Big-Eyed Tiki Roadtrip Painting - General Tiki

I ikitnrev Tiki Socialite D.C. / Virginia Joined: Jul 27, 2002 Posts: 1325	I ikitnrev Posted posted on Thu, Mar 30, 2006 8:08 PM Recently, I decided to treat myself, by commissioning L.A. based artist Vicki Berndt to paint a portrait of myself. I had seen a profile about her in Bust magazine, and the Keane-like big-eyed portraits she paints. After my initial contact, I asked myself, what elements should I add to make this truly representative of who I am. Because I do like taking roadtrips, and one of my all-time favorite destinations ever is the Wigwam Village in Cave City, Kentucky, I asked Vicki if she could paint the 'Sleep in a Wigwam' neon sign and some of the teepee motel rooms in the background. I thought some more, and said 'Hey, I need a tiki mug in my hand, and a roadmap in the other.' A few days later, the obvious struck me -- I need to be holding Jame's 'Tiki Roadtrip Book' along with my roadmap. I am very pleased with how this turned out. Here is the final result. I framed the portrait, and it is now hanging behind my tiki bar. I am quite pleased with how this all turned out. It was a real pleasure corresponding with Vicki Berndt through this process - from our intial contact, to exchanging rough drawings, to the last details of making sure the shirt button was the right color. We worked through several draft versions, and she incorporated almost all of my wishes into the painting, and even suggested a few nice touches herself. Vicki even painted, at my request, the tiki with extra big eyes too! If you're interested in learning more about Vicki Berndt's artwork, her website can be found here .... http://www.vickiberndt.com/ Vern

Recently, I decided to treat myself, by commissioning L.A. based artist Vicki Berndt to paint a portrait of myself. I had seen a profile about her in Bust magazine, and the Keane-like big-eyed portraits she paints.

After my initial contact, I asked myself, what elements should I add to make this truly representative of who I am. Because I do like taking roadtrips, and one of my all-time favorite destinations ever is the Wigwam Village in Cave City, Kentucky, I asked Vicki if she could paint the 'Sleep in a Wigwam' neon sign and some of the teepee motel rooms in the background.

I thought some more, and said 'Hey, I need a tiki mug in my hand, and a roadmap in the other.' A few days later, the obvious struck me -- I need to be holding Jame's 'Tiki Roadtrip Book' along with my roadmap.

I am very pleased with how this turned out.
Here is the final result.

I framed the portrait, and it is now hanging behind my tiki bar. I am quite pleased with how this all turned out.

It was a real pleasure corresponding with Vicki Berndt through this process - from our intial contact, to exchanging rough drawings, to the last details of making sure the shirt button was the right color. We worked through several draft versions, and she incorporated almost all of my wishes into the painting, and even suggested a few nice touches herself. Vicki even painted, at my request, the tiki with extra big eyes too!

If you're interested in learning more about Vicki Berndt's artwork, her website can be found here ....
http://www.vickiberndt.com/

Vern

Post #224096 by ikitnrev on Thu, Mar 30, 2006 8:08 PM