GBP
Take My Breath Away (Top Gun) - Large Limited Edition
- Ok, so you guys have hounded me to create a sequel to my 2020 piece ‘Destination Unknown’ pretty much since I released it! It has proven so popular which I absolutely love. A lot of you have asked if I would do a ‘Maverick’ inspired piece and yes, I can see the potential and cross over but for me I will always lead with the nostalgic option that conjures up the most vivid memories. I will take it on though, but for now I have focused on the original and without doubt the best of the best.
My good friend Phil is a huge ‘Top Gun’ fan and we have discussed so many pieces over the past years sat in the studio and this particular movie has come up more than most. The success of the piece is largely determined by the chosen direction and it is so hard to gauge. You can look at the demographic who have purchased the first piece but are they buying it for themselves, for another or both? ‘Top Gun’ has such a cracking mix of ‘cool stuff’ like the planes, cars and bikes but then has such a wonderful narrative and colour palette as well as an incredibly cheesy love scene!
I knew I had already created a bold piece that heavily featured the ‘cool stuff’ and one that allowed me to introduce a large number of subtle references within the scene so I wanted to move away from that this time to create a solid contrast. It would be foolish to think that people only love the film because of the planes for example. An initial thought was to create a scene that depicts being on the aircraft carrier with that stunning sunset and heavily feature the fighter jets but I felt that it would better suit a different format such as a VHS or Billboard, so watch this space on that!
So, I set about looking at ways of combining everything but differently. I then started looking at Charlies’ beachfront house and that is what got me focused. Initially It was to have it dominate but laying derelict, something that I do love to work with in my artwork. It would have allowed me to overlay so many references but it didn’t feel quite right this time. I wanted to create something absolutely beautiful rather than gritty and edgy. As soon as I set about creating the house and sitting it within its perfect spot, I knew that something really special was evolving. You know I love my use of colour and this piece has such a warm, serene quality to it that looks absolutely wonderful in print.
‘Take My Breath Away’ is a beautiful example of where less is more, where it is what you can’t see that creates the intrigue, it helps you put yourself in the moment, whichever ride you have chosen to rock up on. For me it was all about getting the house right to create the sense of wonder and romance, subtle details add interest but it had to be kept to a minimum. The background has been created to be the perfect backdrop, the shimmer of the ocean and the way the house is flanked by the curves of the palm trees and how they offer such a bold contrast in colour to the warm glow. The focus was on class but I do like to inject a random detail that shows how a scene can change just for that moment, and that was done by introducing the goose that is striding along the pavement.
I wanted to ensure that the iconic fighter jets featured but in a very subtle way, less is more and all that. The love heart created by vapour trails just adds to the overriding sentiment of this piece, get me I’m all loved up! Speaking of planes, the paper aeroplane that rests in the foreground shows the note that Charlie wrote when inviting Maverick to dinner, I love this little detail. Speaking of which, at the time of creating this piece it was announced that Hollywood icon Val Kilmer had sadly passed away. His impact within ‘Top Gun’ was massive and it was only right to make a gentle reference to his passing within the scene. Rest in Peace ‘Iceman’.
- Released: 2025
- Collection: Lost in Hollywood 2025
- Edition Size: 20 + 5AP
- Specification: Limited edition fine art print, hand signed by artist.
- Image Size: 32” x 24"
- Framed Size (Approx): 42” x 35"
- Get in touch for overseas delivery
- Please allow approximately 14 days for delivery, should you need delivery sooner please let us know.
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If you fancy something truly unique instead of the black or white frame choices, you can upgrade to a stunning hand painted frame by Mark. You can either specify your choice of style and colours or leave it to Mark to work his magic. Simply add your comments at point of ordering.
A global collector base has seen hundreds of original works sold, making him a respected and successful artist within the contemporary art world.
Mixed Media British Artist Mark Davies was born in Bedfordshire in 1978 and studied Fine Art within the region with his early works being inspired by the compositional qualities of Piero Della Francesca and Giuseppe Arcimboldo whilst finding inspiration in the surrealism of Salvador Dali. Now living in St Neots Mark works full-time as a professional artist as part of the MD Studios set up from his beautiful, converted brick barn studio within the Cambridgeshire countryside.
Mark’s signature ‘Storyteller’ and 'Lost in Hollywood' collections showcase his ability to conceive and implement his own narrative to cherished fairy tales, classic fictional stories, and iconic movies to stunning effect. Inspired by the eloquence of Hans Christian Andersen and ingenuity of the Grimm Brothers, a whole host of much-loved stories have been turned on their head with each chapter being re-written as Mark embraces the often much more sinister plot and motives of the original authors that most don’t know exists as these classics are re-told to generation after generation.
As well as creating mesmerizing imagery full of detail there has always been a subtle and genuine moral quality to the work created to make you think a little deeper. Mark’s original works have created such a wonderful interaction between artist and audience as each searches out the detail and pieces together the plot with the hope that they can get an insight into Mark’s thinking whilst being encouraged to offer their own interpretation of what they see or often don’t see within the image. This genuine engagement has played a significant part in Mark’s gallery shows and appearances being so successful and truly special events.
As the body of work has grown so has Mark’s reputation for creating art with genuine meaning, art that stands on its own and that is driven by a fascinating multi-layered narrative like no other. His skill of storytelling has expanded across other areas including stage and screen as he delivers his signature style across a broad range of subjects and genres that continue to pull on the heart strings and embrace nostalgia and the memories that we all hold so fondly. In addition to building a solid gallery presence, Mark’s success has seen his work proudly displayed and selling within iconic venues that include the London Playhouse and Fortune Theatre within the iconic West End along with the highly respected Mall Galleries in London.
2023 has been another incredible year for Mark as his career continues to evolve. Most noticeably has seen the creation of 'The Hive' - a stunning creative gallery space within his studio that now proudly displays his artwork in a striking and engaging environment that allows his collectors to get up close to a diverse range of artworks. In addition to this, Mark's presence in America has strengthened as the result of a wonderful charity event that saw him create a special original piece that sold for more than $16,000, raising much needed funds and awareness in the fight against Alzheimer's.
With an incredible work ethic and a genuine respect and appreciation for his collectors, combined with a solid platform that the MD Studios brand offers, the future continues to look exciting for Mark. A growing list of celebrity clients and commercial projects along with an established gallery presence has led to Mark being a highly collectable and hugely respected British artist.
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