“Create Space with the Power of Specialty Painting”

Would you like to transform a room in your home or business? Murals have been used since man began painting in caves to  the walls of palaces and churches  to backgrounds of the classic film era to social statements in public art . The National Society of Mural Painters established in 1895 defines a mural as “…a work of art designed for a specific wall, or area, to decorate a large architectural unit. It can be executed on the wall itself…or worked out in the artist’s studio and later installed. A mural is not just a large painting set into a given space. It must be designed for a specific space and serve the purpose of the building”. It is possible to bring this ancient trade to personalize or enhance modern locations.

Bayou Murals for Middendorf's Restaurant

In the past 20 years I have created murals and specialty painting projects for theater, corporate displays, residential and commercial spaces both interior and exterior.  Mural painting has been a passion of mine since I was a 3rd grader assisting on a backdrop for a school play. I feel a strong connection to this historic tradition in art    every time I’m painting a new project.

My purpose in starting this blog is to explore the goals, spatial or visual design challenges of clients, the influences in finding solutions and the examples of the finished product with commentary from the client and/or the public. Hopefully, we can develop a dialogue that will help you to visualize and transform spaces in a way that compliments your lifestyle.

You  can create a unique environment in any room or exterior area with imagery that uses perspective, composition and color to create depth. This can be achieved quickly without breaking your budget. Themes and styles are unlimited and working with an artist that you can communicate with can be inspiration to the finished piece.

For example, I met a new client, Jeff at his home in Treme a historic district bordering the French Quarter in New Orleans. He enjoyed all the rooms of his renovated cottage – except the kitchen. It’s a small space with very generic looking oak cabinets. Jeff wanted very vibrant color like the rest of his decor and to have something to make the room unique.

Cabinets appearance at the consultation.

We took a look at some of his other art displayed in his living room, entrance and dining room, and his small container garden outside in the alley. When we returned to the kitchen I noticed the lovely windows opposite the cabinets and they became a source of inspiration along with the tour. I decided to have the cabinets painted to match the woodwork, trim and walls of the kitchen; then paint windows with glass shelves and a view to a garden on the flat surface of the cabinet doors.

Specialty painting is my term for any project that uses my skills as a realist or decorative artist on a surface other than a wall. In this case, painting a view with a sky, garden, guest cottage and French Quarter architecture behind objects in the foreground gave the kitchen a sense of space. Jeff sent images of some of his favorite plants and flowerpots. I included the pear motif already existing in the form of ceramic sculptures.

Jeff stated, “Working with Michelle was good for me because although I can come up with creative concepts, I need someone who can really execute them and communicate with me throughout the creative process.   We worked together to develop a concept, and then she did sketches for my approval.  Throughout the process, Michelle kept me informed about the progress of the work and showed me the work as it was being done.”

Completed specialty painting project.

This was an excellent collaboration that could work in many different situations. It would be interesting to create a similar theme on a garden wall for instance, providing color to a small backyard year round! Or maybe in a dining room to give the sense of eating outdoors- without the pests! I’d like to read your comments and invite you to join my blog for weekly discussions on murals and specialty painting.