Copyright Jan Szafranski 2011
Although it looks as though it belongs on the wall of a gallery, this incredible picture is in fact currently hanging in our living room. The artist, Jan Szafranski, is Paul’s very talented uncle – and he gave us this artwork in celebration of our wedding, last September.
Entitled ‘That Day In Paris’, the picture has all sorts of personal touches to it, reflecting the role that Paris, music and the saxaphone play in our lives. Jan’s even managed to cleverly incorporate our faces into it – look closely and you can see us on the cover of the newspaper in the background.
Jan expressed his thoughts on creating the paitning and the inspiration behind it on Facebook the other day, and I hope he doesn’t mind me quoting him here:
‘It’s different than the last few pieces I’ve worked on (in terms of content) but is still a digital painting (hopefully this medium will gain more recognition now that Hockney is presenting a major exhibition at the RA with his digital paintings). The style I hoped would emulate a classic style of ’60s photography, and I was inspired by a photographer friend’s collection of almost black-and-white Parisian street photos. I loved the tonal qualities of these photos and wanted to reproduce them for the couple (as he had proposed in France). Originally I was going to paint the groom playing the sax, but changed my mind and made it a busker, hoping that it created a suitably romantic feel. I also added a stack of morning papers carrying the headline and photo of them into the background to personalise it (now that it was no longer a portrait. I am happy with the decision (and hope that they are too)’.
We’re extremly happy with the decision, and proud to own something so incredibly unique. I think it goes without saying that we really will treasure this picture forever.
