Monday 23 August 2010

She saw red...


My first thought for a creation for the MMM challenge 'seeing red' was a flamenco dancer in crimson frilled skirt, but I confess that sounded a bit too tricky. So, I took myself off down a slightly more literal translation. Red eyes have been glaring at me from movie billboards all summer, so I thought I'd pursue the gothic vampire route.

Poor Virginia. She was a Southern Belle at the peak of her beauty when one fateful night her sparkling blue eyes were turned by the deep penetrating stare of a handsome stranger. As the music billowing from the ballroom of her family's mansion carried her and her dark-haired seducer further and further from the safety of others, Virginia was lost in the magic of the moment. She felt love for the first time and gave her trust most foolishly to the one with the silken words... trust that ran away with the blood down her neck as the sharp teeth made first contact.

She roams the grounds still, looking for the one who made her who she is and seeking her revenge. She's a lost, tormented soul, but don't be fooled by her frailty and be tempted to help, for she's also... very hungry...

An experiment in the dark side. Does she look deadly but with a certain fragility? Not sure! Her eyes are too big, nose the wrong angle and her hair looks like she's wearing a wonky wig - perhaps it is, after all she's several centuries old... you should see the state of her dress around the seams...

Maybe next time I'll stick with the flamenco dancer!
Acrylic on acrylic paper. I used just three colours - crimson, titanium white & mars black.
PS - I'm having a giveaway
PPS - Found another challenge site that is just calling for Virginia to pop by.... Spooky Mondays! A mixed media site, you're welcome to post about anything from decorations to costumes, art and crafts, recipes and stories about Halloween or anything spooky in between...

38 comments:

  1. Lisa I think she is really Cool! I like her a lot. I love the hair, the reddish eyes are perfect. I envy your shading on her collarbone and chest, love love love the color of the dress, and the background is very spooky but beautiful.

    Great job!

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  2. Wow....This has to be my FAVORITE! Gorgeous gothic-y..oh so what i love!! I am spellbound by the beautiful story and her deepset beauty heart and soul..I'd hang out with Virginia anytime! I am sure we could share clothes too! LOVE HER! Super-wow! She rocks!
    Hugs Lisa..this was a highlight to my day!

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  3. Lisa,

    Your stories are absolutely intriguing. I love to read anything you write. Your gal fits the story..wonderful!

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  4. Grrrrrreat cleavage!! Glorious goth. Good work!

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  5. Stunning use of three colors; I find it difficult to do something so successful with a limited palette. And I SO agree ~~ I only WISH I could make cleavage look this great! I think her hair is awesome, too. I'd be proud to have created her, Lisa! And, oh my goodness, girl ~~ your story has me totally captivated, and wanting to turn the page to read the next chapter!

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  6. I think so. Her eyes and long black hair does it all. Great job on this one! :)

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  7. I love this - a great story and wonderfully done! A beautiful background too- feels blustery and mysterious!

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  8. Great piece. She's a wonderful muse for your story. You're making me want to paint!

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  9. oh she is super neat!!! love the piece and the story!!!

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  10. Great story and she is just perfect!

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  11. really pretty! She wears a beautiful red dress...I love that song.."Lady in Red"

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  12. This is great! I like the slightly spooky look of this piece :-)

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  13. No! I think she's just perfect... and in only 3 colours? Wow! They did look like that in the 17th & 18th Century Lisa, so you have captured her noble origins perfectly! Nice writing... and thanks for your comments!! 'o)

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  14. But she does have a touch of the flamenco about her - or perhaps she has danced the Tarantella, she is definitely smouldering beauty - she just needs to use a few more hair grips ;)

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  15. Love her goth look Lisa!! great story too!

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  16. Ooooh, she's perfect just the way she is. I love the feeling she brings--love her Lisa!

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  17. Really wonderful piece of art!
    Hanne

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  18. Oh she's great,she fits the story so well. Love her and the story.

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  19. hihi, its true she looks a little bit like a vamire lady - great

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  20. She is so mysterious!! Stunning color combo!

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  21. dramatic!! what a gorgeous piece!!

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  22. What an absolutely gorgeous piece of art!

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  23. Fantastic painting, it looks great.

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  24. She is both fragile and deadly. They eyes are just sad enough to offset the red, allowing her to be both.

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  25. Yay..Happy Spooky Monday!! so glad you entered this fabulous beauty,,everyone is gonna love her! I am so awestruck by her..she is my favorite of yours!have a spooky day!

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  26. This is so amazing! I love everything about it - her collar bone is just wonderful too. She is a true inspiration, Kristin xo

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  27. Hi Lisa Wright Stuff (I'm calling you that from now own! Heheh). Well, if there's one spooky character I love, it's a vampire. Amazing how you've created the lights and atmosphere for her. Me likey very much!

    PS: Glad you decided to do her instead of the Flamenco dancer! :))

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  28. Ohhh i love the story and the beautiful young maiden. what a gorgeous piece of art
    hugs June xxxx

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  29. Fantastic painting her eyes and her long black hair looks great, a wonderful story too.
    Anni

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  30. She is just so eerie and yet so intriguing too! What an amazing piece! I can't wait to check out Spooky Mondays too!
    Inka :)

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  31. I like the way the background seems to move around her...and I love that hair.

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  32. Great painting... very dark... but I think that's what you were going for and that's a good thing. I think you have achieved it! Beautiful. I love the crimson dress! She looks haunting! And her hair is lovely.

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  33. Great story...great art.
    She bears a slight resemblance to Amy Winehouse :-)

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  34. Wow, Lisa! Another amazing painting from you.

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Thank you for your comments - I always love to hear what you think :)

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