My Last Book Assemblage for 2009

This is my new favorite. "For the Love of Shakespeare."

This book was a special commission that came in with little time to spare. The person who requested it is someone I could not refuse. I just met this family at the Christmas One of A Kind show, so when the Mom emailed me quietly asking if I would do something with the theme of Shakespeare for her daughter I just had to meet the Christmas deadline.

Truly, the book came together rapidly. I had a few days of panic when I could not find an appropriate book to use as a canvas. But a drive north to a favorite used book store had me locating this square book...which contained the work of Shakespeare. Whew. I knew a book would find me.
My next hurdle was selecting an image.

There aren't that many portraits of Shakespeare. I think he looks very elegant in this painting.

This sketch is officially recognized as a portrait he actually sat for....but who wants to look at this face forever?


Now this is a great painting! If this is Shakespeare then he would still look fantastic in our time. I love this painting. But they are still debating whether or not it really is of William. (The full story is posted here. It is fascinating.)

I was so tempted to use this painting for this special book...but if the painting is ruled to be of another person than I would want to take this book right back. In the end, I was thrilled with the final piece and was very excited to deliver it. I hope I am now part of a special Christmas memory.