To start off, I got GREAT news from Scotland! Eight of the eleven commissioned paintings I sent over in March sold at Kate Durran’s piano concerts, along with a pile of notecards! She will have more concerts of the Bach Toccatas, so I am leaving the remaining three originals and the rest of the notecards, for at least a few months. I am delighted, of course, and so glad that our collaboration of her music and my artwork was a success.
A week or so after I sent everything off I was showing my tennis coach, Mike, photos of some of the paintings, and he got inspired to commission me to create a painting for his fiancé Amanda along similar lines, though much more specific. He wanted a painting of her grandmother’s house and the cherry tree under which he proposed, and the lullaby her grandmother used to sing to her, “The Band Played On,” a 19th century song about a guy who waltzed with the strawberry blonde, the girl he adored, while the band played on. I was honored to do it (honestly, to be entrusted with someone’s precious memories, to visually interpret them, is truly an honor), and from what I understand she loves the painting.
Here it is:
On another note, my Spring 2 session of classes ends on May 21, and I will be taking a break from teaching for the summer. I will be offering Fall 1 and 2 sessions of Mixed Media classes at the Oak Park Art League starting up again in September. If you are interested in being on my email list for updates, let me know and I will add you to the list: jackielakely@mac.com
Also, Happy Spring! Last November I planted a bunch of bulbs around the flower beds in front and back of the house, and we have enjoyed some really lovely surprise hyacinths, crocuses and tulips over the past month.
