A little while ago, Facebook “reminded” me of the piece below, a commission I was working on in the fall of 2023.
This mixed media panel was commissioned by a couple. They were looking to capture a special memory they’d recently made together while vacationing in Florida.
When they approached me with the idea, they gave me two pictures to work from. These featured beach and boardwalk scenes under a big sky, him in a magenta shirt, and her in a yellow dress.
They requested that the piece convey the profound sense of peace, love and unity that had permeated “that day in Miami”—a perfectly unforgettable, commemoration-worthy moment they described to me as having unfolded out of time. “Capture the spirit of this moment,” they said. “Nothing too dark. We trust you.”
With that, I was more or less given carte blanche, and what came through was the beaded design below.
A closer look at the beadwork reveals an earnest, impressionistic rendering of the city’s tropical greenery,
its big sky, boardwalks and sandy beaches; its endless ocean vista…
… and, at the center of it all, two people embracing, dancing, delighting in each other’s company.
It’s a great honor and privilege to be entrusted with this kind of project.
This whole commission was basically effortless, which was such a gift in itself, especially seeing as this was one of my first bespoke pieces.
The experience also brought me an understanding of the role that trust plays (or should play, at least) when I’m asked to capture a specific feeling for a client in a semi-abstract style. Here, I was given just enough specifics to work with, along with my clients’ reassurances that I’ve got this. Both elements contributed to how this piece—which I’m still proud of today—came out, and that’s very much to their credit.
I can see them in the work. And I’m grateful.
If my work speaks to you, feel free to send me a note at studio@flintstitch.com or DM me on Substack. I have other works available through my website, and am open to discussing commissions and/or collaborations. 👇🏼
“Miami” (2023)
mixed media
beadwork & acrylic on canvas-wrapped wood panel
12” x 12” x 2” · solid ash frame
private collection
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