17 Days of Wishes Come to Life- A Sept. 08 WDW and DCL Adventure 3/27 new link posted

[SoonerGirl]

Ooooo, I can't wait to see what you came home with! (Look at me - already assuming you bought something! )

 

[CJsMom]

Can't wait to find out!

 

[LindaBabe]

Glad I got back in time for all this art talk. . . WHAT did you buy?? I don't know anything about art, but I know what I like, lol, and my taste seems to agree with you. It's just the wallet that's out of sync. Glad to see y'all survived the bad weather.

 

[troobabiee7]

Oh wow, those art prints are just amazing! The Cinderella ones were gorgeous, thanks so much for posting the link. I've actually never really known about the artists to it was great to see!

 

[momoftriplets]

Ooooo, I can't wait to see what you came home with! (Look at me - already assuming you bought something! )

I was thinking the same thing.

We know her well, don't we?

 

[disneydusted]

I'm thinking that a little something may have come home with you! I love that you had another chat with Harrison Ellenshaw, what a treat! Can't wait to hear what happens at the auction!!

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

Oh Jay what an amazing dream come true for you. You always plan so much for your family I am happy you got this speacial treat just for you. I can not wait to hear what you purchased. Again assuming you did get a little something. Sounds like a fantastic couple of days. I loved the boys birthday cakes and your towel monkey. Waiting patiently for the outcome...

 

[retiredkid]

Lucky Lady........gettting to meet an Ellenshaw. And to have personal conversations with him too!! I'll say it again......Lucky Lady..

I loved the art auctions...... I think you're gonna buy something.....
something...... purdy.......

 

[brookelizabeth]

What a magical evening! I love his artwork, that print you have is beautiful! I love the fall leaves - it's so vibrant.

I can't wait to see what you came home with! I too am assuming you did buy something....

 

[Tatania]

Jay, your fan base obviously knows you well I'm absolutely on tender hooks to read what comes next, and what you came home with - don't make us wait too long!

 

[mymainmouse]

I love the Ellenshaw painting. I am a big fan of those colors-red, orange, yellow. Probably why fall is my favorite season.

Great updates!

 

[jaycns]

Ooooo, I can't wait to see what you came home with! (Look at me - already assuming you bought something! )

Ha, ha, ha, okay, I admit it...I did find a small something I had to have.

Can't wait to find out!

I am working on my next up date now.

Glad I got back in time for all this art talk. . . WHAT did you buy?? I don't know anything about art, but I know what I like, lol, and my taste seems to agree with you. It's just the wallet that's out of sync. Glad to see y'all survived the bad weather.

My wallet is so out of sync with my eyes that it is not even funny. What I really wanted to come off of the ship with was that amazing work I had seen him painting in the lounge...however that one was priced at many many thousands of dollars. My tastes lost that battle.

Oh wow, those art prints are just amazing! The Cinderella ones were gorgeous, thanks so much for posting the link. I've actually never really known about the artists to it was great to see!

I learned a lot about the father (Peter) many years ago (almost 13 now) when I purchased the Pooh lithograph.

I was thinking the same thing.

We know her well, don't we?

Ha...I am sort of transparent, aren't I?

I'm thinking that a little something may have come home with you! I love that you had another chat with Harrison Ellenshaw, what a treat! Can't wait to hear what happens at the auction!!

Oh Jay what an amazing dream come true for you. You always plan so much for your family I am happy you got this speacial treat just for you. I can not wait to hear what you purchased. Again assuming you did get a little something. Sounds like a fantastic couple of days. I loved the boys birthday cakes and your towel monkey. Waiting patiently for the outcome...

It was a very special treat for me. I was so happy with that unexpected pixie dust! That towel monkey cracked me up...and watching all of the boys 'talk' to him made me laugh even harder.

Lucky Lady........gettting to meet an Ellenshaw. And to have personal conversations with him too!! I'll say it again......Lucky Lady..

I loved the art auctions...... I think you're gonna buy something.....
something...... purdy.......

I was very excited. I still am actually.

What a magical evening! I love his artwork, that print you have is beautiful! I love the fall leaves - it's so vibrant.

I can't wait to see what you came home with! I too am assuming you did buy something....

Jay, your fan base obviously knows you well I'm absolutely on tender hooks to read what comes next, and what you came home with - don't make us wait too long!

I came home with my family, all of my luggage and a few extra things. Okay, enough of me trying to be funny (although I am amusing myself at least. I will get to finishing up my next update.

I love the Ellenshaw painting. I am a big fan of those colors-red, orange, yellow. Probably why fall is my favorite season.

Great updates!

Autumn is my favorite season too!

 

[lazydoxy66]

The dinner sounded wonderful. I love the family pics - again!
Meeting Mr. Ellenshaw was such a treat for you. He sounds like a very nice and interesting man. The paintings are all so peaceful. I can see why you hung one in the boys' room.
I can't wait to find out how you do at the auction.

 

[jaycns]

DCL Day 6 An Amazing Day at Sea (Part 2)

The auction started and I was quickly tempted to buy way more than I had planned on. As I had enjoyed the art auction preview, I had picked my very favorite work (that came in under my spending limit...I had many other 'favorites' that were over that limit). Park West was the gallery operating the art auction on board the Disney Magic. I have nothing but great things to say about their inboard sales team (a husband and wife who were very personable, knowledgeable and didn't make you feel 'cheap' if you had a price cap). During the art auction preview, they gave you little tags to put on the items you were most interested in. This way, they would know what to include in the auction. They had so many works of art, not all of them could be shown.

I tagged two pieces. The one I eventually ended up with and the other, a very small (4X6) canvas with just a few splotches of paint on it. The reason that tiny canvas held so much interest for me was that it was a work that would be completed by Harrison Ellenshaw while you watched. He would allow you to have input about the color scheme and he had a few of those little canvases out there. Most were marked castle or river. You were even able to specify who's castle it would be (Cinderella's, Beast's, Aurora's, etc) or what sort of surroundings your river would flow through! I was totally in love with the idea of having a one of kind creation that was finished for me personally. The tiny canvas came unframed (of course) and was over double the cost of the one I did chose. However, until the very last second, I kept debating with myself which one to hold up my bidder card for.

As the auction started, Harrison Ellenshaw spoke to us. He told us stories of creating pictures commissioned by Disney, working on films, what different actors and directors were like to work with and shared stories about the close relationship that his family and the Disney family had. It was, once again, fascinating stuff.

And then the moment I had been waiting for (and dreading cause I would have to chose) came. I ended up bidding on a piece of art that really made me fall in love. No, it wasn't an original (I wish it could have been). But it was one that I couldn't stop looking at all week long. As I had passed the art gallery (it's set up in a hall near Shutters), I couldn't stop looking at it. The Disney character that I most identify with, lived there. It looked magical and mystical and beautiful AND it had really sweet little drawings along the bottom edge of some of my very favorite characters. The way I finally made my decision is by asking myself, what do I for sure want to see every day the rest of my life. Which work touches me most, which one (of the ones I could actually take home with me without resorting to cat burglary) tugged on my heartstrings. And, by looking at it that way, I was able to convince myself that it was okay to walk away with a limited edition giclee instead of an original. (This definition is borrowed from the Ellenshaw website). "French for "spray of ink," a giclée (pronounced "zhee-clay" or "gee-clay") is a precise and extremely accurate reproduction of a painting that has been printed onto canvas and is virtually indistinguishable from the original. To accomplish this, first a high-resolution digital scan is taken of the original artwork. Then that digital file of the scan is transferred to an extremely accurate large format giclée printer, which sprays tiny pixel-size droplets of different colors (numbering in the millions) onto a canvas. The color and intensity of these giclées will match exactly the original painting's colors and brushstrokes. Finally each of the finished giclée canvases has been inspected, approved, and then signed by Harrison Ellenshaw." The work was still hand signed and I was very happy to be providing it with a new home. Here is a link to see the item 'up close' that I ended up purchasing.

http://www.ellenshaw.com/dis_Beast_Castle.htm

I love this piece of art!

And that was not the only art I ended up leaving with that auction! As the auction was wrapping up, they started to draw numbers from a box. My number was one of the last ones drawn and I really had no expectation of them calling it out. So, when I did hear them call out my bidder number, I was all surprised smiles! For the auction grand prize, you had a choice of six limited edition seriolithographs. You could let them know which one you would like when you checked out of the auction. Basically, you would sign up to come back at a later time and complete the purchase of whatever you bought at auction. I liked that they did it this way so that nobody had to wait in line to spend hundreds (or thousands) of dollars. I was surprised at some of the high ticket items that did sell. Next time, I will build more 'art money' into my travel budget, this time, I hadn't allowed for any and had to pull it from elsewhere. I guess you live and you learn (to find more ways to spend money ). Here is the art that I ended up choosing. It was created by Jean-Claude Picot. I chose it for the colors and the scene. Looking it reminding me of the time dh and I spent in St. Martin earlier in the year. I have plans to hang it (after I get it framed) in a hall that I have plans on turning into my own mini art gallery. Here is a link to see it up close. The auction people told me that all of the pieces to chose from had an approximate value of between $450 and $550! So, it's one of the biggest prizes I have ever won (other than a $1000 win in a soccer raffle).
http://sales.parkwestgallery.com/co...&searchword=&artistID=0&eventID=-1&the_page=3

After my exciting wins (both paid for and free), I hurried to pick up the older boys and get them back to the room to change for dinner. Here is what I found Stitch looking like when I got to his club. The only difference between this picture and the way I saw him is that when I first came upon him, he was smiling up at the ceiling with his head tilted all the way back. He told me he was 'relaxing'. I laughed so hard. I call this picture, "Kicked back on a Crocodile".

No, it was not quite dinner time yet, but on this evening, we would be treated to a pre-dinner show. The kids would take part in "Celebrate the Journey" on stage in the Walt Disney Theatre. It is basically a graduation ceremony for them from "Disney Sea University". They show slide shows of pictures taken at the kid's clubs during the week. All of the kids are up on stage in free "Disney Sea University" t-shirts and Mickey ear graduation caps. They sing a few songs and Mickey and Minnie come to join in on the fun. Confetti fills the air over the kid's heads as Mickey congratulates them. It's a really neat thing (and the each of the kids gets to keep the free shirt/mouse ear caps).

Stitch after we picked him up. *HINT-If you have the first seating at dinner and even have any hope of taking a picture or two (or even just arriving on time) have the kids wear their dinner attire to the graduation show. Change them before the graduation prep period (they won't be able to sneak away between learning the songs and time for them to transfer with the club to the theatre because there is not enough time). Also, unless you are 'way down front' sit way in the back. If you are way up front, you will get be able to get great pictures. BUT, you will be stuck in the theatre until the kids all file out and the rest of the parents will be a race with you to line up first to retrieve them. This is the ONLY time I have ever seen check out from the kid's clubs overcrowded. But, without fail, it is every single time. Sitting in the way back enables you to sneak out before the kids get off of the stage (they ask that everyone in the audience remains sitting so they can safely move the kids as a group back to the clubs for safe check outs). If you sneak out as soon as the club ends, you make it out before that is announced. AND that means you are first in line (or very close to it) for picking up your kids!

Here is Goofy in his graduation cap (he was too hot to keep the t-shirt on any longer).

A quick peek at paradise. As we were passing a porthole on the way to pictures before dinner, I saw this and had to snap a few pictures.

While we were waiting in line to get our photos, I saw the friendly woman again who we talked with on the Sea Horse Snorkeling excursion. I am betting this woman is a DISer. She knew a LOT about Disney in general and was obviously a big Disney fan. She was also very nice and let me take a picture of her totally awesome finger nails. YES, I asked to take a picture of a strangers finger nails. BUT just look at the picture...HOW COOL ARE THEY! Tiny Tinks!!! **If those are your fingers, please say hello!**

Meeting with Goofy (LP is once again unable to stop reaching for and looking at him).

And yet more pre meal pictures.

One of our sweet boys.

To be continued...

 

[DisneyNutMary]

Jay, I love that piece you purchased! I think you've converted me to a fan of Ellenshaw. I am wow'd just looking at the website, I'd love to purchase everything.
Your LP is so darn cute, I just want to play with him to hear him laugh.

Great report, but I feel the end approaching, and that makes me sad.

Thanks for sharing your trip, I am enjoying it immensely.

 

[k_reile]

love the pics but especially the one of your boys. that is a great picture!

 

[momoftriplets]

Isn't is scary - or maybe just creepy - that I KNEW your selection would have something to do with Belle?

I agree with you on your interpretation of the second piece. I can feel the warm breezes & hear the ocean now.

Great update, Girlfriend.

 

[Philadisney]

Wow, the castle piece you purchased is just gorgeus!!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

I can't wait until I have the money to start buying art. I want to turn my study/entertainment room into a Disney room with all sorts of lovely Disney pieces. Just have to get through the next four/five years of school.

 

[LindaBabe]

Oh my gosh, that photo of the boys is adorable. Alladin's tenderness with his baby brother brings tears to my eyes.