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There is so much to say about this one. It will be tough but try to bear with me.
Let’s start talking about what it represents. We have a hoof holding a stick with a marshmallow on it above a rustic fire to roast it. According to the color of the hoof, I’m pretty sure it’s Rainbow Dash we are talking about right now. Also, there is no background.
So why Rainbow Dash would eat marshmallows? I mean, it’s a treat that sounds more Pinkie Pie than Rainbow Dash. Moreover, marshmallows are sweet, soft and they don’t taste strong. So why the tomboyish athletic pony we all love would want to eat something that looks like her complete opposite?
Well, according to the episode Applejack’s “day” off, we see Rainbow Dash has a soft side she doesn’t show easily and even tries to hide. I think the marshmallow symbolizes that. And because Rainbow Dash doesn’t show what she considers as a weakness, she tries to toughen it by roasting it.
See how the roasted side of the marshmallow is made of two lines? One black and one brown. The black one is her tough side, the mask she usually wears around her acquaintances. The brown one is her loyalty, a part of herself she has learned to understand and one she is able to show to her close friends. But deep down, she is a soft-hearted and that is the rest of the marshmallow. A pure white innocence and genuine affection she has for everypony.
That’s a deep piece we have here. It shows how people always wear a fake mask, one they got used to too much but also, how they try to reveal their true self by convoluted ways.
Another meaning to add to this masterpiece is how it talks about sexuality and gender.
“How?” you would ask. Just take a look at the stick Rainbow is holding. See how it is not straight? (You could argue that it was an mistake but do you really think such a wonderful piece would have room for mistakes? I don’t think so and neither should you). We are used to think Rainow as the embodiment of gayness because of her rainbow mane and tail but here it is an interesting way to represent that character’s aspect. Rainbow finally comes out and present herself (the marshmallow) to the eyes of society (the fire). Notice how society can only roast a little the marshmallow. The core of the treat is preserved, Rainbow Dash, because she knows how to choose her friends and acquaintances, and thus, can’t be harmed by society’s look.
Now, let’s talk about the full white background. As always, you could say that the author was lazy and didn’t want to add one but you’ll be wrong. The white usually symbolize purity and virginity. The experience Rainbow Dash is living is one of a pure. Even if the fire tries to corrupt it, it is only effective on the surface. As I said, the core is preserved. Whatever the meaning you get from this, the experience remains pure and untouched. It is a true thing, something people are always searching for and something Rainbow Dash has managed to found in one of the simplest thing you could do, roasting a marshmallow.
As you see, there is a lot of thing to say about what is in the art but there is also a lot to say about what isn’t in it.
It is important to mention that this activity is usually something you do with friends. You are all sat around the campfire, sharing stories, memories etc… But here, Rainbow Dash is alone. Moreover, we only have her hoof, not her whole body.
What we can say about that is that we aren’t defined by what we are but by what we do. That’s why we only have her hoof, it’s with this organ that a pony act on the world. It’s a good reminder that whoever you are, it’s by your action that you are someone. And if Rainbow Dash is alone and not surrounded by her friends, it’s because we are never so true to ourself than when we are alone. It’s in loneliness where you can reveal yourself.
I could go on and on but I think you got the essential with what I said before.
This is a wonderful masterpiece and truly deserves its 5/7.
Hat off.
Let’s start talking about what it represents. We have a hoof holding a stick with a marshmallow on it above a rustic fire to roast it. According to the color of the hoof, I’m pretty sure it’s Rainbow Dash we are talking about right now. Also, there is no background.
So why Rainbow Dash would eat marshmallows? I mean, it’s a treat that sounds more Pinkie Pie than Rainbow Dash. Moreover, marshmallows are sweet, soft and they don’t taste strong. So why the tomboyish athletic pony we all love would want to eat something that looks like her complete opposite?
Well, according to the episode Applejack’s “day” off, we see Rainbow Dash has a soft side she doesn’t show easily and even tries to hide. I think the marshmallow symbolizes that. And because Rainbow Dash doesn’t show what she considers as a weakness, she tries to toughen it by roasting it.
See how the roasted side of the marshmallow is made of two lines? One black and one brown. The black one is her tough side, the mask she usually wears around her acquaintances. The brown one is her loyalty, a part of herself she has learned to understand and one she is able to show to her close friends. But deep down, she is a soft-hearted and that is the rest of the marshmallow. A pure white innocence and genuine affection she has for everypony.
That’s a deep piece we have here. It shows how people always wear a fake mask, one they got used to too much but also, how they try to reveal their true self by convoluted ways.
Another meaning to add to this masterpiece is how it talks about sexuality and gender.
“How?” you would ask. Just take a look at the stick Rainbow is holding. See how it is not straight? (You could argue that it was an mistake but do you really think such a wonderful piece would have room for mistakes? I don’t think so and neither should you). We are used to think Rainow as the embodiment of gayness because of her rainbow mane and tail but here it is an interesting way to represent that character’s aspect. Rainbow finally comes out and present herself (the marshmallow) to the eyes of society (the fire). Notice how society can only roast a little the marshmallow. The core of the treat is preserved, Rainbow Dash, because she knows how to choose her friends and acquaintances, and thus, can’t be harmed by society’s look.
Now, let’s talk about the full white background. As always, you could say that the author was lazy and didn’t want to add one but you’ll be wrong. The white usually symbolize purity and virginity. The experience Rainbow Dash is living is one of a pure. Even if the fire tries to corrupt it, it is only effective on the surface. As I said, the core is preserved. Whatever the meaning you get from this, the experience remains pure and untouched. It is a true thing, something people are always searching for and something Rainbow Dash has managed to found in one of the simplest thing you could do, roasting a marshmallow.
As you see, there is a lot of thing to say about what is in the art but there is also a lot to say about what isn’t in it.
It is important to mention that this activity is usually something you do with friends. You are all sat around the campfire, sharing stories, memories etc… But here, Rainbow Dash is alone. Moreover, we only have her hoof, not her whole body.
What we can say about that is that we aren’t defined by what we are but by what we do. That’s why we only have her hoof, it’s with this organ that a pony act on the world. It’s a good reminder that whoever you are, it’s by your action that you are someone. And if Rainbow Dash is alone and not surrounded by her friends, it’s because we are never so true to ourself than when we are alone. It’s in loneliness where you can reveal yourself.
I could go on and on but I think you got the essential with what I said before.
This is a wonderful masterpiece and truly deserves its 5/7.
Hat off.
A coathanger is probably not the best tool for toasting marshmallows… If that’s a stick, maybe the outlines shouldn’t intersect?
Sorry, Artist, this is a bottom-slater.
Sorry, Artist, this is a bottom-slater.
While other people are making fun of this, I do have to say this isn't the worst-drawn piece of art in the contest and actually fits the prompt.
I'm curious how much of this was intentional and how much was accidental.
This actually ended up in the middle for me.
I'm curious how much of this was intentional and how much was accidental.
This actually ended up in the middle for me.
There's fair critique to be given about things like the stick, yes, but conceptually? I do think this is one of the better pieces in terms of prompting potential story ideas. Like, a writer has a lot of pieces they can work with here, a lot of places they can take this, and that's good. Some of the pieces? They're, like, way more limited in what you can do. Open-ness is good. I do think that a bit more time spent on the basics would help the art quality, but yea. I like the core concept.
If I didn't already have an idea I love for another piece this would be among my considerations.
If I didn't already have an idea I love for another piece this would be among my considerations.
Much like >>TitaniumDragon, I ranked this in the middle. I love the way you've drawn your fire.
