How to Have the Classic Car of Your Dreams!

Model of a 1959 Chevrolet Impala.

Is there a car from your past or that you’ve always fantasized of owning that could be a part of your life now? Gloria had an interesting project that involved her very first car – a blue 1959 Chevrolet Impala convertible that was a gift from her father. She wanted a mural of the car on a panel that was added to the front of her home during a recent renovation. In addition to photos, she had a toy model of the vehicle to help with the creation of the painting.

I have always loved painting shiny objects, so this was the perfect subject. The reflections, light and curvy shapes of chrome objects have been a part of my oil paintings since the start. As a scenic artist, I painted classic cars that were used as props in the musical Leader of the Pack. I enjoy seeing the owners of vintage vehicles and classic cars parading their masterpieces with other club members along Lake Ponchartrain.

One of the 3 classic cars I painted for a production of "Leader of the Pack". These were cut out and used as stage props.

"Lafayette Parking Garage" mural by Robert Dafford.

The 150-foot tall clarinet painted on the side of a Holiday Inn in New Orleans by muralist Robert Dafford has been a constant source of inspiration. Every time I come across it I love to look at the detail because I notice something new with each viewing. The way the buildings and sky curve on the chrome keys is just amazing! While on evacuation from Hurricane Katrina I had the opportunity to see more of his work in downtown Lafayette. The Lafayette Parking Garage mural is a gorgeous collage of classic car chrome trim painted on the side of the building. This vision was still fresh when I began work on Gloria’s “Faux Garage” mural.

"Faux Garage" residential mural

In creating this piece of artwork I used a variety of trompe l’oeil techniques. The foreshortening, shadowing, creating panels on the door and matching the existing colors of the house contributed to the realistic effect of the finished piece. It was a unique idea that was a fun project and I’m pleased that every time Gloria enters her home she sees the mural of her cherished car.

2011 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 1,900 times in 2011. If it were a cable car, it would take about 32 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

Penthouse Painting for Pop Art Lover

Ever since helping my third grade teacher paint a backdrop for a school play, I have wanted to be a scenic painter, muralist and create exhibitions of art. In learning a trade (scenic painting) that had its hey-day in the 1930’s, I pieced together my education in the fine art department at the University of New Orleans, 5 years at the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts and a career in the production arts.

These opportunities allowed me to realize my dream of becoming a skilled artist:

• A formal education introduced me to instructors that were professional artists; and besides learning the basics of composition, mixing color, drawing and sculpting – I would gain insight into their professional lives and the discipline required to produce art.

• My first job was sculpting in papier-mâché and painting for a company
  

  Backdrop for "Barnum!", my first production at Le Petit Theater.

  that produced floats, props and “big heads”, this lead to working as a scenic artist for films, theater and trade displays for companies including Mattel Toys, Macy’s, and the Family Channel. These creative gigs painting a variety of subjects with a tight deadline increased my speed and ability to work on a large-scale, taught me how to work on a crew, and become comfortable with the tools of the trade.

• Trips to Europe, especially Italy, showed me the possibilities of this ancient trade. I feel like I can paint anything in so many different scenarios.

Living room with "Sound & Light" mural.

My friend Gary has a penthouse condo that is decorated with an amazing collection of contemporary art including many Pop Art pieces. When he commissioned me to create a mural for an oddly shaped living room that housed all the audio-visual equipment, Gary requested that the piece be colorful and reflect my style as an oil painter.

This resulted in Sound & Light a 2 x 9 foot multi-media painting that defined the use of the room as an entertainment center. I enjoyed creating without restrictions and it is a unique project because it is definitely more fine art than decorative art. It would be great to produce contemporary murals for posh residences, lobbies and retail establishments – capturing and announcing the purpose of a particular space with color.

"Sound & Light" penthouse painting for audio-visual room.

I have enjoyed blogging about the business of creating murals so much that tomorrow will begin Fine Art Fridays - a blog exploring my personal artwork, the exhibitions and details of being a professional artist, leading to the progress of current projects in my studio.

3 Super Sources to Spark Your Imagination (Part 3)

“Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while. That’s because they were able to connect experiences they’ve had and synthesize new things.”   ~ Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs was probably referring to developing technology, but his definition applies to all forms of creativity. My art is a combination of items of visual interest from a vast mental catalog fused with something new – the inspiration that sparks my imagination! So far the sources have been the research, both past and present, of excellent art and graphic design. The final and most important element in cultivating creativity involves communication.

My 3 main sources of inspiration are:

1. ART HISTORY

2. VINTAGE ADVERTISEMENTS

3. CONVERSATION

As a contractor it is crucial to connect with the ideas and vision of my clients. Especially when we are collaborating for the first time. Where art history and vintage advertisements are reference materials, having a productive conversation with a client is a skill. All three sources have been a part of my life since childhood.

From the meandering conversations with my very talkative Dad on a wide range of topics to being raised in the Jewish community (where literature and discussion are central to its culture) to attending an elementary school for the arts to a career in the production arts – I have always felt free to think, create and ask questions. Brainstorming with other talented folks on artistic projects in college and professionally for theater, film or trade shows have taught me the value of collaboration. Sometimes sharing an upcoming job with a friend gets things started!

The ability to interpret the ideas of my customers through the art of conversation has resulted in fantastic final products. For example, when I was in the process of painting the Polynesian Paradise to surround Tony’s indoor swimming pool, he was wandering around and making suggestions. At first I wasn’t giving him my full attention, but then realized that he wanted to make a more direct contribution to the design.

The Tiki statues decorating louvered kitchen doors- this detail was sparked by Tony's remark about the belly button door knobs.

I made the sketches from tons of books with his favorite images marked, but stopped painting to find a space without a plan. We ended up in the kitchen, I pointed to the louvered doors, he touched the knobs and murmured, “They look like belly buttons.” Immediately I sketched on the doors with charcoal- he was so excited and claimed the twin Tiki statues were exactly what he was thinking. The doors became a favored focal point of the kitchen.

For Heaven on Earth Dog Daycare & Spa, owner Jay was a most interesting client; he was very clear and detailed about his vision. When discussing the elements to be included in the mural, he described his ideal customer, his favorite breed of dogs, the advertising plan, and employees he was considering for his new business. Incorporating his ideas into the design was a challenging, but he was pleased with the drawing and the finished piece is one of my best. Without the conversation with Jay, many of the details wouldn’t have existed.

The start of the "Heaven on Earth" mural during record heat in New Orleans. Photo by Eliot Kamenitz of the Times-Picayune.

There are as many moments and types of inspiration as there are styles of creating art; but these three work best for me when meeting a deadline. A Latin proverb states, “The imagination exercises a powerful influence over every act of sense, thought, reason – over every idea.” It is a joy to strengthen my imagination by reviewing the creative expressions of the past and interpreting the visual perceptions of individuals seeking a work of art.

Completed mural containing unique details requested by the client.

3 Super Sources to Spark Your Imagination (Part 2)

“What to do when inspiration doesn’t come; be careful not to spook, get the wind up, force things into position. You must wait around until the idea comes.”
John Huston- American film director, screenwriter and actor

In the service of creating art as a contractor the time it takes to reach a great idea varies, sometimes it’s instant as in the case of the Mothercluckers mural (discussed in the first part of this series) to several weeks depending on the topic, the customer or the space involved. On rare occasions a project doesn’t move forward; but I keep in communication with the client and if possible, recommend another artist or solution to better suit their needs. I can really relate to John Huston’s quote because developing a process of waiting for inspiration took practice!

I’ve learned to wait for an idea by doing research: watching a documentary, a movie or a television show on the topic, or browsing books and searching Google images. At times certain music, waiting in line at a store or something seen on vacation plants the seed of a new design. Patience mixed with a studious and observant nature play an important part in my creative process.

When it comes to creating a custom design there are 3 main sources I use to get ideas started:

1. ART HISTORY

2. VINTAGE ADVERTISEMENTS

The classic print advertisements of the 1920’s through the mid 1970′s use beautiful layout, color and font to present an array of products; each period distinctly reflects its own style, use of language, and social standards of the day.

From my Mother’s homemaker magazines to my collection of vintage magazines as a teen to a current personal library of books on the topic and of course – Google images, these superb designs provide a wealth of information. I have spent much time poring over the past through classic print ads. They have influenced my tastes and manner of expression – both verbally and artistically.

This life-long fascination with early print promotion comes in handy! Basel owns The Pizza Shoppe – a family restaurant that features parties where children  create their own pizza pie. During our consultation in his pizzeria, Basel began waving his hands around and exclaimed, “I want pizza craziness!” In defining this thought he described the fun and noise of 10 to 30 kids making personal pizzas.

1926 Coca-Cola print advertisement that influenced the composition of the mural.

An episode of "Ren & Stimpy" inspired the floating ingredients and steaming hot pizzas.

Later that week I was looking through one of my favorite advertising books, Advertising in America (Goodrum & Dalrymple, 1990), when a 1926 Coca-Cola ad caught my eye. The Art Deco use of the line that functions as the soda fountain counter inspired my design for The Pizza Shoppe. It became a red line bordering the restaurant and served as a table for the illustrated chefs to prepare pizzas. Memories of a “Ren & Stimpy” cartoon- Space Madness, contributed the floating, jumbo ingredients to create Basel’s “pizza craziness”.

The finished paintings add to the family friendly fun of The Pizza Shoppe.

Detail of main wall.

In this example, classic advertising was the spark (with pop culture as an accelerant) that helped me produce a special mural for a unique business. Basel was so pleased with the results that he had me paint a portion of the mural in his second location.

Classic prints ads are great for:

• graphic design projects.
• writing catchy slogans, titles, and other text.
• developing the perfect promotional pitch.
• researching the fashions of a particular period.

Thank you for all the positive feedback from my first installment on the topic of stimulating the imagination and I hope you enjoyed this one.  See my third and most important source of inspiration on Monday!

A Pizza Shoppe party with a spirited set of chefs.

3 Super Sources to Spark Your Imagination (Part 1)

“Imagination is your preview of life’s coming attractions.”~ Albert Einstein

The imagination is used in every aspect of life from preparing a meal, a party or a wardrobe to designing a kitchen, a garden or a business card. It is active in every type of problem solving.

Einstein’s quote defines the career of a contractor; the ideas of the designer and client combine to become a reality. I solve visual dilemmas for my clients- whether it’s making an interior more attractive, drawing attention to an establishment or masking something in a creative way- imagination is the key to successful results.

Initially, today’s blog was about cartoon illustration and it naturally morphed to the topic of inspiration. Once the first example began to develop- it became clear that this needed to be done in three parts. So I hope you will join me on this journey examining my creative process in designing murals.

When it comes to creating a custom design there are 3 main sources I use to get ideas started:

1. ART HISTORY

During my childhood in New York, my parents would take us to visit the Brooklyn Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and other great collections of art in the city. This gave me an appreciation for art through the ages that has been a constant source of inspiration for both my fine and commercial artwork.

"Luncheon of the Boating Party" by Impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir, 1881.

For instance- Shane, the proprietor of Mothercluckers Restaurant, wanted an exterior mural to cover the boards on the abandoned building next door. When we began discussing the image- Shane stated, “I was thinking of chickens eating.” I laughed because immediately I had envisioned chickens substituting the people in Renoir’s Luncheon of the Boating Party. There was a framed copy of this popular piece that decorated my first few apartments, so I was very familiar with the composition. This idea fit the theme of the chicken restaurant, suited the French history of New Orleans, and the colorful mural livened up a blighted structure.

Exterior mural for Mothercluckers Restaurant. The clothing was influenced by a neighboring Soul Train Fashions.

Usually the magic requires a bit of research- I still use my art history books from college and have added to my library over the years. Of course, with Google images research is a breeze. There are so many different ways to look at art- for the composition (like the Mothercluckers mural), the color, a particular item in the piece, or the way the paint is applied.

Fine art can be used:

• to find a color scheme for a room.
• to get ideas for costuming.
• to get textures for decorative painting techniques.
• to share ideas with others.

Its interesting how new ideas are formed and I would love to see comments or links to blogs describing your “ah-ha!” moments. Please read about my second source of inspiration on Thursday.

Mothercluckers mural next to the restaurant.

Now You Can Have the Beauty of the Great Outdoors in Your Interior Design

Does a busy schedule keep you from getting away?  Bring spectacular views of nature and wildlife indoors. Escape the stress of urban life with the colors of landscapes, open skies, and your favorite plants and animals.

Attention Restoration Theory (ART) asserts that people can concentrate better after spending time in nature, or even looking at scenes of nature. As a student of the New Orleans Academy of Fine Art, then as a scenic artist and muralist, I have painted landscapes of every type  in every color of the rainbow. Just the act of creating large-scale vistas has a calming effect on me as I transform the feel of a space with a scene.

Besides opening a space by adding depth to a room; there are many opportunities to create natural surroundings in both public and private areas:

I provided the finishing touch to a very elaborate man cave designed by a grandfather to share with friends and family.

Man Caves, especially for the outdoorsman, could have a mural that recreates a favorite fishing or camping spot. I painted marsh scenes on the inside of  rolling metal doors to a man cave decorated with photos, neon signs, and hunting trophies – it had an arcade, bar, television and other toys for entertaining with his boat and travel bus outside.

Feng Shui uses the elements of nature to create a sense of balance and can add a meditative feel to rooms for relaxation, for instance – a master bath, sunroom or library. Images of earth, water, air, and fire necessary to achieve feng shui can be represented by paintings of a zen rock garden, a bamboo grove or a pond with water lilies.

“This was the most amazing time when Michelle was painting in our home. Every day was like Christmas, she spent 6 weeks painting this incredible mural that surrounds our indoor swimming pool!”- Tony Drake.

Workout Rooms can benefit from creativity – a stationary bicycle can be placed in the middle of the French countryside and using a treadmill can be a walk in the park complete with squirrels and pigeons. In the Polynesian Paradise mural, I was able to piece together Tony’s love of Tiki culture with some of his favorite creatures in a tropical landscape.

Waterfall, temple, and tree during sunset in the Polynesian Paradise.

Bayou Mural in Middendorf's Restaurant with the old lighthouse that used to exist in Manchac.

 Dining Rooms, with an outdoor setting painted on the walls, can create the experience of an open-air picnic in a temperature-controlled environment without the nuisance of pests. I was able to mix local greenery and wildlife with iconic landmarks from Manchac’s past for Middendorf’s Restaurant. This Bayou Scene mirrors the view of the lake seen from the opposite wall of windows. Diners are surrounded by images reflecting the culture and landscapes of Louisiana.

                                                                                                                                                               Make nature a part of your daily routine by combining the arts of landscape and mural painting in your home and benefit from the sensation of a “staycation”.

• Treat clients or customers to a brief escape from urban life by offering a natural getaway when visiting your spa, restaurant or gym.
• A sense of peace and tranquility can be brought to day-cares, classrooms and other spaces for children.
• Visit the links below and throughout this blog to learn more about the using nature to reduce stress and increase well-being.

REFERENCES:

G. Warner (2010, June 1) Feng Shui Design and Décor: Wall Murals

[Blog Article] retrieved from: http://10kblessingsfengshui.typepad.com/10000_blessings_feng_shui/2010/06/feng-shui-design-and-decor-wall-murals.html#

J. du Pre (2009, March 28) Decorate a Room with a Wall Painting

 [Blog Article] retrieved from: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1591963/decorate_a_room_with_a_wall_painting.html?cat=30

Quick Way to Make a Spooky Party Place

Do you like to host theme parties? New Orleans takes celebration to the extreme; in addition to excellent food, music and fun folks, a creative atmosphere plays a big part in all types of celebrations. I have created painted props and backdrops for everything from birthday parties to Mardi Gras balls.

Last week I decorated a large home, its indoor swimming pool and bar, as well as sprawling outdoor areas for a huge Halloween bash taking place over the weekend. I went shopping with my good friend and client Tony for a vast array of ghastly decorations, but with all the space to be covered we needed something to tie everything together.

Panels painted for a big Halloween party- the images were inspired by the artwork for "Full-Custom Gospel Sounds of the Reverend Horton Heat".

I brought sections of a 3,000 square foot Baptismal Mural I created for a Halloween party in a spacious commercial venue in 2008. Using a mix of white primer and acrylic paint, I painted images of skeletons on several rolls of black plastic sheeting. The panels were laid on the grass in the backyard and a bamboo pole served as an extension for the brush.This was and eerie, economical and efficient way to cover a tremendous amount of wall space. It also has been very easy to store for use at other events.

Costumed guests dancing under a canopy of lights, spiders and webbing. A section of the "Baptismal Mural" borders the dance floor and hides the exterior entrance to the master bedroom.

Detail of the "Baptismal Mural".

These panels not only set the mood for Halloween providing a backdrop for costumed revelers, they indicated areas open to the guests and blocked off closed areas. Tony sent a thank you note in his Facebook photo album of the successful costume party. He exclaimed, “All the decorations were truly remarkable- it’s amazing what you do to bring a space to life. I had comment after comment of how great the decorations were. Thanks for making our party!”

In future blogs I will share other ideas for decorations- from Christmas, Mardi Gras and New Year’s to birthdays, anniversaries and housewarmings; there are a number of fun, easy projects for creating a festive party place that you can do yourself!

“Rockin’ Retreats for Boys and Girls”

Create happy memories to last a lifetime! A child’s bedrooms is an all-purpose room that serves as a personal place to rest, play, and as they grow – to study. Imagine providing your child with a special space that reflects their individual tastes and interests.

While expecting their first child, Shannon hired me to paint this mural for the baby boy's room. Her husband Michael is a big Yankees fan even though he is a native of Louisiana.

From the age of dinosaurs, to shopping on a boulevard in Paris to travel somewhere in deep space – any theme can be produced by having a mural painted on the wall (and sometimes the ceiling) with bedding, furniture and accessories added for the finishing touches. For limited budgets or shared bedrooms, a simple illustration over a bed using a child’s name can capture personalities and distinguish areas of personal territory.

Kennedy's name above her bed.

The name illustration on the wall opposite the Yankees Stadium mural.

"Giant Garden" mural I painted in Kristen's bedroom.

In 2004, Toni hired me to design a mural for her 6-year-old daughter Kristen. She wanted to add a special touch her bedroom. I painted a giant garden mural with big flowers, animals, clouds, a rainbow and a hot air balloon decorated with her name. One day Kristen came home from kindergarten while I was working. It was so gratifying to turn around and see that big grin (with the two front teeth missing) that was the ultimate seal of approval!

When recently reflecting on the artwork Toni remarked, “The mural was so amazing and special. Everyone that came to my daughter’s room was blown away at the detail. The animals in the mural were so lifelike they became “pets” for us all since we didn’t have real ones.”

That's me painting (left) and a detail of the Giant Garden with a painted pet (right).

The motivations to transform blank walls to murals for children are many; from purely decorative to making childhood fantasy lands a reality. Besides adding beauty to the family home, having a custom mural in children’s bedrooms and playrooms may:

• Nurture an interest in the arts and nature.

• Stimulate the imagination which enriches the ability to problem solve.

• Develop self-expression, especially with designs that are a visual version of  My Favorite Things.

• Expand a sense pride in their surroundings.

• Be a source of inspiration – if the image portrays ideals or goals.

• Provides a secure space to share with siblings and friends.

Visit these links for more information about the importance of creativity in childhood development:

Creativity and Play: Fostering Creativity

The Creativity Institute: Creativity for Success

3 Easy Ways to Eye-Catching Exteriors

Does your business get lost in the crowd?

Animal Care Center transformation with color and logo inspired illustration.

Especially in suburban retail areas, the repetition of architectural and signage styles can make it difficult for your customers to find you. I would drive right by my veterinarian’s clinic with each visit. She explained that this was a regular complaint among her loyal clientele. Painting a sign around the entire building in bold colors with a pattern inspired by the clinic’s logo was the solution to this visual problem.  Now the interesting architecture and beautiful landscaping are enhanced with artwork – making it a structure that stands out. Now patrons make it to appointments on time!

Here are 3 ideas to advertise the name, contact information, and message about your business on its exterior walls.

1. Painted Signs

• Accent the architecture and your message with interesting color palettes.
• Weather and fade resistant paints, like Sherwin Williams exterior Superpaints, are guaranteed for 25 years.
• Wind resistant compared to vinyl banners – no flapping!
• Bigger bang for your buck! Painting a 10 x 25 foot billboard on a wall is a far more economical and visible option to installing a metal sign.

Saltwater Grill with existing vinyl banner, then with a painted sign.

 ”Advertising is the life of trade.” Calvin Coolidge

2. Murals Make a Location Memorable

• An image can define your business in a flash!
• Stand out from other establishments by becoming a conversation piece and a focal point of reference.
• Beautify your building, as well as the neighborhood.
• Photos of the finished artwork can be used in advertising for easy identification.

Randazzo's Family Restaurant with a sign painted by an inexperienced employee and a blank wall (top left). This first view of the building faces the street and other establishments. The bottom image shows my design using the logo and illustrations of some of the dishes on the menu.

“A picture is worth a thousand words.” Napoleon Bonaparte

3. Branding  Based on a Logo

• The artist can use a logo to create art or decorative patterns in an interesting way to identify a business - this supports other promotional efforts.
• Turns exterior spaces into an effective marketing tool.
• Patterns create visual movement that gets noticed.

Kupcake Factory with a painted sign on the street side of the building. Using the "squiggly cupcake" icon in their logo, I created a pattern and bullet points to emphasize items offered at the bakery.

“Without promotion something terrible happens…Nothing!

P.T. Barnum