I have been invited to do a portrait commission for Patti and Coop Cooprider that will be part of an exhibition called "Movers and Shakers": Who's Who in the San Diego Visual Arts World.The reception will be on Thursday Jan 21 from 6:30 to 8:30, and is organized by the San Diego Visual Arts Network. The exhibition will take place at Art Expressions Gallery: 2645 Financial Court, Suite C, San Diego, 92117
I have spent all of my efforts lately on finishing this piece in time for deadline, it has been nearly two months of continuous work. "Coopriders, Looking In" is a large 36 x 48 inches, oil on canvas. The Coopriders liked my self-portrait, "Looking Inward", and thought it would be interesting to use a similar theme for this portrait of them. We decided to use a gallery space as the setting stage, since collecting art is one of their favorite things.
Patti and Coop are very interesting folks, my wife Holly and I have enjoyed getting to know them in the process of this project. They are heavily involved in the San Diego art scene, and serve on the board of directors of numerous arts organizations. They are collectors of art as well as "doers," Patti also enjoys making art herself. From the work of a little known Italian artist, Diego, to the works of Chagall, Lipschitz, Miro, Picasso, Leger, and Calder among many others, Patti and her husband not only collect the works of great artists, but they live cozily with their pieces in their home to inspire them on a daily basis. For the past several years, Patti and her husband have focused on supporting San Diego artists, occasionally selling some of the work by European artists in order to purchase the work of artists in their own back yard.
17 comments:
This is Great Tony!
Lots of design work going on here.
There expressions as they look in
mirrors my refextion as I look at this wonderful piece of art.
I can't drink a bottle of wine in one gulp, and I can't grasp everything in this painting in one view.
Thanks for pouring me a fine glass of art!
There is a nice confident quality about this one. I think you best figures yet. Commissions are so hard to do it’s a certain discipline to try and make others happy and yet make the work your own. Perhaps this is the start of a whole series of collectors paintings! That would be a double edged sword.
What a great idea... and of course, beautifully carried out...
No wonder they love it!!! It's fun, it's well done and it makes the viewer think about the people in the scene!!
WOW!!
Thanks billspaintingmn, drink up! *haha*
Hey WW, glad you like those figures. I don't think I've painted a toothy smile since my days at Art Center, but I think it worked well. I don't always take on a commission when it's offered, but I liked the idea, and I jumped at the opportunity to paint more figures.
Marian,
Much appreciated! As interested as I am in painting technique, I feel that the real challenge of art-making is in the idea of each individual piece. Glad you like it!
Thought I'd stop by for another toast, Cheers!
Those frames on the floor leaning
is just how it is.
You attention to detail has all the wonder of a Christmas Day!
Merry Christmas!!
Hey Tony - congrats on the commission! I know how much pressure is involved this type of work - very demanding. It's great to hear the back story - how one painting of yours has creatively sparked several more fires! I'm sure they'll be very pleased with the painting. Nice work!
Hey Tony, beautiful. I've been waiting for a good opportunity to use the word 'meritorious,' and now can definitely apply it to this new piece.
Merry Christmas -
Awesome portrait, Tony! congratulations. sounds like quite an honor and fun project.
Hope your holidays have been great, and that 2010 brings all good things your way.
best,
Liz
Hello! Just blogspotting. Great blog! I bookmarked it.
Happy blogging! :)
I love this!! and I love seeing my painting featured in the gallery!
:-)
Hey Tony! You on sufari?
I'm eager to see somethin'from you!
(I'm like a little kid that has to go..)
I'm not patient enough.
Hey Tony, it's Brandi! Remember me? I thought I'd let you know that I now live in San Diego with Justin. We check back here to see if the painting is done every once in a while. We are really excited to see it finished! And now that we're both living here together, we could do another shoot, or whatever!
I actually started painting, myself. About 6 or more months ago, I decided I wanted a new hobby, and I think I've done pretty well, and would love advice from you about painting, getting art seen, and all that stuff. You can email me anytime. My email is brandi.lachaine@me.com
A great portrait if I may say so myself. I love the details and the gleeful expressions on their faces in particular. I think that being portrayed in this manner is a most appreciative and insightful way of portraiting art enthusiasts/collectors in a naturalistic way.
Tony, are they looking into my dad's gallery? It looks exactly like it with the pottery (gouda?) and how the displays are set up. Anyways, it looks amazing and it's definitely one of my favorite paintings by you. I'm posting this while I'm at school. I got bored doing government.
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