Tuesday, December 21, 2010

do you like nutcrackers?

the nutcracker

I have never been a fan of these decorated men called nutcrackers....but after some time and seeing my Mother in Law's collection they seem to have grown on me....Each one is so different in design and colour....and they have their own personality....then I saw these huge ones on my trip to NYC a few weeks ago and it inspired this piece....
December 5th 2010 220

December 5th 2010 226

I was going to create these guys all in white so when I print them they I would be able to add some glitter for fun....but I ended up going in the traditional Christmas colours of green and red.....

Do you like these? do you collect or own any?

There is not much information on these pieces...only the two act ballet....here is a little blurb about the show from Wikipedia......
The Nutcracker  is a two-act ballet, originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov with a score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The libretto is adapted from E.T.A. Hoffmann's story "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King". It was given its premiere at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg on 18 December 1892, on a double-bill with Tchaikovsky's opera, Iolanta.
Although the original production was not a success, the twenty-minute suite that Tchaikovsky extracted from the ballet was. However, the complete Nutcracker has enjoyed enormous popularity since the mid-20th century and is now performed by countless ballet companies, primarily during the Christmas season, especially in the U.S Tchaikovsky's score has become one of his most famous compositions, in particular the pieces featured in the suite.Among other things, the score is noted for its use of the celesta, an instrument that the composer had already employed in his much lesser known symphonic ballad The Voyevoda. Although known primarily as the featured solo instrument in the "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" from Act II of The Nutcracker, it is also employed elsewhere in the same act.

12 comments:

Diane said...

Well, I have never been a nutcracker girl but I do LOVE the BIG ones. Those are soooo cool!
Hugs, Diane

Unknown said...

me too Diane!!!! but they do look neat!!! don't they!!!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hi Diana,

When we lived in Germany, these were a staple in stores, as were similar *smokers*; men with a pipe and an open hole mouth. You would put incense in the back, and the smoke would come out around the pipe.
I know many of the nutcrackers were not decorations, but decorative usable nutcrackers.
I think if one has seen them in the native culture, they are more attractive. (plus the hand made ones we saw were superb work!)
Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Diana,

They are funny little figures, but in saying that I have a few little wooden Men, hanging on the Christmas tree.
I love your traditional green and red guys.

Merry Christmas and may you have joy, love and peace.
Hugs
Carolyn

Unknown said...

Hi Caroline!!!!! Great to hear from you and I wish you and yours a wonderful Holiday Season!!!!!!!

Kristin said...

Hi Diana!!!
Thank you so much for your sweet message - these nutcrackers are wonderful - I don't collect them, but I would like to :) I love your work and am so grateful to be your friend and follower this year! HAPPY Christmas to you and your beautiful family, xoxo

Cathy Bueti said...

Your illustration is fabulous! And your photos from NYC are great!

Thanks for your sweet comments on my abstracts! So happy to hear you are loving them! :)

Happy Holidays!

Unknown said...

Hi Cathy,

Thanks for popping by and I am thrilled you like this piece and my photos!!!! New York is so amazing at Christmas......

Happy Holidays!!!!

Stephen Macquignon said...

Merry Christmas Your Nutcrackers are great

Alexandra MacVean said...

I've not been a terrible fan of nutcrackers but I do like yours AND the ones in the photos. Those are so cool! :) As always, love your art!!! Big hugs!

A - Zinnia Productions said...

Love stopping by and visiting you! Your work is very beautiful, and I love those nutcrackers! I too have had them grow on me, and I find that the more of them you have, the better! oxxo Zinnia

marianne said...

I love Tchaikovsky at Christmas. Here we see very little nutcrackers......
But to be they are so connected with Christmas.
Nice piece you made with them!
Where in NY did you find these huge ones?!

 
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