Story Behind The Artwork
Each Every Girl Is A Princess artwork has a unique story, une raison d’être. If you are curious, choose the artwork below to find out more:
Every Girl Is A Princess 1: The Little Mermaid
“I will fight for the impossible dreams.”
The title character of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid is one of the bravest, selfless, and — possibly — the most notable princess in literature. Not only does she suffer horrible pain for her dream, but she chooses to lose her own life rather than harm the prince she loves.
Disney’s Ariel has a lot in common with Andersen’s Little Mermaid. Both of these characters have taught me perseverance — to keep fighting for what I want even when it seems that I want the impossible. In a way, by the end of the story, both characters achieve their impossible dreams.
Emma Stone
When choosing a red-haired actress to inspire the features of my Little Mermaid, I’ve considered my favourite red-haired actresses of all time. Some of the contenders were Rita Hayworth, Julianne Moore, Nicole Kidman, Lindsay Lohan,… In the end the top two were Emma Stone (who is actually naturally blond) and Amy Adams. In the end, I decided upon Emma Stone, because in her roles I find she has more of Ariel’s mischievous spirit. Also, Amy Adams already portrayed a fabulous Disney princess, Giselle, in Enchanted (2007).
Every Girl Is A Princess 2: Cinderella
“I will forgive the cruelty of others and will not allow their actions to kill the kindness within me.”
There are several Cinderella versions (the one by Brother’s Grimm is particularly gruesome), but for this project I’ve opted to stick with Perrault’s — the version with the glass slippers.
What I have always admired about Cinderella is her ability to rise above the cruelty heaped upon her by her stepmother and stepsisters. It is difficult to remain selfless and kind during systematic bullying. I hope this artwork reminds you that you may not be able to control the actions of other people, but you can learn to control your own. Cinderella has taught me to choose to be the best version of myself I can be.
Meghan Markle
With Meghan Markle marrying Prince Harry I just could not see another actress as Cinderella for this project.
1920’s
Charles Perrault (1628 – 1703) thrived during the era of Louis XIV. Most of the illustrations I’ve come across date from that era. Disney’s Cinderella appears to be set at the turn of the 19th – 20th century.
When considering my illustration I thought about the time in history I would have most loved to attend a ball. Though I love the 1970s bustle fashions, I think it would have been pure torture having to wear all that material. Therefore, I chose the 1920s fashion; still glamorous, artistic, but also loose and comfortable. Also, the Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles that inspire this project took place between 1890 and 1930.
Every Girl Is A Princess 3: Aladdin’s Princess Jasmine
“I will not have my life lived for me.”
Did you know that the original Arabian Night’s story of Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp is set in China? I did.
Choosing the setting for this illustration was a struggle. I wished to keep my illustrations close to the stories that inspired them. However, growing up Disney’s Aladdin was my favourite movie. I loved Princess Jasmine and for the longest time I wished to grow up and be just like her. Not only is she beautiful, but she is smart, athletic, brave… She is also not willing to sit around and wait for others to decide her future, or accept a faulty law just because it is the law.
Princess Jasmine inspires me to choose my own path and to think for myself.
Priyanka Chopra
I had no idea which actress I should choose for Princess Jasmine. For a while I considered Gal Gadot, but can she be anyone other than Wonder Woman?
As is usual, when I’m stymied, I turn to my wonderful Instagram Followers. Their response was impressive. They suggested actresses I’ve never even hard of — one of them being Priyanka Chopra. I’ve been meaning to watch Quantico for a while now, but have not found the time. 😊
I still do not know much about this actress, but the people have spoken and Priyanka Chopra inspired Princess Jasmine.
Every Girl Is A Princess 4: Beauty and the Beast
“I choose education over ignorance and fear. I will think for myself.”
Whenever I take an online quiz to decide which princess I’m mostly like, I always get Disney’s Belle.😊
That’s fine with me, since I always liked Disney’s Belle. She used her head and did not allow the opinions of the villagers to sway her. Instead, she chose to think for herself amidst the tremendous peer pressure. Belle helped me to stand up for myself when I was being bullied as a new immigrant, and a new kid at school. She also taught me to look beyond the surface of a pretty or an ugly face and find the person underneath.
- the myth of Hades and Persephone
- the myth of Cupid and Psyche
- and Gaston Leroux’s The Phantom of the Opera
I have read the original fairytale before Disney’s wonderful animated feature, and have already visualized the characters based on the storybook illustrations. Though Glen Keane is my favorite animator, and though Beast is his best creation, I chose to create my own design. I have always envisioned my beast with the features of a lion and sporting crown-like antlers. However, since I am Canadian, instead of giving him deer antlers, in the illustration I decided to give him the broader antlers of a moose.
In the original fairytale when Beauty’s father picked the rose, the Beast was furious, because each bloom equals one year of his life. This is why my illustration has a multitude of rose blooms.
Though I try to represent my own vision of the fairytale, I could not help but give a nod to Disney with the design of the teacup and pot.😊
Within the shadow of Beast’s head is his castle. The house is Beauty’s original home — where she lived with her father, brothers, and sisters. Unlike in the Disney movie, the fairytale Beauty was not an only child. She came from a wealthy merchant family that fell on hard times when their ships were lost at sea.
Catherine Zeta-Jones
I never questioned that Catherine Zeta-Jones would inspire my version of Belle. Ever since I first saw her in The Mask of Zorro, I though she looked like Disney’s Belle so much, that I cannot see anyone else in the role.😊
Every Girl Is A Princess 5: Megara
“I will love again.”
Disney, why is Megara not classified as a Disney Princess? She has more claim to the title than Mulan, who is a national hero and not a princess at all.
According to Greek Mythology Megara was the eldest daughter of Creon, the King of Thebes — a princess. Her life is one of tragedy. If you wish to learn more about her, look her up. I prefer the Disney version, since I love happy endings.
Disney’s Hercules’ Megara, Meg, is one of my favorite Disney heroines of all time. She is a no-nonsense, brash, sarcastic lady that, in my opinion, has the greatest arc of all Disney’s heroines.
She is also a woman, not a girl. I see Meg as someone in her late 20s or even early 30s. She is the only older woman who ends up with a younger man. Her story is one of love, loss, bravery, and redemption. She teaches us that even though we may lose our way, we can find it again. If someone breaks our heart, we will learn from our mistakes and find a new and better love. We just have to remain open to the possibilities.
I want to see more of Megara in the Disney universe.
Artwork Symbolism
Princess Megara walks between Hades/Underworld and Hercules/Olympus. Framing the image is a mosaic circle featuring the symbols of the 12 Olympian gods. At the apex are two ancient scissors cutting the golden thread of a mortal’s life. Megara will decide her own fate. Confident and regal she is leaving Hades, betrayal, and darkness behind her, while Hercules, dawn, and her future face towards her. Wearing a Grecian style Haute Couture gown, she strides towards us sporting the symbols of her royalty, including a necklace of narcissus gifted to her by Hades, a symbol of rebirth and renewal.
Gal Gadot
My Instagram Followers voted and Gal Gadot inspired Megara. I kept the character’s auburn/chestnut hair and violet eyes but tried to capture the actress’ features. Personally, I think Gal Gadot is one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen. She also has a sweetness to her face that can change to something wicked and alluring. I agree with my Followers, she would make a fantastic Meg.
This website was created by Mili Fay of Mili Fay Art using WordPress and Divi theme from Elegant Themes.