Sunday, May 31, 2009

Ophelia and the Bird





I love this painting Ophelia by John Everett Millais.
I ashamedly first saw this painting in the teenage love story/movie named Fire with Fire (and a movie I watched numerous times as a teen with my best girlfriend). If you were a girl born in the 70's and were 16 when this gushy film came out you will understand the attraction.

Any hoo, I have since ( thankfully ) seen the painting in person and not from some old TV screen.
All I can say is It Is Amazing. I know that it is over used in adds, prints and the like.....but it is Amazing nonetheless. I am fascinated and dumb struck every time I see it.

So, when I came home from London this time (after standing in front of it drooling for a couple of hours) I wanted to take up the subject of Ophelia myself. Here is one result on a pot.
And the following sculpture/bottle is the Bird King, claiming attention again, resenting Ophelia for her beauty and seductive ways.











9 comments:

Eero said...

I love the Ophelia story and have done artwork based on it, too!
I'll have to find an image of it...

Undaunted said...

Ooh that painting is beautiful! I don't think I've ever seen it before - where have I been?!
Your representation of it is beautiful as always. You know I am in awe of your amazing talent. I love the bird king too! I'm always excited to see your new pieces :-)
(From my mobile phone)

Eero said...

Hey there Leanne,
My Ophelia artwork is on my website: www.eeroarts.com under 'galleries' and 'Photography.' I did it ages ago...but it was a really amazing project. (It's me BTW...)

Anonymous said...

I'm late reading your Gumby post. These are not Gumby-esque in the slightest! PLEASE FIRE THESE!

See you Saturday!

Beth Feeback

Anonymous said...

Bird king does command attention, but the eyes linger on Ophelia...

Jacky said...

What a wonderful interpretation of Ophelia you have done in clay, I just loooove it!

You make me want to learn to make pots!

Jacky xox

leanne pizio said...

Hey Eero,
Loved your interpretation of Ophelia. You look amazing in that photograph.

Ms. Un D,
Hey! Waving to you from NC. I need to catch up with you and see how you are.
The painting is at the Tate Britain. You and your lovely niece should go visit it together. It is worth the trip.

Hey Miz Kitty,
Can't wait to see you thins weekend. I did end up firing these guys and like the way they turned out...still a little gumby though.

Hey Grrl!
Hows it going?
Can't wait to make more Ophelia eyes...

Thanks Jacky!
Come on over to NC any day and I would love to teach you to make pots!

rivergardenstudio said...

Your carving of Ophelia is wonderful... Your art is flourishing, and I love the delphiniums... Roxanne

lynne h said...

oh. my. goodness... this pot, leanne!!!!!!!!! all of my bird love is just pouring out here... xo