Harmon Guest House, an environmentally-friendly retreat located in downtown Healdsburg, recently announced a new art installation in partnership with Jake Messing, a freelance artist and designer, who is from the area.
The art, titled “Blue Harmon” is available to view until September. The piece adorns the property’s main stairwell and features an ascending flock of Blue Herons and golden florals. “Bold colors, birds and flowers are signature elements often found in Jake’s work, which is incredibly detailed and rooted in realism,” said Circe Sher, co-founder of Piazza Hospitality in a statement. “His nature-inspired piece complements Harmon Guest House’s design and reflects Healdsburg’s scenic landscape. The unique environment for the installation and the individual depictions create a beautiful and thought-provoking, one-of-a-kind sight guests can enjoy all summer.”
A Healdsburg native, Messing moved to New York City, where he managed the art department for Tiffany & Company’s global visual merchandising team and was showcased in several galleries. He also taught drawing and painting as an adjunct professor at New York University’s Tisch graduate department before working as an independent artist full time. Messing has been invited to participate in multiple international artist residencies, including Camac Centre d’ Arte (Paris, France) and the Banff Center (BC, Canada), along with numerous group exhibitions around North America.
Recently, Messing moved back to Healdsburg and continues to paint daily and work as a freelance artist, designer and consultant for some of the world’s largest luxury brands, including Harry Winston, Tiffany & Co., Van Cleef & Arpels, Nike and more. His most recent project was a mural for the new Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga.
As for the bold, lyrical piece on display at Harmon Guest House, Messing was inspired by the birds of Sonoma County. “I wanted to create a piece that invites patrons up to the rooftop at Harmon Guest House with a sense of flow, beauty and grace,” he said in a statement. “Great Blue Herons are truly majestic birds often seen around Sonoma County rivers, lakes and coastline. They symbolize self-reliance, determination and good luck across many cultures. This piece is inspired by spring in Sonoma County and the promise of new life, growth and ascension.”
Since its doors opened, Harmon Guest House has been committed to supporting the arts with a permanent collection of commissioned art and rotating, temporary exhibitions from emerging California artists showcased in the halls, main stairwell and guest rooms. The pieces include sculpture, photography, works on paper and site-specific installations, all connected to California art history or the immediate surroundings of Healdsburg.
[Photos courtesy of Harmon Guest House]
