AMY MEISSNER
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How to mount a unicorn.

9/5/2016

11 Comments

 
Amy Meissner, artist | From the post How to mount a unicorn. | www.amymeissner.com/blog/how-to-mount-a-unicorn

No. Not that kind of mount -- although it would be fun to watch (and no, not that other kind of mount either, which is totally inappropriate here) -- I'm talking about installing artwork.

Permanently.

Amy Meissner, artist | From the post How to mount a unicorn. | www.amymeissner.com/blog/how-to-mount-a-unicorn

Last week, while my parents visited us in Alaska, we loaded the commissioned painting that's been finished and sitting in my studio since June -- just waiting for flood/fire/riot/acts of god/small children screaming past on yoga balls to ruin it before I could get it installed -- and drove north from Anchorage about an hour to Wasilla.
​
Amy Meissner, artist | From the post How to mount a unicorn. | www.amymeissner.com/blog/how-to-mount-a-unicorn

​The Wasilla Public Library's grand opening is at the end of the month. Librarians are stacking shelves, carpenters are finessing details and this was the last piece of public art to be installed. We chose to wait since it hangs in a higher traffic area and we didn't want it to accidentally get dinged by tool belts/new shelves/book carts/children screaming past on yoga balls. 

Amy Meissner, artist | From the post How to mount a unicorn. | www.amymeissner.com/blog/how-to-mount-a-unicorn
Amy Meissner, artist | From the post How to mount a unicorn. | www.amymeissner.com/blog/how-to-mount-a-unicorn

My dad wouldn't let go of the top of the painting while we were rolling it in and sometimes it's clear where I get my everything-that-can-go-wrong-probably-will-go-wrong-all-hopped-up-on-worry-prickly-sweat personality. It was great to spend that hour in the truck with my parents, despite all of us feeling nervous about moving the piece, installing it and hoping everyone would be happy after we drove away. We had some good chuckles about all the unicorns I used to draw when I was the same age as my children are now. Thank you Mom and Dad for keeping me sane that morning.

​Thank you architect husband and trusted finishing carpenter friend for hashing out the details on the design and execution of the maple frame and panel, which was created as a complete unit before the painting even began. I removed the mdf panel to do the work, then reinserted it when complete. A double row of French cleats holds the piece flush to the wall. The frame is super clean, all biscuit joined with a 1/4 " reveal around the work -- basically a custom piece of furniture that happens to have a unicorn painted on it. Painting, schmainting. This frame is freaking gorgeous.

Amy Meissner, artist | From the post How to mount a unicorn. | www.amymeissner.com/blog/how-to-mount-a-unicorn
Wayne, the foreman installing the top cleat, and Dad, still hanging on to the painting.
Amy Meissner, artist | From the post How to mount a unicorn. | www.amymeissner.com/blog/how-to-mount-a-unicorn
Top row of cleats. And Dad.

"Lost in a Book" hangs at the entrance to the library's childrens' section. It echoes the birch forest that surrounds the building and the materials used inside. It looks like it was made to hang on that wall.

​(Because it was).

Amy Meissner, artist | From the post How to mount a unicorn. | www.amymeissner.com/blog/how-to-mount-a-unicorn

Below are more images from the children's area (note the Narnia lightpost in the courtyard outside, just waiting for the first snowfall). The librarians are all smiles and you would be too if you got to come to work in a space like this.

​Lucky, lucky folks in Wasilla who deserve a lovely library. I'm honored to be a part of it and looking forward to the grand opening.
​
Amy Meissner, artist | From the post How to mount a unicorn. | www.amymeissner.com/blog/how-to-mount-a-unicorn
Amy Meissner, artist | From the post How to mount a unicorn. | www.amymeissner.com/blog/how-to-mount-a-unicorn
Amy Meissner, artist | From the post How to mount a unicorn. | www.amymeissner.com/blog/how-to-mount-a-unicorn
"Hop into a Good Book," by Jennifer Jolliff. (www.gimmedatart.com)
Amy Meissner, artist | From the post How to mount a unicorn. | www.amymeissner.com/blog/how-to-mount-a-unicorn
Glass installation detail, by Barbara Yawit and Andy Daoust.
The Ribbon Cutting and Open House is on Thursday, September 22 from 2 - 6:30 pm if you're in the area -- all are welcome! A shout out to Cornerstone (general contractors) and ECI (architects).

I'm about to start working on a big dragon. More on that below.
​

More posts about children's book illustration and other illustration:

  • The shortlist.
  • A little side job.
  • ​Broadsided.

More posts about public art:

  • Unicorn heart.
  • How to wake a dragon.
  • How to tend a dragon.
  • ​How to raise a dragon.
11 Comments
Beth
9/7/2016 08:33:17 am

Congratulations Amy. It looks fantastic. And what a wonderful space. So much thought to detail, from the inviting window seats to the rocking chair big enough for an adult and a child or two. And your folks... Nobody else ever ever ever has your back in quite that same way as your parents do. It was something I didn't fully realize until it was gone and I missed it.

Reply
Amy Meissner link
9/7/2016 09:20:39 am

Thank you Beth -- yes. I hear you on the got-your-back part and I try really hard to have my own kids' backs, too. It was a really special day and I'm so glad I could share it here, too. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment!
XO
Amy

Reply
Nan Jacobson
9/7/2016 04:50:52 pm

How wonderful for you and your recent painting/installation success. The piece is colorful, delightful and creative. I grew up with a love of books.That library space is so warm and inviting. Such a great place to display your work. Congrats, Amy!

Reply
Amy Meissner link
9/9/2016 06:25:27 am

Thank you Nan. I didn't grow up going to the library very often (my parents lived a ways from town), but I have fond memories of the times we were able to go, and as a result made sure my children have grown up in our Anchorage Library. I will pass on your library comments to the architects and contractors.
XO
Amy

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judy martin link
9/8/2016 09:04:42 am

Hi Amy
I am glad that you have supportive parents and husband and friends and kids who do not ding paintings with their yoga balls. I am also glad that your work is being appreiciated by local readers and people who commission artwork. Congratulations on all those things.
When we lived in Kenora, I was commissioned to create a painting for the children's section at the rennoavated library. This post reminded me about that.
Thanks for your writing . x

Reply
Amy Meissner link
9/13/2016 06:05:00 am

Judy, I'm glad for all these things and more. One of those extra things I'm grateful for is such a strong online support community, which not only includes readers and responders, but also thoughtful writers and artists to follow. I appreciate all your words and images, always.
XO
Amy

Reply
Michelle
9/11/2016 09:07:14 am

It's perfect Amy! The library is lovely too; I'd love to see it in person.

Reply
Amy Meissner link
9/13/2016 06:06:05 am

Thank you Michelle! The librarians used that same word. Made me so happy.
XO
Amy

Reply
Nikki Poteet
9/28/2018 09:00:22 am

I began visiting the Wasilla library with my 5 girls this past month. I stop and admire your painting every time we go. It so perfectly captures this childhood imagination and playfulness of our home. Beautifully done!

Reply
Amy Meissner link
9/29/2018 08:33:20 am

Hello Nikki!
Thank you so much for taking the time to seek out my website and drop me a line! I'm thrilled to be a part of your family's life in this small way and pleased to hear that your home (5 girls! There were 4 girls in my childhood home!) probably echoes mine in terms of imagination and magic. Thank you for supporting your local library! Such an important facet of not only community, but childhood as well.
XO
Amy

Reply
Norah Ashley link
1/27/2021 04:17:54 am

Nice blog thanks ffor posting

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    Amy Meissner, textile artist. Photo credit Brian Adams, 2013. www.amymeissner.com

    Amy Meissner

    Artist in Anchorage, Alaska, sometimes blogging about the collision of history, family & art, with the understanding that none exists without the other.

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