Colors & Commissioned Art

Pantone's color of the year (2017) is one of my favorite colors! This zesty yellow-green has a sense of energy but is just as calm, cool and powerful.  Seeing this color in any form, for me, evokes an organic modern freshness that is timeless.

This color of nature often appears in my landscape and abstract paintings.  But as with everything, a little goes a long way.  Rarely will clients want or need a painting that is heavy in one or two colors.  More often it goes like this; a client needs art, they fall in love with a painting they see, it fits their space and they buy it.  Other times they fall in love with a painting but they need it in another size.  That's where commissioned art gets interesting.

Original 24x36

Recently I had three clients with similar art needs.  Each fell in love with 

Recreated 40x40

a (different) painting and had specific size requirements for their space.

One client saw my original 24"x36" but wanted the same art in a square format. This abstract would easily translate into a square format, and I recreated it for them.  Another client saw my original 36"x48" but needed it as a 24"x36" cropped to their specifications. Yet another saw my vertical 36 x 48 but needed a horizontal format in that size.

I enjoy the challenges of creating art to meet the needs and wants of my clients.  It gives me a sense of energy and engagement that is different from painting my own preferences.  A successful collaboration and happy client is my the goal in creating timeless art.

Recreated (Horizontal) 24x36

Original 36x48

Original 36x48

Recreated (Horizontal) 36x48

Art in the British Embassy (DC)

Reigning Queens, Andy Warhol

The Art in Embassies (AIE) program has played a role through a focused mission of cross-cultural dialogue and understanding through the visual arts and artist exchange.  This program started in 1963 and is a global public-private partnership.

Damien Hirst

Professional curators and registrars create and ship about 60 exhibitions per year and over 58 permanent collections have been installed in the Department’s diplomatic facilities throughout the world.   Artists can join the registry through the State Department's website.  This registry offers a registered artist the exposure to AIE's internal curators, who have the responsibility of researching and selecting the artwork for all exhibitions and collections.  They look for art in all media, styles and shapes.

Today I visited the British Embassy and learned the history of the buildings, art and grounds.  The permanent art collection in the British Embassy includes historic works (prints c.1707) and contemporary artist Damien Hirst.  There was a sunlit view, works of art and hints of family or business life around every corner.

As Lady Westmacott says, it is a “building that works very hard”.  She recently created a lavishly illustrated book entitled, “The Architecture of Diplomacy: The British Ambassador’s Residence in Washington.”  The book outlines the historic creation of the residence and changes

Queen's Crown

made over time.

Not surprising, evidence of the queen is everywhere..from portraits in the ballroom to the crowns on the light fixtures (inside and out). I toured the state rooms, admired a striking David Hockney painting as I passed a Damien Hirst's spot painting in the corridor on my way to the terrace to the view gardens, greenhouses and pool.  A beautiful day to see the British ambassador’s residence.  Art can transcend national borders, build connections, add color and style to life! Brilliant!

David Hockney

Garden Succulents

My Nantucket Art Experience

Art residencies are a chance to be inspired, refreshed and to create.  After my extraordinary experience last summer in Italy, I decided to try another residency but closer to home.  

I applied and was accepted as a resident at the Nantucket School of Design and the Arts.   

Nantucket has a vibrant arts community.  I seemed to meet artists everywhere.. on the street painting, in the many galleries and through other artists.   There are organized art classes but there are also occasions when local artists get together for a regular "art crit".  I was invited to attend the art critique with highly regarded artist Ken Layman.  It was one of the most interesting experiences I've had as an artist.  

There were five professional artists who brought work, partially finished or completed, to get

reactions and direction if needed.  For an artist, getting feedback can be inspiring and pivotal. I met with Ken afterward and he shared his artistic experiences, thoughts, and techniques for moving forward. He also suggested a few art books, including The Art Spirit by Robert Henri.

My art has been exhibited in the Vanderbilt Gallery for several years and I ship new work every season.  I was interviewed about my art by the Inquirer & Mirror newspaper which was published prior to the opening reception at the gallery.    

My time on the island made a big impact on me. I am thankful for this experience that allowed me to grow my art, my friendships, and community in ways I couldn't imagine.... just what an art residency is supposed to do.

Art for Corporate Spaces

It started almost seven years ago when I got a call from a company asking if I would come to a new office dedication cocktail party, bring some paintings and maybe say a few words.  I was the entertainment!

Turns out I was one of three artists contacted by the company but the only person who returned their call.  I look back at the thought of not returning that call and all the "what ifs" flood in.

We did a walk through and I installed my fifteen paintings for the party and planned my short speech with a few humorous anecdotes to keep things light.  At the time, I barely left the studio so my public speaking skills were a little rusty and I certainly would not be going on the after-dinner speaking circuit since I relied heavily on my on-the-spot training and my middle school communications class.  Fortunately since then, I'd like to think I have improved my skills given I am in professional settings more often and teach painting classes regularly.

The evening proceeded and I mingled with the crowd explaining my process and inspirations for the pieces.  Before the end of the night, the managing director came over to discuss the paintings and their availability.  It was a new office and they needed artwork.  It was my extraordinary day because he bought all fifteen paintings that night!  I feel so lucky to have gotten their call, grateful I returned their call, and thankful my work appealed to them.  My lucky day!

I have since installed my art in many other corporate settings, each unique and always a new creative direction whether a traditional or contemporary environment.  Art completes the space~

Southern Home (Spring 2016) Article & Commissioned Paintings

Abstracts in Blues, 24" x 24"

Excited to share Southern Home magazine's (Spring 2016) issue which features my paintings in this a beautiful home.  It was a wonderful process working with the home owner to get input and direction for the commissioned art I created for the space.

The vibrant interior was inspiring and dramatic and made for an easy translation to the canvas.  Commissioned paintings are often requested by decorators or home owners because of a need for a specific canvas size, color coordination with fabrics, or a memorable place a patron would like commemorated in a painting. Creating a painting for anyone is always a treat for me.  Always rewarding for me to get to know the home owners and goals.

Seascape, 30" x 48"

The owner ..."commissioned a local painter, Martha Spak, to do a piece for them that was inspired by a scene they often view of the sun escaping into the clouds in Kinsale, Ireland.  Weller adds that the same greens and blues in this painting are now seen throughout her home."

So grateful to be included in the Southern Home magazine layout and pleased I was able to help complete these paintings for this project.

My Art Residency ~ An Italian Experience

Art Studio Ginestrelle

Assisi ~ View from my room

CIAO!
My Italian art residency began back in early March when I applied for this residency.  I received my acceptance to be a resident at the Arte Studio Ginestrelle and arrived in Assisi, Italy for my June art experience.  From the very beginning to the final farewell~ it was a fabulous!

I was one of six artists at the studio.  I met a Finish poet, an art professor, a political muralist, two Brazilian installation artists and a writer.  Each of us had our own dedicated space to stay and work independently.  It was quiet and beautiful. We had a daily breakfast together with great conversations about art, culture and the creative process and lingered over delicious Italian coffee.  My thought is artist's inspiration, comes from gathering ideas everywhere~visual, both real and imagined, meaningful exchanges and experiences, and creativity within.

Walking Sticks

After breakfast, our daily routine would take each of us to our own space to create..sometimes interrupted by the visit from the baker, a daily mountain hike (with a walking stick to ward off the vipers!) or visit to the market in town. We would meet again at dinner where we each made our own meals and dined with whom ever felt like a conversation after a long day of solitude.  It was easy going~      
     

Hike Path with Ginestrelle flowers

The Director, Dr. Marina Meril coordinates the program and works with the (Assisi) Cultural Board and UNESCO to keep things running smoothly.  Marina's thoughtful ways created a perfect environment for recharging creativity.  Each (2015) resident will participate in an international exhibition that will take place November 20-30 in the Art Gallery of Assisi.  The Art Catalog 2015 listing the resident artists and their projects will be available upon request.                                                             
In Assisi, I gathered inspiration from the sights and sounds of this historic art and religious town, said a prayer for mom and dad- both who passed away this year, and watched the visitors.  Each view was more magical than the last. Another artist and I traveled to nearby Arezzo for the outdoor flea market~found fabulous linens and even an antique painting I loved.  Also took a quick train to Perugia to visit the university's art store see more historic frescoes (Raphael's 1505). After two weeks, I met up with my family in Rome then traveled to the Italian coast to experience more great food, scenic beauty, and to create family memories~  A wonderful Italian experience!

Assisi View

Assisi Carousel

Assisi Street Scene

Arezzo Street Scene

Italian Gelato

Perugia Street Scene

Sorrento Beach Style

Positano Beauty

Drama of Dubai

Dubai

Curved visual design

 I love to travel and discover new destinations and cultures! On my recent adventure to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, I anticipated the wonders of graceful minarets and bustling bazaars, majestic waterways and vivacious cafes but that is just a very tiny part of this global city.

Dune Bashing

The city has become symbolic for its skyscrapers and high-rise buildings, in particular the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world.  The striking modern architecture is so unique and captivating, it is as if you can dream-they can build it.  How do (you) make a one-hundred story building look curvy?

Ultramarine in the Sea

Relief wall sculpture

To get out of the city and traffic, we went to the desert for sunset dune-bashing. The stunning scene of the sunset, dramatic colors and expansive desert was exciting and unforgettable.

Unfortunately, I just missed Abu Dhabi Art 2014, a three-day festival bringing together leading international art galleries for talks and exhibitions.  I did get to see some beautiful paintings and sculpture by local artists as I traveled around the two cities.

There are so many reasons to travel: to have an adventure, to learn about another culture, to be exotic.  Sometimes getting out of your surroundings can help you find out about yourself.

In Motion