9.13.2011

nutcracker, before


I'm so excited about this nutcracker! He was made by Richmond nutcracker maker, Glenn Crider, who is one of only a handful of nutcracker artists in the world who still creates his nutcrackers in the German style. 400 steps are involved in the crafting of just one of his nutcrackers! Amazing! This impatient girl admires that.

I'm going to be painting this one to be part of a fundraiser for the Southwest Virginia Ballet Company where my daughter, Olivia, dances in junior company.  The finished piece will be on display with a dozen or so others at a local art gallery and then auctioned off at The Nutcracker Ball on November 19th.

Did I mention I'm excited?! And shhh...don't tell a soul...if I think too hard about the end result and the auction I get a big ole case of the nerves too, afraid I might make a mess of such a finely crafted piece and let someone down. Oh goodness. Well, the best thing that I've found to banish nerves is just to dive on in and put something down, slap on some gesso and get rid of that blank-canvas-pretty-new-journal feeling. I know the direction I'm headed with Mr. Nutcracker, (which I'll keep secret for now so it can be a big surprise when you see it.) so I'm just going to crank up some music later tonight, or maybe a podcast, and go for it, let my intuition take over, replace the self doubt with lots of good positive words. I have lots of those taped over the art room. And anyway, it's just paint, right?

I'll be sure to post the finished which is due sometime around the end of October.

Wanna see nutcrackers other artists painted for the dance company in the past years? Click here.

 

 

10 comments:

Sonia said...

You know I can't wait to see what you come up with!

Heather said...

I know you'll do a fabulous job! I cant wait to see him all finished. And you must be so proud of your little dancer! I've got a budding dancer at my house too! She just got moved up a class....lol...well, from preschool to kindergarten, atleast ;) its so fun to watch them develop their own loves and passions, isnt it?

Sonya Chappelear said...

Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

Lisa said...

Oh I can't wait to see how he turns out! Loved your words, too. That is exactly what I had to do with a canvas this morning. Just lay down some paint before the doubts crept in.

Tiffany said...

Can't wait to see Mr. Nutcracker fully enfleshed! :) Yay you for overcoming those pesky doubts!

tricia scott said...

thank you, tiffany! those doubts can be pesky and show up at the worst of times. luckily, they really hate it when i sit down with a paintbrush and some gesso. hope you are moving swiftly through edits, my friend!

tricia scott said...

thank you, sonya.

tricia scott said...

yes, we must not listen to those doubts. can't wait to hear about your new paintings.

tricia scott said...

heather, you are so right-it is the most fun. i love that olivia has such passion for dance. i have tried to introduce other things to see if she latched on but no, it's dance all the way. and i bet your little dancer is so sweet! don't you just love those little tutus and ballet shoes. i still have all of Olivia's shoes in hopes of figuring out an art something with them. :)

Glenn Crider said...

Love it, love it, love it!
One of my best customers found this and I think it's great... Congrats! I hope you guys made lots of money with my soldiers!
Thanks!
g