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Recently, The Melita, a beautiful independent, family-owned hotel in London, asked me to create a piece of art for their #MelitaSupportingTheArts program. I’ve never doodlewashed a hotel before, so this was a fun challenge! And although I was sadly unable to visit the hotel in person, I was able to find many lovely reference images from their Instagram feed. This is the resulting doodlewash!
The Melita is situated in two historical buildings built around 1825. The hotel has been owned and managed by members of the same family since 1972. It lies in a quiet street moments from all the hustle and bustle of Victoria Station in a mainly residential quarter called Pimlico.
All the houses in the area were designed and built by Thomas Cubitt, (1788 – 1855), an architect of some notoriety in his time. He had a long line of rich and famous clients and a stream of high profile commissions. However, like all good architects at the time Cubitt needed a good patron. His patron was Viscount Belgrave aka Richard Grosvenor (the richest man in the land at the time), who later became the 2nd Marquess of Westminster. Cubitt was subsequently commissioned in 1824 to build the new districts of Pimlico and Belgravia.
Belgravia and Pimlico were intended to provide fashionable housing for the upper classes. A few of The Melita’s neighbors over the years have included former Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill, Hollywood superstar Laurence Olivier, and former President of the French Republic Charles de Gaulle.
Cubitt was helped by the work of the Grosvenor Estate’s architect Thomas Cundy senior (1765-1825). Constructing the area of Pimlico was one of the last pieces of work undertaken by Cubitt before he withdrew from the family business in 1827. Pimlico’s historic buildings remain highly sought after even to this day.
The arts are at the core of The Melita. Aside from the beautifully designed Regency townhouses within which the hotel is situated, The Melita strives to display and promote talented members of the artistic community from all over the world. (Exactly what we strive to do here at Doodlewash!)
Since London is such an eclectic mix of international people, the goal is to help as many talented artists from different cultural backgrounds and influences as possible. As a non profit initiative, they display their artwork both online on Instagram, and across the hotel to give them as much exposure as possible.
They also organize and pay for the artwork to be professionally framed, to make sure it is shown in its best light. All profits of originals/prints sold to the hotel’s customers are entirely for the artists, unlike commercial art galleries who take huge fees. As far as they are aware, they are the only hotel in England (and probably anywhere in the world) that runs such an all encompassing non profit artistic initiative.
And if YOU are an artist who might be interested in participating in this program, just send an email here with #MelitaSupportingTheArts in the subject line, and they will get back to you! It’s a wonderful program and I would like to personally thank my new friends at The Melita for everything they’re doing to support artists around the globe!
What a fabulous program this sounds like! And you’ve created a beautiful piece for them! Do you know what sort of art they showcase? Just fine art for adults or ? I ask because I have more illustrative arts for kid. Will they give all the details when you email them? I know, I know…so many questions. Oy…sorry!
They are looking for images featuring The Melita by various artists in their own style, like what I’ve done here. There’s various photos on their Instagram of interiors and food as well. 😉 It’s a way to promote the hotel while also promoting various artists!
Gotcha! I wasn’t sure from the post. Thanks for the clarification and maybe I should start having 2 cups of coffee a day. 😀 x
I have a whole pot…I don’t like to take any chances!! Lol 😉
You are a smart, in addition to funny, handsome, and talented, man! 😀 x
Awwwww ….😊😊😊I should give you my number so you can text me that every day!! ❤️😃You’re too sweet my friend!
I’m shocked that Philippe doesn’t tell you that every day! 😀 You tell him that I think he should! x
Haha! I will! And the dog too for that matter!! Step up to the plate family!! I could be king one day! 😉
I’m sure they love you to the end of time but just have trouble expressing themselves in words! 😉
What a beautiful doodlewash! I can tell you spend a little more time on this one. 😊 And only you can make the history of a hotel interesting..
The program sounds interesting.. May inquire. Thanks, Charlie!!
Great Kari! And thanks…I spent a touch more time with this one. But not much…my short attention span is a curse!! Lol 😊😊😊
Very cool sketch. I’m impressed by the layers of color you use for shadow. What a cool program!
Thanks Kirk! Glad you liked this one! It was a little bit different for me, but fun to do. It’s such a wonderful program. I’m really happy they’re doing it! 😃
I have a question. how do you reach so many people with your posts? is it just a matter of patience? or…
lol
Hehe…it was a combination of posting a ton and getting featured on Freshly Pressed helped a lot. I was over 125 posts in before it felt like anyone was listening…just be patient and keep going friend!! You’ll find your audience!! 😉😃👍🏻
ok thank you so much Carlie!!!!
Great work – I’m sure they are very pleased with it! Right?!
Yes!! They liked it! And the best part was when they posted it on Instagram, they said “We’ve just been officially doodlewashed!” Hehe… They’re a wonderful group and have been very supportive of artists. I’m pretty certain where I’ll be choosing to stay next time I’m I London!! 😉😃😃
Wow…. What an outstanding program & rich history! You did an ultra fab doodlewash!!
Thanks so much Nicole!! So happy you like it!! Just sent it to London today! First doodlewash I’ve sent anywhere…hehe… so that was pretty fun! 😊
Very cool Charlie! I’ll check into the program, thanks.
Yay! Awesome Sharon! Keep me posted friend! 😃👍🏻
Congratulations Charlie! Lovely doodlewash of the hotel, you have definitively made an international presence with the philosophy. And what a fine compliment that they asked you to create such a beautiful piece. Sounds like an extraordinary program, three cheers for them in supporting the arts! Peace.
Thanks Haunani!! ❤️😃It’s a really cool program and the folks there are so nice! It was an honor to participate!
How great to have a name that reminds me of coffee! I love the clean lines and colors of your drawing, and of course you are a master of making connections between people (and programs). (K)
Thanks Kerfe!! ❤️😃I was determined when I started this art journey that I will NOT do it alone!! Lol So I’m taking you all with me! Hope some others try this. It’s a wonderful program!
I think you have some people tempted. That’s the first step!
Well done, Charlie! I agree with Kerfe; you are King of Connections! :)) This is beautiful, and I love the way you’ve done the flag in particular. 💜
Aww thanks Laura!! ❤️😃Soooo happy you like the flag!! Philippe stared at the first version and was like…uhm…are going to fix that? Lol I had forgotten to add the shading or creases 😊😊
It’s beautiful! I always love your work, Charlie! I think you combine your pen and color really well, nice balance.
Awww thanks! ❤️😊I’m still a work in progress but the daily doodlewashing is helping a ton!
People don’t realize that sometimes we make this stuff look “easy” but if they did it every day, it would be easy for them too! Even ten minutes a day makes a difference. (Oh I’m preaching to the choir lol )
Hehe…yes! But I love to sing that song!! I just posted about that a few seconds ago!! Lol 😉❤️😃
A sophisticated doodlewash, Charlie! No wonder they’re pleased. 😎
I’m also reminded of coffee — the Melitta coffee filters, I used them frequently in the olden days, and they helped produce great black coffee.
I love black coffee!! About to have several comes shortly! 😊 That’s Janina! ❤️This one was a little more subdued but I liked the effect!
Somehow I missed this beautiful post! Such an elegant painting! Big love!
Awww…thanks!! This was a super thing to do Cathe! You should try it!! 😉👍🏻