Dollhouse: Priya's Original Painting

ABOUT THE PIECE:

In the writing of “Belonging”, Maurissa and I agreed emphatically that the artwork could make or break this episode.  It is the audience’s first glimpse of Priya in her real life, before the Dollhouse.   With so little time to learn about her, Priya had to be likable from the first instant you met her.  We all knew that Dichen Lachman could pull this off, but we were aware that if Priya’s art was shoddy or off the mark, it would make the character either unlikable or unrealistic. 

Our good friend Brooke Reidt came to mind because much of her artwork has an ethereal, feminine quality, but is grounded in a deep understanding (and study) of fine art. Its whimsy comes from a sense of freedom, not thoughtlessness.  It is believable as the work of someone scraping by with whatever supplies she can accrue, and as the work displayed and considered the crème de la crème by the art elite.  Also Brooke herself is a hitch-hiking, tattoo-bedecked risk-taker who lives everyday as though it were an art project.  Which is exactly who we wanted Priya to be.

Brooke created all of the artwork that appears on Priya’s Venice beach table and at the show in Nolan’s house.  (Dichen now owns several of her pieces, as do we).  The large piece was commissioned specifically for the episode and Brooke painted it over the span of a few days.  The only direction she was given was to avoid black on the left side of the piece (in order to create the shot where Priya rises into frame, becoming the dark figure in her own painting) and… to put a bird in it.  For more info on Brooke, go to www.brookereidt.com

 

ABOUT THE CAUSE:

During the filming of the episode Michael Voelker, who works in the art department as a set dresser, brought his son Hunter to set.  Hunter Marlowe Voelker is two years old and was recently diagnosed with ALL (acute lympoblastic leukemia).  He is an adorable, positive kid and to call him a trooper doesn’t cover it.

Anyway, we were standing around the painting a few days later, talking about what would happen to it when the show was done.  Would it fit in our living room?  And then we got on the subject of the devoted, pro-active fans of the series and how they would love to own this.  Maybe we could auction it off!  For a bunch of money!  And then use that money to build a private glow-in-the-dark jacuzzi water-slide park in our back yard!  Or we could give it to charity, I guess…

 

ABOUT THE C.H.L.A.:

Childrens Hospital Los Angeles is a nonprofit, academic, pediatric medical center.   They provide the highest quality healthcare for children who are the sickest and most seriously injured in the Southen California region.

 

For more information, go to www.chla.org

DONATE:

If you are not interested in the painting but would like to contribute, you can do that:

 

CLICK HERE TO MAKE A DONATION!

 

Please make the gift a “Tribute Donation” in HONOR of Hunter, so he forever knows how cool you all are.

Thank you for all your support, both of the show, and of kids who need some help.  Best.  Fans.  Ever.

- Jed Whedon and Maurissa Tancharoen

P.S. We don't understand eBay because we are Luddites, but the buyer is responsible for shipping. Shipping costs will vary depending on how far away from us you are.  If you are in the SoCal area, we can arrange local pickup.  Thems the facts. 

 

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On Jan-29-10 at 13:36:19 PST, seller added the following information:

P.P.S. The piece is 8 ft. by 6 ft.