Every commission begins with a story, and the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront project offered one that was rich in history and place. In 2025, I was invited to create commission artwork that celebrated the harbor’s maritime legacy while aligning with the hotel’s nautical-inspired interiors. The project included three custom wall sculptures, each designed to reflect the spirit of nautical-inspired art through rope, wood, and textured forms.
Drawing from Baltimore’s connection to the sea, its tobacco trade, and the industrial beauty of ropes, brass, and weathered wood, my goal was to honor this narrative while bringing my signature approach to rope and wood-based artistry.
Inspiration: A Harbor’s Story in Rope and Wood
The design narrative for this commission began with the heartbeat of Baltimore’s waterfront—a story of ships, sails, ropes, and docks shaped by centuries of trade and tradition. The creative brief emphasized a nautical theme anchored in horizontal wood slats and natural fibers, echoing the structures and textures of the harbor itself.
As I immersed myself in the concept, I envisioned artworks that would capture more than just the physical landscape. I wanted to translate the fluid movement of water, the steady rhythm of the docks, and the strength of nautical knots into sculptural forms. Each sketch became a study of the harbor’s character, informed by the natural materials—wood, rope, and bronze-toned metal—that carry its history.
What made this project so compelling was the challenge of transforming these familiar, functional elements into something architectural and timeless. Every decision—how to stain the wood to match the tones of Wilsonart French Pear, how to weave rope into structural knots, how to balance scale and proportion—became part of the storytelling.
The result was a series of three artworks—Sail, Dock Rhythm, and Knotted Perspective—each one a chapter in the harbor’s narrative. Together, they speak to the connection between craft and culture, where material choices are as symbolic as they are aesthetic, and where problem-solving becomes part of the creative language.
Sail —Capturing the Harbor’s Breeze Through Knots
Sail was inspired by the iconic sails of boats that glide across the harbor. I envisioned a dimensional work created through knotted rope, arranged in triangular forms to echo the geometry of sails. To bring that vision into form, I worked with knotted rope arranged in a triangular shape. Each panel weighed nearly two pounds, and with six of them together, the structure demanded hidden metal supports and a sturdy oak frame to hold its weight.
Mounting each knot after the frame was built gave me control to shape the drape and tension, so the piece feels airy and in motion—like a sail in the breeze.
Dock Rhythm — reflecting the quiet cadence of the piers
Dock Rhythm was inspired by the horizontal lines of harbor docks and piers, where wooden planks are held together with a nautical rope. It was a lesson in patience and problem-solving. Inspired by the steady lines of harbor docks, I envisioned wooden slats suspended by rope—simple on paper, but complex in execution.
I chose pine for its light weight property as all the slats would be cascaded and held by two ropes on each side, but pine wood’s natural yellow tone clashed with the cool taupe stain resembling Wilsonart French Pear Laminate making it look warmer. After many trials and errors, I discovered the technique of white-washing the wood to soften the yellow tone and then layered custom stains (mix of multiple varathane stains) until the finish mirrored the project’s palette.
The real challenge came with the rope: each time I mounted a new slat, the twisted rope shifted and threw off the spacing. I rebuilt the piece several times before finding the right balance. In the end, the sculpture reflects the rhythm of the docks—structured, and held together by both rope and persistence.
Knotted Perspective —The Beauty of the Overhand Knot
For the third piece, Knotted Perspective, the project designer requested the use of the overhand knot, a simple yet profound nautical element. What I discovered while working with it was its endless versatility.
I experimented with tying the knot in different ways—with a single rope, with left and right facing knots, and by altering its direction and placement. Each variation revealed a fresh dimension, as though the knot itself was offering new perspectives. To highlight these intricacies, I chose to accentuate certain knots with navy rope, echoing the Sherwin-Williams Aweigh Navy color used in the hotel’s interiors. The result is a work that feels both bold and intricate, a tribute to the knot as a timeless symbol of connection and strength.
Every commission I take on teaches me something new—not just about materials and techniques, but about myself as an artist. Working on the Baltimore Marriott project was a lesson in patience, experimentation, and adaptability. From the slipping ropes of Dock Rhythm to the complex mounting of Sail, and the endless variations of the overhand knot in Knotted Perspective, each challenge pushed me to innovate and refine my approach.
For me, commissions are never just about the finished piece—they’re about the process, the problem-solving, and the discoveries along the way. This project reminded me why I love what I do: translating ideas into tangible forms, turning materials into stories, and constantly learning in the process.
Why Commission Custom Art?
Commissioned projects like this highlight the value of collaboration between artists and designers. For the Baltimore Marriott, every detail—from rope texture to wood grain—was thoughtfully chosen to fit into the hotel’s story. This is the beauty of custom art: it isn’t just decoration—it’s a tailored narrative that enhances the identity of a space.
If you’re an interior designer, curator, or hospitality brand seeking to create meaningful art installations that align with your project’s story, I’d love to collaborate.
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