40 Arts of Gratitude - Order Prints
40 Arts of Gratitude. Forty 2"x2" paintings of skies.
Order Form
In celebration of my 40th birthday, I'm offering prints of my #40artsofgratitude project! This will be a limited run of - you guessed it - 40 prints. Even though the originals are all over the world now, you can still have an archival quality fine art print of all of them. These prints will measure 16"x20" (standard frame size) and be printed on 190gsm cold-pressed watercolour paper. The art has been professionally digitized using a high quality flatbed scanner. Each of the small square paintings will be at their original size of 2"x2" so you can enjoy them down to the last detail.
The #40artsofgratitude project represents roughly 40 hours of painting and I'm extremely happy to be able to offer these prints to you, especially since many people have asked about prints.
Price: $120 CAD + shipping (free local pickup in the Vancouver area)
If you would like to purchase a print, please fill in the form below and I will email you a confirmation for your order and instructions for payment. Order deadline: Monday, May 31, 2021. Thanks for your support and for celebrating with me!
Mockup of a framed print
The Story Behind #40artsofgratitude
At the beginning of this year as I thought about turning 40, I began reflecting on all the people who have played a part in shaping who I am today. I decided I wanted to thank 40 of these key people through art. With my dad's unexpected passing 2 years ago, along with the pandemic, and the loss of my aunt last year, I realized how life is unpredictable. None of us is guaranteed tomorrow. I thought about how people often say lovely things about others at their funeral, but might not tell them while they are alive. I did not want to let the opportunity slip by.
In February, I began painting one 2"x2" square each day. This coincided with the #opusdailypractice challenge, a daily painting initiative organized by Opus Art Supplies. After February was over, I continued with the daily paintings until I had 40 of them. I used gouache paint (which is something in-between acrylic and watercolour) on Arches watercolour paper. I painted skies because they remind me of the goodness that surrounds us. My photo references ranged from images I had taken myself, to those from friends and family, and other Canadian photographers I had connected with over Instagram.
Me, ready to mail off the #40artsofgratitude
In April, I took the original piece with all 40 paintings to be professionally scanned and digitized because after this, the originals would be going to different people in many places. I cut out each of the squares and mounted them onto wooden boards and then printed up 40 notes explaining the project, hand wrote personalized letters to each of the recipients, wrapped them up and mailed them off. The 40 recipients included people from all stages of my life, from family members, to teachers and mentors, to friends who have walked with me through significant times. It was tricky to narrow the recipient list down to 40 as there were so many others I wanted to include!
This project was a larger undertaking than I had expected, and at times, I felt crazy for attempting it. But I feel satisfied and relieved to have expressed my gratitude at this time and in this way to these people.
#40artsofgratitude is in memory of my dad, who, on his deathbed had told my daughters to paint more so he could see their art from heaven. I like to think those words were for me, too. And also in memory of my aunt, who had for years told me to sell my work. I am indebted to their influence on my life and wish I could have sent them one too.