Pie Crust Promises (Mary Poppins) - Canvas Limited Edition
£1,295.00
- My concept here picks up on the Pie Crust promise line that the children use in the story and the inclusion of the carousel horses along with the negative view towards this that was mentioned in the narrative. The original story gives the impression that Mr Banks doesn’t spend too much time with or have too much time for his children whilst his mother is focused on the Suffragettes movement. This means that Mary Poppins takes on the role of their primary carer.
What I have then done is to twist things so that we introduce a gambling addiction for Mr Banks (horses) and the negative impact of this is played out within the nursery. A carousel type horse smashes into the wood floor and dominates the scene, not only does this link to the story where they become detached from the fair ride and bounce all over the bloody place but it adds drama and signifies the impact that this addiction now makes on the family. The horse is actually real yet has been retouched to look like it is not, with cracks forming. This represents how something that started out as playful and fun evolved and grew into something very real and quite dark.
The mothers dedication to the Suffragettes movement is referenced by the white sash that has a line from her song ‘cast off the shackles of yesterday’ - this was chosen as it acts as a call to action to Mr Banks to seek to stop the gambling and cast away his demons from his past. I have then chosen to show the childrens’ frustration towards the family set up by them turning on their Nanny and being vocal (through wall scribbles) that they don’t see or want Mary Poppins as part of their family, they want their parents back. Mary is shown in a good light here, offering guidance through a scrawl on the wall ‘A stitch in time saves nine’ which means if you sort out a problem immediately it may save extra work later.
Ultimately the piece takes small references from the story and manipulates them to depict the negative impact an addiction (gambling and a passion) can have on a young family where the children ultimately lose out. Both parents are aware of the issues but are simply papering over the cracks. The references are subtle and through the darkness within the piece there is ultimately hope, for change.
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- Released: 2021
- Collection: Storyteller
- Edition Size: 5 + 1AP
- Specification: Limited edition fine art print, hand signed by artist.
- Image Size: 36” x 27"
- Framed Size (Approx): 43” x 34"
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- Get in touch for overseas delivery
- Please allow approximately 14 days for delivery, should you need delivery sooner please let us know.
Commissions
When workload allows Mark embraces client commissions and has enjoyed amazing success to date. If you have been inspired by the work that you have seen and have a specific idea or simply a seed then please do get in touch.
Commission EnquiriesRelated Items
A Minute Past Midnight (Cinderella) - Limited Edition
- Captured in mid transition, Cinderellas Pumpkin coach has come to rest on the cobblestones under the glow of the Italian night sky. This piece is a concept of time, embracing the reality of how quickly things can change. Rags to riches and right back again. Fools gold?
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- Released: 2016
- Collection: Storyteller
- Edition Size: 25 + 1AP
- Specification: Limited edition fine art print, hand signed by artist.
- Image Size: 21.5” x 16.5"
- Framed Size: 29.5” x 25"
Cast Off Your Shackles (Mary Poppins) - Canvas Limited Edition
£1,295.00
- With this piece I wanted to focus on creating emotion and feeling within the scene rather than a deep concept. The horse that takes centre stage shows so much emotion and is deep in thought, majestic almost. My aim is to first see the beautiful horse in its’ surroundings and then notice the pole, painted saddle and the cracked skin to reveal signs of a darker past. Now that the horse has broken free it has cast off the shackles of yesterday and embracing the freedom that comes from that.
This is mirrored by the suggested relationship between Mary and Bert which shows a number of references to this and how they have brought what was once hidden into the open for all to see! Objects within the grass that typically shock are made to look beautiful as this is how the two love birds see what they have between each other.
What I have created is a scene based on the original narrative that is set in parkland on a beautiful English Summers’ day with the dome of St Pauls showing over the treetops. A racecourse extends across the composition with riders and horses thundering by. Light as always plays a key role here creating warmth and calm whilst the brighter areas are there to represent hope.
Butterflies flutter around the pole moving upwards, the style of these has been done in a way that relates to the flat colours of those used in the film as contrast to the background. Dandelions fill the grass to enhance the lightness and delicateness of the piece, there are tiny seed details where they are floating upwards. In the background there is Mary Poppins’ carpet bag and the white umbrella that she held within the park / fair scene with subtle hints of magical detail surrounding it. Birds are a key part of the film and I have includes two within the softened background, as well as Berts’ blue bow-tie that rests against Mary’s bag. Nestled within the grass is the signature Matryoshka doll that references my first published collection.
Key characters from the story stand within the long grass, a disgruntled turtle and some penguins, of course! I deliberately left until last as it was a case of how on earth do you introduce such characters into such a beautiful scene without it looking random and stark. So what I have done is create a connection between one of the penguins and the horse where they are fixed on each other. There is subtle dream-like lighting detail and icons that are radiating off the penguin leading upwards to the horse, it creates something really wonderful and more importantly a talking point as to what is going on and why there is such a lovely affiliation.
For me it epitomises what I am conveying through this image, beauty, intrigue, freedom, hope and subtle randomness. The two central penguins are deep in conversation, possibly gossiping about their love-struck friend!
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- Released: 2021
- Collection: Storyteller
- Edition Size: 5 + 1AP
- Specification: Limited edition fine art print, hand signed by artist.
- Image Size: 36” x 27"
- Framed Size (Approx): 43 x 34"
-
- Get in touch for overseas delivery
- Please allow approximately 14 days for delivery, should you need delivery sooner please let us know.
 - Canvas Limited Edition&media=https://markdaviesbritishartist.co.uk/cdn/shop/products/PCP-canvas-frame_600x.jpg?v=1640704871){kind=link}
Cast Off Your Shackles (Mary Poppins) - Standard Limited Edition
£415.00
- With this piece I wanted to focus on creating emotion and feeling within the scene rather than a deep concept. The horse that takes centre stage shows so much emotion and is deep in thought, majestic almost. My aim is to first see the beautiful horse in its’ surroundings and then notice the pole, painted saddle and the cracked skin to reveal signs of a darker past. Now that the horse has broken free it has cast off the shackles of yesterday and embracing the freedom that comes from that.
This is mirrored by the suggested relationship between Mary and Bert which shows a number of references to this and how they have brought what was once hidden into the open for all to see! Objects within the grass that typically shock are made to look beautiful as this is how the two love birds see what they have between each other.
What I have created is a scene based on the original narrative that is set in parkland on a beautiful English Summers’ day with the dome of St Pauls showing over the treetops. A racecourse extends across the composition with riders and horses thundering by. Light as always plays a key role here creating warmth and calm whilst the brighter areas are there to represent hope.
Butterflies flutter around the pole moving upwards, the style of these has been done in a way that relates to the flat colours of those used in the film as contrast to the background. Dandelions fill the grass to enhance the lightness and delicateness of the piece, there are tiny seed details where they are floating upwards. In the background there is Mary Poppins’ carpet bag and the white umbrella that she held within the park / fair scene with subtle hints of magical detail surrounding it. Birds are a key part of the film and I have includes two within the softened background, as well as Berts’ blue bow-tie that rests against Mary’s bag. Nestled within the grass is the signature Matryoshka doll that references my first published collection.
Key characters from the story stand within the long grass, a disgruntled turtle and some penguins, of course! I deliberately left until last as it was a case of how on earth do you introduce such characters into such a beautiful scene without it looking random and stark. So what I have done is create a connection between one of the penguins and the horse where they are fixed on each other. There is subtle dream-like lighting detail and icons that are radiating off the penguin leading upwards to the horse, it creates something really wonderful and more importantly a talking point as to what is going on and why there is such a lovely affiliation.
For me it epitomises what I am conveying through this image, beauty, intrigue, freedom, hope and subtle randomness. The two central penguins are deep in conversation, possibly gossiping about their love-struck friend!
-
- Released: 2021
- Collection: Storyteller
- Edition Size: 25 + 5AP
- Specification: Limited edition fine art print, hand signed by artist.
- Image Size: 25” x 18.5"
- Framed Size (Approx): 32” x 26"
-
- Get in touch for overseas delivery
- Please allow approximately 14 days for delivery, should you need delivery sooner please let us know.