For many of us, the experience of original art is timeless and can shift us to another level, beyond what we can express in words--and nothing can compare to a piece of custom art work that captures the whim and essence of its unique subject. Before the invention of the camera (circa 1840) the only way to capture a scene or a subject was to draw, sketch or paint it. The modern mass production methods simply did not exist. Artists devoted their lives and careers to perfecting their drawing and painting techniques, honing their technical craft to better express their intuitive talent. From the beginning of civilization to present day, royalty of all cultures have traditionally commissioned artists to capture their likeness in custom art work. During the Renaissance Age, nobleman, royalty and the church all commissioned custom art work from the most famous painters of the day, including Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Rembrandt, to name only a few.
When the design of the camera improved to the point that it became more commonplace, photos began to replace custom art work in the genealogical record. Photos were faster, cheaper and offered an almost exact replication of the subject. During the later half of the 20th century, custom art work declined in terms of the number of people who commissioned artists. However, as the 20th century came to an end and the new century started, many people began to turn once again to the artist’s hand to create custom art work. For most, custom art work lives on longer than a photograph. Besides, custom art work is special and unique, while photographs are a dime a dozen.
While it is undeniably convenient to snap a photo, the cold lens can hardly capture the ineffable essence of a person, pet or meaningful scene in a single stark burst of the flashbulb. An artist’s human experience is as much a tool as his practiced technique where a hand-drawn or hand-painted piece of custom art work is concerned. A custom art piece can often capture the emotion of a subject better than a camera; and emotions are, in the end, what drive us to achieve great things. While the camera is coldly objective, the artist’s hand is subjective and can instill a particular temperament or feeling into a piece that the camera just cannot do.
Today, many celebrities have caught the bug and put the camera back in the closet. Celebrities from P Diddy to Kenny Rogers and Sylvester Stallone to Joe Namath have commissioned custom art pieces from famous artists. As well, many celebrities themselves are taking up the brush and have been selling their art work on-line. Several notable websites currently feature paintings and art work from prominent celebrities such as Pierce Brosnan, Anthony Hopkins and Ringo Starr, to name a few. In fact, most people would be surprised how many celebrities aspire to be artists. Dr. Ferdie Pacheco, a former boxing commentator for NBC and Showtime, and Muhammad Ali’s personal physician for 17 years, has taken up the brush in retirement. He recently was commissioned to paint four large battle sequences, each measuring 12’ x 6’, at a price of $40,000 each. Verizon has also commissioned his art, which it illustrated on the cover of Tampa’s 2000-2001 Yellow Pages.
Custom art work is made great by the fact that it can be commissioned in a variety of styles and mediums. For example, a handmade pet portrait can be made in a number of mediums, including pencil, graphite, charcoal, pen, ink, water colors, acrylic, oil and pastels. Each medium provides a different look and feel of the subject. Pencil sketches and oil colors often give off an impressionistic look. Ink and pen are often used to give off a more definitive and exacting look. Watercolors harmonize with each other to give off a softer impression.
Additionally, each custom art work piece can be made on various surfaces, including wood panels, canvas, paper, bowls, plates, etc. One only has to use their imagination. Some people even commission custom art work on their cars and motorcycles. Many celebrities like to have custom painted art work on their vehicles, including most notably rock stars and athletes.
Today, the world has come full circle, from master artists who devoted their lives to their craft, to the revolution of the camera, and back to custom art work. Many talented artists are available to create custom art work. Nowadays, one need not be a celebrity, rich or a member of royalty to enjoy the benefit of a customized work of art. Many skilled artists ply their trade on the streets of major cities across the world. For the price of a good meal, one can often commission a hand-drawn pencil portrait - this author has done so in Kunming China, New York and London, and this experience has never failed to add depth and texture to the memories of those far away places. Prices and quality of art vary depending on the artist and subject, however there are hundreds of art studios to choose from. One need only look to the Internet to find dozens of talented artists ready to ply their trade.
Chad Walner is a widely traveled writer and the owner of the Asian painting and Asian home decorating website Oriental-Decor.com.