HUDSON RIVER VALLEY
Over the years, I have been repeatedly asked about the process of designing and painting murals. Other artists, decorators and clients have inquired as to how I proceed from one stage to the next; about the materials that I use, the techniques, and the overall question of bringing together ideas for a mural project. So here is webpage that lays out, in both word and image, all the elements to design and paint a landscape mural.
It has been a passion of mine to transform a given space with the creation of landscape murals. My initial challenge is to decide what could possibly work in a given room; visualizing the subject of the mural, its destiny and feeling, coupled with the needs of a client. Often, it is a clean slate and I am asked to create an idea. Other times, there are definite ideas that need to be honed and pulled together into something more tangible. It is this symbiotic relationship and working process that I find truly satisfying. To be part of an intuitive approach, having convictions to follow strong instincts, yet listening to the client who will, after all, be living with this creation. For the adventurous, who want to transform a room with a landscape mural, it can be a gratifying journey.
STARTING A PROJECT
• INSPIRATION-The initial step is to discuss themes, colors and ideas for a mural with the client.
• PLANNING A MURAL-After the meeting with the prospective client, extensive research of materials, gathering of photographs, illustrations and reference books takes place in order to refine the theme of the mural.
• COMPOSITION- The layout of the room is then taken into account, by placing elements into a composition, using existing architectural forms in the designated space, such as doors and window moldings. Each wall works as an individual composition that is part of the whole mural.
• MAKING A SCALE RENDERING- The room is then measured to create a scale rendering of the mural.
• TRANSCRIBING FROM RENDERING TO WALL- The rendering is then scaled up to its proper dimensions and transferred to canvas, at which time the actual mural is painted.
• INSTALLATION- The mural is installed, after which all finishing details are performed.
Monday, December 20, 2010
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SEQUOIA
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CONTACT INFORMATION :- michaelthorntonsmith@gmail.com
SELECTED COMMISSIONS:
Hyannisport Club, Hyannisport, MA
Bellehaven Club, Greenwich, CT
Roundhill Club, Greenwich, CT
Wee Burn Country Club, Darien, CT
The State Department, Washington, D.C.
Nina Campbell Inc., London
The Harborside Corporation, Jersey City, NJ
Robert AM Stern, Architect, NYC
Chris Madden, Inc., NY
Henri Bendel, NYC
Donna Karan.
Tiffany Company, NYC
Bloomingdales, NYC
Saks Fifth Avenue, NYC
Fisher Associates, NYC
Heather Hill Inc., Chardon, Ohio
Hotel Sahara Beach, Monastir, Tunisia
Nautica Headquarters , NYC, NY
Tiffany Company, NYC
Bloomingdales, NYC
Saks Fifth Avenue, NYC
Fisher Associates, NYC
Heather Hill Inc., Chardon, Ohio
Hotel Sahara Beach, Monastir, Tunisia
Nautica Headquarters , NYC, NY
Matthew Crosby House, Nantucket, MA
Canastels Restaurant, NYC
Il Giardineto - Restaurant, NYC
Angelos - Restaurant, NYC
Areo - Restaurant, NYC
American Woolen Building, NYC, NY
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
At Home With Chris Madden - 'Imaginative Landscapes' by Diane Clehane.
The New York Times - Review of 'The Nature of Landscape' by Vivien Raynor.
Greenwich Magazine - Review of exhibit at Hurlbutt Gallery.
Greenwich Time - Review of Hurlbutt Gallery Exhibition 'Bronze, Graphite, Gold'.
House and Garden - "Cottage Classic", Martin Filler.
In Fashion - "Frankly Faux", Alexander Polakov.
Metropolis - "The Unreal Thing: Pictureseque Deceptions", Akiko Busch.
Interiors - "Something About a Wall", Wendy Staebler.
The Designer - "A Return to Elegance".
The New York Times - "After the White Wall", Joseph Giovanini.
The New York Times - "Trompe l'Oeil from Nature", Suzanne Slesin.
BOOKS
Trompe l'Oeil at Home - Karen Chambers, Rizzoli.
Nursery Design - Barbara Aria, Bantam, New York.
Floorworks - Akiko Busch, Bantam, New York.
Wallworks - Akiko Busch, Bantam, New York.
Bathroom Design - Barry Dean, Simon & Schuster, New York.
Canastels Restaurant, NYC
Il Giardineto - Restaurant, NYC
Angelos - Restaurant, NYC
Areo - Restaurant, NYC
American Woolen Building, NYC, NY
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
At Home With Chris Madden - 'Imaginative Landscapes' by Diane Clehane.
The New York Times - Review of 'The Nature of Landscape' by Vivien Raynor.
Greenwich Magazine - Review of exhibit at Hurlbutt Gallery.
Greenwich Time - Review of Hurlbutt Gallery Exhibition 'Bronze, Graphite, Gold'.
House and Garden - "Cottage Classic", Martin Filler.
In Fashion - "Frankly Faux", Alexander Polakov.
Metropolis - "The Unreal Thing: Pictureseque Deceptions", Akiko Busch.
Interiors - "Something About a Wall", Wendy Staebler.
The Designer - "A Return to Elegance".
The New York Times - "After the White Wall", Joseph Giovanini.
The New York Times - "Trompe l'Oeil from Nature", Suzanne Slesin.
BOOKS
Trompe l'Oeil at Home - Karen Chambers, Rizzoli.
Nursery Design - Barbara Aria, Bantam, New York.
Floorworks - Akiko Busch, Bantam, New York.
Wallworks - Akiko Busch, Bantam, New York.
Bathroom Design - Barry Dean, Simon & Schuster, New York.
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