A Collection of collaborative artworks about separation, reunion, and the longing in between.
Truth and fiction intermingle with romantic nostalgia of a time gone by and at once still present.
Oh, I'm sailin' away, my own true love
I'm sailin' away in the morning
Is there something I can send you from across the sea
From the place that I'll be landing?
No, there's nothin' you can send me, my own true love
There's nothin' I'm wishin' to be ownin'
Just carry yourself back to me unspoiled
From across that lonesome ocean
From “Boots of Spanish Leather,” Bob Dylan
Bottega Bespoke includes our hand-selected and specialized objects and artist’s boxes for arts enthusiasts and collectors.
Captain’s Log is a series of oil paintings that are an inventory of objects and observations of real and imaginary voyages; romantic remnants from today and what once was. Combining an interest in historical trade and travel, they document the experience of distance within both discovery and nostalgia; memories and hope. This series embraces the idea of the “traveler” as being merchants, sailors, immigrants/settlers, and ourselves; and shares a sense of longing that is never far, whether at sea or home.
Loveknots are spontaneously made drawings influenced by sailors’ knots and game strategy; playing on entanglements and synchronicity. Often made after being separated for long stretches, we sit next to each other and take turns adding loops and lines. Like sailors passing time while mastering their craft, our knots also mark our time together and show our lack of distance. They trace a spiritual journey, a tangling of legs, of pulling close, of release, and of a story with no beginning or end. Unless noted, all of our watercolor drawings vary by size, paper, and color scheme. Upon ordering, we will send you our most recent favorite.
Lovers’ Eyes features commissioned personal portraits of a loved one’s eye. Beginning in 1785 when Mrs. Maria Anne Fitzherbert opened a love letter from Prince George of Wales and found a small painting of his eye, small eye portraits became all the rage. Often lovers would be separated thousands of miles and possibly years. Whale ships would often be out for 2-3 year voyages; and when resettling, families would travel in shifts risking eternal separation. Carrying a part of your loved one close to your heart still holds the same sentiment. Send us a photo and we’ll paint your lover’s eye on a porcelain tile.
SOS! Message in a Bottle harkens back to being stranded on a deserted island—or just being separated from your loved one. Seafaring was a dangerous business and shipwrecks were a reality of the open sea. The allure of the long-distance romance pulled at the heartstrings of both the one leaving and the one left. But as Chaucer says, “Time and tide wait for no one.” We’ll handwrite a quote or poem and send it back to you via post, or if you prefer, hand drop it in a nearby ocean.
All artwork by William Pettit and Candice Smith Corby
If you would like to pick-up your order, send us an email and add the discount code PICK-UP to your order to remove the shipping charge. Thanks!
All sales proceeds go to supporting this project. Thanks for your help.
