Sat, Feb 16th, 2013 Many clients come into my gallery and love what they see, but have never considered a sculptural wall mural before. They may also see a smaller piece, but need a bigger size. This is what happened with Dick & Betsy. They are not sure about the work yet...but if they did want one, it would need to be 30" x 72" for behind their couch.
That's where my work begins. I offered to do a 'soft' commission. I'm making the piece with them in mind, but there is no commitment on their part. I'll create the design and do the colors as we discussed....and I'll make 2 of them. No doubt, if they have the need for those colors, so do others. And...if they select one for their home, this leaves me with a second for someone else. That's what I call a 'soft' commission...it's inspired by a conversation but left open.
As it turns out, 2 weeks later, I met another woman in Jacksonville, FL who also loved the same smaller piece, but needs a larger mural. Again, she is interested, but not committed.
And so my 'process' begins. As of today, I have created 2 murals, in the spirit of this smaller mural "View From the Garden at Dusk" and inspired by my Jupiter & Jacksonville conversations. The Dusk View has movement and flow, longer branches reaching high into the background. For the new murals, I took willow branches from a nearby tree, some fern leaves as well as some flowers from neighbor's gardens. The murals are drying and will go in the kiln in a few days. I will create the color and mood in my second firing after putting up to 15 layers of ceramic stains on the surface. Keep an eye out for the next step.
Both Murals are glazed and out of the kiln....you can see the strong red accents and the softer ochre in the background.
Turns out the clients found another piece of art for their home. But at the next show in Texas, Anne & Tim saw my work and fell in love with this piece - so it's on the wall! You never know where an idea will lead. Sometimes the one that planted it will own it, other times they are my muse and the ones who own it are in a city many states away!
