Walloonatic Weekend
Heather Hansma
$375
12 x 15” | 19 x 25” framed
acrylic on illustration board
2011
I just received the banner I designed for a client from the friendliest FedEx guy ever. Here us a snapshot in my office’s print room for scale. It is 6’x3’.
I have never been so nervous opening a package from the printer before in my life. I am so happy with how it turned out.
Here is the final version of the commission I was working on last week (click the picture for a larger version). They absolutely loved it. I love it when that happens. I ordered the banner for them yesterday, so I should receive it sometime next week. It will be the largest incarnation of any of my artwork to date.
Oh, and the irony of a piece I made for a group of cops going into a show called Meth & Hot Dogs was not lost on anyone.
During the Superbowl I was hanging out at the bar with a group of guys who work for various different law enforcement departments. They are a gregarious bunch with a great sense of humor. I come to find that they have an annual get-together at Walloon Lake, and one of them was supposed to have a banner made. He sighed heavily about having a hard time getting the art together and didn’t think it was going to happen. He didn’t know where he could get the illustration done.
Well, I told them they were in luck because (and I quote) “I have a degree in that shit.”
They had a detailed concept already thought up. All they needed was someone to execute it. They wanted a take on the poker playing dogs, but with a sole loon playing poker in a green visor, chomping on a cigar, and generally carousing about. They also wanted the words “Walloonatic Weekend” and the letters “B.A.G.” to be on the banner. They only had a little bit of money set aside for the project, but something about it was cracking me up too much to let it pass by. I immediately started a thumbnail that they loved. We set up a meeting date for final approval, and I told them their vector illustration would be ready by that date.
However, there is a hitch in that plan now. I have no desire to do a vector illustration. I had every intention of doing it for them. I really did. I can’t, though. I just can’t do it.
Because I have to paint it instead. Have to.
I don’t know why I feel so strongly, but I do. I have fallen in love with this little loon. Hell, I think this is actually going to be one of my pieces for Meth & Hot Dogs II. It is going to be quite the adventure, though. They want a 3’x6’ banner, and although I will be painting this larger than what I normally do, it will still be nowhere near that size. I think I have found a solution to the size issue, but only time will tell if it will all come together.
In the meanwhile, keep your fingers crossed for me. Adventure!
