosmetics in Update 5! They are rewards from Volume III Book 5 epic story quests and have been previewed on forums by Nyrion and Jadzi. Let me show you their screenshot and one absolutely amazing guest submission I received from Ithon Dulac of Riddlemark, who built his amazing outfit on Bullroarer!

By Nyrion:

By Jadzi:

Jadzi also provided additional info: "The ranger cosmetics come from the quests in III.5.1. It's a series of quests where you talk to Grey Company members around the Gravenwood outpost, and it rewards you a choice of pieces from two different sets: a basic ranger uniform, and a Grey Company uniform. There's six pieces: hood, gloves, boots, shoulders, suit, and cloak."

Note: These screenshots were taken in Bullroarer and everything there is still subject to change. These items should go live with Update 5 this December.

Guest: Ithon Dulac of Riddlemark

How long has it been since I had started to travel with these Rangers of the North, which a portion of my own blood has descended from? It has felt like an Age has passed since, yet the reality knows it's been a fleeting moment in history. My once near zealous pride in being a Barding has faded, at the actions of the Dunedain. I once searched to learn from their ancient lore out of curiosity, and now that knowledge has become ingrained as my own. They have honored me, by adopting me as one of their own. In return, I shall honor them by dressing in their manner and bearing their star proudly.

Ithon said about his outfit: Originally, this cosmetic before Update 5 was simply my lore-master's cosmetic he wore into battle. The rewards from Vol III, Book 5, Chapter 1 combined with reading the words there, I took as an inspiration. My old battle cosmetic seemed to blend rather well into making a custom Grey Company's uniform with a decidedly fitting lore-master look. The shoulders and the parts of the armour just under them, give the impression of the raven cloak's wings continuing on past the cloth. The Dunlending's jacket and boots dyed black replaced the Grey Company's cosmetic gear for providing a unique look while helping the impression of the wings for the back. The Grey Company's hood and gloves complete the outfit, giving the impression of the Grey Company's full cloak and wearing the Dunedain stars openly. All of this with the Weathered Raven summoned makes for a fitting Lore-master in my eyes.

...and I can do nothing but agree :)

Note: These screenshots were taken in Bullroarer and everything there is still subject to change. These items should go live with Update 5 this December.

Chest: Dunlending's Hunting Jacket, black dye (Dunland reputation barter)
Head: Fine Grey Company Hood, black dye (Quest: Volume III Book 5 Chapter 1)
Hands: Fine Grey Company Gauntlets, default dye (Quest: Volume III Book 5 Chapter 1)
Shoulders: Shoulder Guards of Determination, burgundy dye (World drop; shares appearance with Elven Soldier's Shoulder Guards - T5 crafted)
Feet: Boar-hide Boots, black dye (Dunland reputation barter)
Back: Cloak of the Raven, grey dye (Fall festival)

Guest: Ellaen of Nimrodel

This outfit was submitted by Kemendin, who put great effort into making a Rohirrim Rider outfit: "I was so excited to see the Rohirrim NPCs all decked out in their Rider finery after being disappointed by the sight of only place-holder NPCs in the beta. My Guardian, Ellaen Fremedon, hails from Rohan and has spent much of her time in Eriador, Moria, and Mirkwood ensuring that those she meets in her travels are able to readily recognize her as a Rider of Rohan - her pride and heritage are what she thrives on. Therefore, upon seeing the epicness of the various Rohirrim encampments, I challenged myself to come up with an outfit that would come close to matching those of the NPCs. It was surprisingly entertaining to stand around in the camps doing various emotes and pretending to be an NPC suddenly come to life!"

I think Kemendin did a great job and got really close to the Rohirrim NPC outfits. Isn't that rascally Eowyn, the most famous guardian in the Red Book, peeking from behing the helm? ;)

Chest:  Nightshade Jacket, Rivendell green dye (Dunland quest)

Head: (Strong) Helmet of Theodred, grey dye (T7 crafted)
Shoulders: Shoulders of the Eorlingas, default dye (Isengard pre-order)
Hands: Gloves of the Eorlingas, default dye (Isengard pre-order)
Feet: Boots of the Helmingas, default dye (Isengard pre-order)
Back: Plain Cloak, Rivendell green dye (Outfitter vendor)

Gentle disguise

It's been a long time since Brewbelly left her home in Tuckborough. That's the last time she remembers she could have some undisturbed sleep, dreaming about pleasant things only. After a long long journey towards ever darker places, trying to be courageous while her heart was trembling, she sighted the beauty of the Peaceful Glade. Immediately, it reminded her of her peaceful youth, and after a long time she took a nap under a waterfall, being surrounded only by immerse nature around her. What a lovely day!

Brewbelly, despite being one of two characters I play actively, has been probably the most neglected until now. I don't play much, so I usually do instances with my main hunter and Brewbelly just struggles to get to level cap and stays there after every major update. Today, when Fashion Maven was supposed to be around, I realized I neglected her more than my fashion dolls even in outfitting. So I finally made her an outfit expressing her personality - gentle lady hobbit, yet always up to any mischief without serious consequences :)

How do you like this outfit? Please, leave your feedback in comments!

Chest: Tattered Robe of the Dunland Sage, rose dye (Dunland quest)
Shoulders: Padded Mantle of the Dunland Soothsayer, black dye (Dunland quest)
Hands: Traveler's Road-worn Bracers, umber dye (Dunland quest)
Back: Cloak of the Galadhrim, black dye (Quest: Vol. II, Book 7, Chapter 9: The Worries of Lord Celeborn)

Paul Klee on Art

I like living (All is Vanity series) by Ingrid Mida 2011

I've been reading a lot about the theories of practice based research in the arts and came across this beautiful passage written by artist Paul Klee:

"The artist has studied this world of variety and has, we may suppose, unobtrusively found his way in it. His sense of direction has brought order into the passing stream of image and experience. This sense of direction in nature and life, this branding and spreading array, I shall compare with the root of the tree.


From the root the sap flows to the artist, flows through him, flows to his eye.


Thus he stands as the trunk of the tree.


Battered and stirred by the strength of the flow, he moulds his vision into his work.


As, in full view of the world, the crown of the tree unfolds and spreads in time and space, so with his work.


Nobody would affirm that the tree grows its crown in the image of its root. Between above and below can be no mirrored reflection. It is obvious that different functions expanding in different elements must produce vital divergences.


But it is just the artist who at times is denied those departures from nature which his art demands. He has even been charged with incompetence and deliberate distortion.


And yet, standing at his appointed place, the trunk of the tree, he does nothing other than gather and pass on what comes to him from the depths. He neither serves or rules - he transmits.


His position is humble. And the beauty at the crown is not his own. He is merely a channel.


...The creation of a work of art - the growth of the crown of the tree - must of necessity, as a result of entering into the specific dimensions of pictorial art, be accompanied by distortion of the natural form, for, therein, is nature reborn."

Source: Paul Klee in On modern art (1948) London: Faber and Faber p. 13-19 as quoted in Art Practice as Research: Inquiry in the Visual Arts by Graeme Sullivan, Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, 2005

Watch out for change of helm design in Update 5

Most of us love the design of Polished Helm of the Dunland Shieldman (available under different names as quest reward in RoI). Some of the items having this design are most likely going to be "fixed" with Update 5, according to reports from Bullroarer. 

Current look on live:

"Fixed" look on Bullroarer:

According to Linwen on the forums, there is still at least one helm having this design: The Hardened Steel Dunlending Helmet. However, some of the others, including Polished Helm of the Dunland Shieldman changed.

As most of us picked the first helm with this design available and discarded the others, I'm writing this post mainly for people who are still leveling or have alts close to the top levels. If you are interested in the original chainmail knight design above, keep Hardened Steel Dunlending Helmet in your inventory.

Note: All of this is subject to change - it's still possible the Polished helm won't be changed at all. But I wouldn't rely on it.

Update: Hoooray! Avon from Turbine let us know in this post that it's really a bug and our beloved helmet won't be changed. Three times hooray! :)