The Project:
“Sitka’s Secret” was commissioned by my friends, John and Angie, in conjunction with a group of John’s close friends featuring a beautiful home and custom built boat in Sitka, Alaska.
John had reached out to me with a collection of photos from his annual fishing trips to Sitka, Alaska. His hope was to take the photos and transform them into a unique and personalized painting that he and his buddies could gift to their friend, Tom; The owner of a fishing boat and isolated cabin off the shore of Sitka, Alaska.
In summers past, Tom had graciously opened his beautiful home and shared his fishing boat with John and the guys. They had become close friends over the years , and this painting was specifically created as a thank you gift from John and his buddies to Tom.
The Process:
In the early stages of the design process, John would make sure to remind me that an eagle should be the most prominent feature in the overall composition. Humorously, he sent me so many (blurry) photos of eagles he saw on his trips to Alaska in his amazement.
Using the photos John had taken on his fishing trips, we included Tom’s cabin, custom built fishing boat, and elements of the Sitka island property to personalized the painting.
We added sentimental elements into the sketch such as the name of the boat, and Tom’s father’s fire engine badge located at the entrance of the home.
Unfortunately, as John and I were working on the initial drawing for the overall composition, he tragically perished, just hours after summiting Mount Aconcagua in Argentina, one of the world’s highest peaks. He was on a challenge expedition to raise funds and awareness for Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund; a charity he was incredibly passionate about as a leading board member.
To see the memorial artwork I created in his honor, donate to JMSF with a print purchase, and read more about their mission to serve the families of fallen and disabled veterans, please visit this link.
Just a week prior to John’s passing, I had received excited approval from him and the guys on the final drawing and the “go ahead” to begin the final painting on canvas. Thankfully, John’s wife, Angie, connected me to Rob, one of John’s fishing buddies who was part of the surprise painting for Tom. He and I were able to work together moving forward.
The calming water backdrop was what I painted first. I was thankful for the organic ease that came with painting the shapes of the water, because coming back to the studio after John’s funeral was surreal and emotional.
Next, I painted each Alaskan element within the circle. I was excited that John had been open to most of my creative ideas from the start of this unique design. Achieving an interactive yet balanced painting was the primary goal with having some of the elements, such as the pine trees, fishing line, and eagle escape the circle.
The Final:
Upon completion of the artwork, and without Tom knowing, Rob confirmed the name of Tom’s boat was, “THE DUST OFF”, a nod to Tom’s career in the United States Army. It was the perfect finishing touch to the painting.
The final work of art is titled, “Sitka’s Secret”, and is created in automotive enamel paint on canvas. The enamel gives the colors in the painting a vibrant and glossy effect which I believe portrays the landscape of Alaska perfectly. The circular border acts as a porthole into the Alaskan island and the adventures that Tom’s hospitality provided John and his friends. The wide edge canvas was professionally framed with a hand-built, Texas, pecan wood float frame that sets off the work beautifully.
Artist Comments:
We had originally planned to have John and his friends present the painting to Tom on their summer fishing trip to Sitka.
With John’s sudden passing, Rob had the gracious idea to invite John’s wife, Angie, and I up to Alaska to deliver the painting in person to Tom instead. Leading up to that point, Tom still had no idea about this surprise gift that John had originally coordinated with everyone before his trip to Argentina.
With Rob’s help, we put the surprise trip into motion. I shipped the painting to our Alaskan hotel, and Angie and I got on a plane a few days later.
We spent the first couple days in the sleepy town of Sitka, browsing Alaskan art galleries and hiking some quiet trails in the drizzling rain. The weather was a welcome relief from the Texas heat we were accustomed to. We especially enjoyed the Totem Trail, The Fortress of the Bear, and a private boat charter that took us out on the water to see all kinds of amazing wildlife. We ate at a number of delicious local restaurants too; an earmark to any great trip.
The day of the painting presentation, Rob coordinated the surprise meet up with the guys at a local pub. All of John’s friends were elated and shocked to see Angie! It was wonderful to witness. I was still carrying the wrapped up painting when we took the rainy boat ride out to the island where Tom’s cabin was. Upon arrival, the rain cleared and I got to see all of the elements from the painting in real life including Tom’s amazing boat, beautiful cabin, and even a few bald eagles.
With a drink in all of our hands, we gathered in the original portion of the cabin that faced the water. With a few heartfelt words from Rob and Angie, we revealed the painting to Tom who was speechless upon seeing the artwork for the first time. We toasted to John and each of the guys said something wonderful about his character. They were all filled with thanksgiving to Tom and his friendship over the years.
It was a bittersweet moment that I will never forget. The trip was one of a lifetime, not just for the beautiful scenery, but for the opportunity to go in honor of John Magness and present a painting to his friend that came from his heart.
The gathering of John’s friends, his wife, and I on a small island in Alaska was a powerful testament to what custom art can do.
I am incredibly thankful to John and his friends for commissioning me for such a meaningful painting. I’m grateful to Tom for opening his home to Angie and I and for the kind words he gave me in regards to the “Sitka’s Secret”, a painting that he said he’ll “cherish for a lifetime”.
Great story Kate and well done. From the design to the presentation to Rob, impressive on all accounts. Love the pics of the visit too.
Spectacular story and artwork. Extra touching that John was part of the collaboration as it means his passion for fishing with his buddies lives on through the painting. What a wonderful and unique gift.
I love the fishing line wrapping around the frame, especially as you gave the line itself more than one color. So much depth in such a “simple” line. Excellent as always.