Monday, March 3, 2008

Red Tulip Day - original watercolor commission



The commission piece is complete, and has been approved by the client! I am very happy with the way it has turned out - it is quite impressive since it is so large (41 x 26 inches). 

In order to keep the viewer's main focus on the vase and the flowers, I made the wicker love seat in that background more abstract, which contrasts with the reality of the flowers and vase as well as the wicker table that the vase sits on. This is the same as I have done with the abstract hay bale and the realistic hawks in "Sharp Shinned Hawks", the background leaves versus the realistic berries and foreground leaves in "Saskatoons" and the vegetation outside the window versus the child, Sydney, in "The Wonder of Sydney". 

The plan is to have a white mat and a low profile black metal frame for Red Tulip Day. The client has a black leather couch, and the frame will look great on their wall, which contains one of the colors in the wood planking. The white matting will maintain the light, airy feel that this painting has. 

I have been invited to travel to their home to see the "installation" of this piece, but a 12 hour drive each way and a full time job might mean that I have to forego the pleasure. Sigh! I know they will send me a picture of it in its permanent location, once they return from their overseas trip and hang it.

If you are interested in commissioning a similar piece, please contact me: jogiesbrecht@gmail.com


18 comments:

Michelle Wiebe said...

Beautiful!!!!!

Your hard work has definitely paid off. I think your decision to simplify the background was a wise one, too often paintings are so busy everywhere your eye doesn't have a place to rest and linger.

Lovely, lovely stuff. You client should be pleased.

Jelaine Faunce said...

This is such a wonderful piece. I can't imagine anyone turning this down. Great job.

Unknown said...

Thanks, Michelle. Your observations are always valuable to my progress as an artist!

Unknown said...

Hi Jelaine,
I cannot tell you how much it means to me to have your feedback on my work. Thank you for your encouragement!

Frank Gardner said...

That is great that you finished the commission Joanne. Looks fantastic.
I agree with Michelle. Always a good thing to have a place for the eye to rest.

Unknown said...

Frank,
Praise from you is high praise indeed! I am honored by your words, and by your visit. Thank you. It is much appreciated.

Todd Bonita said...

Great idea to contrast some elements with abstraction, it works well and you pulled this off big time..it looks fantastic! I'm sure the client will love it. Good for you.
Todd

Unknown said...

Thanks, Todd! I am such a fan of your work, that when you say I "did good", I feel like I have truly achieved something artistically. Your critique is much appreciated.

Anonymous said...

As a writer, I am always looking for words to express feeling, to somehow impart a sturdy mental picture of the concept I have, but your painting does what words can only hint at: that perfect, warm afternoon spent on the veranda, sipping something cool, and just breathing in the beauty of peace. Well done.

Unknown said...

Thank you, Kim - you have interpreted the mood of this piece very accurately. I hope that it provides a sense of beauty and peace in the home where it will be hung. :-)

Don Gray said...

Joanne, this painting came off beautifully. And a real challenge to make it work so well on that scale with watercolor. Congratulations!

Unknown said...

Thank you, Don.
A comment like this, coming from an expert in watercolor, inspires me to continue pressing forward in this challenging medium! I appreciate your visit very much. :-)

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

This is really beautiful; I love the composition of it. And it was very interesting to read your earlier blogs showing the progress....I've never tried painting, but I used to draw constantly....I appreciate the line and color and artistry of this!

Unknown said...

Thanks for visiting and for your comments, Sara. You have such an artist's eye as shown through your photography - painting is just a step in a different direction. Perhaps that pencil is calling to you again to draw, and then to paint! Your art in photography is lovely... but there may be new adventures in store for you. :-)

Anonymous said...

Really beautiful tulips! I love your paintings.

Unknown said...

Hi Neulekirppu,
Thanks for visiting me and for your comments. Your photos are lovely! I wish I spoke your language so that I could read your blog. :-)

Anonymous said...

The wicker love seat in that background goes very well with the vase and tulip. I love this painting it looks beautiful.Well done Joanne very nice work.

Unknown said...

Thanks, Tulip, for stopping by and commenting on Red Tulip Day. I just received some pictures of the framed painting in its new "home", and the client is very happy with the finished piece. Talk with you again.