June 16, 2008

Look what Justin made!!

Well, as if Justin didn't already do everything, we can now officially add "artist" to his long list of qualifications. Believe it or not, he made this from scratch. Well, he didn't make the license plates, but he did cut them out and build and paint the backdrop. We got the idea for this about a year ago when we saw a similar work of art at the National Portrait Gallery.

Anyway, Justin decided that he could make one...and it turns out that he was right (which is good because the one at the Portrait Gallery cost $4,000). Besides the suggestion I gave him to actually plan which color of license plates he was buying (so that all of the Western United States didn't end up the same color) he did the whole thing himself. And it fits in so nicely with our vibrant red couches. Bravo, my love! (Watch out Dan Bradshaw--you're not the only "arteest" in the family now!)


Here's a better view...




And here it is when I used the flash...you can tell which license plates were really old because they didn't reflect...


Pretty sweet!!

14 comments:

Christina said...

Oh my word, Justin! That is the coolest thing! I've seen the work of art at the Nat. Portrait Gallery and I loved it! Well done! 1. Where did you get the templates for the states? 2. Where did you find all of those license plates? That has to be an old WI plate, since I've never seen one that looks like that. Huh.

Asian Keng said...

To quote my sister, "Justin just got a lot cooler in my book". I'm so impressed that you got it done!! Can I commission one for my own living room now?

Kristi said...

That is AMAZING! Seriously amazing. I love it! How long did it take him to make??? It's gorgeous!

Doctor J said...

Answers:

1. I printed out a map of us on 25 sheets of paper and then taped the pages together. Then I cut out the states.

2. No, I did not steal them from peoples cars (if that is what you're implying) I got the plates online.

3. My mom is next in line for art work. It might take me some time to get to that one. I have a pesky masters degree to finish.

4. It took about 20-25 hours over the course of a few weeks to make.

Asian Keng said...

Master's degrees are totally overrated. Well I can wait patiently... ;)

Bethany said...

And the other reason Justin can't make another one any time soon is that I think our neighbors might have us evicted if they hear any more hammering coming from our apartment!

Chad and Margaret Olson said...

it really is so cool. congratulations on being very versatile in all your endeavors! That sounds like something you'd say on a card with swirling flowers

megan&steve said...

Wow. I bet that took a long time to make. I could have contributed an arizona license plate to that mixture. Good work. I am truely amazed at this work of art. Now the relief society sisters will probably plan enrichment and make miniture ones. (with Justins help)

Emily said...

Justin--

That is awesome. You've fulfilled my lifelong dream to make funky mosaic-type art. I don't think Dan feels threatened. But if you do write an amazing piece of music, and if it does make millions of dollars, could we just have one or two? Million, that is. You are gifted. We are happy you are in the family, and we want to benefit financially. Heh heh!

Asian Keng said...

I am here to keep Justin's ego in check. Just so he doesn't go blind from overexposure to his own awesomeness, challenge him to a game of Nertz sometime. :P

Bethany said...

If I weren't so terrible at Nertz, I would take you up on that. I will just go skiing with him. So far that's the only thing that I have found that I am definitely better than him at. Oh wait, I'm also better at making decisions. Maybe my next post should be focused on the top 10 things I do better than Justin... :)

Asian Keng said...

wait. i do remember you also happened to whup his butt three times in a row in wii boxing? Hello. You wiped the floor.

Wendi said...

AWESOME Map!!! Can I be on the long waiting list? Should I expect it to be commissioned in 2015?

JWolfgramm said...

WOOOWWW!! All I have to say is...IMPRESSIVE!! That is really cool!