Hi friends,
I’ve written before about commissioning artwork and even given many of you a chance to commission an abstract with no strings attached because I’m well aware that your first commission might be slightly intimidating. I’m super excited to share a few large commissions that I had this year and give you some behind the scenes with the process! I want to first say a huge thank you to each of these folks for not only trusting me with their art, their ideas, and our collaboration, but also love and passion for original art. It’s been so fun and rewarding and I’m thrilled to share their reviews and what they thought about the whole process with you!

First in the Series: Behind the Scenes with Roxborough State Park an Anniversary Surprise
Second in the Series: Behind the Scenes with Love in Abundance, a calming abstract landscape with scripture underneath the layers.
Third and Final in the Series: Behind the Scenes with an Abstract Landscape for an Anniversary Surprise

Behind the Scenes with the Greatest Romance:
Being a contemporary painter and photographer keeps me incredibly busy year round. In the summer and fall I spend much of my time out photographing clients and in the winter I spend my time hibernating in my studio painting. It’s actually a great combination for our Iowa weather patterns. A year ago in July, I photographed a couple’s intimate wedding in the Colorado mountains. We’re great friends and I was so excited when the groom messaged me this past spring to see if I’d collaborate for his surprise first anniversary gift, too! EXCITED is an understatement! I was overjoyed!

The process:

1. He wanted something that would remind them of their wedding weekend, something abstract. They’re already collectors of my artwork and trusted my style. I pretty much had a blank canvas to work with!

2. It had to be kept a secret! (Whew I didn’t spill the beans!)

3. Their wedding was an adventure, it was so relaxed and fun, we journeyed across the country, we hiked, we ate, we celebrated, we took gorgeous photographs…. it was perfection.

   Since their wedding felt like a celebration of love that truly embraced the journey and adventure I wanted the piece to have a calm excited feel, a wandering relaxed chaos to it all.

4. I began by laying down a charcoal message of love and marks symbolic to all things about their wedding weekend. Then I added layers of earthy colors in to create an abstract landscape that mimicked the mountains and valley where they were married. I added to the layers with pop colors that were in the bouquets, white billowing marks could reference the boulders or the delicious cupcakes we enjoyed in the parking lot, and a swirl of the underlying charcoal peeks through symbolic of life’s journey or more simply taking the windy roads through the mountains following the newly weds powered by the sun.

5. Along the way I messaged Andrew secret progress photos to which he replied, AWESOME! He loved the piece and was excited to meet for the secret drop off.

6. On their anniversary she opened two small pieces first, and she loved them. Then he pulled out the REALLY BIG surprise and she said she actually cried… tears of happiness! ;)

Kate & Andrew, Thank you so much for your appreciation for art, for your continued support (y'all are officially at collector level status), for having me paint for your first anniversary, and for your love and friendship. I am so grateful! I hope you enjoy your newest JWebb originals and can’t wait to see them in their forever home! These really are going to look perfect surrounded by your beautiful new land….

The greatest romance really is all about finding joy through the journey!

XO
Jillian

Accepting a limited number of commissions, message for availability!