Blog — Brooke Hitchcock

While 2020 was not the year for travel, I was thrilled to spend a week as an artist resident at The Siren in Detroit, MI which gave me the stay-cation escape I needed after the spring quarantine, and of course the continued challenges Covid-19 has given us all. I shared my time there with my fiancé, Ivan, who was also participating in the artist residency. Here’s how we spent our time as guests in a nearly empty hotel, during the summer of 2020.

Let’s start at the entrance - The Siren lobby is a fantastic curation of antiqued decor. The luxe velvet curtains, plush seating, fringed lamps, and ornate brass fixtures are framed by tropical palm fronds around every turn. I studied this space for the majority of my time there, finding myself completely fascinated by every detail. Each item echos a unique past and all is carefully considered - color palette, material and composition is all delicately balanced and a true visual playground.

But, it’s not just the lobby - the attention to detail continues through of the entire hotel. A long hallway of checkerboard flooring and wall lighting that mirror the hypnotic diamond pattern guides you to the elevators. The elevators, of course, transport you to your personal corner of the hotel. Perhaps the my favorite aspect of The Siren is the unique juxtaposition of the elaborate lobby with the clean, more modern vibe and retro details used in the guest rooms. The alternating aesthetics find common ground in the in color palette of warm, cranberry reds, shades of blush, ochre, and sage greens - all accented by creamy whites and touches of dusty blues and teal to create a totally dreamy experience.

I wanted my work from this time to be representative of the items I enjoyed observing and documenting there, and also to explore a variety of finish levels. I spent hours sketching lobby vignettes loosely in my sketchbook. I allowed myself the freedom to express the setting in front of me without the pressure of making anything finished or perfect just yet. This was time to explore. Eventually I moved out of my sketchbook and started working on larger sheets of marker paper and experimented with color. I used a limited palette of Caran d’Ache wax pastels - these are dry (but also water-soluble) and not dusty like traditional pastels, which seemed like the best media to bring for quick observation sketching. I was particularly fond of the cheetah print chair and palm located near the gift shop entrance. In a room full of statement pieces, this had an elegant character all it’s own.

The cheetah chair also served as a great vantage point for the next piece. I was intrigued by the way you could sit there, and look across at a red velvet couch and the illustrated room divider behind it, and in the same scene catch the patterned bench farther behind and stairway above. The stairs lead to Karl’s, the hotel diner, but due to Covid was closed - making that doorway an entrance full of mystery. I should note, that sense of myth and mystery was a constant here as well.

Did I mention the gift shop? Tucked just past the concierge, one can find a compact space filled with goods as unique as the hotel itself. Almost as soon as I wandered in, I spotted a small assortment of velvet and satin shoes from Le Monde Beryl that were just too lovely to pass by. A couple were true classics: a warm brown and a dark charcoal (both velvet). Another offered something more unexpected: a neon yellow velvet mule. And finally, one satin, soft blue heel was something like a fairytale — I loved these all paired together.

Finally, I wanted at least one piece to feature a figure and feel more typical to my style, and I was thrilled when Detroit designer, Nabeela Najjar, agreed to meet up and model in some of her garments! I’ve loved Nabeela’s work for a while, so I was very excited to work with her during my residency. And, if you haven’t already, definitely give her work a peek!! Her garments are very ethereal, very feminine, and so incredibly stunning - all of which made it a great fit for a scene in the lobby. While she was there, I sketched studies of her in a couple different looks and locations around the lobby, but ultimately I loved how the variety of warm golds and coral pinks came together in the piece below.

We loved our week at The Siren. Although closings due to Covid of course posed their limitations, it was so fun to take in every aspect and thoughtful detail that the hotel had to offer. Absolutely make a visit if you get the chance - also being located right in downtown Detroit, there is a whole lot nearby to explore as well. My suggestions? For something casual, Penny Red’s for some very good fried chicken sandwiches and their Sidewinder Fries (I’m a sucker for great French fries!!) followed by drinks at Queen’s Bar Detroit. For something a little more special, San Morello is a must, and is just around the corner! When it’s open, The Siren’s own, The Candy Bar, is great for cocktails. All of this following the appropriate Covid precautions, of course.

Cheers!