February 20, 2009

Art piece

A friend of mine has commissioned me to create an art piece based upon the history of her historic home.  

The antique frame from Sweet Repose is my starting point. Requested items to include: an outline of the house, and a timeline of the past owners: names, dates they lived in the home and possibly owners' occupations.  (The original home owner operated the first telephone company in Silverton...14 households had telephones at the time...)

I have a scrap of wallpaper, original to the house, in a cream acanthus leaf scroll pattern on a gold background. These colors will be featured in the overall design. If I can replicate the pattern of the paper somehow and incorporate that, too...

The finished piece will be displayed on a wall painted this color...

I am a calligrapher, and will be hand-lettering the text.  (Remember this piece?  I need to channel that creative energy again.)  I also like the idea of including the family crest...as seen in this image:

antique image found online...inspiration for project

So many ideas.  Need to narrow it down and begin...

28 comments:

Dave King said...

What a fantastic commission! Hope we see its progress and completion.

StaroftheEast said...

Looks like a great project, can't wait to see how you will realize it!

Catherine said...

I hope you post your progress with this commission. I know it will be fantastic!

Allie said...

Oh, how cool! What a wonderful project - I know it will be beautiful. I can't wait to see the finished product.

Thank you for your kind words on my blog - yes, my background is new - I found it here:
http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/

Isn't the Creat.Collect.Trade book awesome?!

take care, allie

picciolo said...

wow what a great project, can't wait to see what you come up with
: )

Jennifer Juniper said...

I cannot wait to see what you come up with! If you could paint the pattern of the wallpaper then sand over it, you might get some of the same feeling. And with the calligraphy...to die for!

A Wild Thing said...

Can't wait for the finished product. You have a very creative mind for commission pieces. My mind goes blank when someone wants me to do something specific, I always get the job done and they love it, but my mind works so much better when free to roam,

Have fun!
s

Sherry said...

This is going to be a great project. We live in a 1918 craftsman bungalow and it too is filled with history and hidden treasures.

Please keep us updated with your project.

Chrisy said...

I'm so looking forward to seeing how this commission pans out...looks very interesting...

Teri and her Stylish Adventure Cats said...

How fun, like building a house and choosing paint colors, but doing it in your jammies.

Can't wait to see it's progress!

Teri and the cats of Furrydance

Golden West said...

The frame you chose is perfect for the age of the house and its beautifully detailed gesso relief is a great starting point for your design! Nice!

Rosebud Collection said...

What an interesting job..Hope we will get to see the finished project..

Unknown said...

How cool you get to work on such a significant project like this for a friend :) The wall color is a wonderful backdrop and it sounds like you've got a fantastic number of ideas for a great jumping off point! Can't wait to hear about your progress as this goes along.

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

I do look forward to seeing your finished piece!

Robynn's Ravings said...

Incredible project you turned out at 17 DD. You were obviously very gifted from early on.

The house is unbelievable. Can you imagine all the stories and happenings that took place there? I could write a novel just looking at it. Can't wait to see your finished project.

Victoria said...

What a great concept for a piece of original and meaningful artwork. Really looking forward to seeing the final piece, and I hope you have lots of fun with this project!

Anonymous said...

Wow, looks like a fun project! I love that wall color, and the yellow paper color sceme will go beautifully...

Have fun! Can't wait to see the finished product.
;)

T.Allen said...

This is the start of something great! I can't wait to see the progression.

Tess Kincaid said...

What a wonderful project! Can't wait to see how it turns out!!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the commission! How exciting. I know how it feels to have my brain runneth over with ideas. Good luck with it...

Kate

Unknown said...

Cant wait to see the final result :D

Christa from Chloe Rose said...

What a wonderful piece to create......I'm excited to see how it turns out. I love the history of old homes......

The Pink Cowboy said...

All the different elements want to get married : wallpaper, calligraphy, old photograph. And most important they want to settle down together in a lovely home. I cannot wait to see the final result.

Hey Harriet said...

Now that sounds like a great project. I like the ideas you have for it, and can't wait to see the completed piece. With some progress posts along the way! :)

Haute Country Vintage Co. said...

Looks like a fabulous project, can't wait to see what you come up with. Loove that wallpaper.

Haute Country Vintage Co. said...

P.S. I tagged you :0)

Michelle Engel Bencsko said...

This is a great creative challenge! I can't wait to see what you come up with.

Jill said...

Can't wait to see what you come up with! I've been messing around with mixed media and have lots of supplies for just such a thing...