I’ll never forget the 7 day cruise that my husband and I took in 2012 after much drama and many setbacks. This cruise was a generous gift given to us by our adult children who knew we worked hard, but never played hard. Yes, like many families we went on week long vacations over the years while our children were growing up-Orlando, Virginia Beach, Myrtle Beach, Canada, among other places- but in later years our children noticed that we never took more than a short getaway here or there. I was ecstatic when our son and daughter surprised us one Christmas with brochures detailing an all expense paid dreamy Caribbean vacation….
Boy did we have fun on that cruise! Besides the fabulous foods, beaches, and entertainment, we enjoyed attending the art auction right on the ship. We also were the lucky winners of a signed watercolor landscape print. More than enough artwork can be found in our home, but we still were thrilled to acquire another beautiful piece.
One of the artists from the art auction on the cruise who really left an impression on us was Michael Goddard. He is currently one of the best selling artists in the country and is known as the “rock star of the art world.” His eye-catching work is lively and whimsical. My husband wanted to blow our entertainment budget on a piece of his art, but I discouraged that idea. Anyway, we were fascinated with this artist’s work and enjoyed hearing the details of his interesting life story that the art dealer continuously shared.
Recently my husband and I had the pleasure of meeting Michael Goddard at the Wentworth Gallery in King of Prussia, PA, which is not too far from where we live. I must say, he is just as colorful as his art. One of the things that Mr. Goddard explained about his work is that he likes to show movement in his art. If you’ve seen some of his work, you’ll notice that many of his paintings include tiny feet…
The first time that I remember hearing the term giclee used to describe a reproduction was when we saw Goddard’s art. For those of you who aren’t sure what a giclee is, it refers to the reproduction of an original piece of art using a high quality inkjet printer. Giclee originates from the French word meaning to spray or squirt, which is exactly how the special inks are applied to the paper or canvas during the reproduction process. The greatest benefit of using this particular technique is its protection factor and some sources say it can last a century or two with the proper care. No wonder some of the major museums, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Metropolitan Museum and the Museum of Modern Art in New York have chosen to exhibit giclee prints. What many artists also love about giclee prints is that they can hold onto their original artwork while selling the reproductions to many.
Art inspiration can come from just about anywhere…..What started out as an engaging conversation with an art dealer at sea has led me to another avenue for showcasing my textile artwork. My designs are now available in giclee prints on archival papers and stretched canvas.
Below is one of my giclee prints. The original version was included in the book 500 Traditional Quilts by Lark Publishing Company.
More on the way…
Artfully yours,
Chris