A Young Artist's Excitement: 'Butterflies' Before the Show
By Isobel Fry and Rumeana Jahangir
North West
A young artist's dream came true when her artwork graced the screens before the highly anticipated 'Wicked' sequel. Eleven-year-old Maidah from Liverpool, who won a competition for her stunning illustration, expressed her emotions as she witnessed her creation on the big screen. With a sense of wonder, she said, 'I had butterflies in my stomach.'
Maidah's artwork, a vibrant sunset scene of witches Elphaba and Glinda, captivated audiences nationwide. Her illustration was revealed by the film's stars, Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey, and the Oscar-winning Michelle Yeoh, leaving her overwhelmed with joy. The young artist's enthusiasm was palpable, as she shared, 'I felt like I had butterflies in my stomach, and everyone was cheering and clapping. It made me really happy on the inside.'
Her art teacher, Jade Miller, encouraged the entire class to participate, and the anticipation was electric. Miller recalled, 'The prompt I used was Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. You might get to meet them, you might even be in the same room as them, and they all screamed.'
Maidah's creative process involved using water-based paint, acrylic pens, and colouring pencils. She aimed to bring the magical world of Oz to life with bold colours and iconic movie elements, such as the Emerald City and hot air balloons. Her dedication and creativity shone through, as she described her inspiration: 'I wanted to bring Oz to life by adding a lot of popping and bright colours and using main elements from the movie.'
The journey to this moment was a surprise for Maidah. Her mother had to keep the news a secret, which was challenging. When Maidah discovered her win, she exclaimed, 'I thought it was a joke, but when I figured it out, I was so honoured and shocked.' Her teacher, Ms. Miller, shared her own excitement, crying tears of pride and joy, 'It's made my year. It's amazing.'
The film's director, Jon M. Chu, resonated with the audience's experience, stating, 'You can tell how much dedication and creativity has gone into this artwork.' The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) initiated the annual artwork contest to encourage critical thinking in young viewers, promoting informed choices about the media they consume.
This heartwarming story highlights the power of art and its ability to inspire and captivate audiences, leaving a lasting impression on both the artist and those who witness her creation.
