Examples of commissioned pieces created in collaboration with the Hyde Park Art Center’s Not Just Another Pretty Face triennial exhibit that connects patrons with artists to create a new commissioned work. Five commissioned paintings made over three exhibits in 2016, 2019, & 2023.
As the Crow Flies - CaCO3, 60 in x 60 in, acrylic on canvas, 2016.
Our conversation centered on the possibility of new work for a specific site. After format was discussed, we dove into my portfolio and talked about what they were drawn to and why. After sharing interests at our meeting, they put together a list of subjects ranging from the micro to macro to inspire the painting that had significance in their lives. In turn, I would imagine how to incorporate some of them into a new composition. They gave me a lot of freedom to create. In the end I incorporated chemical structures, dinosaur bones, hydrangeas, rhododendrons, crows, beetles, butterflies, grasshoppers, circuitry, constellations like Corvus, Taurus, Aries, and Sagittarius from their list. It was an exciting and new way to work as I typically make all of the decisions myself. I really enjoyed collaborating and using the conversation as a starting point to make a painting.
The title of the piece “As the Crow Flies - CaCO3“ refers to a way to measure distance that we as humans don’t have easy access to. The work suggests many other places at once and you can’t drive there. The title also incorporates the molecule Calcium Carbonate, or CaCO3, because it’s the main building block in bones, coral, seashells, and pearls. There are other molecules involved to make these subjects stronger but they disappear as they fossilize into limestone. Since I wanted to reference dinosaur bones, I chose the calcium carbonate molecule to point to fossils and to connect to the ancient history of the dinosaur. My painting process blends intuitive modes of working with research on specific subjects that range from the microscopic to the telescopic. At times, I only reference the color palette, pattern, or shape from a subject so it gets layered and altered in the process of working.
Waters of March, 24 in x 24 in, acrylic on canvas, 2016.
The patron and I conversed across the country for this collaboration, as they are located on West Coast. With a background as a jazz singer and actor, we connected though similarities between the creative process of music and art. We chatted about possibilities about how to approach the collaboration. We settled on something musical since that is a deep passion from his life. We considered a few options but the “Waters of March,” a jazz song by Antonio Carlos Jobim, was a way to structure the composition. There is so much imagery in the song as it references the spring rainy season in Brazil. The movement in the song inspired the main form in the composition as well as many of the details and colors in the work. Another personal detail from John’s life that he shared was when his daughter was born, a single gardenia flower bloomed. It was the only time that flower ever bloomed. This really struck me, so I wanted to feature that in the piece. John has so much great energy and it was incredible to share this creative process with him.
Parachute, 8 in x 8 in, acrylic on panel, 2016.
Bridge, 8 in x 8 in, acrylic on panel, 2016.
The patron and I got to know each other during a lovely dinner and a studio visit. She encouraged me to consider flowers that were significant to her and to her mother in paintings. At first, we were going to incorporate four flowers but then settled on two: a violet, as her favorite flower; and an orchid for her mother. I considered how important relationships in our lives change, shift, and strengthen over time. I used the silhouette shape of an orchid as the structure in “Parachute” and then the violet as the underlying silhouette shape in “Bridge”. Both works take elements from each flower and reconfigure to create new hybrids. It was a delight getting to know Tracy and sharing this process together.
No One Knows Where it Goes, 14 x 16 in, acrylic on canvas, 2019.
The painting is based on a family adventure to Peru. Each family member selected a creature that they saw on the trip and shared a story as to why it was memorable. They gave me all sorts of fantastic treasures to have around in the studio including photographs, maps, feathers, trinkets, and travel guides. I spent some time learning about each of the creatures they selected, as research is an important part of my artistic process. Next, I developed pencil sketches of the Toucan (Elliot), Tamarin Monkey (Ian), Giant Armadillo (Mark), and Macaw (Claire). I approached the painting by abstracting the subjects into the composition to create new mysteries. It's great fun!
We even discussed ideas for the commission over food at a new Peruvian restaurant in Chicago called D'Candela in the Old Irving neighborhood. The food was divine. There is ABSOLUTELY nothing better then looking at flora and fauna from the Amazon jungle all day. I have been completely thrilled to share this process with the patrons and have been grateful that they chose me for this special commission. Their energy, enthusiasm, and passion have been an absolute dream to work with. While they were traveling by boat on the river in Peru, they asked the guide where the river goes and the answer of “No One Knows Where it Goes” was powerful. The patrons all paused and sat with that idea for a bit. I thought this would be a poignant title for the painting inspired by their Peruvian experiences.
Waiting for the Sun, 22 x 22 in, acrylic on canvas 2023.
I was so excited about the possibilities in creating this painting for the patrons. We gathered at my studio and had a wonderful time discussing works in my portfolio. We talked about a source of inspiration that I've made a couple of paintings of and viewed source images of sand particles. There is this amazing creature that lives in Hoshizuna-no-Hama or Star Sand Beach in Japan. This beach has star-shaped sand and it's the only place in the world that where they exist. An Okinawa folktale describes possible origins of these special creatures and layers additional interpretations and metaphor to the painting. If you are on the beach, you can pick up the grains of sand and actually see the star-shaped sand with your naked eye! The star-sand is made up of single celled exoskeletons of the Foraminifera organisms, which like amoebas, are in the Protozoa Kingdom. My imagination goes wild thinking about the beauty of this rare and special sand as a source material.
I had the opportunity to play with scale by enlarging the grains of sand and composing them into a circular dance that rises from the sandy beach. I was super excited to develop a new work with this inspiration. The patrons sent me beach images from Union Pier, Michigan, and photographs of different sunsets from their lives. We discussed color palette possibilities with saturated oranges, reds, and neutral steel blues for this custom piece for their home. It was so fun to collaborate with them because they knew exactly what resonated with them for a special unique artwork. I was so thrilled for this amazing opportunity to create a piece of art for the patrons. I hope this brings a sense of wonder and joy for a lifetime. Imagining the tide bringing these tiny treasures to shore is such a delight. Considering the different ways we can experience the beach here in Illinois, Michigan, or Japan can deepen our appreciation and awareness of everyday magic and otherworldly adventures all around us.
More about this exhibit and commission.
