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Working with an Art Consultant by Connie Tunick
Posted on Saturday, February 25 @ 16:12:31 PST by artnanna
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Nearly two years ago I got a commission through an art consultant to create eight pieces with a vintage New York theme all in black, white, and gray.....
by Connie Tunick
I had previously worked with this consultant on another hotel project. She had seen pictures of a New York series that was previously done and wanted the same style, but in specific sizes and with a vintage theme.
Because of the nature of the art business, I was pessimistic about this project's ever happening.The art was to be part of a redecorating project for the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square.
From the time the talking began until I signed a contract, it was well over a year. It took me about six months to complete the work, including maquettes, research, and revisions....
At the beginning I was reassured that there would be very casual planning, but this was the most involved planning I've done for any project. Six of the pieces were to be 36x 36" and two pieces were to be 40x 40". These large pieces were all mixed media monotypes with collage. My press wasn't big enough for this, so I used Nellie Small's press and Barbara Jay's press.
I had to make up themes for six pieces and the two largest pieces were to be architectural. I was really lucky because the consultant put me in touch with the Director of the Archives of the City of New York. He gave me permission to use some photographs and sent me stationery with old engravings that I had permission to reproduce. The themes were Transportation, The Statue of Liberty, The Brooklyn Bridge, a takeoff on a tourist postcard "Greetings from New York", Old Penn Station,The New York Courthouse, and the two architectural themes.
I could never have done this project without my digital camera and e-mail. Because of the size of these pieces, there was no way I could send them back and forth across the country. Film could have been used, but using the digital camera made for an immediate response ?..and this was a hands on art consultant who wanted visual progress reports all the time. At the very beginning, each piece had to be preapproved by the designer from the Marriott Marquis. I did not do actual paintings. I just did cut and paste plans using part of this painting and part of that one. It didn't go smoothly, and the final three plans went back and forth many times.
 I was never a graphic artist and had no idea about working this rigidly, but I am pleased that I got the commission and glad for the learning experience. The most important part is that I am proud of the art. Friends from all over the country have seen my work at the Marriott Marquis. Janet Amiri saw it recently. The pictures with this article are from the trip to NY that we took in April. It was definitely a thrill to see my work in such a prominent place. The size alone is impressive, and I like the way they did the framing and lighting. The entire "common area" on the seventh floor is my art, and the two larger pieces are on the ninth floor. If you go to New York, say hello to my work and tell me about it."
Connie Tunick
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