Backstory: Some months ago, I got a phone call from an unknown number. I was hesitant to answer at first, but something made me feel as though I ought to take the call. It turns out it was someone calling on behalf of the founder and chairman of the multinational audio equipment companyBEHRINGER. He wanted to commission me to make paintings for his new house.
I was thrilled and immensely grateful for the opportunity of course, but also a little intimidated. He's a great man who has achieved so much through his passion for music. You may read about his story here [link] It's really inspiring. And it makes me all the more thankful that someone who could have chosen any other artist he wanted, had welcomed my work into his home.
A meeting was scheduled for us to meet and talk about the paintings after he had flown into the Philipppines. He greeted me with a bright smile, and talked to me like an old friend. I showed him painting samples on my laptop so that we could decide on a style. He chose one of my old works as a peg, and asked me to make a series based off it. He said he'd like me to be free to decide what else I'd like to do with it. But I felt he ought to have a say about it, too.
I asked him, "Is there any particular imagery you would like to be present in the paintings?" His piercing blue eyes lit up and he said, "I was waiting for you to say that. Let's keep it all about the music."
He gave me three instruments to work with — a piano, a saxophone, and a guitar.
About the painting: This, of course, is my painting centered on the guitar. Apart from showing the instrument, the rest of the composition is a representation of how I feel about the sound of a guitar.
I get asked about this a lot so — The torn paper effect was not actually done with paper. I layered gesso and acrylic paint to achieve that. It was one of the things Mr. Behringer really liked about the old painting of mine that he chose as a peg. It added layers of dimension, and made it feel as if there is a story to be told. It also served as a good unifying factor for the three paintings in this series.
I'm very happy with how the piece turned out, though of course this photo is but a shadow of the real thing. I put a lot into the textures, layering of colors, subtle tonal values and metallic detailing — things that can't properly be seen through photos. But I hope you enjoy this, and thank you for reading.
DD That's so awesome, that the founder of an amp company called you. You're really amazing in like, every medium you use, and I thought this was a picture from a camera, not a painting. (or picture of a painting xD) What kind of saxophone do you think you'll use? :3 Do you know?
Aside from the fact that I've spotted the painting in one of the earlier shots of you and your room and WIP's ...
You even combined acrylic and gesso! >_<,
And... I know for a fact that he chose right!
It's just life's way of saying you're on the right track
so don't lose sight of what you want!
Honestly, you inspire a lot of us!
And I know, this message will be buried twice over, but...
please... never stop being an inspiration!
And congratulations on being chosen. I bet it's a great honor.
What kind of saxophone do you think you'll use? :3 Do you know?