make-believe

Cathleen Taraw..., 10 months ago

Dead right. Good one Paul.

Daniel Rayfield, 10 months ago

Great work i have been waiting to see what was next… very emotional and fantastic blending this is fantastic.. keep em coming

Jeff Burns, 10 months ago

You my friend are a genius. I love so much what you do and how you see things and express them.
The colors and the image is amazing. Your framing is outstanding
The treatment you have on the girl on here knees(if I can say that) is awesome its like the touch of the other girl is a magical touch. This is another image that is gonna be huge for you
I will look forward to seeing it on the all-time page!
Everything is perfect. Brilliant work

stephen jones, 10 months ago

well done you have a nak? for this great image

Sharon Hammond, 10 months ago

As usual your processing is remarkable & has your stamp all over it. Christmas can be a very lonely time for some. I love Christmas but need to remind myself that I’m very fortunate.

midzing, 10 months ago

brilliant

Jessica Tremp, 10 months ago

so true Paul…love those stockings

karolina, 10 months ago

ooooh the green and red are just delish!

gordontant, 10 months ago

This is very true….
Another excellent and thought provoking shot Paul.

John Robb, 10 months ago

Another great work Paul.

Mel Brackstone, 10 months ago

A blessing from the Christmas goddess….what more could anyone want :)

marcusjohn, 10 months ago

Awesome work Paul, love the image and the message, very strong and so true. Even without the dialog you have portrayed this message perfectly, love the direction and finish.. You just have to walk the streets to get an idea of how much front there is.. Anyway that aside- Christmas wishes to you…

Daniela Reynos..., 10 months ago

I dont know what is better, your description or your shot!
Both of them are Amazing!

Christina Norwood, 10 months ago

Thought provoking for sure, and great treatment as usual, which suits the concept so well.

Basia McAuley, 10 months ago

I knew this was yours before I even clicked on it! It’s so you! The colours, treatment, direction and tones.. Brilliant and totally love the story to this, it’s so true.

Paul Louis Vil..., 10 months ago

Intensly beautiful with a warm overtone of human emotive awareness!
Wonderful art direction and post prod! :D

ozjami, 10 months ago

Thats beautiful work Paul!

Helen Bascom, 10 months ago

Interesting composition here. I like the muted reds. It has a dream-like quality

Claudia Reitmeier, 10 months ago

wow, paul, this one is great superb models, great pose and perfect finish !! a kind of a new story for santa claus ;))

Chris White, 10 months ago

Yes, I love the concept behind this, there is a lot of sadness behind the facade. On the other side of the coin, I’ve heard the interesting statistic that death rates go down at Christmas, as if everyone on their death bed hangs on until after the Christmas Pudding…

Love the treatment and art direction.

Suni Pruett, 10 months ago

I can completely relate. nice one. The holidays are always tough..especially this year. Nice work..powerful message.

Heather Hartkamp, 10 months ago

Very powerful image – I can see lots going on here if one is prepared to take a close look.

Deborah Hally, 10 months ago

beautiful work, everything comes together so well with this image!!

Darren McAliece, 10 months ago

Good one Paul!

Douzy, 10 months ago

You’re so right and this picture illustrates your thought perfectly. Great post processing too. Very creative Paul, keep ‘em coming! :)

Adrian Donoghue, 10 months ago

Love what you are doing with the framing of these shots recently Paul ,very creative ,terrific art.

Enrico Bettesw..., 10 months ago

Great treatment and concept Paul – as usual! love the illustrative feel of this shot… The green and red tones compliemnt each other so well and those stocking just rock! an image with substance, really well done mate!

pauldrobertson, 10 months ago

love the colours

kaylee roderick, 10 months ago

this is a beautiful photo…

halftone, 10 months ago

This image invites the viewer to sit and ponder, on their good luck, or not….thought provoking and, as always, fascinating work, Paul!

Jason Moses, 10 months ago

This is a visual treat. Your signature tones really convey the melancholy feeling.

Mohsen Bayramn..., 10 months ago

AMAZING, the way you’ve done it… I really love it, like all your other works. great style you have, Paul. in this one, your composition, lighting and color tones-playing was done at it’s best mode. AMAZING!

Rhana Griffin, 10 months ago

The atmosphere you have created here is very moving Paul. I love the way you have created a religious parallel using the corona of star point light behind your models head and the hand of benediction. The big J always seemed to be portrayed with a melancholy look on his face too….

Kurt Tutschek, 10 months ago

awesome processing and posing – again. a perfect photo, paul!

funkyfacestudio, 10 months ago

Very interesting shot, love the description…...It’s so true for many people.

Martin Derksema, 10 months ago

This is a very refreshing picture in the midst of all the hollow X-mas happyness I see around me. I like the theme of power and powerlessness you brought in this picture. Although the image has a strong atmosphere of disillusionment , it is also rather light hearted, beacuse of the great sense of humour you show. The background is just fantastic. A very well considered piece of art.

paulevelin, 10 months ago

I love to see people being passionate and good at what they are doing
and you are VERY good at this
outstanding quality

Danielle Prowse, 10 months ago

Spot on!!!!

Antanas, 10 months ago

Perfect!

Rod Adams, 10 months ago

Another Great Work Paul!!!!!

Claire Armistead, 10 months ago

I love to see what everyone’s written about this piece. I had to keep coming back up the page to see what they saw; especially Rhana’s explanation which i thought was great. The truth and sadness expressed both in the shot and words is so moving yet lifted with the outfits. A really well thought out piece x

Eugene Farrell, 10 months ago

stunning, well done Paul

Juilee Pryor, 10 months ago

this is great. good one paul

Jamie Lee, 10 months ago

Truly fantastic, the expression on her face matches your description perfectly.

Andrew Walker, 10 months ago

The Christmas Party is a time for way to much alcohol and regret for the rest of the year. 2007 at Vanzella Graphics was no exception, Vonnie and Diane from packing insisted on showing everyone how to drink tequila. After half a bottle of Mexican magic, Vonnie (on the left) decided to declare her undying love for Mrs Vanzella (on the right). As the bosses wife and a company director Mrs Vanzella felt a little embarrassed by the whole situation, she fought valiantly to remove Vonnie from her leg and accomplished it with only superficial scratches. This picture (taken by Paul) may well be used in April a leverage for next years pay negotiation. I am sure there is a moral to this story somewhere…

Paul Tupman, 10 months ago

Now, this is a christmas image that you don’t see every day! Great work and concept Paul, and you have captured that side of Christmas that we all push aside so well. A lot of work has gone into this and it must be so satisfying to see how much thought people are putting in when viewing it.. I love all the references in this.. the awkward bra strap showing was a favourite of mine.. everything cant always be perfect… Great stuff!

StacyLee, 10 months ago

I really love the thought and concept behind this image because it is so true. This time of year is the most depressing time for many. I applaud you for exposing this issue to the world through this image. Brilliant work!

Lindsay Blamey, 10 months ago

Nice work! – great vanzella treatment and nice clipping! – Tarns looks fantastic!

Globalphotos, 10 months ago

Great concept and so very true.. love the treatment ….

Jo O'Brien, 10 months ago

Tarnya Chambers as in funky awesome cards Tarnya Chambers?
You sure know how to rub shoulders with some great talent Paul

Great concept behind this image, and a real cocktail of emotions being emitted from it. It’s sad, it’s sexy, it’s angelic, it’s festive, it’s nurturing. The acting in this is divine. A painful reality hidden behind an uncomfortable gesture.

JayVee, 10 months ago

Well portrayed the written word Paul.

Ashlee Maegan, 10 months ago

Love the colours. Excellent shot. Well done indeed!

Deborah Parkin, 10 months ago

I love the colours/tones in this – feels so vintage with a real contemporary feel to it – just amazing.

Gerijuliaj, 10 months ago

Great photo with excellent lighting and composition. I love the way you take an emotion or concept and ‘conjure’ up a photo to portray it. You are right about Xmas being a sad and lonely time for many. It’s the pressure to be ‘happy’ that sends many people into despair along with the bombardment of ads for everything from ‘perfect gifts, food, clothes, table arrangements, etc. The photo of a slightly dishevelled woman falling to her knees portrays your description perfectly of someone who is slowly unravelling but at the same time hanging on to the notion that Xmas should be a happy time and I would add for many it is. Hope yours is!

wolfllink, 10 months ago

This is a great dipction of what lies beneath for so many. Great work!

Steven Sandner, 10 months ago

Great work, its funny how you always look forward to holidays… then when they come -you become really bored, all the structure all the timetables dissolve.

Andy Harris, 10 months ago

great creation… well done!

Peco Grozdanovski, 10 months ago

Beautiful work Mr. Paul… My compliments!

Louise Cooke, 10 months ago

wow..you’ve conveyed your sentiments so perfectly..the usual bright colours of Christmas toned right down and the expressions far from joyful..brilliant!

Flamejob, 10 months ago

Wow – how did I miss this ? Festive, dreamy and almost a little naughty. I love it.

Heather Rivet..., 10 months ago

I missed this also..fantastic…well done

Holly Werner, 10 months ago

Well captured. Very emotional.

lance leopold, 10 months ago

Unique,love it!!!

Ciska, 10 months ago

Fantastic work and your story is sooooo true for soooo many

Antoine Dagobert, 10 months ago

^WOW..beautiful work as always!

Chelsea Kerwath, 10 months ago

Wow- great concept and execution! I love it!!

Trace Lowe, 10 months ago

Fabulous work! Pure genius. Perfect… I love the halo effect!

Lee Burgess, 10 months ago

Wow Paul… those words.. That is so true!! Fantastic image!! This could have been really cheesy but you’ve added some great earthy touches to make it a piece of art!!

Carly Faust, 10 months ago

love this.

Kirsty Semple, 10 months ago

Very strong image!

Sarah Osmo, 10 months ago

This is quite sexy. I like the manipulation around her head. :)

Gregoryno6, 10 months ago

Talking of Christmas parties, this reminds me of the day my class put on the Nativity play in Grade 1. Somebody lost the doll we were using for the baby Jesus, and while I was looking for it I found Miss Chandler and Miss Torrance…
Oops. I promised I wouldn’t tell anyone about that.

Paul Vanzella, 10 months ago

That’s the best comment ever, thus far…. thanks for sharing Gregory!

cathy savels, 10 months ago

Brilliant! So right too! Bah humbug! LOL!

MuscularTeeth, 9 months ago

this is amazing paul.
really like this one.

Chris Kuck, 9 months ago

F n A is this great !!! love the bended grass and background some stars…AWESOME

Von McKnelly, 9 months ago

The wardrobe styling here is brilliant and the mood, statement….outstanding.

sajal maskey, 8 months ago

good creative work, good on u

Jordan Clarke, 8 months ago

Love this one – there’s so much to love here. Colour, tone, texture, embellishments, subject…Plus stripey socks are guaranteed to get me – hook line and sinker.

MissT, 8 months ago

Stunning. I am falling in love with your work! The tones, texture and composure – oh my!

Jennifer Woodward, 7 months ago

Wow! This is great! Love the tones.

Kacholek, 7 months ago

wow great image! i love it

Puyravaud Fréd..., 6 months ago

Féerique !

rightasrain, about 1 month ago

Well said, Paul…How true :-\

Carmelh, about 1 month ago

What a fantasic piece…so well staged Paul….love the treatment….and so agree with your comments!!

shanghaiwu, about 1 month ago

HOMEPAGE

so cool!

Craig Dick, about 1 month ago

Reminds me of my Christmas’s

Love it.

Skip Hunt, about 1 month ago

this is an interesting image… but the meaning you’ve assigned to it is much deeper than what is seen. Sorry.

douglasandrews, about 1 month ago

Beautiful work!!

MOC2, about 1 month ago

Very nice work.

ozlat, 12 days ago

love this image
might do well in the christmas challenge