Never in her wildest dreams did Danielle Weber think she would strike up a friendship with Hollywood star, The Rock.
The 29-year-old Melbourne, Australia artist had previously painted a portrait of the much-loved actor and his mother – which she had the incredible opportunity to hand deliver to him back in 2015.
And since then, the pair’s friendship has blossomed into something Danielle can’t quite put into words.
She said it is because of his ongoing support and faith in her work that her career has continued to reach new heights.
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson had requested the artwork last January when “Black Adam” was initially scheduled to premiere in July.Facebook / Danielle’s Artwork
However, earlier this year she couldn’t believe the text she woke up to from her actor friend of eight years.
Message from The Rock
Danielle said she was “blown away” to receive a message from Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, 50, with a request ahead of the world premiere of his new superhero flick Black Adam.
“We spoke in January about me creating a painting of him. At that point, the movie was coming out in July, but then he hit me up again and said the movie has been pushed back and that we have time,” Danielle told news.com.au.
Danielle Weber first commissioned artwork for Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson in 2015.Dwayne The Rock Johnson / Facebook
Due to the pair’s crazy workloads and schedules, Danielle said they both left it to the last minute to get the ball rolling on the portrait following the announcement of the movie premiere on October 12.
She said she was also under the impression she was just going to drop off the painting to Johnson in the US ahead of the movie premiere – but he had other plans.
“He told me to get my ‘a– up’ because he had an idea.”
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson invited Danielle Weber to the red carpet in Times Square for the premiere of “Black Adam.”Facebook / Danielle’s Artwork
In an early morning text to Danielle, Johnson said: “I have a big idea. I’m thinking you present this to me on the black carpet at our world premiere in New York … It’s a massive moment we can create together. What do you think …”
A very overwhelmed and excited Danielle obviously jumped at the opportunity, but she was also slightly stressed.
“At that point I didn’t have a painting, flights booked or a dress,” she laughed.
Australian artist Danielle Weber was able to complete the stunning portrait in six days.Facebook / Danielle’s Artwork
“But I work best under pressure.”
In what would normally take her a couple of months to complete, Danielle managed to finish the portrait in just six days.
She said she was still painting the night before her 7am flight and her bags weren’t even packed.
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s superhero flick, “Black Adam”, is a box office hit.Facebook / Danielle’s Artwork
In a now-viral clip posted to the artist’s Instagram page, a very humbled Johnson can be seen on the black carpet in Times Square alongside Danielle thanking her for her work.
“I asked Danielle if she would be so gracious as to honor us with a special piece. I wanted her to present it to me and our Black Adam team,” he said.
After pulling off the sheet to unveil the portrait, an emotional Johnson simply said: “Amazing.”
Danielle Weber first commissioned artwork for Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson in 2015.Dwayne The Rock Johnson / Facebook
He continued to stare at the work before turning to Danielle and saying, “Thank you so much.”
Danielle said he was “so grateful” for the piece – a painting of Johnson in character as Black Adam – that he even made a point to the audience of the detail that went into the hieroglyphics on his costume.
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It is a nod to the origins of the character, who originally came from ancient Egypt when the comic was first released in 1945.
Danielle said while Johnson provided his input, he put his faith in her for the final piece which he didn’t see until the unveiling.
“He is very particular about his vision. Everything he touches has a meaning. It’s powerful storytelling and he wants to connect with the audience in a certain way.”
The 29-year-old, who is the co-owner of painting studio Pinot and Picasso in Malvern, Victoria, sent Johnson an early draft of the work.
“He said it was amazing, but, ‘You need to make sure his hands are in it, has an open fist and his stance is very important.’ He said it had to be front on, head must be down and we also spoke about the hieroglyphics in the costume – every single etching has a meaning of Egyptian history.”
With just days out from the premiere, Danielle redid the arms and the torso.
Johnson didn’t see the final version, nor had any idea of the speech Danielle was going to make at the unveiling.
“I was blown away he trusted me with something so big. And yeah, I was worried if he was going to like it or not,” she laughed.
But given his reaction, there was no doubt he did.
Thriving career
Danielle went from painting portraits in her family’s kitchen to now owning a studio in Melbourne where she creates masterpieces of mega stars such as American DJ Steve Aoki and Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger – and has even hand-delivered them herself.
Danielle said creating the Black Adam piece for Johnson was her way of thanking him for his years of support which all started back in 2014 when he came across her Instagram page.
“He saw my work on Instagram and said he was looking forward to meeting me one day and as a thank you I did a portrait of him and his mum and hand-delivered that to him.”
Danielle, who was backpacking in the US at the time, rolled up her work, put it under her arms and headed to Boston where she delivered it to him while he was on the set of the movie Central Intelligence.
“I told him I was in the States, his team reached out and told me to come to the set,” Danielle said.
After sharing a clip of it to her Instagram and Johnson on his, she got widespread attention.
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson requested a painting from Australian artist Danielle Weber ahead of his “Black Adam” superhero film premiere.Facebook / Danielle’s Artwork
“It kickstarted my career and his belief in me has made me feel I can do anything and not give up.
“I am just a girl from a small suburb in Melbourne. He is the busiest person and doesn’t have to do this nor does he have the capacity because I see how busy he is. How he has the energy to lift and help others and give them hope is just mind-blowing.
Source: nypost.com
