Watch my heart develop
My design, “Four Hills, Four Towers, Flowing Fog, Native Flowers” was selected and I got to paint a heart sculpture to benefit the San Francisco General Hospital Foundation.
This was my third time applying for this program and I really do feel honored.
A generous family in my neighborhood lent me their garage for this project. There’s no way this sculpture would have fit in my home studio.
Scroll down to see how this project happened from start to finish.
Todd with “Four Hills, Four Towers, Flowing Fog, Native Flowers” at the San Francisco Ferry Building Feb. 8, 2022. Photo by Lauren Girardin.
“Four Hills, Four Towers, Flowing Fog, Native Flowers” at the corner of Geary and Powell in Union Square.
Proposal sketch for “For Hills, Four Towers, Flowing Fog, Native Flowers.”
marker and pencil on paper template
Friday, October 22
Heart deliver and first scribbles.
Monday, October 25
First full day of painting
October 27
I brought some markers this time to add some line work
October 30
Today I added some real definition to MacLaren Ridge and Little Coit Blue (aka the Grande Water Tower).
November 2
In the morning, I began filling in some details on the Irises, Poppies, and Lupines in the foreground.
In the afternoon, I used blue and brown paint markers to add definition to all the hills and I filled in some more greens and beiges with my brushes.
November 4
Gradually, the landscapes are becoming more defined and are gaining some depth. You can see some Francisco Wallflowers blooming to join the California Poppies, Silver Lupines, and Douglas Irises.
Hung Liu, one of my favorite painters, once said, “My secret collaborator is gravity.”
I try to remember this and allow my own paint to drip.
Hung Liu with her ““Hearts in San Francisco,” 2004, Lyon St Steps, San Francisco
November 8
A visit to the Bernal Heights Living Library Nature Walk inspired me to add some California Fuchsia to the painting.
I added some more details all around the sculpture, especially on Bernal Hill.
I continued to paint in the afternoon. Can you spot the differences?
November 11
Scroll to go all around the sculpture.
November 16
I fell like I’m in the home stretch. All the big pieces are in place, now I just need to fuss with all the details forever.
I’ve been a spending a lot of time crouched on my knees to paint the bottom part of the heart.
November 18
Today, I added a bunch of weirdness to the sky.
November 28 - Finished!
See the completed heart on December 4 as part of the Bernal Holiday Stroll.
Four Hills, Four Towers, Flowing Fog, Native Flowers
acrylic on fiberglass sculpture, 2021
Wrapped up and on its way
On December 10, the movers wrapped up the heart and took it away. Moultrie Street was too narrow for their truck, so they had to park on Cortland and wheel the heart down the block like a one-float parade.
The next stop for this sculpture will be a photo session. It will then make a public appearance for Valentine’s day followed by a stint in Union Square.
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