Commissioning artwork is a unique experience that allows you to trust someone to create what you are visualising. It’s not always a successful process, but my most recent commission has been one of absolute joy. A great way to start the New Year.
With the subject matter clear in her mind, I was commissioned by a friend to interpret her experience of visiting Endsleigh Gardens in Tavistock, Devon.
Overlooking the River Tamar and beyond into Cornwall, Endsleigh is set in 108 acres of gardens, woodlands and follies created by landscape architect Humphry Repton. The Grade I listed picturesque garden was designed 200 years ago and was one of Repton’s last commissions. It brings together a multitude of landscaping elements for which he was renowned.
The visit marked a significant birthday, and the commission was to commemorate the occasion. There were details that made her visit to the gardens particularly memorable; the planting, colour combinations, hidden sculptures and wildlife. She described her experience, and I was able to imagine what it was like.
As well as sharing her favourite photographs, my own research at the National Botanical Gardens of Wales and the gardens at Singleton Park, Swansea proved invaluable. Even the tree fern in my own small garden was a useful resource.
We agreed to an approximate time frame for completion and the rest was left to me. Familiar with my artwork and my creative approach, she trusted me to interpret her experience and to create a one-off large-scale screen print.
Measuring 22” x 30” it’s created from multiple layers that have been screenprinted using hand-cut paper stencils. I spent hours cutting stencils, which is almost meditative as a process. Mixing and printing the colours was great fun, and I was able to experiment with the positioning of each element to build the image.
So, here it is...
With the subject matter clear in her mind, I was commissioned by a friend to interpret her experience of visiting Endsleigh Gardens in Tavistock, Devon.
Overlooking the River Tamar and beyond into Cornwall, Endsleigh is set in 108 acres of gardens, woodlands and follies created by landscape architect Humphry Repton. The Grade I listed picturesque garden was designed 200 years ago and was one of Repton’s last commissions. It brings together a multitude of landscaping elements for which he was renowned.
The visit marked a significant birthday, and the commission was to commemorate the occasion. There were details that made her visit to the gardens particularly memorable; the planting, colour combinations, hidden sculptures and wildlife. She described her experience, and I was able to imagine what it was like.
As well as sharing her favourite photographs, my own research at the National Botanical Gardens of Wales and the gardens at Singleton Park, Swansea proved invaluable. Even the tree fern in my own small garden was a useful resource.
We agreed to an approximate time frame for completion and the rest was left to me. Familiar with my artwork and my creative approach, she trusted me to interpret her experience and to create a one-off large-scale screen print.
Measuring 22” x 30” it’s created from multiple layers that have been screenprinted using hand-cut paper stencils. I spent hours cutting stencils, which is almost meditative as a process. Mixing and printing the colours was great fun, and I was able to experiment with the positioning of each element to build the image.
So, here it is...
Delighted with the finished artwork, we’re currently planning an appropriate frame. The screen print was designed for a specific place in her home. She now has a personalised work of art that will stay with her forever.