a special opportunity to be tasked with as a commissioned artist

I am asked to make paintings all the time for clients, for friends, for family.

For corporations, for live events, for galleries, for parties.

This is what I do as a "commissioned artist."

Someone gives me a subject matter and asks me to make a painting about it, and so that's what I do. And believe me, I recognize this ability is a most precious gift that I am able to do this task. Yes I have over 10,000 hours under my belt of drawing and painting and creating so that makes me an expert as Malcolm Gladwell would say. An "Outlier" so to speak.

But once in a great while, I am not only commissioned to make a painting for a most special occasion, I am also asked to deliver the painting to create a most memorable event as well. Often times, I have never met the actual clients in person until the unveiling happens. Sometimes I never even get to meet my clients at all - entire exchanges of information and what is desired in the commission happens over the internet or on the telephone in a most un-personalized fashion. But I always do my darndest to get to know the person or the subject matter as best as I can in order to most effectively make this creation, this reflection of the individual or situation.

The past two weeks I have been feverishly working on a large abstract for a person I have never met until this evening. A man named Dino reached out to me over the phone, said he had found my website through a "commissioned artist" web search and had a most fantastic idea to surprise his wife for her birthday. Unfortunately, he didn't know if I could help him out in such a short time frame, he had just now thought of the idea of giving artwork and his wife's birthday was in two weeks time. Every birthday they had spent together was always based on a theme, and he felt the event was getting rather "predictable." And even though in the past he had showered his wife, Sue, with jewelry, trips, clothing, accessories, etc etc. and she was most appreciative of all of her themed gifts, this year he wanted to create an element of surprise and make this birthday most "unpredictable." Dino wanted to secretly hire me to make a painting for Sue (who by the way already had developed over the years quite an impressive and eclectic art collection). Dino gave me all kinds of information about his wife, the art she liked, the music she listened to, her professional bio and things of this nature so that I could get to know his wife, my subject, with the hopes of not only making a large painting to fill a particular wall in their home, but to make a gift that represented all the most wonderful aspects of Sue.

What a most important special opportunity. What a great and challenging task. And all in two weeks time.

Still when making a commissioned painting I always get a little nervous about how the painting will be received. I put everything I know and have - all my wits, facets and things that I know about the world of painting and color theory to work. All that I know about the mathematical academic structural institutions of painting is incorporated into my work in hopes that I land on the right planet with the completed image, the completed painting, the completed creation that I make with my own two hands. (And most times I still am astounded after making thousands of paintings for people that individuals entrust me with creating that most special gift, present, or moment to honor another person) I am still astounded that I am hired to do the only thing I wanted to do as a small child and that is to make art.

This article is now getting a little long winded at this point...but I would like to take a moment to publicly thank Dino for hiring me to make a birthday gift for his most precious friend and wife, Sue. Every time I make a painting, I learn something new about me, about the creative process, and the magic behind allowing divinity to work through my hands to make a most special offering to give to someone that I've never met before. Dino gave me a most special opportunity indeed - to make a painting for his wife, the love of his life. I am most grateful that I was chosen for this project as I know I am part of something greater than myself, something greater than the canvas, the paints and the composition.

VIDEO of TIME LAPSE 

If you'd like to watch the process of how Sue's painting came about, I encourage you to watch the time lapse video here (in the link above). I offered to make the video, paired with one of Sue's most favorite songs, as a sort of Hallmark card that Dino was able to present to his wife, minutes prior to the delivery of the actual painting to their doorstep this past Sunday afternoon. When I walked up to the door there were tears of the beauty of unpredictable joy and appreciation in her eyes and I knew right there and then that I had nailed it! And yes after trusting the creative process and the gifts that have been given to me, I had landed on the right planet after all.

to commission a Laurie Maves ART painting for yourself or someone you love, please visitwww.LaurieMavesART.com

"Over the Rainbow" a painting for Sue with music by Eva Cassidy HD Version

I hope you enjoy my latest commission-

a painting for Sue from her husband Dino.

What an amazing gift to give to someone you love.

getting your head out of your smart phone

I know its not officially autumn yet, but there's something about the date, September 1st, that makes me feel like summer is most definitely over. And once fall falls upon us, I always feel like the year needs a good review. What has happened this year? How have I spent my days in 2016? How have I improved my existence? What would I have changed?

I feel like if I take time to complete some kind of re-evaluation process I might actually have time left in 2016 to accomplish some goals that otherwise may have not yet been completed. Yes, I am that type A person, that type A artist, that is always pushing for new paintings, new works, new series, new projects. There just never feels like there is enough time in this lifetime to make all the paintings I want to make. To sell all the paintings I want to sell. To get to all edges of the planet my work. To inspire others to think, act or live creatively, so we become more than just drones, robots or slaves to our smart phones and social media systems.

I have been working on a series of works on paper that have been selling quite well on my Laurie Maves ART Vango ART page. These pieces are generally smaller, 9"x12" - 11"x14" and they are mostly mixed media works on gessoed paper. I have truly enjoyed making these smaller pieces in 2016. They have allowed me to generate more images about relationships, love, connections and reflections on the human experience. These pieces exhibit many of the thoughts and concepts that run through my brain on a daily basis. My mind is never quiet. Unless I focus on making it so, (there's that type A artist personality again).

2016 has also allowed me time and space to make a handful of larger circular abstracts on canvas. These are from my "Gottlichkeit" series. These paintings have been very popular as well. They have exhibited in Kansas and in Colorado and I am very proud of the messages they convey.


I guess we still have 4 more months to go in 2016. I hope I am able to continue creating mixed media works, large abstract paintings, and hopefully continue to inspire those that take the time and energy to read my posts and blogs - even if that means at this moment your face is in your digital device. Maybe you could take a minute for yourself to reflect on 2016 and see where you are headed next? And just possibly take a moment and get your head out of your smart phone to see what life has in store for you for the remaining days of 2016.

Large Gottlichkeit Paintings at Artwork Network

ascending heart, 5'x5' mixed media on canvas in progress in the studio

Come join me to view three of my latest grand abstracts now exhibiting at Artwork Network in the Santa Fe Arts District of Denver,  Colorado.

Thank you so much to owner, Alan Kircher, for hosting:

"ascending heart"

"migration"

and "save me love"

three of the latest 5'x5' mixed media works on unstretched canvas.

For the opening reception on Friday, August 5, 2016, I will also be live painting on site from 5-8 pm.
878 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, CO

For more details, please visit Artwork Network online for show dates, gallery times, and pricing.

migration, 5'x5' mixed media on canvas in progress in the studio

save me love, 5'x5' mixed media on canvas in progress in the studio

finding respite in times such as these

June 30, 2016.

The first month of summer has already run its course. These past months have been filled with so many mixed emotions, sometimes it's hard for me to keep up. That seems to be a theme with my posts these days. 

Every other week we wake to tragedies on the planet. Floods, viruses, terrorists attacks, the list of the goes on and on. Some of my dearest friends have been battling their own challenges, serious challenges that life keeps throwing at us. Challenges that deal with health, cancer, rare and random diseases, death, loss, and heartache. You name it, this year has seen it all for my sphere of nears and dears. Often days we just want to catch a break. I mean like a serious break.

But at this same time I have found peace inside my studio and my painting practices to be growing stronger and brighter. My work about "what this existence as humans is all about.." keeps evolving at lightning pace, and I am fascinated with the images that are unfolding. 

I would like to share them here with you, looking for some feedback about how you personally respond to the abstracted imagery and selected titles and words. These paintings I feel are giving me some respite from the sadness, fear and anxiety that times such as these are doling out. I hope they give you a feeling of faith, hope, love and positive energy. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my posts and look at my works. Here's to a July that is kinder and gentler for the soul.

"id like to be unstoppable" mixed media on canvas 64"x60"

"our ascending hearts," mixed media on canvas 60"x60"

"migration" mixed media on canvas 60"x60"

my latest one, "maintain your faith," mixed media on canvas 60"x60"

All rights reserved by Laurie Maves ART.

Finding Divinity in Painting, GOTTLICHKEIT by Laurie Maves ART Large Ver...

love and blessings to you

As we roll into summer, it seems that time is always escaping from our fingertips. Everyday at a faster rate than the day, week or month before.  Is time speeding up? Are we as humans walking around the planet really running? Is it all the technology these day? There has always been technology though. Is it because I have reached middle age (whatever that means) and now I'm closer  to the end than the beginning of my existence on the planet?

Who knows!?!

So what I've been doing in response to all the lack of time, is to make smaller and faster paintings and mixed media works on paper. Pieces that I can make a number at one time, so that I have the ability to turn out multiple images with multiple messages. It seems there's never enough time to make all the paintings I am going to want to complete. It seems that there will never be enough time to make enough images to express all the seemingly meaningful messages I wish to share with the world through my artwork.

 And as before - who knows what tomorrow will bring?

If you'd like to check out all these instant speedy yet meaningful works, please give them a gander on my Laurie Maves ART VANGO ART online gallery. 

I've made pieces to celebrate the Number 8 

and pieces to celebrate "Love and Blessings, "as well as pieces great for father's that express, "We Have So Much Love For You," 

and some that are just about LOVE in general (of course if you follow my blogs that's what most all of my paintings are about).

Sometimes you don't always have to go big or go home. Just go in love, and the rest will follow.

"Love and Blessings to YOU!" and Happy Friday.