Wily Tulips the First Commission

The staff at Tangram reached out to Cannon to commission an artwork to present to Connie Dillman on the occasion of her retirement. 

Connie Dillman retired in 2015 after a successful 44-year career as a visionary leader in the field of developmental disabilities.

Tangram supports people with disabilities by designing services to meet their specific needs and desires. We assist them to live full, meaningful, and happy lives, at home and as members of their community. Tangram joins with community partners to create inclusive and sustainable solutions to challenges faced by those impacted by disabilities. https://www.thetangramway.org

 

 

Research - before Cannon starts working he collects ideas for his inspiration. In this case he looked at a favorite ceramic piece supplied by her staff, for color clues.  Other ideas came from favorite flowers - overblown tulips looking "mischievous or wily".

Cannon selects his palette of colors for the composition.  He references the ceramic inspiration.

The week before he started painting Cannon spread modeling paste on the canvas and pressed the Tangram logo into the paste to create a hidden image that would be under the painting.

After the modeling paste is dry he removes the shapes from the canvas.

He applies the first layer of color and texture using the larger diameter and textured paint roller.

He pauses from time to time to add different colors and white to form tints and shades.  We are curious how the hidden picture will look. After the background colors and textures are applied Cannon looks at the canvas from all sides and angles and decides which is the top of the canvas before continuing to use smaller and smaller rollers to add smaller areas of texture and color including a hint of metallic gold and bronze paint.  He indicates when the canvas should be turned so that he can more easily reach areas he wants to add color to.

Cannon uses the hair dryer to dry the under painting before adding shapes of color.

Cannon selects the colors for the shapes that will give the impression of the wily tulips.  He looks at the reference images and then points to where the colors should be placed on the canvas. He uses a one inch printing brayer to create the oval and shapes and adds more colors to the composition.

 

 

Cannon uses the large round dry brush to blend colors on the canvass. 

He adds the last details of brush strokes to imply the stems and leaves.  He uses a brush that is stiff with dried paint as a tool. 

Throughout the process Cannon stops now and then for a rest.  We sit back and look while paint dries or while we discuss what the next steps might be, pointing out interesting effects of the roller and brush work.  He returns to the canvas until he decides it is complete. He puts down his tools and looks forward to what is next.