Finding an artist who’s work you adore enough to engage with for a unique, commissioned piece is a treat. There are many ways to find artists across the state, across the country and even around the world. Lately, we have found quite a few artists on Instagram and with the increase in artist groups, we’re being introduced to even more talent. Not only does this fill our feeds with beauty, but we’re able to connect and bring some of that beauty directly into our homes and the homes of our clients.
Through a group on Instagram called the Campbell Collective, we found a young artist from South Carolina, Laddie Neil. She paints abstract landscapes with fresh and uplifting color stories. We were drawn to her work because it is both compelling and peaceful - offering both interest and the ability to be layered into a space without demanding all the attention. For now, her pieces are also affordable, with an entry-level price point that can help anyone interested in art get started with their own collection - a collection we always encourage!
After a connection to her work, the ability to pick the size and the way she finished her pieces were key for this specific room. In our client’s primary bath, since the piece will live on exposed brick of a chimney, we needed it to fill the space without being too big. Also, since it’s hung above a soaker tub, we wanted a piece that could withstand a drop of water or two. Since Laddie puts a lacquer over her acrylic works, the piece would be able to handle a small amount of moisture. Even art has some practical considerations! For a further introduction to Laddie and her work, here are a few thoughts she shared about her inspiration, her process and if she picks favorites:
Flaming Hot Cheetos
Commissioned Piece
Tell us about your work. How do you describe your style?
When people ask me about my work, I say that I paint loose abstract landscapes. This is the short answer! When describing my work I would say that my work is impressionistic with movement and lots of color. It is heavily layered with loose washes and thick marks of heavy acrylic paint. I desire my work to transplant the viewer to a "restful place" or "sanctuary" of sorts.
Commissioned Piece
What inspires your work?
I am always looking to landscape as a place for inspiration in my paintings. I use landscape as a metaphor for who we are as people and the experiences we have throughout our lives. The layered elements in my work correlate with my thoughts around the process on the canvas and also the process of life! The process of creating a work on canvas is a constant reminder of the process of exploring our own mental, emotional, and physical journey. Landscape is my vehicle to transport the viewer to a place where they feel this journey happening for a cause greater than oneself.
Southern Breeze
Rest in These Hills
How long have you been an artist?
I went to college for fine art and graduated in 2016. When I graduated I did a lot of commission work for clients (painting anything and everything!) and kept pursuing my art business after that. I worked in an art gallery full time for a year and a half in Nashville right after I graduated and then moved back to Greenville, SC in late 2017 to pursue my art full time in a studio space. I have been working as a full time artist since then!
With You I am Home
When working on a commission, what helps you create something for someone specific?
Oh so many things! A lot of the time the client has a source photo that is special to them, or they have a specific painting I have done in the past that they want me to work off of. The client usually has color ideas with regard to where the painting is going and that helps inform what colors I will use. It can help when knowing where the painting will go and choosing what will compliment the space. I love hearing clients stories about their favorite places and also how they have connected with my work. Commissions are one of my favorite parts of my job!
Little Fight in Us All
How much direction vs. what creative freedom do you prefer?
With commissions it is fun to have creative freedom and just go for it (with a loose plan from the client!) or I also can switch gears and plan out the whole way with sketches and a little more informed process. It really just depends on what the piece is and what the client wants! It is a little risky going no sketch before a big commission but if the client wants me to just go for it, I always do!
With painting on my own for my releases I am always painting pretty intuitively. Each mark informing the last. It either takes me no time to figure out what's next or a few days... I paint layer by layer pretty slowly. It takes lots of stepping back and thinking about what should happen next. I don't really think about much direction before the painting starts besides a color idea. Sometimes I work from an inspiration photo, but not always!
Commissioned Piece
Sprinkle of Perri
Do you have a favorite piece? Or, type of piece?
Most recently these are my two favorites! I love the layers in the loose green landscape and how the space is translated. The second one is one of my favorite purely abstract pieces. That one felt like dancing when I was painting.
Field of Peace
Grace and Comfort