Art Reprise

I'm always just a little bit nervous about adding to a series of art that I did all at once some time in the past. What if my technique has changed? What if I can't remember the nuances of it? What if my paint has aged?

I created my series of [redacted] for the wedding of [redacted]. The couple selected places that were important to the two of them, and each of these places became a travel-poster-style table marker at their wedding.

For their third anniversary, [redacted] wanted one more piece, commemorating the wedding itself.

In classic unpredictable Portland September weather style (just yesterday it was 90°, and today it's cold, gray, and thunderstormy), the wonderful wedding idea of lawn games in a city park was... altered... by the dismal drizzle.

Fortunately, the wedding colors (and wedding guests) could not have been cheerier. The couple had selected bright red, orange, green, and blue as their hues, with each member of the wedding party adorned in one of the colors. Quick fix for the ceremony in the rain: matching umbrellas!

The reception was held in a picnic shelter, with bright, colorful flowers, decorations, candles, and lights. Though the day was gray outside the shelter, inside had all the warmth and friendliness required for the happy occasion.

To achieve this effect in the art, I told [redacted] that would need to "gloom up" the outside of the shelter to make the inside seem warmer and more inviting. [redacted] thought that might be the saddest description of her wedding, ever.

But first, the lines. The table arrangement inside the shelter was a bit tricky. If you notice in the photograph above, the angle is such that each of the tables offers only a sliver of color; hardly enough space to show candles, vases of flowers, and contrasting table runners. Also, when you remove all the people, you're left with large empty aisles between the three clusters of tables. So, I made the tables bigger and changed the angle a bit.

Also, many of the paper lanterns are hidden behind other paper lanterns, and the twinkle lights are all but invisible, so I draped the lights down a bit lower, and moved some lanterns to more visible locations.

The end product is quite effective, I think.

Wondering what I did to "gloom up" the areas outside the shelter? I added a thin wash of black paint. Works every time (by every time, I mean I tried it this once, and I'm glad it worked...)

I sent [redacted] a tiny, zoomed in peek at some of the paper lanterns, but I'm not letting her see the final product until she gives it to [redacted] on their anniversary (it's already framed and wrapped); it will be a surprise for both of them.

I'll post this after they've both seen it.
(Wedding photography by Jasmine VanDemarr)

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