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.