Dayton artist Mike Elsass keeps getting closer to the high life. He was chosen by Clodagh, an Irish-born, one-named award-winning designer in Manhattan, N.Y., to contribute two large-scale works to an exclusive retreat in Tucson, Ariz.

The Miraval Resort and Spa — a favorite retreat of major TV personalities Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres — is located in the high desert of Tucson.

One of Elsass’ pieces is in the V.I.P. Spa Suite, and the other graces the women’s locker room in the Life in Balance Spa at the Miraval Resort.

“That’s the only problem. I can’t see these pieces on a regular basis. The only time I can see them when I’m at Miraval is early in the morning before the spa opens up,” lamented Elsass.

The earth-toned 28-foot abstract in the suite, and 8-foot-by-13-foot green, brown and gold triptych in the locker room, complement the serenity at the site. The Miraval is an $800-a-night retreat.

“When I got the call in late December, I was excited. I had heard of Clodagh, and I knew she was out of New York City,” Elsass said. “So I called her New York offices and she called me back, and informed me that I had been selected to do two large commission pieces.”

All this excitement came at an interesting juncture in Elsass’s life. The time line was very tight, as Miraval needed the paintings by mid-March. His cousin, Bill Elsass, started fabricating the sections up near Botkins, Ohio, in January, and trucked the pieces to the artist on Jan. 25. In a six-week period, he honored the anniversaries of his parents’ deaths, celebrated the birth of two grandsons and the second birthday of another, and recognized his own birthday, turning 65.

“I had to get my head around painting the two most important pieces of my life when all this was going on. But working with Clodagh gave me the excitement I needed to get them done,” Elsass said. “These pieces will be featured in shelter magazines like Home & Garden and Architectural Digest.”

Elsass has been an artist in residence at Miraval for the past two years. He currently leads 10-day “Brush Ahead of the Brain” painting workshops for guests in March, May, and October. His abstract paintings on rusted steel have been presented at the Karin Newby Gallery in Tubac, Ariz., for several years, and Newby told Miraval representatives about him.

“The Miraval is near and dear to my heart. It’s a mindfulness place; the staff want the guests to focus on being in the moment. And that’s how I paint,” said Elsass, who was able to obtain a commission from AOL co-founder and Miraval owner Steve Case at the opening.