The next two paintings are inspired from Aladdin's Genie of the Lamp and Snow White's Evil Queen. Both characters are very powerful.
Genies are traditionally considered to be very tricky, mischievous characters - who can trying to trick their protagonist into using up their wishes unwisely.
The pantomime Genie of the Lamp is no exception and is characterised by a sexy cool dude. He combines a powerful macho exterior with a loud booming voice, demanding respect and awe. Yet he surprises everyone with a cheeky humour and slap stick comedy.
The Genie character in this painting is based on a friend I haven't seen in a while, but to me he is everything the pantomime genie represents. I wonder if he will notice..?
I love the theatre special effects of dry ice fog used every time this character makes and entrance or exit on stage. Also the thick grease paint green/turquoise makeup.
The Evil Queen in the Snow White pantomime is my favourite pantomime baddie. And a brilliant reminder of not taking oneself too seriously or falling into the vanity trap. Her outrageous costume exuding power and magical ritual is both beautiful and frightening at the same time.
In the fairytale mirror spirit is a dark ghostly mysterious being with a booming voice. However, there have been lots of different approaches to the mirror scenes in the Snow White pantomime.
The mirror character is rarely serious in pantomime and can reflect the absurdity of vanity - often mocking in a slapstick way. Sometimes the reflection is another character dressed up in the same outfit, but acting out a comical sketch of trying to reflect the Evil Queen's movement and expressions.
In my painting I have portrayed the spirit of the mirror as a pantomime dame. Could it be that
The spirit of the mirror reveals the 'fairest of them all' is the most unlikely candidate in the pantomime - the dame. Who in spite of the crazy costumes and scary makeup is giving an outrageous and comical performance and is probably the most beautiful and happy inside? Or the spirit of the mirror announces that she (the dame) is by far the more beautiful than the Evil Queen. Or maybe there is a deeper meaning... the spirit of the mirror is the opposite polarity to the evil queen's persona.. Perhaps - it may simply be that the spirit of the mirror just popped out for a break and the dame 'cleaner' is standing for him and is applying her own style of advice... What do you think?
These paintings are available as originals and giclée limited edition prints as well as greeting cards. I am going to design some merchandise to go with these paintings and they will be available soon.
Σχόλια