FULL BLOOD MOON IN ARIES: 10.20.21 10:57 AM EST

Hello Divine Family and Happy ALMOST Halloween !!!!

It’s a FULL MOON in Aries and welcome to THE EXTRA SPECIAL HALLOWEEN THIRD EDITION of our newly re-designed bi-monthly Moonzine Newsletter where we go behind the scenes, occasionally use curse words, talk about controversial things sometimes and let you get to know us as real people.

I am super excited to INTRODUCE YOU to my AMAZINGLY TALENTED friend Laura Shrewsbury who is a designer-maker based in New Orleans. She is a multidisciplinary creative, and her work comprises painting, fiber arts, jewelry, and fashion. She is the owner and mastermind behind the indie studio Weapon of Choice New Orleans.

Prepare TO HAVE YOUR EYES KNOCKED OUT and to worship at the altar of Rock and Roll as we reveal her incredible art installation and the accompanying collection called “Catacomb Hearts.’

The installation and collection can be found at the Modern Druid in Nyack, NY. I seriously can’t believe the amount of skill, blood, sweat and tears she poured into this. Not to mention losing power from hurricane Ida. You’re just gonna love her…

The “Catacomb Hearts” Art Installation in the store Modern Druid.

Interview with Designer-Maker Laura Shrewsbury 10.20.21

STAR:
Tell me all about the inspiration for your gorgeous art installation, the Catacomb Hearts Project!

LAURA:
~Firstly, thank you for the generous compliment!

I suppose you could say I started from the outside and worked inward. Several images from the book “Heavenly Bodies: Cult Treasures & Spectacular Saints from the Catacombs” by Dr. Paul Koudounaris had filtered into my social media accounts for a few years, but since there were no footnotes, I didn’t know what they were or where they were from.

I was mesmerized by their strangeness and their stunning opulence: all those skulls and skeletons, clothed in brocade and encrusted in jewels.

Inspired by these mystery images, in February 2021 I began a micro-collection for Valentine’s Day, mixing elements that I loved: skulls, richly colored jewels, hearts, swords, and crosses. I love using symbolic shapes that are timeless, and I try to create objects that look like they belong to another century.

I knew I wanted to create something dazzling and beautiful, but also fun, tongue-in-cheek, and absolutely connected (somehow) to rock and roll. Once I identified that framework, everything sort of flowed.

I featured predominately Catholic symbols- the cross, the sacred heart- and mixed in things like pearl skulls, lace and velvet. Baroque, decadent, glamourous and a little macabre. The Catacomb Hearts Project puts the sparkle in the sepulchre!

To divorce the installation from reality, and not be offensive to anyone of the Catholic faith, I decided my Saints would be sacred relics of the Church of Rock and Roll.

I had seals created that said “In Nomine Rock and Roll” (in the name of Rock and Roll) and “Gimme Praeceps Parum Peregrinub” (which is the Latin translation of a line from my favorite song by The Stooges), and I used these seals with sealing wax on the Decree of the Church of Rock.

It was beautifully hand calligraphed by Shawn Hayden, and the decree also doubles as my artist’s statement (and if you want to get witchy, also my hypersigil), so those extra details really helped create the world that the Saints are a part of. (See Decree below!)

**CATACOMB HEARTS PROJECT:** Here’s a photo above of the Decree of the Church of Rock and Roll, sealed with real sealing wax by 3 specially created brass seals. These kinds of details helped create the alternative world of the Saints and the Catacomb Hearts Project.

TRANSLATION BELOW…

EXSURGE ROCK AND ROLL

Sola Fide, Sola Gratis, Sola Scriptula, soli Rock and Roll Gloria!

Wherein the Church of Rock and Roll decrees that the Alchemical Marriage, the union of duality, the most revered and possibly the most powerful union, the perfect conjunction, the intimate bonding of duality and signifier of the pure, deep harmony which occurs whenever the masculine and feminine elements of nature combines into One, shall be embodied this new age, this arockalypse .

Through the marriage of the self to our higher Self, the olde ways of rock ‘n’ roll will burn to cinders, and a Blazing Phoenix of Transgressive Inclusiveness shall rise from the ashes to incorporate and embrace all voices, all colors, and all pronoun preferences.

Unity and High Weirdness shall prevail.

It is with this hope that These Sacred Relics, the Catacomb Saints Fortissima, Sonic, and Axe are presented, so that the faithful may view and venerate, and that Espiritus Rock and Roll may inhabite and inspire new believers.

Rise up, O songs of rebellion, rise up and fill our hearts with passionate youth. Let the songs be bold, brash, and include all life experience. Children of the Internet, bred with zero tribalism, show the world who you really are, and do it loud.

THE SAINTS
of THE CHURCH OF ROCK AND ROLL

SAINT SONIC

SAINT FORTISSIMA

SAINT AXE

STAR:
What challenges did you face with this installation?

LAURA:
Hurricane Ida was a big one. I’ve never been through a Category Four Hurricane by myself, alone, with no car and no money before. New Orleans lost power about two hours after the outer bands of the storm began making their way inland, and it was out for seven days : that’s no air conditioning, no light after sunset, no refrigerator, no internet and no cable. Also, no music, which was surprisingly lonely and tough for a music lover like me.

However, as grim as that sounds, it was nothing compared to what people in New Orleans went through with Hurricane Katrina. The heat (about 86 degrees at 8 am, rising to about 103 degrees at 2pm) was relentless, but I had clean running water and gas to cook with, so I moved my studio out to my porch and just worked outside and tried to catch a breeze.

Unfortunately, things don’t get restored as quickly as we might like here in New Orleans due to a lack of dependable infrastructure and political corruption. Even with power restored to my neighborhood, many were without power, and a lot of people who evacuated couldn’t return in a timely manner, so I lost a LOT of time on the build of the exhibit, and my two assistants weren’t able to get back in time to help me finish.

STAR:
How does the moon affect you and inform and participate in your art/life??

LAURA:
~ I am a practical magician, so all the obvious stuff: setting intentions, casting spells depending on whether the moon is new, waxing, full or waning. I also really love the image of the crescent moon and a sword. To me, it’s symbolic of the Alchemical Marriage…the feminine aspects of the moon and the masculine warrior aspects of the sword.

STAR:
What is Weapon of Choice New Orleans and how did it begin?

LAURA:
Originally, I left NYC in 2016 with the dream of just opening an edgy and glamourous men’s and women’s clothing boutique, relaxing a bit, and just enjoying my life after years of working a grueling schedule at New York City Ballet and on Broadway as a dresser.

I had no plans whatsoever to make any clothing or jewelry myself. In my first year, 2016, I worked as a costume designer for a French Quarter entertainment company, which was essential in helping me understand the costume culture of New Orleans and the “Mardi Gras Effect.”

I came from a world where a single tutu was between $3500-$6000 and landed in a town where everyone is DIY costume crazy. Translation? The market was flooded with people who already had a costume connection, or they made it themselves with a hot glue gun and some glitter spray. I knew that to survive financially I would have to transfer my skill set to something else.

While I was trying to figure out my professional future, the summer heat was making my skin chafe and react badly to the big statement style jewelry that I love. I began looking for a way to wear dramatic necklaces that wouldn’t be so uncomfortable in the Louisiana heat. I discovered the joys of wearing embroidery and lace and began experimenting with different styles. Discomfort was my catalyst! Things have just grown organically from there.

STAR:
How does being an artist challenge and save you?

LAURA:

Firstly, let me just say thank you for this interview, and thank you for asking this question, because I think it’s an important one.

After many decades attempting to eke out a living working in NYC in theatre, film, and TV as a dresser or as a tailor, I finally was reunited with my inner artistic self, and I’ve never been happier.

My parents were immigrants, and they wanted the best for their children. They were much older folks, not savvy about modern careers, and quite terrified that I would become a starving artist. I was talked OUT of art or any sort of a career involving art from about age three, when we first discovered I could draw. I obeyed, and I’ve spent the last thirty years working in the entertainment industry, which is ironic because the performing arts isn’t exactly renown for a comfortable living.

When I turned 46, I took a hard look at my life and decided it was time for a change. I moved to New Orleans to be near friends, to relax and enjoy having nights and weekends free, and to have the time to figure out who I was. It was a very difficult adjustment, but now at the 5-year mark, I’m happy to say I have a wonderful group of professional colleagues and new friends that are supportive and encouraging. Plus, I have this incredible team of fabulous über-foxes at Modern Druid in Nyack NY, who have become like a new family to me in a very short time.

THE ARTIST - LAURA SHREWSBURY

STAR:
What makes you feel like you are thriving?

LAURA:
Having fun! Every day I get to play, experiment with different fabric, textures, jewelry, etc. That’s my design process…trying things, seeing what works and what doesn’t. It’s glorious. I can’t believe how lucky I am.

I’ve had the good fortune of meeting and working with some very cool, open-minded people who are on similar life paths. For the first time in my adult life, I feel supported, appreciated, and understood, which is priceless. I’m more aware than ever how necessary it is to pursue your truth and become the person you were always meant to be. I took a big risk leaving a stable career in NYC, a place that had been home for almost 25 years. I had to start everything all over again, but it was honestly the best thing I could’ve done for myself. It’s never too late to pursue your passions. I’m 52 and I’ve never been happier.

STAR:
What is your next big adventure?

LAURA:
I have four new jewelry and accessory collections to release. I’m making jewelry, accessories, and the occasional garment for Modern Druid, and for LightClub Curiosity Shoppe, both in NY. I have an Etsy shop and my website, so I’m staying busy and out of trouble! After that? Who knows? I’m content to wait for the next opportunity to unfurl.

Interview with “You Are Divine AF” Moonzine