A Commissioned Artist?

Add that to my repertoire.

As part of my job, in the last year, I've exhausted myself working on a Public Art Project called Eagle Nation on Parade. Starting from a blank slate, four of us have brought this project to fruition. It's been a painstaking process, but in the end it's for a great cause - to celebrate the visual arts while raising money for art scholarships and undergraduate research initiatives for the College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences at Georgia Southern University.

Over the summer, we put a Call for Artists to submit their personal designs and a chance to make their mark in our Eagle Nation. Well, last minute, I decided to submit my idea and plopped it in the middle of the others we received. I used my maiden name so no one would know it was me, but after looking through all of the entrants, I decided a completely blind jury would be best. Therefore, they wouldn't unknowingly favor or judge on friendship, hometown, alma mater, etc.

Before I knew it, I was called in to jury the entries alongside three other people - one being my boss. I felt a little awkward but made a point not to pay any attention to my design. We weeded out designs with negative messages, picked three that will go to auction in February and gave the remaining designs to our three Commissioned Eagle Sponsors.

Today, the last Sponsor decided on their sculpture's design. My colleague said, "it's #19 - the all blue eagle with the writing on the rock."

I told her to "shut up." (Professional, I know)
She questioned, "what's the big deal?"
My response, "that's mine!"
Her surprised excitement was followed with silence... "where are you going to work on this 6' eagle?"
"Shit." (I guess it's time to finish the TVs ...)

Above is my über simple design. While some of the other chosen designs have extreme detail, mine clearly does not. My reasoning was to simply pay 'homage to the fanatic Eagle Nation supporters who represent the True Blue spirit' and to one of my undergraduate professors who always pushed, 'less is more' - ha.

(they received Yard of the Month, August 2011)

The Sponsor is The Heritage Bank of the South and have prime real estate in downtown Statesboro. Therefore my blue eagle will get overwhelming face time with the public.  I'll drive by it on my home, on my way to the bank and on my way to El Sombrero.

I am anxious to work as a commissioned artist verses a hired designer. I am not a painter by trade and have never studied it. I know I can paint a blue bald eagle, but will soon find out if they'd like the design altered in any way; I pray I can paint their vision.

So there's the mark I'm making in Statesboro and my Alama Mater - I hope many eager eagle scholars go far with the money raised for them.