Wednesday 18 December 2013

The Little Christmas dancers

Seasons Greetings


This is a little detail of a commission piece I have just finished in time for Christmas.

The two little girls are ballet dancers, the lady who commissioned it gave me various photographs of her childhood to come up with a fairytale image that captured those memories. She and her sister loved ballet and one of the photographs of them in their little ballet outfits gave me the inspiration. Other elements on the 'shopping list' included a family pet dog, an owl and finally happy times spent in the seaside resort of Blackpool ( famous for its Eiffel-like tower and illuminations)
Combining those elements and a few more into a collage/painting was a little tricky!!.

Initial sketch
I took a while to work out the composition, using an initial sketch to work out where to put the elements I needed to include.



work in progress, created on a substrate of reclaimed timber

The figures were completed last.
I used primary colours, Red, Blue and Yellow. I think primary colours are very reminiscent of childhood with their bright simplicity. Most children's toys are made in bold primary colours so I felt that they would work well, especially as I wanted a night-time deep blue sky filled with sparkling lights.


I gave the girls a coat of Sparkle modpoge.
 Although this isn't a Christmas picture I think it looks rather festive so have linked up to this weeks Inspiration Avenue where their theme is Christmas.
I glazed the finished wooden panel with gloss acrylic medium before I photographed it so sorry about the fuzzy image, the reflections and poor light made it very difficult to get a sharp clear image that was true to life.


little dancing toes! 


finished piece, sorry about picture quality!


               Finally I would like to wish all my followers and those stopping by a very merry Christmas.
May all your wishes come true..........




Linking up to my friends at Paint party friday as well as inspiration Avenue.
also Take a word

42 comments:

  1. Am sure your customer will be thrilled to bits with this terrific painting. Annette x

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  2. I think it's just wonderful! What a great job you did of representing the innocence of childhood, I'm sure she's going to love it so much.

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  3. Aaaah, Morag, this is both gorgeous and moving. This is a memory restored to beautiful life. Everything fits together so harmoniously. Your commissioner must be elated!
    Happy Holidays to you, too. May your Christmas be full of light and love!

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  4. Beautiful! I am sure whoever commissoned this piece will be delighted with it, you have combined all of the elements so well. Really like the Lord Of The Dance lyrics dancing around the little ballerinas - stunning work as usual x

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  5. Such a great and meaningful art piece! I love the vivid colors of it, I am sure the owner is very pleased!

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  6. Such an exquisite piece your artwork is wonderful i love all the dancing details.
    Wishing you a very Happy Holiday Season and a wonderful New Year.

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  7. How enchanting. xox

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  8. Beautiful work. Background is just amazing and magical. Have a very Merry and Happy Christmas, Morag. big hug and lots of love to you.

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  9. Love your amazing girls and her making! Thank you for showing and the joy of inspiration!
    Happy PPF
    Erika

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  10. Unique design. Love it!!

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  11. A wonderful whimsical piece!

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  12. Morag this piece is enchanting and delightful! I love it so much, the owner will be thrilled and cherish this I'm sure!
    Best of wishes to you too for this Season, peace and happy times with loved ones!
    Hugs
    Kat

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  13. Morag this is such a lovely piece and you did a fantastic job with some quite random elements bringing them all together beautifully. I'm sure they'll be delighted with it. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas. X

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  14. This is beeeeautiful. I know your customer will love it. All the details bring such life and to the painting.
    Have a very merry Christmas and the best in 2014
    Nicole/Beadwright

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  15. Your Christmas dancers painting is so beautiful.

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  16. So beautiful...it truly is enchanting as Corrine says!! Very festive too!!
    Have a magical Christmas my dear!!

    Hugs Giggles

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  17. A unique masterpiece. What a challenge to include everything requested. This is utterly brilliant ! Happy Christmas. Marion x

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  18. What an absolutely enchanting painting!! I'm sure the owner is going to be so thrilled with what you have created. Have a beautiful Christmas!

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  19. What a great piece. Your customer will love it. Happy Holidays to you.

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  20. Absolutely spectacular, one of your best!

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  21. Very cute. I love seeing your process!

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  22. It's a lovely piece that I know will make your client happy. The colors are perfect -- you capture the youth and whimsy and adventure so well. The composition is eye-catching and the piece has a lot of movement. Happy holidays to you and thanks for sharing your work.

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  23. Wow, I think your customer is really going to love this! It really has all the elements she wanted in it. You're a genius! Wishing you a wonderful Christmas too!

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  24. Really lovely;
    Happy Holidays;
    Please stop by my blog Dec 25th - Jan 5th for 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' : 6th year celebration

    much love...

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  25. Your composition is truly magical, so I'm sure the lady that commissioned it will treasure it for years to come. May your Christmas be filled with love, joy and peace, my friend!

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  26. This is a beautiful piece. I'm sure the recipients will love it! I absolutely adore the green haired dancers.

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  27. This is truly sweet and artful. The recipient must be so happy!
    Happy Holidays & Happy PPF!

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  28. Gorgeous painting - Merry Christmas

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  29. Oooooooo....this is just GORGEOUS! I love the colours and composition - everything! It's such a magical image - perfect for the time of year. I could gaze at this for hours! Thank you for such a wonderful diversion from the hecticness of pre-Christmas stuff! Best wishes for a lovely Christmas - Shroo:)x

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  30. This is so sweet...I love their dresses...the color and sparkle of them. Love the way the dog it looking at them so lovingly, like a devoted childhood dog would do. She must be so happy with it!

    Merry Christmas!!!!!

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  31. Beautiful! The little girls are filled with such grace and charm! Very well done!

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  32. This is such a beautiful piece the lady who commissioned it must be over the moon. She is a lucky lady. Hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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  33. I visited your blog for PPF but now I am seeing your beautiful Christmas greeting at the bottom of the post for TAW. Sometimes I miss things the first time around. Have a great Christmas.

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  34. Love your wood panel and a great card. Merry Christmas.

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  35. Lovely! You captured the essence of a fairy tale image. I have enjoyed and looked forward to our visits over the year. I look forward to continued connections. Happy New Year. May your holiday season continue to bring you joy.

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  36. WOW,Your Little christmas Dancers are awesome,beautiful dress had this on,wonderful colors too.
    your ohter paitings at the second post from this year its beautifully too,i loove the little lamb,very cutie.
    wish you a wonderful new year with many health and happyness.

    Lovely greetings Jeannette

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  37. Hi Morag, just stopping by to say how delightful your blog is. Thanks so much for sharing. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris
    http://chelencarter-retiredandlovingit.blogspot.ca/

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  38. Wishing you a Happy New Year, you have some lovely work - I especially like y
    our grouse. Betty

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  39. Dear Morag

    I’m not sure how to contact you except via this page but I wanted to thank you for the most beautiful present I have ever received! My sister gave me the Christmas Dancers (Lord of the Dance) painting for my 50th birthday. It is absolutely superb. It is now back home with me in Scotland and lights up the whole room (it actually sparkles!). The whole painting is enchanting & bursting with childhood memories. I can’t thank you enough! It is so beautiful & so touching – all the happiest memories from my childhood, captured in glorious colours. It’s a gift I will treasure forever.

    Thank you so much.

    With very best wishes

    Susan

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  40. Dear Morag
    I’m not sure how to contact you except via this page but I wanted to thank you for the most beautiful present I have ever received! My sister gave me the Christmas Dancers (Lord of the Dance) painting for my 50th birthday. It is absolutely superb. It is now back home with me in Scotland and lights up the whole room (it actually sparkles!). The whole painting is enchanting & bursting with childhood memories. I can’t thank you enough! It is so beautiful & so touching – all the happiest memories from my childhood, captured in glorious colours. It’s a gift I will treasure forever.
    Thank you so much.
    With very best wishes
    Susan

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    Replies
    1. Dear Susan, you are most welcome! I am so glad you like the little dancers, I really enjoyed making it and hope it gives you many years of happy memories, Happy Birthday :) x

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