Letting Go!

Celebration

Celebration, commissioned by a couple/collectors in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary, and my major effort/achievement of 2012, was delivered to me by my"guy" in early October. I had  blogged about all the stages of its progress from conception through the delivery of the "metal" by the foundry in late September and photographed it before the chasing and patinaing  in Brian's workshop.  I have to say the final result is beautiful, and compelling and honest, and loving, and I have had a hard time letting go of it, not the usual, for me.
First I wanted as many people as possible to see it, so showed it at the last two SFSA shows of the season in October, to a wonderful response except for one set of giggles from some unevolveds. Meanwhile, with their consent, Brian fabricated a bronze base with a beautiful and complimentary patina, and when he finished, I drove into the mountains to his shop with the piece so he could mount it. Finally, after Thanksgiving weekend, having thoroughly documented the piece in different settings and lights, I carefully packed it, and shipped  to arrive by early December.  To my great relief, they found Celebration to be as beautiful as I do. ( I have always this little remainder of doubt which both creates  temporary suspense, and moves me forward to do better with each endeavor.)

Celebration

So I finally am blogging about the outcome and moving on - I didn't for some reason want to let it go yet, and now I am. My relationship with the subjects has been beautiful, and searching, and expressive on both sides -within this culture we live that idealizes youth and perfection and denies the exquisite complexity and beauty of the human body at any age.  That the piece is a true expression of their love is undeniable. Having met the challenge and exceeded my own expectation is my reward for a challenging and exceptional year!
To an expansive and beautiful 2013!
Marianne