"Sundown Vines December" Ann Rea

My latest series of Tim Mondavi’s Continuum vineyard has just been uploaded to annrea.com, where you can see the collection now.

My Naples, Florida patrons, who sponsored this series, have just acquired three of the field studies in addition to their commissioned custom large-scale painting. I’ve chosen “Sundown Vines December” as the basis for their canvas.  I’ll develop this image on a larger scale refining the color and composition.

I’m clearing the decks today so that I can devote my undivided attention to creating the final canvas.  I can’t wait to dive into the color and movement of this piece.

I was so heartened to receive Sandi’s response to working with me that I asked if I could share her message.  She agreed, “We are so happy.  You are the first artist with whom we have personally worked.  Although we knew Robert Rauschenberg and know some other contemporary artists, we have only collected prior works of art.  This has been special in many ways.”- Sandi Moran

Beyond the vineyards, the clear California light, and the interesting winemakers that I get to walk the land with, this kind of response from my collectors is what moves me.  I have met the most enthusiastic, appreciative, and delightful collectors over the years.  The finished product is not for me. It’s for them.  It just provides me with a vehicle to live my life’s passion and take this creative journey. I’m grateful to them.

Next I’ll be starting a series of the Russian River for collectors whose Healdsburg ranch runs along the Russian River.  From the top of Prichard Hill in Napa to the Sonoma Valley, inspired color is everywhere.  And I can’t wait to paint it.

Before and After

What and Where to Place the Paintings?

One of my newest patrons came to me by referral from her interior designer. They worked together over two years ago on the exterior her family’s second home, atop a Healdsburg ranch. My patron designed her interiors herself but her designer felt strongly that she really needed some original art to breathe inspiration, color, and more warmth into the space. Art was not part of the original budget and there was no clear design concept to work within so we are working a bit backwards. And my patron was not at all sure of what she wanted and where she was going to place art. But this is not a problem. My formal training is in architectural design so I understand the language of design and I am used to scaling within interior spaces.

I toured the house with my patron, photographing and measuring each wall that presented an opportunity to showcase art. I listened carefully to my patron about how she uses her space and where her family spends most of their time. With elevation, digital photographs and wall measurements in hand I crafted a proposal.

The art proposal outlined several options to help her determine her preferences and budget. I listed each placement, type, and size range that would work proportionally so that she could choose from one or more of these placements. I also delineated to what extent we could scale each selection up or down to fit her preference and budget. The possibilities are infinite and the great thing about art is that you can move it around.

I was inspired by the Russian River running along the edge of her property. So to further help her visualize, I took one of my existing paintings of a river to provide her with a before and after illustration. With this example she could get a sense of the impact of my art in her home.  The illustration provides an approximation of a 36 x 48 canvas.

Even though she was unsure of her art budget and placement she knew that she wanted to bring the inspiration of original work into her home and this process has helped her make a decision.

This is what happens when a tractor runs over your iPhone.

Even Painters need Technology
On Wednesday I crossed the Golden Gate Bridge and made my way to Healdsburg, CA in Sonoma county to meet one of my newest patrons, Mimi.  Her family’s second new home sits atop 228 acres bordering the winding Russian River.  The panoramic view is stunning.

Mimi loves my paintings so she has commissioned me, but we have to determine what is going to work best for her space and budget.  This is where I get to draw upon my former design background.

When I arrived, Mimi graciously met me in the driveway with a tall cold glass of iced tea.  Then she gave me the tour of her home and pool house where I photographed and measured each wall that would benefit from an art placement.

What’s great about Mimi is she is completely open to suggestions and has turned to my experience and expertise.  The end result always benefits from this trust.

Next it was time for a tour of her ranch.  She started up her Kawasaki Mule and off we went.  I was amazed at this tractor like machine that seemed to be able to crawl up walls.  I asked her to take me to the special places that hold her memories.  Mimi unfolded ten years of history contained in the beauty of her landscape.  We paused at each spot and as she recounted her stories of each place as I took photographs.

We plowed up and down the hills of tall grass, visited Mr. Black’s rusted old car (the original owner), ate apples from the remnants of an ancient orchard, and drank in the beauty of the water on the shore of the Russian River.

When we arrived back her family and friends greeted us. I soon discovered that my iPhone had plunged out of my back pocket during the bumpy ride to who knows where.  I had to leave so I accepted the loss. But Mimi was determined to retrace our steps and find it.  With her family and friends, and cocktails in hand, they roamed in the Mule.  I returned to my Pacific beach studio and I retrieved a message, she and the joyful search team screamed, “we found it!” I was so relieved and grateful.

As you can see my iPhone took a beating.  But even painters must have technology, so I’ve replaced it with the new 3GS iPhone. Soon I’ll be able to post video clips of my adventures and my meetings with the special people who are my collectors.