Michael is an Exceptional Patron
The Following is our Adventure
and
How we Arrived
at the Final Conclusion for
the Painting Featured Below
Rothko Surprise #137
I was contacted by Michael Spores in May of 2023 with a request for a "personal" Rothko Surprise by email. Typically requests for surprises are color combinations and "moods" so this request was different and quite intriguing. Michael is a Muliple Collector of the series. Elated with the prospect of delving deeper into a profound understanding of my subjects subconscious connection with the style and rhythum of Mark Rothko and his beleif in my skills to phisically put part of him into that style started my mind to wander. How would I accomplish this connection? I began my research as I always do on the internet. Generally speaking I do not have time or the inclination for delving into anyone elses realm or navigate their cerebral labyrinth unless there is a special and specific purpose... Specific Purpose Michael Spores >>> here we go>>>>>
My first internet stop was... LinkedIn where I discovered his occupation was surveyor. There are so many different directions to travel with that idea. I then requested some personal items that might be related to surveying. Michael sent me some pens, a chewing tobacco tin with sand from the beach, a vile of blue pilot Iroshi ink and a bottle of Noodler's Purple Martin. I was taken in by Michaels affinity with these colors and his knowledge of ink. I decided to make some experiments using these inks. Below is the initial layout with concept ideas and my color experiments. (Experiments to be posted). I was initially thinking about surveying the ocean for oil companies. Michael's profile also revealed he had lived in Las Cruces New Mexico for a while so I was thinking about turquoise blue for one of the colors.
My final concept that I decided to go with was the title of Rothko Surprise #137 (I let Michael pick his number out of 10 choices as I always have numerous Surprises in progress simultainiously.
Noodler's Purple Martin and a Surveyors Quill. The epiphany came to me when in one of our communications Michael stated he signed of all his surveys with Noodler's Purple Martin. Michaels tool to make his living is a pen so an antique pen, the quill came to mind which of course is made with a birds feather and a Purple Martin is a bird. The pattern in the purple area is supposed to represent a macro close up image of a quill. The title that is written along the side and incorporated into the painting. The gold color represents the money Michael makes from the Purple Martin survey sign off. Three different hues of gold metallic enamel were sprayed on the canvas coinciding with the layout.
The most interesting tangent to this true tale is that Michael had read a book by my favorite author Haruki Murakami titled Killing Commendatore. The main character is an artist who ends up changing his career from a commercial portrait painter to an abstract portrait painter due to a "special commission" request to paint a "personal portrait" as opposed to a commercial portrait without any restrictions.
I was approximately 1/3 into the book when Michael contacted me. I had not realized at first that he had read the book but I eventually caught on. During our engagement I sent him a token for the Ferryman and completed reading the book. This took the commission to a different hightened level that I had never previously experienced.
I hope to engage additional patrons in the future providing I have the time that would enjoy a "Personal Rothko Surprise" at this level.
