‘Number 30’ Commission: Bringing Past Memories to the Present
Using artistic license and imagination to tell a story is an exciting part of being an artist
This commission enabled me to do just that after working very closely with my client to bring a very special idea of theirs to life
Client Brief
I’d met my client at an art fair where she had discovered my work for the first time. I was delighted when she got in touch to ask me whether I could bring an idea that she had to life in an artwork. I’m always happy to discuss a project and consider whether I can do it justice. We arranged a meeting at my studio and spent a long time together discussing – in essence – her life and childhood.
She wanted a painting of their childhood home – a Victorian terrace, where she had lived with her parents and sister. When her parents passed away, her sister took on the house and began work to renovate it. My client wanted a painting which reflected how the house used to be whilst growing up and the nostalgia and memories associated with it. She was going to gift the painting to her sister as a moving in gift.
Vision
A lot of wonderful memories were revealed during the course of our conversation – and several cups of tea enjoyed! I felt privileged to get an insight into their lives and really enjoyed getting to know them through stories, feelings and photographs.
It was clear that this home was a very special place growing up – a house filled with love, warmth and colour!
I could have included so much – it was quite a task to pull out and select the most nostalgic and special items to include.
Their Dad was creative and enjoyed painting and handiwork. They were both keen gardeners and the back garden was a real haven for them. Certain plants invoked childhood memories, such as their Mum’s favourite roses. They also had a greenhouse and their Dad liked growing chillis.
For commissions, I often do a sketch first to work out the composition.
It helps to place what needs to be included in the painting and work out whether there is room! It also helps clients to visualise what the completed piece might look like
Medium
Initially, it was the colours I use in my work that my client was drawn to and she wanted an acrylic on canvas painting. However, through the course of our discussions, and showing her other work that I’d done, she felt that my pastel work had a softness and tenderness to it, which better suited our intention for the artwork.
Creating the painting
The challenge for me was to bring the memories of Number 30 together in a way that incorporated both the architecture of the front view of the house and the special moments that had been enjoyed.
I spent a long time getting the architectural features of the windows and the perspective correct. Painting buildings accurately involves a lot of detailed drawing.
In terms of capturing the importance of the garden, I decided to bring the elements from the back garden into the front, using some artistic licence!
I added roses around the doorway and filled the front garden with more roses and the three variegated bushes that had previously been there. In the window, I painted a reflection of the greenhouse and the chilli plants in pots next to it.
Hidden Easter Egg
One of the most surprising and personal touches came in the form of the gate. My client asked for a gate to be included. Their Dad had made a beautiful metalwork door himself, and so I used that pattern. As I painted the swirls, something unexpected happened… a number 3 appeared in the design. At first it felt like an accident, but then I realised – the house number was 30. So I painted a zero into the pattern too, a hidden little surprise for those who look closely.
Atmosphere
I made it a sunny, summer day with blue sky to evoke happiness and brightness of the memories this home holds. To accentuate this, I purposefully made the houses either side monochrome.
I also made the bricks a warmer shade of orange which complements the blue and makes both colours pop with warmth.
The Gift
The painting has now been gifted and it hangs in the home as a memory of the past while celebrating the present. My client also has a print of it as a keepsake of the collaborative journey we went on together to bring this project to life.
For me, this painting wasn’t just about a building. It was about listening to my client and translating memories and feelings into a permanent reminder in the form of a piece of art. An honour and a privilege
If you would like to discuss commissioning me to bring an idea to life, please do get in touch.
To find out more about the process and prices etc. please visit my commissions page.