This painting (1m x 1m, acrylic on canvas) was commissioned by a client in Singapore, a law professor, former member of parliament, and generally very excellent person. The current painting shows the story of Elijah Ascending to Heaven, from Kings II (מלכים ב). Here’s a quick look at the process of creating this painting. Every stage was discussed in detail, and we had an easygoing and light-humoured e-mail collaboration as the work progressed. At one stage, there was a great deal to change, and I whited out a huge part of the picture. My own inclination with this subject matter was to make a much more decorative, pattern-filled piece (hence the stylized red-and blue flame design I started with), while my esteemed client had a more literal depiction in mind. Happily, the end result was very well received!
Excerpts from our e-mails:
Me: Please let me know your comments …..especially the flames coming off the chariot/horses. I think maybe the orange glow in the clouds is enough, and the flames are maybe too much (and too cartoony, perhaps).
Client: …..As for the fire, I actually like it as it adds a sense of a dynamic ‘upsweep’; in fact, this may be enhanced by more flames under the horses hooves or chariot, to increase the drama of the whirlwind and the sudden divine intervention – It is a pedestrian scene – except for the fact, this is a heavenly chariot headed skywards so it is ‘supernatural’ (rather than cartoonish). If it fits, perhaps consider some longer flames underneath the hooves/chariot wheels to give a sense of (for lack of a better word) backdraft/Jetstream, a sense of a path being carved out in the sky (the way a boat would leave evidence of its path)…….
But only if you think it may work.
Me: I’ve been a bit hesitant about continuing the flames downwards, so here is a computer sketch showing something I’m inclined towards. What do you think? It shows traces of the chariot’s movement which began off the canvas to the lower right. Does this seem good to you, or is it better left as it was, with the traces/flames being less conspicuous? Personally I quite like the more expressive movement of these lines, but once I commit to them it would be very difficult to remove them or camouflage them. Hence the computer sketch, and my asking you!
Client: Yes, I like it! Proceed!
And finally, my favourite response from the client was this, quite early in the process, in an e-mail which really lifted my spirits while struggling with details:
Client: Oh my, I really like it. It makes me almost want to sing! I can’t wait to see how you incorporate the reddish-gold around the chariot /horses of fire! The sublime divine invading the quotidian, where the invisible meets the visible, even for a flash second!!
I’m always happy to discuss new commissions, which I enjoy because of the true collaborative nature of the process. Rewarding for both client and artist, this method of procuring art can lead to a truly personalized piece whose meaning is all the greater because of the journey that led to its creation.
Canvas prints are available of this painting here.
