I fell in love with the costume designs of Maria Björnson many years ago. She was the set and costume designer for Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Phantom of the opera" among many other great shows.
I spent the next year seeking permission from everybody involved in the production to be able to access, photograph and to paint her designs. I travelled to London to meet people from Andrew LLoyd Webber's company, the RUG, as well as Maria's estate holders, as Maria sadly passed away some years ago at just 53. I was invited backstage to visit the dressing rooms and photograph the costumes.
This painting depicts just a few of the costumes worn by the character of Carlotta.
