“Enchanted,” Inspired by Taylor Swift – Mandie Manzano, artist

Inspired by Taylor Swift.

Do you believe in Fairytales?

The back story behind “Enchanted,” inspired by Taylor Swift, created by artist Mandie Manzano. We’re hoping for another fairy tale ending with a sig that can help turn this work of art into affordable homes for deserving families.

Mandie says as she created this piece, she reflected on the strength of our post-Katrina community to “Shake It Off” and do whatever it took to rebuild our beautiful bayou state.

The event auction will be held on the tenth anniversary of Katrina, August 29, supporting artists impacted by the storm and East St. Tammany Habitat for Humanity​.

Here’s Mandie’s story:

As I was getting ready to paint this Taylor Swift inspired piece for the Hope for Habitat: Katrina X exhibit, I sat down and started thinking about that day returning home after Katrina. I was just 16 when the storm hit, and I loved living on the bayou! And to see the magic of it stolen in just one day was so disheartening. It was so heartbreaking to look outside and see my beautiful world turned absolutely upside down.

Katrina sure turned a lot of things upside down for us all and hit this town hard, but I see where our city is now and it is united more than ever!

We all got back on our feet and decided things would be alright. We looked at our blessings and continued pressing on, making things better and helping others along the way. Little by little, our town was healing, and through the efforts of compassion and love, we all jumped back on our feet stronger than ever! I began to think about the beauty and magic in this town. How it is so wonderfully strong and how I am so very proud to be part of such a wonderful community. We all just shook that storm off and kept on going. And when I look out my window at my beloved bayou, I think about Katrina in a positive light. Knowing that nothing can keep us down and that we can always rise back up again. I see that magic flourishing all throughout this place, and it makes me one proud girl to be here.

Now a little bit about the painting: I was inspired by Taylor Swift’s, “Shake it Off”–such a catchy tune! I sang it all day. and love the message. When life throws things your way, you shake it off and smile, knowing everything will be alright and that the sun will rise again. So in the painting, you see the sun starting to rise, right smack in the middle, lighting up the scenery. I also love her song “Enchanted” and felt that those two songs should collide in this painting.

“This night is sparkling, don’t you let it go,” inspired the lovely stars and fireflies in the bayou night scene.

We see Taylor playing her music, with love on her mind, and uniting all of our famous wildlife critters in a fairy tale scene full of light, love and life.

I love seeing a princess uniting precious little animals in song, so I thought it would make a lovely painting. Also be on the lookout for two turtles and crabs in love!

–M2

See more of Mandie’s work at www.MandieManzano.com.

Enchanted is available for purchase. $500.

For additional information, please email Kim@RightBrainDiaries.com.