You are, of course, absolutely right, Laura, in all that you're saying about the spirit of the gift. It is not about the person who created it, but the person it is for... it's important that that point be made and no one better to make it at this juncture than you. Earlier on, weren't the names attached to the ideas, as we were talking about them, before they went to a poll??
Since Pam encouraged us to keep talking, however... well, I'm keeping talking
.
I am voting for the design. I've met both you and Pam... I liked you both and I am voting for the design.
When I look at Pam's design, I think of her; it is bright and sunshine-y and makes me smile; it's consistent with the person I met and even her avatar here. It's a happy design
. In fact, her design doesn't just remind me of her, it also reminds me of you. I can see you in its colours, details, and flourishes. It is opulent in its presentation
.
When I look at your design, I think of Leonard
. When I consider how Pam's design reminds me of you, and having met you on several occasions and knowing your colourful ways of dress and creation of and ornamentation with jewelry, I think of how much you clearly focused on this gift as being for Leonard, and being presented in a way that is consistent with him. It reminds me of how the 'traditional' colour for people to wear has become black. It suits the
gravitas of his body of work, the course of his life, and his being 75. The creativity that allowed for your design has to be
'you'; but the outcome, the final product is Leonard
. It captures his seriousness, his depth, and his light... in a presentation that suits him... his minimalism.
I very seriously believe Leonard would appreciate the artistic effort you put into it to take it beyond where it began. The result has the look and feeling of a classic... and who better to appreciate that than Leonard in a gift for him. [Even though you still oughta do something with those orange logos
.]
With these posters, I think in terms of what the portrait artists and portrait photographers always tell you [and I always hate it because I look dreadful without a smile]... a non-smiling [or only
hint of a smile], more serious portrait always wears better and wears longer. You see it in every official and unofficial, hanging portrait.
If they are not both to be given to Leonard in some way, my preference is for yours to be the final gift to him. Because Pam's is so bright and beautiful [with smaller hearts
], what I would really like to see is that both be posted in the Files for everyone to appreciate, henceforth, once they're completed. Perhaps, the do-er of them [since, according to what you've written, it doesn't seem to necessarily be you] would finish one 'in time' for presentation to Leonard, and the other one
somewhat soon after... or, perhaps, each could do their own.
~ Lizzy