Bigger is Better

Peacocks, Purple, and Klimt

Richard Kessler, of Kessler Hotel fame has commissioned me to create a peacock collage. Mr. Kessler owns the Grand Bohemian Hotels which are home to the Grand Bohemian Galleries which represent my work in Orlando, Celebration, St. Augustine, Asheville, and Savannah.

A few weeks ago I was painting live at the Orlando location for Sunday Brunch and I was lucky enough to meet Mr. Kessler for the first time. He came up to me, put his arm around my shoulders and pointed to my piece "Fine Feathers" and said "I want that one.... only BIGGER!" He asked me if I could do that, I said "sure, as long as you don't need it next week!" We agreed that 30x60 was a size he would be happy with and that he had no immediate deadline. Coming from a world of advertising as my day job, I NEVER get this kind of deadline.

"Fine Feathers" caught Mr. Kessler's eye. 

He's a fan of peacocks, purple and Klimt

This weekend my husband built me the support for the 30x60 (did you know that 60 inches is FIVE FEET????) peacock which will be my biggest collage EVER. Mr Kessler said he just loved the pinks and purples I had utilized in "Fine Feathers" and I told him that purple was, in fact, my favorite color. "Me too!" he said, as he smiled at his wife, they were on their way out the door to spend the afternoon at Leu Gardens with friends. As he rushed out I wanted to tell him how much I loved the "Klimt Rotunda" in the hotel, because Klimt was my favorite artist and I even had his signature and a copy of one of his images tattooed on my leg.... I guess I'll have to save that for future conversation.

The Orlando Hotel's Klimt Rotunda features Klimt etchings and a very rare Bösendorfer piano

Visit my Facebook Fan Page for a complete album of photos taken yesterday as Doug built me the support. My daughter is going to make me a documentary video of the project in her own fun style, you can see her amazing videography skills on her YouTube channel.

Many Thanks to Marcia

Water Lily, in progress, 20x16

Marcia saw my work in the Silver Lining jewelry store in Ramsey, NJ. and was quite taken with the process of "Paper Painting." She contacted me via email and sent me some photos of her gorgeous newly remodeled guest bathroom, asking if I could create a one-of-a-kind piece of art especially to fit her space.

Lucky for me, Marcia's room was very neutral in color, so anything would match nicely. I sent her some photos of subject matter to choose from, originally I was thinking of New Jersey native botanicals but then I got to thinking about water lilies since it was for the bathroom. Marcia had expressed that she really liked my botanicals.

We decided on a photo of water lilies which I had cropped and manipulated in photoshop, and then I added more brown tones to it, to highlight the wood cabinetry in Marcia's room.

Water Lilies, 20x16, collage on panel

I shipped the finished work to Marcia only after taking it in to show the fifth graders at my neighborhood elementary school where I volunteer and give art and artist lessons. All the kids appreciated the fact that this piece can really be hung horizontal or vertical since the view point is from above.

Today Marcia called me and emailed me to let me know her piece had arrived safely:

"Hi Elizabeth, I just wanted to tell you that your art arrived and how much I love it! I'll send you a picture after I frame it and hang it. Now, I'm thinking of other walls in my house to purchase another piece of your art. I just love your work!! Thanks so much for creating this special piece for us! We will really enjoy it."

I have to say, testimonials are just the best. Thanks to Marcia for supporting the arts, and for taking the time to let me know how much she appreciated her piece.

I'll be waiting for the photo of her framed piece hung in her fantastic bathroom.
 

Cupcake Commission Completed

© St. Hilaire Nelson 2010

So many kind compliments about the cupcake commission! (you know how I love alliteration) I had to wait a bit to get a good quality photo but here it is, the final piece with the magazine lettering included.

It has been shipped off to Beth at A Little Something Bakery. I hope she is happy with the final piece. Much thanks to Jackie at Celebrations Gallery and Shoppes for making the introduction.

Cupcake Commission

©2010 St.Hilaire Nelson

Beth from A Little Something Bakery in West Hartford, CT purchased five of my 12x12 cupcakes from Celebration Gallery and Shoppes in Pomfret Center, CT when she first opened her sweet shop.

Last month Beth asked me to create a custom cupcake piece for her to compliment the others. This Memorial Day Weekend I spent a LOT of time in the studio. I was day dreaming about cookies, cakes, cupcakes and more.... all being made from scratch.

Beth had an idea for this piece. "Keep Calm, Eat A Cupcake." this will be added in magazine letters to the top right corner, near the cupcake that has fallen off the wagon!

As usual, my piece started with a pencil sketch on clear primed birch panel. The second image is the under-painting done in fluid acrylics over the sketch. I always work the background first, the third image is the background working around the cupcakes and leaving some natural wood grain at the top. In the background I wove in "Pat-A-Cake" nursery rhyme and some line art of the cake marked with a "B" I thought this was fitting for Beth being the baker and all... Next I tackled each cupcake individually, leaving the fallen one for last.

My next step is to add the lettering and apply the varnish for an even sheen. Stay tuned!