Tuesday, July 03, 2012

My Favorite Commission!


It's funny... back in April I posted about commission work (HERE),  and now I seem to be remembering that I've done LOTS of it over the years! 

So, on that topic, I thought I'd share my all time favorite: a handpainted watercolor and ink book.

The book was a surprise gift from a gentleman to his wife on their wedding anniversary (awww, how romantic). It was based on the book of Proverbs in the Bible. Her name began with R.





In the finished book, each chosen verse was on the left page, with the matching illustration opposite it on the right. 


Here's how each set looked in the book, side by side:



There are quite a few, so I'll show the rest as thumbnails below, to enable faster page loading. If you'd like to see them enlarged, just click on them.

The book was watercolor and sepia ink on heavy watercolor paper, bound into a leather book. I loved painting this. The gentleman told me later his wife loved it, also. I think when we feel deeply for what we are doing, we do better at it.

I hope you enjoy this favorite of mine. :-)



Thanks for reading, 
Retta

6 comments:

  1. What a wonderful treasure. The gentleman certainly chose the right artist for this lovely gift.

    I can just imagine you delighting in doing this.

    Blessings

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    1. Yes, this really was a delight to do. I met with him in secret several times to show him sketches to approve. He wanted it to be just right for his wife. It really was very touching, and a wonderful memory.

      In the back of the book (which I didn't show for privacy reasons), I decorated the edges of several pages, and there he hand wrote a love letter to his wife. Truly a memorable experience. :-)

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  2. Anonymous9:12 PM

    Awwww, this is just beautiful. I don't know how I missed this post, but i'm glad I came upon it now. Just lovely.

    You know, I could see this being a little home-based money maker. The market woouldn't be hube, but anyone who wanted a personalized, hand-drawn special occasion book would be willing to pay a good bit for it, I think.

    A wedding gift from a groom, or mother of the bride, anniversaries, birthdays, a way topropose marriage. Even things like housewarmings or a baby o he way.

    Yep, with the right marketing this could be a very satisfying money-maker. Even for someone who doesn't like commission work. :} You could make up some little paintings in advance, leaving the one page blank to write int he appropriate things.

    things like babies, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays..seems to me a set of paintings could be thought of in advance related to each theme with an additional couple added per customer request. Ready made pages would be less than completely original paintings... Hmmm.

    I wonder what you could call them? A catchy name... Ads placed in exclusive places... Well, I'll stop now.

    Deb

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  3. You missed your calling, Deb. You should've been an Art Rep, LOL!
    Thank you for the kind words, I'm glad you enjoyed it. :-)

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  4. I agree with Deb. It's a beautiful book. I love the artwork, and I'm very partial to cats. I can see why a project like this would be among your favorites.

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    1. Thank you Mary, I appreciate that very much!

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