The phenomenon  that has become “Outlander” started with a series of seven novels written by Diana Gabaldon first published in 1991 through 2009.  If you like historical fiction with a time travel twist then this series is for you.  The first novel titled “Outlander” was inspired by an episode of Dr. Who, and her idea for the series and the characters evolved from there.   With degrees in zoology and marine biology, Diana has a very interesting background, you can read about her here.  

In 2014 a television series based on the Outlander books premiered on Starz, and has been a popular franchise ever since. The fourth season “The New World,” premiered this past November 4. My daughter and I have been huge Outlander fans from day one.  The story, time period, place, actors, costumes, music, we love it all.  The series and music soundtrack kept her company on many nights in college while working on projects or writing papers and was my background music for many life drawing sessions.   Now an actor and  graduate of SCAD, Savannah College of Art & Design,  she was recently invited back to the Savannah Film Festival that SCAD sponsors every year.  

One of the highlights this year was the season four premier “The New World.”  In conjunction with the premier was a Q & A with the cast and an exhibition of some of the costumes from the new season at the SCAD Museum of Art.  The costumes are designed by Emmy award winning costume designer, Terry Dresbach.  

As it happens, I was traveling to Charleston, South Carolina to pick up artwork from two shows I was part of this past summer and fall with WAM: Women Artists Mentors members at the Customs House Museum in Clarksville, Tennessee and The City Gallery in North Charleston.  Savannah is just a hop skip and a jump away so I made detour to see the exhibition.  

Years ago I used to do textile art and a had a little part of myself that had the desire to go into costume design, but chose a different design path.  It was a treat for me to study the show and get a little “Outlander” fix in anticipation of the new season.  

If you live in the area, the show closes on December 2, you still a little time left! 

A little tip:   To all my fellow artists out there if you ever do go the the SCAD Museum of Art, just across the street is the SCAD book store, Ex Libres.  Unlike any other college book store, it has three floors of art supplies!  As SCAD has such a diverse range of majors, there are goodies in there that you won’t find in other art stores.