ART
Today’s ART section will be short but sweet! So far we have covered line and shape of the Elements of Design. Today, we’ll talk about form. Form is very similar to shape. While shapes are 2 dimensional (length and width), form is three dimensional with length, width and depth. (visual below, thanks to Julianna Kustier)
Forms can be man-made or natural (from nature).
The challenge in art is to make objects look three-dimensional (i.e. look like they have form) on a two-dimensional surface (i.e. paper, canvas etc.). This is done through shading (i.e. highlights, shadows etc.) and perspective.
SOUL
Recently I went clothing shopping. This is an unusual happening as I disdain the whole aspect of trying clothes off and on. And then to find the clothes too tight here, baggier there, it doesn’t hang right and more. On top of that, there is the pressure to buy.
I encountered a different clothing store. It started with their Instagram stories. They did the usual things of showing cute clothes that the owner modeled and shared about. After she talked about the clothes, she asked if she could help the viewer in any way by having thoughts/prayers for them. Now, I’m not a prayer sort of girl, but I appreciate the sentiment and like the idea of extra positive thoughts out in the Universe. I even asked one day and it was about filming my latest class. The next day, she sent me a note. It was such an act of kindness and gave me a boost.
Every month, there is a new calendar put out and shared with the customers. It is downloadable. What is so special about a downloadable calendar?!?! It is a calendar that is a month full of prompts to remind oneself to take a few moments every day that is solely for you. Prompts like, eat dessert, put your feet up, pay it forward, listen to a podcast and more; there is a prompt for every single day.
They offer free, “StyleMe” sessions to all customers. You basically tell them the date you wish to visit the store and give them information about your sizing and likes. Then the day of your appointment, they pull clothes, shoes, hats etc. for your StyleMe appointment. Did I mention that it is free of charge with no obligation to buy?!?!
My appointment day arrived and I went to the store. It looked like a regular clothing store, but then I saw a sign board that said: “Always remember you are braver, stronger, smarter than you think and twice as beautiful as you’d ever imagined.” I was told my dressing room was waiting for me. Entering the dressing room I noticed it was not a regular dressing room… white walls and mirror… the room had a sense of design. It was actually pretty; there was wallpaper on the walls, it had plenty of hooks and a seating area (for Suheel, moral support and honesty gauge).
The staff was outstanding. Despite being assigned one stylist, I was helped by an entire team when my stylist went for lunch. Everyone was pleasant and everyone knew their stock. I was impressed.
Their care showed in the little things as well. On the clothes there were tags; on one side was the price and on the other side it was either “You are Beautiful,” “You are Enough,” “You are Strong” or “You are Loved.” Let me tell you, it was nice to see these words as one tries on clothes.
I share all this because this store, called Sweet Jolie, is an example to the point I wish to share. It’s all the little things in life that add up to the one big thing. I encourage you to continue to do all the wonderful little things you do (saying hi to a stranger, buying the person’s coffee behind you, shovel someone’s walk, send flowers to your neighbours etc.). Continue to be kind and being aware of the little things because they make a big difference.
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