from LA with love

My dear friend from LA recently commissioned me to make a special 'thank you' gift. Her and her family, spent their spring break visiting friends, who just moved to the other end of the country. NYC. It was not only a chance for the couples to catch up, but for their 2 young sons to do some memorable sight seeing.

I learned a few things about the couples style, taste, a little about the trip and just started with my canvas, a salvaged kitchen door.

and here is what I delivered.

Without being too literal, I wanted to capture not only the joining of two coasts but highlight one of the boys big weekend events...a tour of the Empire State building.

I am not a great realistic drawer, so I went to my downtown library and found a picture book on New York architecture, took it to my local copy shop. I had them enlarge it to 4 times it size. I decoupaged (glued) it on and then gave it a little life.

Adding some pastels to highlight and accentuate all those beautiful lines.

and to bring in the California vibe, some waves. Images from an old painting were molded around the channels in the door to give it some movement. And the glitter...well, it is LA afterall.

Topped off with a big sunny reminder of where they all met.

The door has a thin profile and after adding some framing wire, can be easily hung in a hallway, den or perhaps, little boy's room.

I kept all the patina'd hardware on (as it gave it some history) and love the way the layers of paint and stain peek thru the edges.

It was a challenge (in a really great way). I hope they like it, and it is reminder of good times with good friends.