Celebrating Sophia’s birthday
In December 2022, I was commissioned to create a birthday work for Sophia by her husband. The brief was, ‘I want something that conveys Sophia’s Russo/Jewish heritage, her family’s migration to Australia via New Zealand and Italy, and the strong women in her family.’ for the rest, I was left to my own devices. Luckily I know Sophia so was able to work with that knowledge. Oh, and the piece had to be BIG and delivered to the printer within 1 week!
The concept drawing
While talking to Scott on the phone, I sketched out my initial thoughts: I had in mind a woman sitting at a table, facing away, looking out of a window.I considered a beach scene, the New Zealand fern, and a menorah. I thought the artwork should be pensive, a little nostalgic, but in a warm and homely setting. I hadn’t yet seen Pierre Bonnard’s ‘domestic landscapes’, but instinctively that’s what I wanted to draw.
Belarus folkloric elements
I decided to depict Sophia’s Belarus heritage with folkloric patterns, which I drew from references. I combined the individual pieces into a pattern. I used typical Belarus colours for the complex pattern illustration. The final print size that Scott wanted was so huge that I only had a few Procreate layers to work with, so I had to draw all the elements individually and then combine them. But first the pattern:
Furnishings
These folkloric colours drove the rest of the artwork. I now added individual elements: the Russian samovar; the Jewish menorah. I experimented with wall plates, but decided against them. I drew a cabinet of curiosities and a sturdy table.
The window
For the composition, I started with the window. I wanted something large through which the viewer could see a representation of the sea, the travels, and the positive life experiences. I experimented by adding a yacht, a seagull, and eventually the Southern Cross. This constellation represents both New Zealand and Australia. You can see it in the final artwork.
The composition
Once I had the window in place, I added the room elements: the rug, the curtains, the wallpaper - all in the same Belarus pattern. I was struggling with the composition and wanted to add personal elements. So I dropped in a my own family photo on the wall. It still wasn’t right. But then I took away the table and tried the work with a person in the foreground, looking out of the window. That worked.
Adding the personal
It was time to add Sophia. I chose to draw her from the back, standing and looking out of the window. I added her beloved Spaniels. I drew her wearing fluffy slippers, showing she felt at home. I added a comfortable chair, also covered in the same patterned fabric as the other furnishings.
The final artwork
I pulled all these various elements into the final artwork. I added Sophia’s family photos on the walls. I included glasses next to the samovar for Russian tea. Sophia is looking out over the sea, above which floats the Souther Cross. The dogs are forever at heel, waiting for a command. The chair is well placed for an afternoon’s reverie. Scott printed this as a large (A2) canvas print, which is now hanging in their home.
I used a limited palette, inspired by the Belarussian folkloric patterns. I drew the work with Procreate on iPad. I used mainly two Brushes: the 6b Pencil and the Dry Ink. I occasionally used the Soft Airbrush for shading. I had to work very quickly due to the urgency of the brief. I was initially challenged by the few layers I could use, but I overcame that by keeping all the elements on separate canvasses and combining them only at the end. I’m happy with the final outcome: warm, nostalgic, and personal.
