College Chairs...Reimagined!
Call them college chairs, recognition chairs, insignia chairs, alumni chairs…my unique take on this traditional concept was conceived for Whittier College, in California, to present to members of their distinguished circle of donors, their Poets Laureate. Philanthropists, civic leaders, alumni…the college wanted to thank them for their generosity, in a very personal way. (These chairs can readily be adapted for other schools and organizations looking for a unique way to honor distinguished alumni and patrons! Contact me for details!) To create my version of the traditional college chair I first had to learn quite a bit about the college--its history and stories. Each chair has a unifying iconic image on the seat: Whittier College's hallowed Diehl Hall nestled in the lush, park-like setting of the college. In the foreground is the Rock, a 101 year old piece of history that the students' societies (like fraternities and sororities) vie to paint in their signature colors, in a show of school spirit. Popping up unexpectedly is another bit of college lore: Friday the squirrel. The original Friday was the pet of the school's founder, John Greenleaf Whittier--and is said to be stuffed and lurking somewhere in the library (my version is a bit livelier). The chair back is where I carefully build scenes that reflect more personal elements, specific to each donor. Details from their lives, careers, subjects of particular interest, specific projects they have been instrumental in creating…each donor will find a treasure trove of hidden references that will be uniquely meaningful to them, whether it's basketball courts, a love of science, or chocolate chip cookies! The back consists of five slats, each roughly 1 1/2 inches wide, so this story is told in small sections of minute detail, leaving your eyes and brain to fill in the negative space in between. Finished off with a hand painted artistic rendering of the college seal and a hand-lettered legend reading "Poets Laureate," the chair is a truly one of a kind commemorative treasure.
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I'm a one-woman operation, an artist dedicated to creating one of a kind treasures for my clients, hand painting original designs onto high quality hardwood furniture, home accents, and other unusual surfaces. Each design I create is unique, intricately detailed, and made to reflect the clients' loves, interests, and lives. I create Useable Art for the Young at Heart….what can I create for you?
- LH
linda hunt
For Keepsake Box, Memory Box, Treasure Box5.0If you want a very special gift for a child or grandchild this is the place and the person who can do that for you. She is talented, good natured, imaginative, and devoted to doing a wonderful job on your project. I cannot speak highly enough about Lara and her work. I have ordered three treasure chests so far and hope the grandchildren just keep coming so I can order more. Another idea would be to make one for yourself to store all the wonderful souvenirs, tickets, menus etc. from a special trip. I know she will make the best souvenir you can buy with pictures of the holiday location so inside is all the stuff collected there and outside fabulous original pictures of that place. I think I will do that for myself.
- LH
linda hunt
For Keepsake Box, Memory Box, Treasure Box5.0Lara was terrific to work with. In record time she created two large treasure chests for my granddaughters which they have already fallen in love with. They are two and four and wanted a place for their treasures. The decoration was chosen by my daughter-in-law and Lara did a bang up job putting all the ideas into the design. I have already ordered a third box for another granddaughter who is three. This is such a lovely idea. It is something they will keep forever with their childhood treasures.
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