Monday, August 3, 2009

You Have to Kiss a Lot of Frogs...

The Frog Prince
8 x 10 and 11 x 14 prints available

This picture and I have a love/hate relationship. I love it with all my heart... it hates me with a passion. I think I spent more time on this illustration than I have on any other, because everything kept going wrong and I was forced to shred picture after picture in frustration.

Even the background has been done and redone and redone again, each attempt taking me hours to finish. Let me just say, after my first attempt at the background (which is a collage of vintage text from a book of fairy tales, acrylic paint and colored pencils), Will took one look at it and said, "I think you peaked at the mermaid picture."

Not the most constructive of criticism, but I knew I had to re-do it. I didn't want my friends and fans to shake their heads and think, "Poor Marisa... she peaked at the mermaid picture," also.

So, this background is like one of those paintings by the masters where, if you hold a black light up to it, you see an entirely different picture underneath. Only instead of it being a really great and mysterious piece of hidden art, it's just really very terrible. I think this final background is sweet, though. I love the castle and the incredibly long road winding throughout the painting.

This painting is called The Frog Prince, but any fairy tale fan knows the Brother's Grimm version (the most well-known) is Iron Heinrich or The Frog King. I don't really like that version, though. The princess tosses the frog to the floor in disgust and he magically turns into a prince and poof! they are in love and get married and live happily ever after, the end.

I much prefer my princesses to kiss their slimy frogs if they want to find that prince. They need to work for it! I know I certainly did.

Enjoy!

xoxo,

8 comments:

April said...

I don't think you peaked at the mermaid (although that is my very favoritest), this one is sweet too!!

Alyssa S. said...

I think it turned out great! I thought of you Saturday night when they showed the new Disney Frog Price trailer. How cool they are turning the princess into a frog :)

Winklepots said...

I think it looks awesome! And I agree, I don't like the version where she doesn't kiss the frog. It's like she was rewarded for being mean the other way. :oP

My word verification is progil. Yes I am pro fish, but not to eat just to stare at in my aquarium. So I guess that means I'm pro life for fish?

Pretty Things said...

I personally love the castle.

It speaks to me (and it may be because Zack and I are on Book Seven of the Wizard of Oz series!)

Kelly Warren said...

you are much too hard on yourself, my friend. This look great! and I'm sure it was great even when you thought it wasn't great!

Oh Mandie said...

I absolutely love her ruffle butt dress! And the castle and the winding path are super sweet. Looks fabulous as always to me :)

Anonymous said...

Well it was definitely worth the wait!

She's gorgeous!!

Kat said...

WOW, I love your work. I am head of women's ministry at Everglades Community Church in Pembroke Pines Florida. I preach every month or so at events called K.I.S.S. -- Keep It Simple Sister, sharing practical biblical truth with women. I also combine my art with ministry [see www.photosbykat.net]. Your image of the princess kissing the frog fits with the message I am giving in December "Should I Kiss that Frog or Eat it? A Primer on Getting Unstuck for Women Only!"
If you'd like to contact me about use of the image, you can reach me on my website at www.photosbykat.net. You are so very talented. Kat

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