Mon, Apr 18th, 2016 This is the quintessential story of never really knowing where a conversation will lead! I acquired the most delightful puppy two years ago. Ty, my beloved rescue dog selected me to be his owner while I was in San Antonio, TX doing an art show. Though I love dogs, I was in no way looking for one...but Ty had other ideas. As we played in my client's yard, at 12 weeks old, he laid his head on my lap, looked up at me and essentially said -- I'm yours. I was smitten!
He has been a joy and a love ever since. He is a friendly boy and has quickly widened my circle of friends & acquaintances in my travels and here at home. Many of my neighbors in St. Pete know him from our 3-4 walks a day through town. On one of those walks Ty met Billie Blu - a black australian shepherd who has become his best friend. They are perfectly suited romping partners.
As it happens in the dog world, if the dogs are buddies...then the owners get to know one another and often become friends. Thus began the intersection of dogs, art and this most recent commission!
I met Lynne first - she is the morning walker of Blu. Patti came to the park a few months later but I felt as though I knew her from all our early morning life chats. Together the three of us love our dogs and laugh at their acrobatic feats and funny games. As I shared my traveling lifestyle with Lynne and Patti, they became curious about the work I do and asked for my website. They liked what they saw and decided to come to an art show in Tampa to see my work in person. First they were going to purchase a small tile piece, but once they went home to look at their walls, they decided to commission me to create a piece for their main living room wall. And so begins another chapter in the tale about the intersection of dog love and art appreciation!
Based on a piece Lynne and Patti saw in my booth, I created 2 drawings for them, worked out a few details and then settled on a size & composition that is a perfect fit. Their wall sculpture is next in line in the clay studio and the tile work began last week. I created th first piece... worked on a few other commissions and created a second one for them.
Both compositions are similar, but the difference is in the details. Each has a water feature with nature grasses and small carved flowers. The water texture is similar, but the currents change and the focus of the composition is adjusted. The big differences will show in the glazing.
The first art piece is glazed and now on Patti & Lynne's wall. In a few weeks, I'll show them the other one and see if they want to trade it out. They sure seem to like this one!
Alas, #2 came to Lynne & Patti's home for its showing. They both agreed it was a tough decision. The colors in one, the texture in another, the mood and feel of both. In the end, Patti & Lynne loved the trellis detail of #1 and the pop of the flowers at the base. The final decision was made and Serenity, as they titled it, went back on the wall. But something exciting is coming... they've decided that an accent color is needed on this newly designed entry wall. A soft lime green has been decided upon... it will be painted within the month... and photos will follow.
Do you want to join me in a journey to transform a room in your home? Reach out and let's begin a conversation. We can talk about your space, you can share images and I can offer some suggestions and a proposal. All that is still exploratory. There is no obligation until we sign a contract. I would love to add you to my family of collectors. Here's a look at what clients experience In Their Own Words.
