Titanic~ The ship of dreams~

Are you ready to board Titanic?

~~~*Drum roll please*~~~

*These images and painting are copyrighted*

Isn't it fabulous!?

This wasn't a surprise; I knew my SIL Joyce was painting it. But still, I am blown away. She told me she was going to paint it for me long ago. We discussed how it should look, etc. I said I wanted the ship to be HUGE, and as if it were coming at me out of the canvas. I wanted a bright sky, not dreary or night time. I think she completely nailed it. I love the lighting on the funnels. The color of the water is gorgeous.

(The photo doesn't do it justice)

The red stripe at the bottom is the perfect shade.

It will hang in our stairwell upstairs. Joyce said after she finished it she raised her arms and said "I'm the king of the world!" WOOOHOO! I don't blame her, what a work of art, patience, time and love.

(Speaking of Somewhere in Time, see her sweatshirt? Joyce has been to the Grand Hotel and took pics of it for me!)

Joyce is an art teacher and has already begun to nurture the *budding artist* in Nova. It runs in the family as Kevin and Joyce's Great Grandpa painted. Nova loves to paint, perhaps he'll be next!

Just look at the detail!

There is a window in my stairway in the the back left if you're looking at the painting. The sun will stream in just enough to look like that is where the light source is coming from; hitting the ship just so~ it's perfect! You can click the picture to enlarge~
The steam and smoke, the lifeboats... the shading... wow.

Melly cat had to approve~
It will be hung higher and I want a shelf below to create a vignette.
Note: we are not finished with the staircase~ and the entire hallway decor upstairs will be inspired by the great ship's corridors and staterooms.

I played with pictures of the painting and turned it black and white. Joyce and I both gasped as it looks like an actual photo of the ship.

The Titanic has always fascinated me, so it wasn't just the movie Titanic with Kate and Leo that started my obsession. It just added fuel to the fire, BIG TIME. My dad and I have always talked about it, and there are many other movies and of course documentaries on the ship other than the Rose/Jack version.

Here are a few of my movies. I know I have more stuff I have taped somewhere. Joyce found some of these for me too!

This is a collection of books and such. I have a book from 1912, and an album with survivers telling their stories; both of which I have put in one of those "special" places that I can't remember where. I hope to find them soon.

This is the book that had the picture of the ship that I liked best, so that's what she went with.

Joyce obviously has a passion for Titanic as well. She also painted me this cool cherub~ inspired from the broken one off of the grand staircase. I love the gleaming metal look of it!

We've gone to one of the exhibits together about three years ago in St. Louis, MO, and then to the Titanic museum in Branson, MO this summer. I've been to a few other exhibits, including one in Kansas City, MO. Kevin took me to the last Titanic dinner and to see the musical when we were first dating as a surprise. I already knew then he was a keeper, but that definitely sealed the deal, lol!

Joyce and I in St. Louis~

The dome pic featured on my banner~

Are you still here? Goody! Then I must show you a few of my costumes too!

And let's not forget my Rose doll collection!

OH, the necklace I'm wearing in the first pic while holding the painting is a replica of one brought up from the actual ship. This replica is much larger than the original.

So anyhoo... back to the star of the show here! JOYCE. I cannot thank you enough. Your hard work and talent is MUCH appreciated and I shall display this materpiece with great pride. Love and hugs to you!

I also want to thank all of you special blogging friends for being here to share my prize gift today! Big hugs to you all as well!

Nikki