Commission work: the big reveal
Remember that commission I finished and delivered last month? I can finally show it to you. Et voilà!
Yes — there’s a very good reason the collages feature those enormous, Marie Antoinette-style wigs. Book-It Repertory Theatre’s most recent fundraising gala was called the Big Wig Blowout.” And guests were encouraged to wear a wig to the (online) milestone celebration. Book-It turns 30 this year.
Book-It Repertory Theatre’s founders: Myra Platt (left) and Jane Jones (right)
Founders Jane Jones and Myra Platt created Book-It to “[turn] great literature into great theater” to encourage people to read. Fortunately, the company’s kept several of their playbills, and my mission was to incorporate some into the collages. I had plenty of material to work with: eye-catching program covers, plus rehearsal photos and various images of Ms. Jones and Ms. Platt. Really, it was more a question of what not to use.
Elements of the commissioned collage piece
I couldn’t show you the collages earlier because this project was a farewell gift; the director-founders are retiring after three decades of leadership. Even though I don’t know them personally, that knowledge made this project a little bittersweet for me. Things are changing for Book-It.
But these are creative people: they’ve pivoted to go audio-only for next season’s productions, like a podcast for Book-It subscribers. Who knows — maybe I’ll listen while I’m working on someone else’s collage next year. If you’re considering a commissioned artwork of your own, email me or send me a direct message on Instagram. Could be a lot of fun!
Art on demand: commissions
If you follow me on Instagram, you know I recently delivered commissioned artwork to a longtime supporter and collector. I can’t show you the finished pieces just yet… but I can show you what inspired the collage design.
Satirical caricature by Mary and Matthew Darly, 1777. Credit: Metropolitan Museum of Art
I’ve done commissions from time to time, and this experience was positive enough for me to consider making more custom pieces. I like working with clients to narrow down their ideas. And I know the piece is headed out of the studio as soon as it’s done, so I don’t have to store it for long. On the other hand, it does require me to divide my studio time between the commission and the work I make on my own.
Here’s where you come in: Should I seek out more commissions?
Or should I keep commission work to the occasional project? Let me know your thoughts on Facebook or Instagram.
Liberty Bank Building: Shovel-ready for art
First, the groundbreaking...
All images courtesy of LibertyBankBuilding.org
... and then we really get serious about making the art for the new Liberty Bank Building.
This location used to be the site of the first black-owned bank west of the Mississippi.
Now the land's being redeveloped into affordable apartments -- with art and design elements created by artists of African descent. I'm honored to contribute ten collage portraits for the future residents' permanent art collection.
As construction begins there, I'll be starting on the collages in my studio. It's a big project that will take a while, but I have A Plan, you'll see.