The Preparation

Darren has ordered several prints of his photography over the last couple of months,  in preparation of his work being displayed at Sculpterra Winery and Sculpture Garden. For the months of April, May, and June this year, he is their featured artist (which both terrifies and thrills him). Many an hour was spent angsting over which images to select, and which medium would best showcase each. After much deliberation, the images were chosen,  and the prints ordered. Then ordered again. And again. Finally, we chose another printer who didn’t make so many freaking mistakes, and does amazing work (thank you Artbeat Studios!). Darren and I both squealed like children as we opened the box and saw the prints they sent us for the first time. 

The Prints

The fine people at Artbeat Studios heat infuse the photo into the aluminum of their metal prints, according to their website. I’m pretty sure that’s code for wizardry. Or alchemy. Probably both. The results are certainly magical. Some are glossy, and some matte finished, but they all look fantastic. We ended up with mostly HD metal prints, because they are gorgeous eye candy.

The largest print in the center, Doris the Dartmoor Pony, is the exception. She is a gorgeous furry beast, but Doris isn’t printed on metal. As the centerpiece of the entire display, Darren wanted her to stand apart from the rest. As such, he chose to have her printed on HD acrylic. Printed on metallic photo paper, and mounted on clear acrylic, Doris looks nothing short of spectacular.

You may notice that none of the prints sit flush to the wall. That is because they are all sporting a float mount on their backsides, making them look like they’re floating away from the wall. Like magic. When you combine that with the fact that they require no framing, you get a beautiful, modern look that is all about the art, not the accessories. Artbeat Studios cannot have enough praise heaped upon them for the superb quality of their workmanship. They’ve made Darren’s work look spectacular.

The Day of Installation

Last night, we packaged all of Darren’s prints so that we could take them into Sculpterra this morning. Our intention was to store them in the back room, and go in early Saturday morning to set up the display. Instead, they let us put up his work a day early! It took a while, and a lot of trips up and down the ladder, but we finally got everything on the wall just where we wanted it, and we think it looks great.

Stop by Sculpterra Winery and Sculpture Garden, and see for yourself. Darren will be more than happy to tell you all about the images, and guide you through some of the central coast’s finest wines. Not only will you be able to see Darren’s artwork with a glass of wine in your hand, but the place is overflowing with other amazing artwork, inside and out. Have a stroll around the sculpture gardens in the California sunshine, drink great wine, and if you come on a Sunday, there is even live music in the afternoon.  

Jamie

Behold Darren in front of his newly installed art display:

Darren, standing in front of the wall displaying his photographic work, at Sculpterra Winery and Sculpture Garden.