When an art consultant approaches you for a 22 foot canvas, you know it's not going to be a typical project. This commission for a prestigious East Coast hospital represents a large-scale challenge.
To begin, this project requires a long, continuous canvas roll and next, a custom support system combining aluminum and wood, engineered to maintain structural integrity across this expansive surface. On the canvas, I have drawn in a grid to proportionately locate all of the elements in the composition.
Right now, the canvas is in its foundational stage. It looks rough and unfinished, but that's intentional. I'm focused on structural elements and spatial relationships, not aesthetic refinement. Now that the oil is blocked in, I can begin the artistic process, creating a finished work that is appealing across this 22 foot span.
Creating art this large isn't just about technique—it's physical work and I'm constantly repositioning myself and the canvas to access different sections. Each part requires a different perspective and approach.
I am fortunate to always have commissions going and this project is one of four currently, but it stands out for its complexity and sheer size. With the support from art consultant Mary Dreblow, who procured the project, what could be overwhelming becomes an exciting artistic challenge.
Sometimes, art is about more than just the final image—it's about the process of creation itself.
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