Awesome Collector Plates Tell A Story
Collector Plates Tell A Story
Decorative plates are appreciated for their craftsmanship, beautiful designs, vibrant colors, and artistic details, all of which make them unique art pieces.
Not only do they have aesthetic appeal, a person may be drawn to decorative plates (aka Collector Plates) because of the memory or emotion they evoke.
In order for that to happen, the artist uses non-verbal communication tools to control the narrative or mood set by the painted image or scene.
Those tools may include such elements as character placement, facial expressions, body language or gestures, attire, bold colors, and background.
This article explains how, by utilizing those visual cues, Collector Plates Tell A Story.
Visual Cues on Collector Plates:
There is an adage that says, "a picture is worth a thousand words". That adage definitely rings true for Collector Plates.
When looking at an image or scene featured on Collector Plates, check out the use of visual cues as follows:
- Observe the relationship between characters (i.e. distance between them, size difference, location placement).
- Look at how different colors are used to create contrasts and/or to draw attention to a focal point.
- Notice how different visual elements (i.e. lines, shapes, space) interact to stimulate a feeling (i.e. harmony, movement, dominance, emphasis, rhythm).
- Pay attention to how body language and facial expressions (i.e. placement of arms/legs, eye contact, shape of the mouth, angle of the head) portray personalities, moods, and confidence.
- See how surroundings and props (i.e. clothing, accessories, location, and decorations) are interjected to reveal the identity (i.e. social status, popularity, job, IQ, ego), the time period, and the season.
Hanna-Barbera Collector Plates Tell a Story
Cartoon characters make wonderful subjects to portray on Collector Plates because their actions are always amplified and their mannerisms exaggerated.
Our first example of how Collector Plates Tell A Story, is our Hanna-Barbera Tom and Jerry plate based on the 7x Academy Award-winning 1940s cartoon "Puss Gets The Boot”.
In the Tom & Jerry cartoons, Tom does whatever he can to trap Jerry and Jerry cunningly retaliates. Although they are continually at odds, they also share moments of camaraderie.
Such a moment is captured in this artwork created by MGM Studios. If Collector Plates Tell A Story, this one is worth a thousand words.
The focus is initially directed to the large image in the center of Tom the cat whose eyebrows are raised and lips are puckered.
Those animated visual cues, combined with the fact his shoulders are shrugged up high, imply Tom is frustrated.
With the smaller image being Jerry the mouse inside Tom's fisted hand, its is clear that Jerry is what's causing Tom's frustration.
Jerry has an innocent grin with his head caulked down to the side while starring up at Tom as if to say, "You wouldn't hurt lil 'ol me".
The message communicated here is that although they irritate each other while playing cat and mouse, they've also developed a special bond so Tom wouldn't dare eat him.
DC Comics Collector Plates Tell A Story
Another great example of how Collector Plates Tell A Story is illustrated by the Superman and Lois Lane plate, designed by Marc Lumer and painted by David McBride
Featured is a strong broad-chested male with chiseled facial features, wearing a cape and a jumpsuit with the large "S" emblem on the front.
This artwork makes the statement that the male figure in the image is a superhero which everyone in the world recognizes as Superman.
Superman carries an unfrightened Lois Lane in his arms positioned high in the sky with the city below them in the background.
The image also shows how Lois trusts him with her life conveyed by the way her arms are gracefully wrapped around his neck while fondly looking into his eyes.
Her body language shows that she is infatuated with him. His placement and body language shows he cares for her above all else, making it clear they are in love.
Marilyn Monroe Collector Plates Tell A Story
Another way Collector plates Tell A Story is by highlighting a key moment associated with a character from a specific scene that is instantly recognizable.
An example of how Collector Plates Tell A Story in this way is the "Isn’t It Delicious" plate created by artist Victor Gadino which features an iconic image of the Hollywood legend, Marilyn Monroe.
This image, known as Marilyn's “flying skirt” pose, is based on a photo taken by photographer Sam Show in 1954 in New York City during a movie shoot for the film “The Seven Year Itch”.
No one else is in the image, so the focus is entirely on Marilyn which implies importance and she is wearing a white dress which suggests innocence.
However, her dress is short and she is standing over a subway grating with her legs spread slightly apart so the dress is blowing up above her knees.
Those provocative visuals cues combined with Marilyn's shoulders being exposed further conveys her naughtiness and sex appeal.
Hence, the message being communicated in this plate's artwork is that Marilyn is a prominent person who is sweet but who is also a sex symbol.
In summary, an image with various visual cues that work together to convey a thought or feeling in a split second is how Collector Plates Tell A Story.
Memorabilia
Because Collector Plates Tell A Story, they make fantastic memorabilia to hang a wall, display in a cabinet, place on a coffee table, or give as a gift.
Shop for Collector Plates by visiting our Collector Plates page to find one that speaks to you.
This concludes our article Collector Plates Tell A Story. Now that you've read Collector Plates Tell A Story, click on the following links for some related content:
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