Sunday 27 July 2008

The picture you've all been waiting to see......

I've been having real problems adding the image (So much for the expensive scans eh!!). The best way to see it in all it's glory is to click on the picture (It will open much bigger in another window)

All the images in here represent the family that commissioned the piece. The two trees represent the two adults - Their names are written in Thai on the tree trunks and if you look closely you will see that one of them was born in the year of the Horse and the other in the year of the Ram. They met whilst working at an airport which is why the aeroplane is central to the drawing.

I wanted the top half of the picture to represent the adults (which is why there are only two butterflies at the top) and the lower half to represent the family (Hence the reason there are four butterflies). The family lived in Hong Kong for a number of years so wanted something Chinese in the picture to reflect that - the Chinese characters on the door mean family, the one under the sun means love and the two Chinese dragons represent the Husbands love of Dragon boat racing (The heads of the dragons also reflect the heart shape in the tree branches).

They have two girls - one was born in the UK which is represented by Big Ben (She was born at 10.25) and the other was born in Hong Kong which is represented by the Bank of China building (A very famous landmark in Hong Kong). One of the girls was born in the year of the snake, the other in the year of the Rooster (If you look closely you will see that both are in there) and they both love mermaids!! Their Mum's favourite memory of them was when they all went to the beach hence the sand and flip flops.

The family's two favourite holidays of all time were to India and New York which is why the Statue of Liberty and the Taj Mahal make an appearance. One of the adults is Welsh and wanted something to reflect that....the Welsh dragon was too obvious so I used the national anthem (written in Welsh of course!!) to represent part of the building and the opening bar is the music at the top of the house.

Their dog is called Archie :-)

14 comments:

DJ Kirkby said...

You have an incredible talent. I could look at that drawing forever!

Georgina said...

Carol, that is truly amazing. I'll bet the family were thrilled with it. You have a great talent and are sensitive to boot. Well done and thanks for showing us. Debs x

Amy T said...

WOW! Carol, your work is stunning, absolutely stunning! I too, could look at that drawing forever.

I have two questions for you:
1) How did you learn the stylized patterns and designs, esp. the Asian clouds, and the floral pattern beneath the Taj?

2) What kind of pen and paper do you use?

Anonymous said...

It's wonderful - as I knew it would be!

Love Mum xx

Carol said...

DJ - That is a lovely thing to say!! Thank you very very much!!! *am grinning like a loon*

Debs - Dad said he thought it was so stunning that he didn't actually know what to say and Mum said she absolutely loved it and then got a bit teary. (I was thrilled that they liked it....I really was worried that they wouldn't!!)

Amy - Thank you so much!! I'm glad you like it :-).

To answer your questions - The floral pattern beneath the Taj was taken from part of a door panel in the actual building and the Asian clouds were drawn from memory....We've seen a lot of Chinese temples here!! I don't really know where the rest come from.....I just get images in my head and then try to put them down on paper (That makes me sound a bit bonkers doesn't it!!!). Aherm...moving swiftly on...I use 200g acid free paper and Staedtler pigment liner pens (0.03,0.1, 0.2 and 0.4)

Mum - Awwww thanks Mum :-))

C x

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

Just quickly catching up whilst at work (lunchtime).

You are so incredibly talented, that is wonderful.

Carol said...

Debs - Thank you honey!! Everyone's being so nice about it that every time I read a comment I end up blushing!!

C x

hirallysantiago@gmail.com said...

I just ran into your blog and I must say - WOW what an amazing drawing.

Carol said...

Hirally - Welcome and thank you very much :-)

C x

Anonymous said...

Carol I am up at your mums and getting updated on your artwork. So impressive but I always knew you had an amazing talent.Luv ya -UDDER MUDDER XX

Anonymous said...

How could they not love it. It is wonderful as always you surprise only yourself with your talent.
Tomato

Carol said...

Udder Mudder - I spoke to Mum on Skype and she was all excited about seeing you. I am so pleased you like the picture!!

Hopefully we'll be able to pop in and see you when we're over in September. Take care and tell Ronnie I send my love.

Tomato - Awwww T....that is such a lovely thing to say!! Thank you for not being surprised!!

C x

Lane Mathias said...

Carol that is absolutely beautiful. I've had the image open in another window and have been gazing and gazing at it. Totally gorgeous you clever and talented thing you.

Carol said...

Lane - Thanks sweetie :-). I did have fun doing it (even if I had moments when I wanted to throw it out the window!!)....the family gave me so much information about them that I felt rather inspired!!

I'm glad you like it

C x