Breadcrumbs

• Full view of all 20 sequential paintings
  

Artist Statement

A Collaborative Rediscovery of Fairy Tales

Breadcrumbs is a series of paintings that follow a somewhat random and spontaneous visual and textual narrative constructed using bits and pieces from a variety of classic fairy tales, woven together to create a twisted new story.

The Fairy Tale

A shoemaker, by no fault of his own, had become so poor that at last he had nothing left. And when he came to the sea, it was quite dark-grey, and the water heaved up from below, and it smelt putrid. In his rage, he drove his right foot so far into the ground that it sank in up to his waist.

At last the large egg broke, and a young one crept forth crying and said, “Do give me a piece of cake out of your pocket, and let me have a draught of your wine; I am so hungry and thirsty. Mother! Mother! bring me an axe, bring me an axe.”

The White Bear gave her a silver bell, and told her that when she needed anything she had but to ring this bell, and what she wanted would appear. “But for my part,” said the White Bear, “when I have eaten up my cat, and made me a muff of his skin, I must die of hunger.”

And first she lay down upon the bed of the Great, Huge Bear; but that was too high at the head for her. The White Bear hung on the pot full of water, and made up a blazing fire, and, just as the wolf was coming down, took off the cover.

The wolf pulled the bobbin, and the door opened. “I will eat the Queen with the same sauce I had with her children.” Personally, he was of the opinion that he had nothing to fear.

“Just come in and stay with me, no ill shall befall you,” replied the Queen. “You poor little creature, come into my warm room and dine with me.”

The wolf travelled all over the world in hopes of finding such a lady; but there was always something wrong. Soon the waves rose higher, heavy clouds darkened the sky, and lightning appeared in the distance.

“What is this I hear? I thought I had hidden you safely from the whole world, and in spite of it you have managed to deceive me,” shrieked the wolf. “Run away, then, you poor child. The wild beasts will soon have devoured you,” roared the Queen.

“Oh dear! I’m quarter gone!” And then, “Oh, I’m half gone!” And soon, “I’m three-quarters gone!” And at last, “I’m all gone!” and the wolf never spoke again.

PRINTS AVAILABLE

JA/BC Fine Art Prints

If you like what you see, we have prints available in a variety of sizes. JA/BC fine art prints are made using a 7-color printer and archival UltraChrome inks. They are printed on premium archival matte paper or AquaLite film and signed by the artists.