Final Pictures of the 60 x 48" Commission

Well, I finished the commission piece... and they LOVE it!! I'm thrilled.

This first photo shows the overall finished piece. Subsequent photos are close-ups and include notes on what I saw in the artwork. I included some of my client's comments as well.

I did not share my insights with my client, I let them see through their own eyes. I am amazed at what they saw.

Wild Red Poppies (aka Heaven and Earth - as titled by client)
signed, dated 09
acrylic, pencil, magazine, newspaper and fabric collage on linen
61.5 x 49.5 in, framed
SOLD $1800

Detail #1>
My Observations: The old oak tree, the tree of life and knowledge. It's arms around the people, protecting them and showing them love. This is a mystical doorway to god.
Client Observations: "This is Heaven."


Detail #2>
My Observations: A little boy kneels in the grass looking and discovering. Playful and exuberant, he delights in his discoveries. Butterflies (beneath him, and hidden to right): symbol of hope, freedom, transformation and growth.
Client Observations: She has a nephew that has passed away, "this is him", she said. Also when she sees a butterfly she imagines him sending it down to earth.

Detail #3>
My Observations: An angel, bowed to her heart. Around her, the dark red splotches are the wild red poppies - lush!

Detail #4>
My Observations: Girl singing with joy. Happiness bursting from her heart. Delicate pond of lily pads and flowers. A town, bridge, moon and shooting stars.

Latifah Shay - 'A Colorful Soul'

Warfordsburg, Pa., artist Latifah Shay will exhibit "A Colorful Soul' at The Muse this month, but whose soul she's referencing depends on the painting.

The longtime artist and graphic designer turned her interest to abstract acrylic pieces recently and said she feels her paintings are revelatory.

"I feel I connect with myself very deeply when I do art," she said. "I feel like things are revealed.

" For example, she worked on a group of paintings when she was pregnant and "could tell one of the images was the soul of the baby," she said.

Turns out, she gave birth to triplets - minor technicality.

Circles recur in her pieces but aren't related to anything specific, she said. "They're more of a movement or expression. ... Usually I just move with what I feel. ... Afterwards, I connect with the art. I'm usually suprised."

She will attend the opening reception from 5 to 9 p.m. at The Muse and give demonstrations of her techniques working with small collages and paintings.

Throughout her life, she went through artistic spurts, she said, when she'd produce several pieces over a short period of time, then stop for a while.

"I never knew why," she said.

There were no artists in her family.

She studied architecture at Texas A&M University but found herself wanting a more creative outlet. She went on to study graphic design and became a designer specializing in web design and flash animation.

She continued to return to her personal paintings, though, realizing they were what gave her satisfaction.

She began working with mostly that and showed her work for the first time a year ago.

Art "was something that had always been inside me," she said. "After having my children, I wanted to do something for myself. ... I'm happy to be here."

by Lauren LaRocca
The Frederick News-Post (MD)
Friday, September 4, 2009

Thank you Lauren for the interview.
I would just like to comment and correct something that was said in the first paragraph: actually "A Colorful Soul" refers to me and my soul.
Thank you
Latifah

New Art :: Three Collage Minis

Lightning bolt of delight strikes my heart
Happiness abounds
Daydreamy with joy
Happiness, poppies and floating dreams

Happiness
signed, dated 09 (on back)
acrylic, magazine collage and transfer on pressboard
5.75 x 7.75 in, framed
$75

The heart connecting
Love given
Friends - supporting & caring
Thoughtfulness
Feeling bad
Together
Watching, dreaming

The Heart Connecting
signed, dated 09 (on back)
acrylic, magazine collage and transfer, pencil on pressboard
5.75 x 7.75 in, framed
$75

Dynamic city vibe
Aspen, cold and sunny
Edgy graffiti
Through the snow
Falling laughter

Laughter in Snow
signed, dated 09
acrylic, magazine collage on pressboard
5.75 x 7.75 in, framed
$75

To Purchase Artwork: Contact Latifah Shay @ 707-327-8125 or artist@latifahshay.com