A fairy tale

Who can't wait for the Snow White films next year? I am champing at the bit of my magic unicorn. It's been a while since I saw the Disney version at the cinema. I think it was the first film my parents took me to see. My Mum, engrossed in the captivating story, did not notice the reaction it was having on her first born until she found me cowering under the seat. You see, I was a sensitive child and did not take kindly to being presented with an over-sized evil Step-Mothers intent on murdering young maidens. I was also struck by mistaken identity. Dwarves and wolves are not entirely dissimilar in pronunciation to a four-year-old... I can still remember the nightmare of a whole pack of the canine variety scampering up ladders to climb in my bedroom window...

However, I am much more mature now and feel able to cope with a darker (eek!) version of the much-loved tale and I only tend to have nightmares after watching films about dinosaurs and zombies. Besides the Julia Roberts version looks pretty safe!

I read a fascinating newspaper article about the origins of fairy tales - Hansel & Gretal was about starvation, Little Red Riding Hood a warning to young girls about predatory men.

I think I prefer the more humourous options though - the ones by Lauren Child - when her hero falls into the story book and gets chased by Cinderella's stepmother because he ripped out the page and put back in upside down. The Queen is also most dis-pleased with the moustache he'd drawn above her pretty lips, the Prince has gone missing (cut out to make a birthday card) and Goldilocks (who really was the most obnoxious child) was put in her place by having her hair coloured in brown.

Writing for Sunday Scribblings - fairy tales, plus a quick sketch of Snow White lost in the woods to illustrate.

Far, Far Away

When I set the creative challenge at Inspiration Avenue this week, I had been completely inspired by Heston Blumenthal's fairy tale feast where he created life-sized gingerbread houses and magic pumpkins and had dragons carry trays of delicacies to his diners. Well, I think that's what happened, or maybe my imagination is getting a little too carried away!

Suffice it to say that a Fairy Tale theme seemed perfect! As usual when I set the challenge I always start off the week with great plans (normally involving hours of work) and end up rushing at the last moment. This time was no disappointment. I mean if you're talking fairy tales then you must go over the top - what would have happened to Rapunzel if she couldn't be bothered growing her hair and stuck with a bob? And just suppose if Cinderella wasn't really that bothered about going to the ball and just wanted to sit at home with her feet up instead? No, this challenge called for some effort...

And so I present my homage to Princesses, dragons and magical castles in lands far, far away.

Mixed media on canvas - collaged background papers and then I painted the Princess and the dragon on top. Acrylics, coloured pencil, tissue, wrapping paper, ribbons, fibres and the magical stone of Amror...

Available for purchase in my Etsy shop.