Thank goodness for fulfillment services! I am down with COVID for the second time in six months, so I haven't been adding anything new to my shops. Luckily, the amazing people at Le Galeriste have been busy creating my latest collection of wearable art: the Georgia collection. 

"Georgia" is, in my opinion, my worst painting ever. It was commissioned when I was in college by one of my professors, who wanted a huge painting in the style of Georgia O'Keefe to match her sofa. Just FYI, never ask an artist to recreate another artist's work or style. Even if it isn't  direct plagiarism it's unethical and just plain rude. Nowadays I would never take a commission like this but I was a new artist back then and hungry for work, and my own style was still very much in progress. So I painted this monstrosity and hated it and never delivered it or collected my money for it. It's just too awful. The only reason I kept it is my friend Matthew helped me build the frame and prepare the canvas. He was an exchange student from Britain and was trained to create canvasses in the classical style, with rabbit skin glue for the sizing. This was an incredibly expensive canvas to make and nicer than any of my others, so I have been holding onto it for 30 years thinking I would paint over it.

I recently dug it out of storage because it's the size I need for a seascape I am planning to go in my new office. I decided to photograph it before it disappears. It's funny but certain people think this is my best work (people with tin eyes in my opinion, but to each his own I suppose). It occurred to me the abstract pattern might work for fabric, and sure enough, it turned out beautifully as clothing!

So far I have women's regular and plus size clothing, including activewear available in the Georgia print. I am still adding artwork to my Le Galeriste shop. I can only add three pieces of art at a time and then I can only get 10 pieces made with each print, so it takes about a week to add new pieces. When I am finished adding art for the time being I am going to make a Home collection. I have future plans for a men's line as well. If you see a piece you want but don't see it in the artwork you desire please contact me and I will have it produced for you.

My future business plan is to ultimately send all my offerings to fulfillment centers. That will be insurance against COVID and other illnesses, frequent travel, and will free up more space in my home. Right now inventory is absolutely everywhere. I need to weed out my less expensive things in order to get that done, since fulfillment for eBay starts at around $9 per piece and goes up from there. Instead of raising prices I want to just concentrate on my more valuable offerings. You can link to all my shops from the Home page to purchase; feel free to make me an offer!

My “Asheville” collection just arrived to my Le Galeriste shop! This collection features my “Elk Mountain” and “Blue Ridge” mixed media artworks inspired by the Asheville area and comes in regular and plus sizes. Link to my shops from Home page.

I’m so proud to announce I am now a “Galerista”! Visit my new storefront on Le Galeriste to order my artwork custom printed on clothing, accessories, and fabric. So far I just have my painting, “Beautiful City” uploaded but I’ll be adding many more. Go to www.legaleriste.com/atelier.mandaline to shop or link from the Home page. All pieces are made in Canada by well-compensated laborers.

Atelier Mandaline shops are open & on sale! Save up to 50% on eBay and Etsy. Link from the Home page to shop!

Atelier Mandaline is closed once again for our latest vacation. I’m really thankful we have the freedom to travel again and we are taking full advantage! You may place orders but shipment will be delayed until 7/20.

I just dropped a mini-collection of pretty pink mix and match styles! These are perfect for summer travel, resort life, festival season, or just to FEEL like you’re at a resort! Flattering mix and match shades and styles for day and evening. Find them in my shops on the Home page. I hope you’re enjoying summer!

New in my shops: two super rare Barbie friends! First is Lights & Lace Teresa, made in 1990 only. This marks the transition of Tracy, a white doll, to Teresa, who is generally considered as Hispanic. Shortly after 1990 the Teresa face was re-sculpted, but if you compare this doll with Tracy you will see Teresa has darker skin and brown eyes. Her distinctive makeup identifies her as the Lights & Lace Teresa.

Next is a SUPER rare doll: Nichelle from the Mattel Shani series. Shani was envisioned as a Black contemporary of Barbie and she had friends just like Barbie, who were named Nichelle and Asha. Later she also got a boyfriend named Jamal. Shani dolls had curvier bodies with straighter arms but can still wear Barbie fashions. Shani had her own fashions in hip hop and Afro-Centric styles. Later all Barbies used the Shani body. Shani and friends were made in 1990 and 1991 before they were abruptly discontinued. The Nichelle face was used later on some special Barbies, like Bob Mackie’s Jewel Essence Ruby. Nichelle is extraordinarily rare today, and this one’s hair is still in its original style! You can find both these from my shops on the Home page.

Recent events have me feeling as depressed and powerless as many women are feeling right now. I’m already hearing stories from women who were denied medical care for various reasons. One, with an ectopic rupture, was left to bleed for NINE hours and was nearly dead when her doctor was finally cleared to operate. All for an egg stuck in her fallopian tube. Ectopic “pregnancy” is misnamed ~ the definition of pregnancy is when the egg implants in the uterus ~ so in that situation the woman is not pregnant, the egg will never implant, and yet her doctor had to risk her life! I can’t just sit around and feel helpless, so I designed these “More than a Uterus” tee shirts. They are currently available for pre-order from my Etsy shop and I will have them on this website Shop page soon. I will be donating 25% of the proceeds to the ACLU. We women are more than incubators. We have hopes and dreams and families and are as deserving of medical care as any man. I hope you’ll wear your shirt with pride; it’s a great peaceful protest fashion!

My July 4th Sale is happening now on eBay and Etsy. Link to my shops from the Home page and have a great weekend!