Pic of the Week . . . Phantom of the Opera

It's all about the Phantom of the Opera this week it seems, so what better theme for this week's Pic of the Week.

Apart from the sentimental value, what is it that I like about the Phantom? Well, it's a gothic romance, isn't it? What's not to like about that? Young, naive Christine Daae, dreams of becoming an opera singer having grown up listening to her father's tales about the Angel of Music. Then when she hears the voice in her dressing room, she believes it to be this celestial being and accepts singing lessons from him. His own voice is powerful and seductive and she finds herself enslaved by it, giving herself over to him. Then as her fame begins to spark, along comes Raoul, the future Count of Changny and childhood sweetheart, to sweep her off her feet. So what's a girl to do?

As you sink into the story line, you can't help but give yourself to the Phantom. His mysteriousness, his voice, his power. It's enchanting. It makes you think Raoul-Schmaoul. But then when you sit back and think about it, this disfigured person - Erik - is a master of seduction and deceit. He's allowed Christine to believe he is her Angel of Music. He haunts the Opera house and sparks fear in everyone who works there. He demands payment and keep from the owners lest terrible things should happen to the people. He kills for what he wants. He kills for Christine. And kidnapping and demanding marriage? Is that really how to win fair maiden?

Yet, you still want him, you still lust over him. So is Erik a monster or a victim of a cruel society who forced him to hide away, a society that would never accept him and his disfigurement for who he is?

Anyway, showcasing Anne Bachelier and her wonderful oil illustrations for said book. Joining with CFM Galleries, she has produced a collection of some wonderful pieces, some of which are for sale, and are well worth heading over there for just to see. The piece below is from the Masked Ball and I think it's absolutely stunning.

Have a good weekend and enjoy...

It definitely left its mark . . .

Have you ever seen something that was so good it stayed with you, maybe even left its mark on you somehow? Well, I did, and it definitely left its mark on me - with added colour.


Ta da! My new artistic wrist addition.

I've always loved Phantom of the Opera. It's something that has been a part of me since childhood. My nan used to love it and owned the vinyl, and every Sunday my sisters and I would walk round to see her and listen to it and sing along (I dread to think what we actually sounded like...). Because of this, it's always held a little place in my heart.

So when my friend said she had tickets to see the show in London and asked if I wanted to join them I literally jumped at the chance. I'd obviously heard the soundtrack, I've watched the film with Gerard Butler, but I'd never seen it live.

Oh my God!!! It was amazing. I've been to numerous shows and nothing has touched me as much as this one. I don't know what it was, whether it was the emotional story line, the power in the songs, or even nostalgia, bringing back memories of my nan, but I loved it so much I decided I needed something to commemorate the occasion. And what better way to honor it than with a tattoo.

I'm not sure what my nan's views on tattoos were but I hope she would approve...lol (I know my dad won't 😬 )...


So have any of you felt the need to commemorate an event in such a permanent way?