Suggestions for graphics on Keepsake Box

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I was asked to make a keepsake box for one of my friends. The recipient will be an artist. The box is black walnut that has been finger jointed together but not glued together yet. Now is the time to do any carving on 1,2,3 or 4 sides. The box is 14" long by 8.5" and 5.5" high. I used the golden mean to determine the sizes and rounded off. There will be a drop on lid made of walnut with some maple stripes and a handle that will also be made of walnut with a maple strip down the middle.

So my question to the forum would be what do you think would be a good graphic for an artist. I dont know the recipient personally. I can do a simple carving, epoxy fill, painted etc… so please let me know what you would look nice for an artist. If you have any suggestion for the graphic on color or epoxy fill (colored) etc…

Here is a picture of the box just pushed together.

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The lid will be a flat lid that is dado’d around the outside edges with maple stripes. The top will be champhered at 10-15 degrees and can be from .75" to 1.0" in thickness and will be about 14" x 8.5"

Thanks for helping. I am a good craftsman but a lousy artist. All my taste is in my mouth. :smiley:

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There are so many different types of artists. Painters, sculptors, etc. etc. They generally have one thing in common, though…they like art. They will appreciate your box and anything beautiful that is applied to it. But…If you knew the kind of artist they are, you might do some tools of their trade, i.e., brushes for a painter. If they live in the mountains they might enjoy mountain themes… Maybe horses? I would ask the person who commissioned the box (which is very beautiful by the way) a little bit more about the person who will receive the gift.

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Maybe take one of this artists works and render it in a suitable way for the box? All dependent on the artist’s medium and style.

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How about ocean-wavy overlapping/intersecting inlays to match the maple stripes on the lid? Artistically ambiguous. :smiley:

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