For the millions of travelers and Kiwis alike who have visited the Christchurch Arts Centre, you’ll know the famous establishment Le Cafe and likely, its canine patron, Lincoln.
Owner James Jameson commissioned a large portrait of Le Cafe’s furry chief of PR early in 2006. After a number of visits from Christchurch to the studio (6hr drive each way) to sit for compositional photos (and socialising, of course), Lincoln’s nonchalant and companionable attitude, laid back vigilance and majestic air became the conceptual seed for the work to come. This was to be a special piece, and as is often the case, the concept for the final composition was one that took its time as a particularly powerful spacial relationship between the subjects evolved. Over the course of the year Lincoln took shape on the canvas.
The photos below capture a little of the process that was ‘Lincoln‘, and the unveiling and signing of the finished commission. From the refining of the sleek muscular form, rendered from flat white to shimmering black and deep brindle, he was a one of those subjects, slipping so smoothly into form, you wonder whether it’s you drawing him out of the canvas, or him drawing you in.
The finished work can be seen hanging at the famed Le Cafe, at the Arts Centre in Christchurch, New Zealand. Many thanks to James (and Lincoln) for commissioning me as the artist for such a wonderful project.
‘Lincoln’, the finished painting, oil on canvas 760mm X 1520mm (click to enlarge)…
