Sun
Medium: Adobe Illustrator

I ran out of time to add some additional details in the center (behind the sun), including stylized grain, leaves, and clouds, which would have expanded the color palette. I think it feels too flat, but I wasn’t about to run to that old standby, Drop Shadow. It still was a good Illustrator exercise, though.

I sketched this out (very roughly) on paper first. I soon realized that I was at least somewhat influenced by a piece of art hanging in my living room. If I had the gear, I would’ve embossed the sun pattern onto copper, just like this piece.

I discovered this at a Salvation Army store and couldn’t resist. It reminded me of the sort of thing my grandparents would have had in their home. There, you could’ve been fairly certain that it was a gift from a missionary they supported or was something they themselves brought home from a mission trip.

In reality, I have no idea where it’s from. The embossed and enameled metal is attached to the wooden back by four big tacks. One corner has some damage like the tack was moved or replaced from its original hole. There is no label or signature anywhere.

However, the back is almost entirely unstained wood with a couple of marks that look like something had been attached with Scotch tape — maybe a description or newspaper clipping about it?

If you’ve seen anything like it, please add a comment! It’d be fun to track down the region, at least.