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Little Mermaid

Believe it or not, I am a huge fan of the film The Little Mermaid. I honestly believe it is the film that sparked the renaissance in Disney animation coming out of the 1980’s. While Beauty and the Beast may be the most purely romantic movie of the modern-day Disney classics and The Lion King movie the most powerfully dramatic, The Little Mermaid movie is clearly the most enjoyably enchanting of these films and certainly best captures the innocent nature of first love.

Watching my four daughters all grow into young women I have been privy to the emotional peaks and valleys of young love. I understand King Triton’s concern and desire to protect his youngest from a relationship facing so many obstacles. But, I also recognize the desperate love Ariel feels towards Prince Eric and the purity of her belief that their love can conquer all. Love is powerful, love is captivating and first love absolutely enchants!

The creation of The Little Mermaid, much like my Tinker Bell and Peter Pan Fly to Neverland, presented special technical and aesthetic challenges for me that were not present in most of my other Disney paintings. Thematically, this film deals with the clash between two worlds and how to best inegrate them together. So it was with my painting. I had to bring the undersea of Ariel’s childhood into peace with the land-bound life she so longed for with her beloved Prince Eric. I felt the sea life at the bottom of the composition did this allowing both parts of Ariel’s life, past and future, in all their regal and colorful glory.

I truly hope the loyal fans of the film enjoy my narrative tale of The Little Mermaid.

  • The Little Mermaid is the ninth image released in Thomas Kinkade’ Disney Dreams Collection. As Thom enjoys hiding characters from his previous paintings in this series into each new painting of this collection – and hidding Mickey Mouse silhouettes in true Disney fashion – he continued these traditions with The Little Mermaid. Can you find all eight characters and eight mouse ear silhouettes?
  • Thom captures Ariel’s life – past, present, and futue – by incorporating the undersealife and the above ground love story into the image. Prince Eric’s castle and kingdom decorate the warm beachfront and hillside, while his ship sails proudly with the setting sun behind it.
  • Ariel and her beloved Prince Eric are captured affectionately looking into each other’s eyes on the rocky seashore as their best friends Max the dog, Flounder the fish and Sebastian the crab look on in admiration. Even King Triton and Ariel’s six sisters emerge from their undersea world to also catch a glimpse of their love story unfolding.
  • The brilliant and vibrant undersea life in this painting is Thom’s first depiction of an underwater scene. In the undersea life, Thom was sure to include the story’s balance of good and evil with King Triton’s Kingdom. Atlantica, standing proudly in the background as the evil Ursula and her eels lurk about.
  • Among the brilliant parade of fish, you might find a special gift Flounder brought to Ariel for her collection of items from above the sea.
  • Capturing many telling scenes from Disney’s The Little Mermaid film into one narrative panorama was quite a challenge for Thom, but one that resulted into a very compelling and beautiful addition to this collection.
Title The Little Mermaid
Published February 2012
Collection Disney Dreams Collection IX

Image Sizes

12" x 18" / 18" x 27"
24" x 36" / 28" x 42"
40" x 60"

In Stock
12" x 18" SN Edition, AP Edition
18" x 27" SN Edition, AP Edition

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