Taylor Made
Elizabeth Taylor and the Gammage Auditorium
"I feel very adventurous. There are so many doors to be opened, and I'm not afraid to look behind them." - ET
Available as:
Fine Art Print on Paper with 1" White Border for Easy Framing
Each print is hand-signed by the artist. The 12"x12" print contains a 10"x10" image.
Limited Edition Giclee Print on Canvas with Black Frame, 20"x20"
This special series of 50 Limited Edition Series Prints are exact replicas of the original paintings. They include a certificate of authenticity signed by the printer and the artist, and are hand-signed and numbered. The frame is black and sits 1 1/2" from the wall.
About the Painting:
This is the fourth painting of the Frankly Speaking series, and once again the design for the hat came first. The Gammage Auditorium in Tempe, Arizona, was the initial inspiration for this painting. While researching this building I discovered that this was Frank Lloyd Wright’s last public commission before he died and that he didn’t live long enough to see it completed.
The working title for this piece was originally The Drama Queen because the title could really only refer to one person… Elizabeth Taylor! Originally, I had convinced myself that I could never paint Liz Taylor because so many other people already had. I also worried that Liz’s image, like that of Marilyn Monroe, might suffer from “visual frostbite” brought about from overexposure. Judging from the hugely positive response to the piece so far, it was clear that this was not the case. Liz continues to fascinate people.
When painting an icon like Liz, one must consider why they became iconic. In her case, it was for many reasons: her multiple and tumultuous marriages; her many health scares; her passionate temperament; her talent as an actress; and, of course, her stunning beauty. In particular, she was known for her hypnotic violet coloured eyes. Painting Liz’s eyes is no easy task and I must have poured over a hundred pictures to find the right colour match.
To make this version of Liz memorable, I had to find a way to make this Drama Queen stand out. I decided to paint Liz as she appeared in her signature role of Cleopatra (who, coincidentally, was a real-life drama Queen.)
I also wanted to respect the architecture of the building and make it truly identifiable. Eventually, I was able to marry the personality of the building with the personality of the model and have them exist in harmony. It really helped that Cleopatra’s home, like the Gammage Auditorium, is in the desert and both exist under a sky, which, like the life of Liz Taylor, could be described as both dramatic and brooding.
In the foreground, we see a wash of light and shadows that make her visage shine like a diamond in the desert.
-Karen Robb
About Elizabeth Taylor (1932-2011)
Elizabeth Taylor was a British actor, businesswoman, and humanitarian. She starred in more than fifty movies over almost forty years as an actor. Taylor was the first actor to create her own fragrance and jewelry brand. She married eight times, including a US senator, and she experienced serious health problems through most of her life. She was one of the first actors to take part in AIDS awareness campaigns, testifying before Congress and critiquing US presidents for not doing more to combat the disease. Taylo'rs filmography includes historic pieces such as Cleopatra, Cat on A Hot Tin Roof, Last Summer, and The Taming of the Shrew.
"You just do it. You force yourself to get up. You force yourself to put one foot before the other, and God damn it, you refuse to let it get to you. You fight. You cry. You curse. Then you go about the business of living. That’s how I’ve done it. There’s no other way." - ET
Prints
Prints on Paper
Your fine art print is a Magiclee Verona 250hd smooth cotton fine art print created here in Winnipeg by my professional printer to ensure the closest fidelity to the original. Each print will be hand signed by me, the artist.
Prints on fine art paper include a white border for easy framing, which can also act as a mat. Therefore, your image will be smaller than its total paper size. Border sizes are stated and shown in the photo of each listing.
- Ex: A 12"x12" print contains a 10"x10" image
Giclee Prints on Canvas with Black Frame, Limited Edition
- The Special Series of 50 Limited Edition Prints are exact replicas of the original paintings.
- Limited Edition Canvas Prints include a certificate of authenticity signed by the printer and the artist.
- These prints are also signed and numbered on the back of each canvas by the artist.
- Frames are black and sit 1 1/2" from the wall.
Shipping
I currently ship within Canada and the Continental United States. Each print is hand packed by me to ensure its safe arrival. Please understand that I am a single artist, working full time, and printing each painting to order, so expect up to three weeks for arrival.
I provide budget-friendly Domestic shipping within Canada, however Canada Post does not provide a tracking number for this method. You will receive a notification from my store when your painting has been shipped.
If you live in the United States, Canada Post does provide a tracking number that will be included in your shipping notification.
If you do not receive an email stating that your painting has shipped within two weeks, please contact me.
In the unlikely event there is a problem during shipping, please photograph the packaging and the problem and contact me so that I can contact the Post.
Free pickup in Winnipeg. Please contact me for information.
Returns and Exchanges
All prints are made to order and signed by me. Unfortunately, I cannot provide returns or exchanges.
Copyright and Reposting
I retain all intellectual property rights to my artwork, including commissions, and artwork cannot be reproduced or used for profit without my consent. Prints may be displayed for personal or decorative public use. Please contact me for more information about using my artwork in other contexts, such as commercial advertising or promotional use.
If you wish to share or repost my work on social media, such as Instagram, you must credit me and link your post to my profie, @artbykarenrobb. Thank you.
