We love helping our family and our community. At our recent SatARTday showcase in September, in honor of suicide awareness, my dear friend Marie Chobot Norman asked if I could do a piece for her Best Friend that recently passed.
Marie and I talked about her friend. How awesome he was doing extreme sports, parachuting, bungee jumping, parasailing, etc. I jotted down some notes on a bar napkin.
I loved hearing about her friend, and the awesome stuff he did. I loved hearing about him helping his friends and family. I loved hearing about her friend and his broken butterfly story.
After talking with Marie, I sketched out an idea of the vision I wanted to honor him with.
I love “hiding” stuff in my artwork. For some reason I chose only four butterflies to use. Upon completing the art, Marie then told me there was something personal about the butterflies. I thought that it was very serendipity.
Since this piece is in honor of her friend, and his outlook. I wanted to frame the silhouette three ways.
The first is his earthly outlook, and the profile of his arms spread wide; ready to do one of his awesome extreme endurances.
The second is the beautiful cloud field, that he wanted to embrace - as he has done numerous times throughout his enjoyment of life.
The third is his spectral energy silhouette, being released back into the cosmos as stars.
I used to print my works on canvas when I first started. After seeing Robert Gonsalves surreal scenes on Aluminum years ago at Huckleberry Fine Arts, my Original Artwork is exclusively on this amazing star-popping style.
I love when original artwork is commissioned. I get to include the certification and the notes for the artwork.
Recently I had a piece re-sold through an auction house by the original collector, and with the authentication provided. It sold twice as much as originally sold.
Now we’re all packed up, and I most definitely had to include a personal letter for Marie.
Thank You Marie, for allowing me the honor to celebrate the life of your best friend.
For others out there, let me know how I can honor a moment in your life or a lifetime experience through my artwork.
-Russ!