“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
—Mahatma Gandhi
Anniversary Rickenbacker was created in service to my collectors’ love of music and love of each other.
For many years I was an art director and graphic designer. I worked for a few sexy design studios and some very prestigious publishing houses. I enjoyed what I did and was always grateful to go to work. But it lacked the emotional connection I craved.
The above are a handful of book covers I designed for Farrar Straus & Giroux, Little Brown & Company, and Scribner.
Fast forward to today. I work for myself as a fine artist. I work creating art to fill my collectors and myself with delight. I also do commissions for individuals, and I focus on creating a piece filled with meaning for them. So when one of my collectors is moved to tears of joy upon seeing their newly created painting, my heart soars.
I was thrilled to experience this outpouring of emotion with my most recent commission. A friend came to me and wanted to surprise her husband with a special anniversary present. He saw the sketches for my Quarantune series and commented that the Rickenbacker Bass was his very first guitar. She wanted to commission the painting for him and was excited to hear about my ideas to customize it.
The note to her husband was so special and personal I asked her to come and sign it herself before I panted over it.
She wrote a special note to him that I painted into the body of the guitar. I took a picture of it so he could see it because, ultimately, I painted over it. It is a personal and private message between them. Surrounding the guitar, for all to see, are the names of all the bands he has been in. So as not to overwhelm the guitar, I painted the type in a subtle iridescent orange that looks like an ashen gray until the light shines on it in just the right way. Then it lights up beautifully for all to see.
You can see here, in the bottom right corner, how the iridescent painted lettering glows in the light.
I used my years of graphic design skills to create a type solution for the band names inspired by Pentagram's Public Theater posters. In the end I was so pleased with the outcome that I plan on incorporating type into my next Quarantune as well. Perhaps it will be a song title recorded with the instrument or names of artists who famously play the instrument. I love how the creative process grows and evolves. It's always exciting and new. Mostly I love moving people to overwhelming emotions of joy. When I see those tears, I know I have done my job.
I hope you’re experiencing overwhelming emotions of joy. If you would like me to help you with a meaningful piece of art, email me here and we’ll start the process.
Thanks for reading.
Rock on,
Leslie
xo