Disney Limited Edition: Smoke Staircase

DISNEY LIMITED EDITION: SMOKE STAIRCASE

Peter Ellenshaw

MEDIUM: Giclée Canvas Limited Edition
SIZE: 24" x 36"
EDITION SIZE: 395
ARTIST: Peter Ellenshaw
SKU: DFA-LE-SMOKESTAIRS

ABOUT THE IMAGE: Inspired by Walt Disney’s Animated Classics and features Mary Poppins.

ABOUT THE MEDIUM:  Each piece is on hand-numbered canvas and includes a Certificate of Authenticity.

ABOUT THE ARTIST: William Samuel Cook “Peter” Ellensaw was an English matte designer, special effects creator and master painter.  He mentored under Percy Pop Day who played a pivotal role and mentored him on painting on canvas and glass, which was to create matte background form film.

After serving his country as an RAF pilot in World War II, Ellenshaw returned to work for Mr. Day at the studios. After a brief yearlong stint at MGM, Ellenshaw left in 1947 upon receiving a call to work for Walt Disney Studios on the film, Treasure Island. As it turned out, his partnership with Disney would last over thirty years and earn him five Oscar nominations. For his work on "Mary Poppins" in which he recreated scenes of Edwardian London in 102 different mattes, he won an Academy Award. Walt Disney became Ellenshaw's mentor and friend, spurring him on continually to perfect his craft and push the creative envelope.

ABOUT THE FILM: Mary Poppins is a 1964 musical fantasy film directed by Robert Stevenson and produced by Walt Disney, with songs written and composed by the Sherman Brothers. The screenplay is by Bill Walsh and Don DaGradi, based on P. L. Travers's book series Mary Poppins. The film, which combines live-action and animation, stars Julie Andrews in her feature film debut as Mary Poppins, who visits a dysfunctional family in London and employs her unique brand of lifestyle to improve the family's dynamic.  Dick Van Dyke, David Tomlinson, and Glynis Johns are featured in supporting roles. The film was shot entirely at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California, using painted London background scenes.

Mary Poppins was released on August 27, 1964, to critical acclaim. It received a total of 13 Academy Awards nominations, including Best Picture and won five: Best Actress for Andrews, Best Film Editing, Best Original Music Score, Best Visual Effects, and Best Original Song for "Chim Chim Cher-ee". Mary Poppins is considered Walt Disney's crowning live-action achievement, and is the only one of his films which earned a Best Picture nomination during his lifetime.