Neil Roland - Gallery 16
Special Celebration pictures - individual commissions

I can create pictures either from my existing collections, or by having pictures specially commissioned - or a blend of the two - pictures to celebrate the lives of those close to you, to mark birthdays, anniversaries or simply a relationship to date.

In this gallery, are a few examples of people’s choices to give an idea of the possibilities. Sometimes, it may involve the houses in which they’ve lived through their lives, a favourite first car - places they’ve spent special time enjoying - or even such things as chocolate, a particular flower - all worked into an aesthetic work that flows from start to finish.

It’s a real pleasure to witness the effect such a picture can have on its recipient when I’m lucky enough to see the moment they see it for the first time.

For further information, please either email neil@neilroland.co.uk or telephone 07792 365 437

Please note that the size, colours and quality of the pictures on this page have been reduced for web viewing and do not accurately represent the detail and vivid colours of the actual photographs

A Mini Adventure

This was commissioned for a couple who were getting married, but did not want ‘wedding pictures’ - rather an original artwork inspired by the places and things which had gone into their relationship and run up to their wedding day. The picture opens with the nightclub where they met, the area of London where they currently live, the paper flowers which would be strewn over the tables at the wedding, the road signs which relate to their work, the sweing machine which created the groom’s suit, the wedding invitation, the spot where they waited for a late night taxi after their first date, and the indicator light on the Mini car which was so central to their relationship. The brief was to make it vibrant and fun, with plenty of red, orange and yellow.

Something Blue

This picture did not require any commissioned work, as I had all the pictures within my existing collections. The couple wanted an extra wide picture, themed on aquas and blues. There are details of buildings in Manchester, Knutsford, Liverpool, Didsbury and Lancashire, all of which were relevant to their lives, but with the emphasis on the aesthetics of the colour scheme.

Didsbruby

This play on words title, refers to a picture created for a parents’ ruby wedding anniversary all centred around Didsbury. The images include plenty of ruby red pictures, but also bring in all the places that were important to the couple .

Wonderwall

This picture, for a 45th birthday, is named after a favourite song. It incorporates the background of the recipient - with Ireland and Droylesden, the church in which he married, a section on Leeds, where he studied at University, his football team, the swimming baths where he spent time in his youth, his school, and the pubs and restaurants he enjoys most. The brief was to do it with blues, greens and touches of yellow.

A Tale of Two Cities

This picture involves a blend of Liverpool and Manchester for a couple who have lived in both cities. The images are worked together so the two cities complement each other with their different architecture. Again, no commission was necessary as I had all the images. It just takes a conversation to discover what really matters to the people choosing. It’s an intimate and highly enjoyable mutual discovery.

311

This was the address of the recently deceased mother of a woman who wanted to capture the essence of her mother through the flowers she loved best which grew in her mother’s garden and in the local partks. This was themed to pink with blue. No buildings, just the natural beauty which brought her mother to mind.

I believe in a Thing Called Love

Here, the student days at Manchester University of the client’s boyfriend are blended with the places they have enjoyed together - and includes a section of Manchester buildings with the letters of their names. A totally personal piece, yet all from existing pictures in my collection.

A Northern Odyssey

Here, the remit was to create in shades of plum and turquoise blue, the journey around places which matter to a couple - to include the Northern Quarter in Manchester and Chorlton. The section full of signs allows lots of relevant places to be brought into the picture without detracting from the overall aesthetics.

Northern Odyssey Pink

Here, a mix of Macclesfield, Halifax, Manchester, Liverpool and Didsbury are brought together in an explosion of shocking pink for a really feel-good combination of vibrant colour and relevance.

Shades of Manchester

A Vertical work, incorporating gold, black and white images of Manchester, chosen from the collections by clients who wanted to theme the picture to go with a dramatic gold, black and white bedroom.

Grappenhall Gold

from a series of pictures commissioned by clients of their Village ** It is possible to blend images of a particular place with existing city images, for example, gold pictures from a village, which Gold Manchester/Liverpool/Sheffield or London images.