Art Murals Paint

Holy Trinity Rittenhouse

2009-05-05T19:14:00.002-04:00

Two of Rai's works sold first thing this morning, despite the gloom of the drizzle.

I held the camera tight against the font to get this shot of the Romanesque interior.

Art Show in Rittenhouse Square Church

2009-05-04T08:31:00.004-04:00

Rai del Noce Senior is exhibiting 2 artworks this week at the Church of the Holy Trinity Show on Rittenhouse Square. I helped set up the easels and lights yesterday, what a gorgeous church.

PRESS RELEASE
Rittenhouse Square Church Features Stunning Exhibit by Fifty Local Artists
________________
The Church of the Holy Trinity, Rittenhouse Square, with its Tiffany art glass, carvings and stenciling from the turn of the century and famous mural from the 1920’s will host an exhibition and sale - featuring 50 accomplished local artists. The Event is co-sponsored by the Rittenhouse Square Flower Market for Children’s Charities.
This exhibit continues the church’s successful gallery arts program through its Rittenhouse Square Artist Guild. Throughout the calendar year, the church transforms the sanctuary space into an art gallery to share its wonderful facility with the community. The church has become one of the most popular places for the display and sale of local art with close to four thousand persons attending its exhibits just last year. The sale proceeds benefit children’s charities and the church’s Historic Restoration Fund. This fund has been established to address $10 million in structural repairs needed for this beloved historic church, including windows, roof and stone façade.
Gallery Hours are Monday, May 4, 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, Tuesday, May 5, 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM, Wednesday, May 6, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Free concert by Curtis Institute of Music 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM), and Thursday, May 7, 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM.

Ann Northrup's Mural at 13th and Spruce

2009-02-24T23:10:00.007-05:00

sketching in paint direct on wall

Had a chance encounter with Ann Northrup several weeks ago, as she made some final adjustments to a mural on the side wall of Vetri Restaurant in Center City.

I had happened by the restaurant mural in its early stages back in the summer, and took a couple photos then. Always interesting to see the stages.

Today read an interesting guest blog by Ann Northrup, on working with prisoners at Riverside to create a large exterior mural.

top photo is by Elena Ortega

Spotted near Rittenhouse Square

2008-12-16T16:58:00.005-05:00

Will it stay or will it go?

Went for lunch at the Art Alliance today, and surprised to see the mural called "Justice" by Michael Webb, in place, if not completed.

you can read about the brouhaha here

Looks very good, despite the drizzle sleety day, as do all of his murals. The waitstaff at Gardenia told us they heard the install was halted ( it was painted off-site).

Ornamental Fence with Poppies

2008-12-14T21:14:00.007-05:00

I walk past this garden and fence several times a week; it is a familiar feature in our neighbourhood. I often take photos of the flowers; its always well tended with perennials blooming from spring to fall.

From left to right and in order,
the photo I worked from, showing the fence masked with low-tack tape; painting the background over the mask; the mask removed, then the development of the shadows and highlights of the cast iron.
"... a grape vine pattern in a rinceau motif. Examples of this fence design are found in front of several Second Empire homes in Spruce Hill.

By the 1840's the abundant amount of anthracite coal from the fields of Northeastern Pennsylvania flowing to Philadelphia down Pennsylvania's river and canal systems provided an ample source of fuel for the industrial cast iron foundries. Cast iron, an alloy high in carbon, is more brittle than wrought iron but also more weather resistant. In addition, it pours readily, making mass production of ornamental iron possible. "

quote from the University City Historical Society

Trompe Drapery

2008-12-07T05:55:00.004-05:00

, originally uploaded by ( Tomàs ).

Spotted this wonderful photo on Flickr, of theatrical scenic painting. Click on top photo to go to his Flickr page.

Teatre Fortuny 1882, Reus. Catalunya. link to theatre site.

Alice's Garden Painting at Home

2008-11-23T10:13:00.005-05:00

The garden in winter. (click images to see larger)

We travelled out to Delaware County yesterday with the painting. I helped install it, used Z clips, my favorite, since the art will stay level, and its so easy to just lift it in place, and set on the clips.

To celebrate, my client took us for a fantastic meal at Umbria in Mt.Airy. I have to say it was one of the best restaurant experiences I've had in years.

Garden Portrait in Oils, done.

2008-11-21T14:04:00.003-05:00

Completed garden portrait. click image to see larger. Earlier stages here. Got our first little snowfall today, had to wait till the flakes stopped to take the painting outside to photograph.

Camac Gold

2008-11-16T21:47:00.006-05:00

Camac St, glorious and tiny, nothing is more lovely than when the sun slants across late on a November afternoon.

Rai had a couple of works accepted in the Absolutely Abstracts Show at the Sketch Club. Reception was today.

We repaired to the Plastic Club afterwards, where there was a show of prints; etchings, collagraphs, woodblocks. They are getting a Brand press!, its in pieces, being set up in the basement.

Am uploading in whatever order, have given up understanding how to control how the photos appear..

Garden Portrait in Oils

2008-11-16T13:23:00.009-05:00

Almost finished, the final details are yet to be done. This is a commission to memorialize a wonderful gardener. The perennials are her favorites, not a literal depiction. Shown at their peak, oakleaf hydrangea, hydrangea macrophylla, crepe myrtle, rhododendron, peonies, astilbe, rubrum lilies, mary todd lilies, and beech trees at the rear.

Color color color in church

2008-10-05T07:26:00.002-04:00

3200, originally uploaded by dean.

Awesomely amazing painted decoration, in Saint-Michel de Frigolet.
(I can't get over that this is handheld. Seriously considering this camera!)

OPEN STUDIO saturday

2008-10-05T06:51:00.003-04:00

Met many visitors to our studio, ( went through more wine than I expected, will have to make a quick run today to the State store today to replenish ) wine experts, graphic designers, doctors, artists, neighbours, and architects.

Philly Open Studio Tours 2008

2008-09-24T23:17:00.003-04:00

Will be taking part in the Philadelphia Open Studio Tour in a couple weeks; Oct 4th and 5th, Saturday and Sunday.

We are in the West of Broad tour.

At the same time as the Preview at the Institute of Contemporary Art, ( one block west on Sansom) on Sept 26th, this coming Friday, Rai and I are showing a couple of pieces at the White Dog Cafe, at 3420 Sansom, in a show called the West Philly Post Sampler.painting is the sketch for the garden mur al I did several years ago in Center City. Actually, the sketch remained unfinished until yesterday; I added some color and popped it in a frame. Watercolor and acrylic on paper.

West Philly POST Sampler

September 23-November 1

The White Dog Cafe

3420 Sansom Street

215-386-9224

"Take in a selection of works by West Philadelphia artists participating in POST while enjoying locally grown, farm-fresh cuisine or an autumn brewin the White Dog Cafe's bar and grill."

de Forest Brush Indian Paintings

2008-09-14T11:48:00.010-04:00

from National Gallery of Art website

The White Swan

1885

Russell and Michelle Ball Collection

Oil on Panel

We have had a book called George de Forest Brush:; Recollections of a Joyous Painter, on our bookshelf for 25 years. I hadn't looked at it for quite a while, the illustrations are in black and white.
de Forest Brush (1854/1855–1941) was an American artist who trained with Gérôme in Paris, and travelled extensively in the American West.

I hope to get down to DC to see the just opened exhibit at the National Gallery of his Indian Paintings. In the meantime there is a great online slideshow of images from the exhibit. So wonderful to compare the color images with the b & w ones in our book.

Philadelphia Museum of Art

The Revenge (The Escape)

Made in United States

1882

Oil on canvas

16 x 19 1/2 inches (40.6 x 49.5 cm)

George de Forest Brush;: Recollections of a joyous painter by Nancy Douglas Bowditch
Noone House 1970 , ISBN-13: 978-0872330085

//update. visit artblogbybob's post on Brush

Bob always writes interesting reflections and reviews on shows, catalogues and books.

Storm approaches at Jersey Shore

2008-08-11T14:01:00.007-04:00

Clouds and interesting light, North Wildwood NJ. The bottom two photos are stitched panoramas, handheld.

Son of Coal Miner Mural continued

2008-08-07T16:52:00.008-04:00

Kim working on final detailing on scarf and lamp.

Lausanne painting the mine structure.

The completed mural.

The coal mine depicted is a now *retired* Belgian coal mine called le Bois du Cazier, and the miner's portrait is that of the client's father. The mural is a testament to his fortitude and sacrifice for his family.

The miners of that time wore their safety lamps hung onto their scarves. Their helmets were made of leather. The hill behind him was created by a cart on a track which would trundle up and dump the tailings; the nearby residents, including my client when he was a boy, would climb the hill and pick through the tailings for scrap bits of coal, to sell or take home. The miners were called les gueules noires, derogatory slang translating loosely as black faces.

Son of Coal Miner Mural

2008-08-07T16:31:00.007-04:00

Astounding space, under construction.

Showing Lausanne transferring the drawing though to the wall, similar to using carbon paper.

Progress midway.

Worked on this latest mural on location at a private residence near Lynchburg Virginia.

More than ably assisting me, was Lausanne Davis Carpenter, a fine decorative painter (and scenic designer)from Mathews VA.

We blazed through the project in a little over a week (not including preparations I did in Philly) The mural measures 20 feet by 12.5 feet. In studio, I made large drawings to final scale of the mine head (the structure on the left, and the miner's bust. Once taped in place on location, we transferred the outlines of the drawing quickly onto the wall.

Painted Panoramas

2008-07-07T09:18:00.010-04:00

click image to see large, and again, to see original 4100 x 2050 pixels.
link to flickr page, with comments

A highlight of my visit to the Hague a couple years ago, was seeing the wonderful Mesdag Panorama.

From the website, its " a cylindrical painting, more than 14 meters high and 120 meters in circumference. The vista of the sea, the dunes and Scheveningen village was painted by one of the most famous painters of the Hague School, Hendrik Willem Mesdag. It is the oldest 19th century panorama in the world in its original site, and a unique cultural heritage."

You enter the giant cylinder through a passageway to stand in the center, in a special viewing platform, which controls your 360 degree view of the huge scene. I was not permitted to take photos, but have found a great image (above) on flickr by Aldo. which is a great shot *outside* of the illusion.

I was reminded of this, by seeing this morning's Times piece on the Gettysburg panorama, lots of great photos, and will be on my must visit list when it reopens this September. Paul Philippoteaux was the creator of this amazing work.

New York Times Article link

Bernard Comment, Panorama. Reaktion Books 1999 ISBN:1861891237 link to it on Google books; some photos and excerpts. Excellent, thanks Pascal for reminding me of it

Stephan Oettermann, The panorama: history of a mass medium. New York: Zone Books, 1997. Trans. by Deborah Lucas Schneider . ISBN 0-942299-83-3 review
Excellent web article about history of painted panoramas with links http://www.acmi.net.au/AIC/PANORAMA.html

Aldo's blog link

Giant Sky

2008-06-27T16:17:00.005-04:00

Giant Sky, a Philly based branding and design firm has designed and launched the new website for the Independent Hotel. And I'm so gratified that they've featured the mural on the hotel blog.

update
some pics of the hotel and the ribbon cutting ceremony last week at phillychitchat

Mural Topped

2008-06-17T16:00:00.005-04:00

Tom and Chris attaching the cleats.

Top panel is resting on its cleat, needs to be nudged into alignment.

Lots of Muscle

2008-06-16T19:49:00.010-04:00

Installation of my mural in the atrium of the Independent Hotel, Philadelphia.

Some pics of the construction team of Tom, Chris and Alex in all kinds of baroque poses as they struggle to hoist the awkward canvases by hand UP the scaffold, in a tight space.

Wallet Friendly Art

2008-06-13T13:54:00.004-04:00

This weekend am going to check out Art for the Cash Poor, everything priced under $200.
at the Crane Building, 1400 N. American St.
Blatant plug; I might get an Innocent Spam T-shirt from my friend Janet.

update; Janet had a lot of people browsing and buying. looked like there was a great turnout; i hung out for a couple hours and saw a nice selection of work, and friendly artists easy to chat with. One was Eric Fausnacht
who had vivid giclees of his fowl paintings.

Chic Upscale Boutique Hotel Opens

2008-06-13T10:38:00.006-04:00

link

press release excerpt .......... "The Independent's design reflects a charming sophistication that is consistent with the building's architecture and the local area of Midtown Village. Interior Designer, Robert Moskowitz of Rittenhouse Interior Design Group, has redefined the four-story building's interior, bringing a chic- refined aesthetic to the warm and inviting hotel. The hotel's lobby is accented by a crystal chandelier and features a 30-foot by 8-foot, hand-painted work of art created by local muralist, Kim Senior. Senior is an accomplished Philadelphia artist whose mural and screen paintings can be seen around the city in both classical and contemporary styles. For The Independent, she has created a vibrant image of Philadelphia's Independence Hall, which spans three stories, rising from the hotel's lobby. Moskowitz's design paired with Senior's vivid piece de resistance offers guests a tailored, soothing feel amidst a rich color palette."

Independent Mural Painted Sideways

2008-06-13T09:43:00.007-04:00

Its a 40 foot tall wall starting from the reception area on the 2nd floor, and looking up to the skylight windows. The elongated, stylized and gilded design of the tower of Independence Hall, using a vivid color palette, will be a focal point.

above; a digitally composed *sketch* to show how the mural will look when installed in the lobby.

The computer was indispensable for painting sideways. I gridded the sketch and canvas, and drew the image freehand... referring to a landscape or sideways view of the sketch on my laptop, taped to the top of a ladder.
As I progressed with the painting, I took photographs of the work in progress, and was then able to flip them right side up on the computer to see how it would look.

Independent, 13th and Locust

2008-06-13T09:06:00.010-04:00

I have been so busy painting lately, no time to blog properly. I just finished a 3 section 30 x 8 foot mural for a new boutique hotel called the Independent.
Its in a historic center city neighborhood recently renamed midcity village, more popularly known at the gayborhood. The immediate area was pretty seedy when I first saw it in the early 80s; a now deceased notorious speculator had purchase many of the buildings, and left them to unmaintained. That changed when he passed away; lots of condos and small businesses have revitalized and refreshed this area, and the Independent is part of that. The Independent is owned and operated by Hersha Hospitality Trust.

Mural across the street from the hotel, called Philadelphia Muses, by artist Meg Saligman, and some lovely details on bulidings nearby.

SInce I don't have a 30 foot tall (or long) wall in my studio, and because the renovations at the hotel would prevent me painting directly on the wall, we decided on painting it in 3 sections on canvas, in my studio. It meant I would again be painting sideways.

applying comp gold leaf to the mural