The 2015 Christmas Collection

I'm grateful for the mad rush through the holiday season as art orders came in a wave -- but carefully flew out from here, at Tom Wills Productions. Some of my works were chosen as that "special gift" and that is extremely important to me.
Not all of these were intended as holiday gifts -- and not all of the surprises are here. Timing and circumstances (birthdays, anniversaries, delayed visits) ended up placing many of these works very close to Dec. 25. So I'm counting them all as Christmas goodies!
When you Consider an Original, remember that we are preserving a memory, and that I take care to make them last for generations.
Wishing everyone a fine 2016, thanking you all for your business and friendship in 2015.
Sharpening 'em up for the new year ...  

Tom


No. 313. Thank you, Jerry Tranovich (and Amanda).
"Over the moon. Really happy with it."

 

 

  

No. 315.  Thank you, Mary Scarnecchia, WWR '79.
"Just got a good look at it, it looks fabulous. You really captured them! Thank you!"

 

Nos. 316 and 317.  Thank you, Shirley Sallmen (again!)
"I have work for you!"

 

No. 310 (718 Pine, SF).  Thank you, Tim Fitzpatrick. Happy anniversary, Diane!
"It's here and I gave it to her early since we have a crazy week. She loves it and is amazed by your work with ink!"

 

 No. 286.  Thank you, Mark Sweetwood.
"Got a cute pic from my parents today. Your pic now hangs in their bedroom. They love it."

In Florida!

No. 301.  Thank you, Kalea Hall. (A gift for gram)

"Hanging in her living room."

 

 No. 312.  Thank you, Robert Connelly.
"Thanks Tom, she loved it!"

Best note ever.

 

 No. 309.  Thank you, Bill Sullivan.
"My man!"

 

 No. 308.  Thank you, Matt Arnold.
"Beautiful."

No. 305. "Lady."  Thank you, Joanne McCarthy Rock
"Perfect!!!! I love it and so will Danny I am sure!"

 

No. 311, My gift to Dave Wood.
With great-grandson Anthony Thomas Armistead.

No. 286: Recreating a Wedding Picture

I am proud of this one, because it was nearly impossible.

I was asked much earlier this year to recreate a wedding photograph taken on May 21, 1955, in preparation for a 60th wedding anniversary party. There had been some ongoing dialogue among two brothers and a sister (in two states) about who had the best copy of the picture. Turned out, no one did. So I was given a grainy printout from a scan and asked to give it a try.

I made no guarantees but did agree to work at raising the image, in time for the anniversary gift to be handed over during a spring family party.
I admit to having a terrible time with the bride's dress and veil, and the groom's white jacket and face.  Eventually a second photo was provided -- a different angle, still not great -- that showed a little more detail in better lighting. So I was able to combine the best parts of both and make a new image.

Turns out, that family party never happened and the picture waited for several months, until the couple visited Ohio in December for a holiday visit.  It's now a Christmas present. 
As a surprise, it was hung in the the room that they would be sleeping in in during their visit to their son’s home. In an ironic twist, one of my previous works, a portrait of Elvis, had to be taken down to make room for this new portrait.

Also turns out, these were not the only available wedding day images. There is indeed a wedding album -- but the siblings didn't want to let on about what they were up to, so we had to use the inferior copies.
I hope I got them right. He looks vaguely like the late, great bandleader Stan Kenton.  She was obviously stunning. A very sharp couple.
I suspect they still light up each other's lives, and have given their now 50-ish sons and daughter quite the example to follow.