Name: Vikki North
Location: USA
Title: ‘Scarlet’
Price of Original: $795
Size: 16″x20″ Gallery Wrap Canvas
Medium: Acrylic
Artist web site:
http://www.theredchairgallery.com/
http://redchair-vikkisblog.blogspot.com/
http://artgiftsunder99dollars.blogspot.com/
From Vikki:
I couldn’t resist doing my rendition of Scarlet in her hoop skirt. I worked from a tiny jpg I found online where her features were barely visible – so a bit of ad-libbing apparent. (I think this photo was probably for a 1939 press release on the movie because of the way she‘s posed. )
I never like to talk about ‘how I paint’. I think its boring to most people but I would like to say one thing about executing this piece. When artists look at their subjects there’s always one thing that stands out – takes precedence in a composition. Obviously with Scarlet …
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12 responses so far ↓
1 Rusty // Jul 31, 2010 at 7:20 pm
You have painted her in a dress that suggests such sweet girl. You absolutely captured her true nature in her facial expression. The painting is very beautiful.
2 Gail // Jul 31, 2010 at 8:50 pm
Vikki,
This is beautiful, the detail work in the draping of the skirt! I found the comment on your blog about her hand positioning really interesting.
3 Vikki // Jul 31, 2010 at 9:35 pm
Thank you Rusty and Gail. The dress was a lot of fun to do. And thanks Gail for the comment on the arm/hand postioning and what it does to the composition. Something only a fellow artist would understand and appreciate.
4 Ray Shuell // Aug 1, 2010 at 5:15 am
A fantastic picture apart from the fact that the facial expression definitely reminds me of my ex-wife. Eve, she was not!
Beautiful work, as ever.
5 Sonya Meglaurel // Aug 1, 2010 at 7:27 am
A great work needs a strong focal point. Vikki, you nailed it in the drape of her arm down to the hand yes. When taking this all in it tells the story in one complete sweep. What she radiates past present and future is in the body of Scarlet. How difficult is that; yet how easily it rests with the hanky! Love it!
6 Vikki // Aug 1, 2010 at 10:48 am
Hi Ray,
Your ex-wife? Well she must have must have been gorgeous because Vivien Leigh was really a gorgeous woman. She was perfect to portray Scarlet.
I’ve heard people say how ‘sweet’ Scarlet looks. Actually in ‘Gone with the Wind’ Scarlet was kind of the villain of the story. You know, the character you love to hate- the trouble maker?
By 1930’s standards Scarlet was defined as a ’manipulative and aggressive’ character. She was full of energy and never happy with status quo. She didn’t follow social dictates. Instead of staying at home and birthin’ babies, she took off her hoop skirt and jumped into the trenches to help the wounded Civil War soldiers.
I just thing that’s amazing. Today- we admire women like the character Scarlet.
7 Vikki // Aug 1, 2010 at 10:54 am
Thanks Sonya-
There’s a bit of tension in that thin little arm, huh? She smiles for the camera but you can see it in ‘Vivien.’ Holding that hankies must have been the styling of the 1930′s. It could also be symbolic of the custom of women dropping their hanky for the man to pick it up. Kind of a ‘I think you’re a hottie’ message. lol Who knows?
8 Andrew Lang // Aug 1, 2010 at 12:26 pm
Just one word; WOW!
9 Vikki // Aug 1, 2010 at 12:43 pm
Thanks Andy. This was a tough theme to come up with something. As artist we always think about marketablity versus doing something that fits the themes. Some of the themes are problematic and I try to tell people- ‘its totally okay to stretch the meaning if you have to.’ I sure struggled, just gave up and did Scarlet. She fits under my ‘Misc. Art’ catagory. lol
10 cheryl // Aug 1, 2010 at 8:27 pm
Well ! I do declare Miss Vikki you’ve captured her perfectly. She really did work hard in the trenches yet retained her womanly self and for that I admire her. Such a touching portrait.
11 Sarah // Aug 10, 2010 at 1:46 pm
Vikki, beautiful! I always thought I would love to wear those big hoopy Southern dresses…for a while, anyway.
12 Vikki // Aug 10, 2010 at 2:01 pm
Tweedle de de Miss Cheryl and thank you very much.
I agree Sarah. Wouldn’t it fun to go some event in that dress! Guest back-up and make room for me and my dress! lol
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