"Frankenstein Meets Little Women:
A Monster Mash"
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| "Frankenstein is Served", Oil on wood Oval, 18 x 24 |
Brand new art...!
Frankenstein. Little Women. Two highly beloved literary classics. And both celebrating milestone anniversaries this year, the first having been written 200 years ago by Mary Shelley, with the second written 150 years ago, by Louisa May Alcott. Whatever would happen if you squished these two seemingly very dissimilar subject themes together....?
Why, the 'Frankenstein Meets Little Women: A Monster Mash' art show of course!
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| Event conceptualized and organized by Valerie E. Weich |
The brainchild of curator and historical reenactment artist, Valerie E. Weich, the "Frankenstein Meets Little Women" art show opens this weekend (Sat, 10/20) in South Pasadena, CA, and I was so delighted and honored to have been invited to participate. Long standing literary fan and independent scholar, Valerie Weich had a vision for a multi-faceted art/literary experience, which, with much careful thought and planning upon her part, has come to fruition. She has put together such a comprehensively entertaining and educational event -- complete with artist panel discussion, a living history performance, a movie screening, an educational lecture plus special opening and closing parties, all in conjunction with a fascinating art show by a fine group of hand-selected artists -- that my only regret is not being able to make the show in person myself (really sad about that!)....:
So upon having been asked to participate, how in the world was I to tie together these two classic tomes in one painting? All while keeping within my own particular artistic approach and style...?
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| Norman Rockwell's "Freedom from Want" |
One of the predominant themes running through both novels is Family. Obviously, "Little Women" is all about Family, featuring as it does the four March sisters, and their beloved mother, Marmie. But the story of Frankenstein is about family too -- or the lack of it in The Creature's case -- and how The Creature, isolated and apart, longs for the acceptance and belonging of a family, hurtfully rejected as he is by his own creator. I tossed around a few concepts for my entry into the show until given a really juicy suggestion by Valerie herself that I felt I could truly run with -- that being the spoofing of Norman Rockwell's classically quintessential family-themed artwork, "Freedom from Want"....:
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| "Frankenstein is Served" (or, is it 'severed'...?) on a large oval plaque |
And there you have it: "Frankenstein is Served", in which we have The Creature featured and meeting all the girls of 'Little Women" (Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy March), along with Mary Shelley his literary Creator), her famed poet husband, Percy Shelley, Louisa May Alcott, Marmie..., and....me! (Because I couldn't very well parody Mr, Rockwell's famous painting and his wee cameo without including my own little selfie now could I...?).
And if you happen to be in the L.A. area this this week, consider going to see this this amazing show....! Click this link to read what the South Pasadean has to say about it.
