“Wherever Our Love is, Fireworks Follow” – for Jon from Jennifer

Jennifer and Jon got married last weekend at the beautiful Sugarman Estate on Maui surrounded by family and friends. Almost a year ago Jon romantically proposed at the top of the Empire State Building in New York City!

All throughout the 4 years they dated, they’ve traveled all over the country. At each place Jennifer collected memorabilia along the way. She was looking for a meaningful gift to give Jon and thought of my art to symbolize their love story that included each of the memories she saved. Meeting her for the first time was so fun as she brought her huge scrapbook and told their stories while turning each page and taking out each item for me to take and use in their painting.

When I asked her to describe the places that were the most memorable for htem, it became very clear to have the piece to symbolize their engagement with the Empire State Building and Fall colors – the sunset. The icing on the cake for Jon are the fireworks he loves so much at the Disney parks. She said he has to stay until the very end of the night to see them every time they go. It was such a thrill to think about making the ‘Mickey ears’ fireworks as the view for him.

This was one of the most amazing pieces for me to create because I got to tell their love story from their first date to their wedding day…

“Wherever Our Love is, Fireworks Follow”- 24″x18″Mixed-media on canvas with acrylics, 48 layers.

Inspiration photos of the Empire State Building at sunset and the Mickey Mouse fireworks at Disney World and Disneyland

Memorabilia Jennifer collected from places they’ve been over the last 4 years like Disney park passes, an article they were featured in…

A postcard from their first date at a winery in Temecula, airline tickets, theater tickets and their wedding invitation.

Here’s how layer 1 through 48 progressed below and on my YouTube video…

Can you see each of the meaningful elements in the painting in the detail photos below?…

I just love how you can see them riding towards the sunset in the background!

They can feel every line of the building, rich in texture. Jennifer asked me to add something about Hawaii so I created a sprinkling of plumeria flowers.