Wow, this past month got so busy at the studio that I am just now able to get back to sharing some news and updates. Can’t say this won’t happen again (till I’m ready to hire a media intern or press agent—ha!) so thanks for the patience. My philosophy anyway is that producing awesome work and projects always comes first and shouting about it is for later!
Moving on to the news, this year I had a great honor to collaborate with Cincinnati Opera for its 2018 Gala, A Night of Passion & Fashion—a black tie event gathering for the glitziest and most creative personalities in town. The commission, which launched on July included a bespoke illustration and handwriting for the event’s visual identity as well as a live portrait drawing session at the Gala on November the 16th located at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza. The Gala program included a fashion show of opera costumes created by the fashion design students of University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning; and an auction, which also included the original handmade illustration I did for the Gala with part of the proceeds directed toward supporting the Opera.
For the portrait drawing session, the guests were given the opportunity to purchase a 20 minute appointment to get drawn by me and keep the resulting artwork, done with mixed media on 500 x 650 mm size fine art paper. The exclusive drawing sessions—a whopping 13 appointments in total—took place in a private room at the Gala with champagne and a private hostess entertaining the guests while they had their portrait done.
Check out images from this unique collaboration below. Big thanks to photographer Tony Bailey for sending the last three action shots from my drawing session!
Happy Holidays!
Jarno
