Step by Step of "The Giving Tree" Belly

Hiya,

This is the expanded version of the step by step featured in the Sept. 2010 Newsletter. This brilliant design is by

Magna Goerke
Mission, BC Canada
www.catzfaces.com

Feel free to ask questions to Magna on her design here. Thanks so much Magna!

Thanks Metina!

This is a design based on the book by Shel Silverstein “The Giving Tree”. Those that know the book, love it! It’s about a tree that loves a little boy and gives everything she can to him throughout his life…kinda like a mom does

Description from Wikipedia: The Giving Tree is a tale about a relationship between a young boy and a tree in a forest. The tree always provides the boy with what he wants: branches on which to swing, shade in which to sit, apples to eat, branches with which to build a home. As the boy grows older he requires more and more of the tree. The tree loves the boy very much and gives him anything he asks for. In the ultimate act of self-sacrifice, the tree lets the boy cut her down so the boy can build a boat in which he can sail. The boy leaves the tree, now a stump. Many years later, the boy, now an old man, returns and the tree says, "I have nothing left to give you." The boy replies, "I do not need much now, just a quiet place to sit and rest." The tree then says, "Good! A tree stump is a great place to do just that! Come boy, sit down and be happy." The boy obliged and the tree was happy.

I used Inf. Silver, DFX blue, and Inf. Blue for the background. DFX light green and another green for the grass and leaves. DFX brown, Snaz Light beige, light brown and DFX black for the trunk. Snaz light beige, light brown, DFX black and white for the banners. Paradise berry red for the apples and boys’ shorts. DFX white, teal and black for the rest of the boy. I used a sponge for the bases and brushes for the rest. The falling apple is on the belly button.

I was thinking of all the mothers of little boys as I painted this. The ‘bump’ is going to be a boy and this is a photo with his big sister. They moved in while our family was away on vacation and we’re pretty happy because the girls finally have a girl in the neighbourhood to play with and I get to paint a pregnant belly whenever I feel like it Yay!!

The belly is beautiful and what a great story.

Beautiful! I also love that book! We collect all the classic & new classic literature & are a family that loves to read!

This book makes me cry... this one and "I love you forever"

Fantastic job

fantastic story!...brought tears in my eyes too...and the belly is just beautiful!! why didn't you enter it in the contest?

The story always makes me cry too! A timeless classic written back in the 60's. 'Love you forever' always gets me too!

Metina had asked if I'd submit a belly paint for the newsletter but I thought I'd missed the deadline so I entered the yin yang killer whales in the contest instead. Then I found out that she could still use one for the newsletter so I called my neighbour back over for another design. I did this one the day before I left for Bodyssey in Calgary.

I'm thinking of some other ideas to paint before my neighbour gives birth. She has about a month or so still

(ab)use her!!! I have a friend too now who is pregnant...not far enough yet...but I have a belly to practice on...

JBax wrote:This book makes me cry... this one and "I love you forever"

Fantastic job

It makes me cry also!!!

@ Magna: How long did it take you ??? I love it!!!

I'm 37 and a girl I work with bought this book and some others for a friend who was expecting while we were attending a conference in May. I told her how much I loved the book and silly as it seems, she offered to read it aloud.

37 & 30 there we sat, in downtown Boston, bawling together at the end of the story. No matter how many times you read it, the message touches you each time.

That design is outrageous what a great job!

It's emotional because as moms we can totally relate. We give everything to our kids and it makes us happy.

It took me about 2 hours to paint. Maybe a little bit more because we chatted a lot. I also painted her daughter's face. It's nice to have a new kid around that isn't blazé about facepainting yet. My own kids make me beg! I tell them kids line up for hours to have me paint them at festivals, why can't they spare 4 minutes?

Any requests for another belly? I have a couple ideas but it's fun to get inspiration from others too.

Avatar, the new Alice in Wonderland, Picaso, Scooby Doo, Power Puff Girls, Hannah Montana, Disney Princess, Super Mario Brothers, Calvin and Hobbes, Archie, Garfield, Cathy, Herbie the Love Bug.......

wow...many ideas...I asked this before...what about a separate thread or section for bellypaints?

Beautiful belly CATZ! I didn't know the story though, so nice to hear that as well

Lindo!!!!!!