Photo: Mary Noble Ours

The coat, the elements, the abstract “bugs” being composed.

Elements used are the hand made enamel by Julie and Vintage 60’s Bakelite collected over time. 

What is the process of designing and creating the enamel brooches? What is special about them?

The enamel is actually glass that is fired in a kiln at approx 1355 degrees. First the design is sketched out onto a sheet of sterling silver and cut out with a jewelers saw. At this point the shape is cleaned, sanded and holes are drilled into the shape with a drill press. The enamel comes in the form of a dry powder. The colors come in hundreds of shades in opalescent, transparent and opaque and can be layered for different effects. Once the piece cools the chosen color slowly appears and et voila!!! You have a glass enameled brooch!

What inspires the brooches you have designed for Lyn Devon?

A more stylized, modern approach to motifs taken from nature. The placement of the elements inspired by Charlie Harper’s creatures and mid-century modern design.

Describe your artistic style. 

Always natural instinct. One thought inspiring the next. A spontaneous beginning that evolves organically. 
The designs always are narrative and have some sort of unexpected contrast within the piece. The dark with the beautiful. Oxidized black with diamonds, pops of unexpected color, alternative materials.

Mom and Lyn circa 1952. Me and mom circa 1982. Mom’s typical birthday cards, always handmade, always keepers. 

What do you do and why do you love it? // How would you describe your art?

I’m an artist. Mostly watercolor, mostly custom work. Watercolor suits me. I work quickly, there are happyaccidents and surprises, and lots of failures. You lose control of an expression, and suddenly the cowardly lion you were painting is a fierce lion. And if you screw up, you throw it away and do a new one. There’s no hours of labored salvage work, like with oil painting. You start again.  I try to make my stuff warm, personal and funny.

What exciting projects are you working on right now? 

After years of composing and abandoning emails to myself outlining stinker book ideas, I think I have landed on a good one. A children’s book, sort of. Haven’t started drawing yet; I’m too pleased with myself about the concept right now to face the challenges of execution. Day-to-day, I’m doing some branding for a wine label in Napa, an invitation for an imaginary party that will go in Vogue in July, and some fun weddings. Working on the fall line for my stationery company. 

What inspires you as an artist? Where do you look for inspiration? 

This quote from Nicholson Baker sums it up for me:

“It’s hard to hold it all in your head. All the different possible ways that you can enjoy life. Or not enjoy life. And all the things that are going on. The different rug patterns. The different car designs. The different radio shows that are coming and going. The new ads. The new crop of famous people…” 

This movie ‘Loves of a Blond’ — 1960’s Czech teenage love story. This clip, when he tries to pull down the window blind! 

Olya Thompson’s textiles — Tissus Tartar (they actually kind of remind me of Lyn’s great animal print this season). I love this one. I love the seriousness of the colors — they inspire me to simmer down a little on the color front.

What inspires your personal style? // Describe your personal style

I like to feel nimble, like I could run a long distance and scale a fence and not totally destroy my outfit. I try to salute my various audiences — show a little leg or boobs for men, and a little easter egg for women, like a necklace or good shoes.  I admire clothing obsessively online and subscribe to all the magazines. But basically I wear white jeans, boots and usually a white t-shirt every day.

How do you know Lyn?

We met as children once at a party on the beach at her house, our parents were friends. And now we’ve reconnected because I am designing her wedding stationery!

What are your favorite Lyn Devon pieces? What do you love about the line?

I think they’re works of art. I love how it’s all very ladylike and wearable and subtle, but there’s this sense of authority to each piece. I don’t actually talk like this, but I want to describe Lyn’s clothing as “smart” or “boss”. So for fall, I would LIVE in this coat. The color has a bit of electricity in it, a great achievement for brown. And then right now for summer, THE WHITE SUIT! I would get it a little too small so I look a little gangly, like I’ve outgrown it.  And this is from FW 2012 so I don’t know if I can still have it, but, I want this white angora sweater and skirt. It makes me want to host a party and kiss everyone hello, envelope them in my white cloud.

See more of Happy’s whimsical works here.

Springtime and the birds and the bees and nests and eggs are found atop the head of many of my beloved clients whose sense of personal style and irreverence inspires me every single day.

Kim and Sascha Greenberg in Lyn Devon dresses and stunning bird fascinators. 

Patsy Tarr in black with white egg shells.

Me at Suzanne’s hatshop on 62nd and 3rd. She’s the best in town!

Audrey and my mom, eternal muses in straw hats. What could be simpler. What could be better.

I want to wear hats. I feel at once comfortably hidden and very much in view when I want to be.