WHO CHOOSES TO WORK WITH A DECORATIVE ARTIST? …WHY?
People who understand the impact that art makes on the senses will hire an artist to work on a public or private space in order to make a distinct impression, creating an experience that evokes particular feelings.
Some examples include:
A company that wants to communicate a deeper sense of their personality, values, services they provide, and their commitment to those they serve.
Those with a worship space, spiritual center, medical or another place of healing who acknowledge the power that art has to heal, to inspire, and to lift spirits.
A professional using a windowless workspace may crave a sense of the natural world for visual refreshment.
A couple preparing for a new baby’s arrival is motivated to create a restful or joyous scene for the nursery.
Some businesses need to create an elegant interior with a sense of comfortable luxury for their clients.
Sometimes the purpose is to celebrate community or family history.
Often the situation is simply a homeowner with a plain room who wants to give it a distinctive make-over or upgrade.
ISN’T THIS WORK PROHIBITIVELY EXPENSIVE FOR MOST PEOPLE?
No, price depends on the size, detail, medium, style, amount of planning needed, and changes that may transpire in the process. There are some painted walls that are comparably priced to wallpapering, but they are so much more alive!
WHAT SUBJECT MATTER & STYLES OF DECORATIVE ART DO YOU CREATE?
LOTS OF TREES, FLOWERS, AND…as an Art-chameleon, I work in many styles:
EARLY AMERICAN: stenciling, and murals similar to the New itinerant painters: RUFUS PORTER, and JONATHAN POORE,
RELIGIOUS IMAGERY executed in different styles,
CONTEMPORARY patterns: geometrics and gestural patterns inspired by fabrics, dishes, furniture etc.,
Very REALISTIC SKIES, PLANTS, ANIMALS,
ARCHITECTURAL TROMPE L’OEIL;
IMITATING or LAMPOONING your FAVORITE ARTISTS.
A Ceramics major in Art School days, now I sculpt RELIEF WALLS, love to create MOSAICS and combine techniques.
DO YOU DO FAUX FINISHES?
I have much experience in the full range of finishes: glazing, strie, “faux-bois” or wood graining, patinas, wall-glazing, “Venetian Plaster”, and metal leafing. A specialty of mine is elaborate, very convincing marble. I also work with other professional finishers.
WHERE CAN I SEE EXAMPLES OF THE WORK IN PERSON?
IN AUGUSTA, ME: THE SENATOR INN and SPA located just off I 95 exit 109, use exit 109A if traveling from the North, turn Right from the exit ramp. Very easily accessible, it is a great place to view a wide range of MURALS, MOSAICS, and other decorative work, scattered throughout the restaurant, spa, and hotel.
IN GARDINER, ME: E.J. PRESCOTT CORPORATION is located on Presccott Drive, in Libbey Hill Business Park, from I 295, take exit 49, from the south make a right, from the North take a left, and Libbey Hill business park will be on your Right within a quarter of a mile, within a half mile turn Left onto Prescott Drive. As you enter the lobby you can’t miss the 2-story mural with mosaic details. This depiction of a northern Maine pond and Mt. Katahdin contains all 65 of Maine’s mammals from the list compiled by Maine’s Natural Resource Council.
IN WATERVILLE, ME: the new EDUCARE CENTRAL MAINE is located at 56 Drummond Ave. Waterville 04901. The mixed media relief “Giving Tree” can be seen in the lobby at the main entrance. A receptionist can arrange for you to see the “Woodsy Wall”, and “Rock Ledge”, walls that were painted for the children.
WHAT IS THE PROCESS?
You may wish to contact me with specific questions while you are considering a project
You may begin by telling me about your SITE, its FUNCTION, your IDEAS, and your schedule.
Is there something you have seen in person, in any of the photos on this site, or somewhere else, that you responded to and which might suggest possibilities for your space?
What STYLE is appropriate?
Is there a MOOD or FEELING you would like to evoke?
Often people have a vague idea that then becomes clearer through discussion, research and sketches on paper.
Usually we schedule a meeting so that I can view the site, or plans, with the existing, or planned design elements that will be part of the overall composition. The meeting may generate new ideas.
~If someone has a clear idea of what they would like, and I’ve done something in a similar vein, we can meet together for firming up details, and I will begin as soon as our schedules permit.
~For smaller projects, we can often skip preliminary drawings, and l will begin by sketching in chalk right on the wall (or furniture).
~THE ARTISTIC PROCESS HAS A LIFE OF ITS OWN, so sometimes in the evolutionary process of bringing the ideas to life on a larger scale, additional possibilities often become apparent that beforehand had not been considered!
WHAT ABOUT FEES?
Estimates can often be formulated when there is a comparable work shown on this website or elsewhere that I have done.
A down payment is made at the beginning of a project.
The remainder is paid upon completion.
For long term projects, payments are made at regular intervals during the process.
I HAVE IDEAS AND I’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO PAINT (mosaic, etc.) A MURAL MYSELF, BUT…. ?
I love to help others create! I can do as much or little as you’d like. Maybe we’ll do the entire project together, or perhaps once I’ve helped you get you started, you’ll want to take it from there!
CAN CHILDREN BE INVOLVED?
Definitely. I work with many children. They can be EXQUISITE designers! One young client envisioned a whole wall for his bedroom, specifying the scale, palette, and vivid details. If your kids would like to WORK on the project too, I can usually find a way to include them. Children often make suggestions and I try hard to incorporate their ideas into the project. I find this very gratifying because in addition to creating a real sense of ownership in the work, the child’s self confidence seems to grow exponentially from the experience of having her/his own ideas taken very seriously, and executed by a professional. They get very excited when the results surpass even their own expectations!
ARE YOU INSURED?
I have liability insurance. and I purchase supplemental policies for working on certain construction job sites as necessary .
HOW CAN THE WORK BE CLEANED?
The murals generally wash easily with mild soap and water. High traffic areas like next to sinks, are coated with clear acrylic varnish for withstanding more frequent washings.
WILL THERE BE HARMFUL FUMES?
I work almost entirely with Acrylic and latex paint which dry to the touch within an hour, and fully cure in 1 to 3 days. There is very little odor in the process.
WHERE DO YOU WORK?
I am based in Augusta and Popham, Maine. I love to travel especially for work and especially in the winter. For larger projects I have other professional mural painters that I work with in: NYC, L.A. and other parts of California, Florida, North Carolina and Oregon. (JANE LOVES MAINE and many other locales!)