Wednesday 10 September 2008

DANCER

NOW TRADED
This week's challenge on TMTA is to use a dance theme. When I was a child my parents believed TV was bad for children, so we never had one - with the result that I read voraciously and lived in my imagination more than most children my age.

Among my mother's books was a biography of Anna Pavlova, and I was totally riveted by the account of her considerable suffering and health problems, yet how she always put her art before anything else. Her feet used to bleed so much that she had to change her point shoes often throughout a performance!

So this ATC is a sort of shrine to Pavlova - and I deliberately chose not to show her in the iconic role of the dying swan, but used this image taken in 1902 which shows someone alive and vibrant. The crackle background is there because I was thinking about the pain she endured behind all the glitz and glamour of the theatre, and I used the German scrap frame because I see her as an icon of inspiration. The golden wings are because she rose above everything to enthrall and amaze those who saw her dance, and the crown is because she was one of, if not the greatest ballerina of all time.

And yes of course I dreamed of being a ballerina myself - I did a lot of pirouetting in front of the mirror but couldn't cope with the grinding reality of barre exercises!! Also, I wasn't really the right shape, not to mention having two left feet. But in my dreams ....

15 comments:

Chris said...

I used to dream of being a ballerina too Rosie :) Well we all have to have dreams right. I love your challenge piece it is beautiful, and I love how you use all the different mediums to tell part of the story. Bravo
hugs
Chris xx

Unknown said...

I still dream of being a ballerina one day :0) I shall need plastic surgery all over first though :0)

Great shrine - I love all the facts you include too ... fabulous art as ever X

Jaqi said...

Oh how graceful she looks , very nice indeed. A little bird tells me its your birthday? Is it today? Happy Birthday, Jaqi x

Rosemary said...

Absolutely lovely; I like that you chose her in a beautiful and, as you said, vibrant pose. Didn't know she suffered so much for her muse.

Heather Robinson said...

Rosie, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about your thinking behind this piece and how you deliberately chose a less known photo for it. It is truly lovely and your admiration for this remarkable woman shines through.

Anonymous said...

love the wings :0)fabulos,ATC Rosie!!!

Viola said...

Wonderful, Rosie! Great ATC!

Linda Vincent said...

This is very evocative for me! I was a ballerina for 7 years until the age of 12 (when the exams got too difficult) and I loved Anna Pavlova. Unfortunately today I just love pavlovas...with lots of cream.
Great ATC though Rosie!!!
Love Linda xxx

Anonymous said...

This is a great tribute to Anna Pavlova. Wonderful work!

Anonymous said...

Its gorgeous.

Anonymous said...

Rosie, I love your art work but as well, I love your creative words - a legacy of all that reading no doubt - I think you have an added talent which needs a further outlet - how about a new phase of being an author?

Beautiful.

xxxxxxxx

Deborah said...

A stunning piece of art. I enjoyed reading the back story too.
Deb

Carol Q said...

beautiful Rosie. you've managed to cram so much into this and I love the crackle background.

Cindy Jones Lantier said...

Great tribute ATC to an amazing artist herself. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and process. I'm a process junkie! This is just lovely.

~*~Patty S said...

Your tiny dancer is so Lovely, tutu sweet and beautiful!