Calli’s at Victoriana

I knew already that I love Victoriana. Even if Shenlei Flasheart had not opened a Debutante store there, I would be going back to ride the train and play at the Carnivale. Now I have even more reason to be there. Callipygian Christensen is opening an art gallery there. I’ve posted about Calli before (back on Oct 7 of this year and many references in other posts). She is an extremely talented and gifted photographer who uses SL for inspiration. Her new gallery, #8 Jermyn Street, is opening right next door to Shenlei’s Debutante store, #4 Jermyn Street in Victoriana. So go shop and tour Victoriana. Whatever the season.

But if you want to be in on the “happening”, the opening for BOTH stores is Saturday, January 10th, from 4-6pm SLT. Please note – it STARTS at 4pm SLT. LOL. People complained that my starting time announcement was unclear back in Dec for the CRY fundraiser. STARTS 4pm SLT!!! I also heard (because I listen at keyholes of closed doors) that there were going to be fabulous free and almost free gifts in the vendors in Debutante. And whereas the opening itself is from 4-6 pm SLT, the vendors will remain fully stocked all weekend from 10 am SLT Saturday to 6 pm SLT Sunday.

If you look very carefully in the photo announcing the gallery opening, you can see me. 🙂 You won’t recognize me, but that is me in the dark red dress with the reddish hair on top of my head. I don’t want to discuss the hair. They told me that if I wanted to be included I had to act like a big girl and put my hair up Victorian style. Well OF COURSE I wanted to play too. And I’m glad I did because it was so much fun!!! Nothing like watching an artist at work and having a pose stand put you through your paces. LOL. I’d experienced this once before when Bailey took my picture for a beauty contest (okay – you SO don’t want to go there, alright????). But still – it’s very funny to watch yourself being manipulated into a variety of poses. (Don’t go there either.) We were not allowed to move but the chat and IMs went through the entire shoot. We even had the Mayor of Victoriana drop by to welcome us and say hello! It was really quite fun and interesting. Even if I did have to wear the “wrong” hair.

So when Calli IM’d me today and offered me a sneak peak at the new gallery and exhibit, I jumped (tp’d) at the opportunity. I LOVE getting to discuss Calli’s work with her. I learn so much about art – techniques, textures, themes. In my RL family, I am the art ignoramus. That is comparatively. I do know a little. I have been a potter in my own right. But somehow I missed out on all the education that everyone else had. So learning from Calli is both fun and stimulating. She is very kind and never makes fun of the large gaps in my knowledge. I really enjoy and appreciate most of her work. For the few that don’t necessarily appeal to me on an emotional level, I am still able to appreciate the technique and message. Calli is yet another of the incredibly generous and talented people I have encountered in SL. One of the people who make SL the stimulating, positive experience it can be.

So in this post I’m not only letting you peek through the windows into the gallery, I had permission to actually take some shots inside. That raised a little dilemma for me. I WANT to show you her pictures, especially my favorites. But I also want you to go and see them for yourself because she has many different styles. You may like something that I didn’t choose to post. So. I took a long-angled shot down the length of the 1st floor. 🙂 You can see a part of one of my favorites, “Secret Pleasure”. This is a lovely period piece but a modern sentiment as well. Not surprising, given the model. You can also see most of one of her portrait shots. There are some great landscapes at the end of the room.

On the second floor is my absolute favorite picture. I might even like it more than my Geisha (you may remember me posting about how I fell in love with the Geisha and had to have her, so she was my first art purchase for my new house). I have given you only the merest hint of this picture. You MUST go see it. (Look – for those of you who have told me you don’t like my other pictures – this is nothing like them.) This picture is called “Timeless Passion”. I used to think that I was a romantic. I know better now. I am a hard-headed realist. But “Timeless Passion” – oh my, I melted inside. I felt all warm and romantic and feminine and in love and cherished. It’s a kiss. It’s a wonderful beautiful evocative kiss. It’s in sepia tones. My words fail to do it justice. Go see it.

On the third floor there are several period pieces (including all of us in the Debutante gowns) and shots of Victoriana. I had to laugh. Calli has a picture of the roadsign. You know, *I* have a picture of the roadsign as well. But somehow – I just don’t quite understand this – hers looks interesting, artistic, attractive and mine, well, mine looks like a road sign. 🙂 So go and take a look. Certainly come to the opening on Saturday if you can. But if you can’t be there, or even if you can, be sure to come back and browse and enjoy the pictures another time. And leave time to shop at Debutante and go to the Carnivale and ride the train. Oh wow!! If you’re going – IM me and invite me to join you!!!! I love ALL those things!!!