Murals Archives - Page 7 of 8 - Leichsenring Studios

My Love Affair with Ornament

by Sharon Leichsenring· May 10, 2013· in Bathrooms/Powder Room, Gifts, Mica, Murals, Scrollwork· 0 comments

I recently finished some detailed, painted ornament on a project. It may be my favorite thing to paint. I love the planning stages, sketching out the designs, playing with the colors. I appreciate the mathematical precision necessary to get the repeats correct, the arcs just curved so. My book shelves are brimming with source materials; Auguste Racinet’s polychrome series mingles with the lush pages of William Morris. There are torn out sections from discontinued wallpapers mixed with a seemingly endless collection of Dover catalogs from every historical period. Though the scroll patterns are certainly traditional, the choice of a mica-infused plaster as a backgrounds brings a contemporary edge to my this foyer. Here is a classical scroll, painted on a champagne gold base. The ornament has been painted on a layered, mica plaster. Graceful tracery adorns the front door here. Italian Renaissance Grottesca fills the loggia entrance to the living room in this living room. Grottesca is an ornamental art design combining scrollwork and foliage with humans and animals. A scene reminiscent of an 18th century French tapestry is framed with a simple trompe l’oeil (French, meaning “to fool the eye”) border. The rich chocolate brown walls of this master […]
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Birds and Blossoms… Some of my favorite things

by Sharon Leichsenring· March 10, 2013· in Artwork, Bas Relief, Birds, Floral, Gifts, Murals, Trees· 0 comments

Both of these kitchen wall solutions started the same way, with a discussion. Both clients were looking for “something” for the wall, but had absolutely no idea of what that something could be. Sitting in kitchen number one, our talk began. We talked about the interests of each member of the family. We took a walk through the home, and two things became apparent. The window treatments were minimal because everyone loved the view the yard afforded. It was full of trees, nested, as it were, in their very own forest. In almost all the artwork and accessories I saw, there were more trees, branches, leaves…you name it, more trees. So trees it would be. But a little stylized, and make sure I included a special interest in barred owls. The palette needed to be a subtle mix of blue greens, grays and warm browns. Here are two pictures to give you an idea of the results. Here is a close up of the barred owl. The second kitchen wall started with almost an identical discussion. The colors had to be soft; the design, appealing, but comfortable. It’s a small kitchen, and the owner spends a great deal of time […]
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70 Cubic Feet of Magic

by Sharon Leichsenring· November 08, 2012· in Birds, Murals· 0 comments

So, just how big, or small, is 70 cubic feet? In the four thousand square foot home where I was recently working , that amounts to a very small space that is 3 feet by 3 ½’ in floor space and not quite 7 feet tall. Admittedly, a very small part of this home, but what huge results! Let me tell you the story. The contemporary home, owned and designed by Dyane of Dyane Prezioso Interiors of Shelton, CT is a sophisticated study in beige, taupe and black, with subtle metallic accents. The small portion of her foyer had been occupied for some twenty-eight years by her beloved family companions, a pair of blue gold macaws. Their cage nestled in that space and they were the official greeters to visitors. They may be gone, but their memory holds a special place for the family. Once the cage had been removed, its emptiness served as a constant reminder. And then inspiration struck! Originally, Dyane requested the pair of macaws to be painted on one wall. The riotous colors found in the blue gold macaws dictated an equally vibrant palette. A decision was made to include painting a Scarlett macaw which had […]
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Ahoy, Mr. Mole

by Sharon Leichsenring· October 02, 2012· in Clouds, Lettering, Murals, Ocean· 0 comments

Little over a year ago, The Milford Fine Arts Council (in Milford, Connecticut) initiated the Murals of Milford Program. The commission for a mural on site #2 was a competition open to the public, and my mural proposal was chosen. Thanks right now, for a community so supportative of artists, their endeavors and the value of public art! The site is located at the Ship’s Store of Milford Boatworks at 2 High Street in Milford. Here’s a picture of my “canvas”. You can see the original surface was painted cinderblock, but concern with a little peeling and bubbling of the surface substrate led to a new surface of a material called di-bond ( a sandwich product of aluminum front and back with styrene in the middle). This was attached to the building, with a special little “bump-out” which hid wires and pipes. Let’s take a look at that same corner now. Here’s some pictures of the finished mural, which measured about 19’x5′ on the front, and 11’x5′ on the side, with the corner section rising to 7′ to accommodate the differences in height. Some interesting challenges maintaining the horizon line. I took a little artistic license adding a […]
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My Best Friend’s Kitchen

by Sharon Leichsenring· July 13, 2012· in Kitchen, Murals· 0 comments

Sometimes, it takes someone who knows you maybe a little better than you know yourself to find the magic. At least, that’s the way this kitchen backsplash makeover happened. It started when my friend Maggie fell in love with some plates. It’s as simple as that. And they are great plates, wonderfully colorful utilizing primitively drawn farm animals. They were the inspiration point. Maggie’s husband handled the prep for the formica backsplash, getting the slick surface ready for me to work on. Before I tell you any more, let’s start with a look of one section, a before and after shot. So a little more of the “before” story. I admit I was more than a little nervous when I started painting. Why? I wasn’t going to be able to sketch out the design, or transfer a pattern. I was going to be using acrylic paint much like watercolor to mimic the method used in painting the plates. Pencil lines, even done with watercolor pencils would hinder the loose, paint with abandon look Maggie had embraced. The polka dot borders that edged the plates were simple swirls of color. No measuring, just eyeballing along the way. Shudders swept through me […]
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A House Touched by History

by Sharon Leichsenring· May 03, 2012· in Historic, Horses, Murals, Places, Staircase, Stairwell· 0 comments

A Victorian house sits on a quiet street in Middletown, NY. The historic marker on the sidewalk in the only sign that hints to passersby of the rich history that is part of Middletown’s history. When I first met with the owners, it was clear to me right from the start how challenging a project this would be. The owners have a clear respect for the value of their home’s history. Care has been taken to protect the original stained glass work. The intricate workmanship hails from another era. How then to combine all the subject matter that Middletown had to offer? The Thrall Library was a treasure trove of information and old photographs. I also photographed some of the existing buildings and statues. I designed the mural in two sections. The work was done on wood panels and when completed, attached and framed to the wall. Here they are! If I’ve captured your curiosity, let’s take a look up close. The first two scenes reflect the owner’s interest in the Civil War. The tattered flag of the 124th Regiment honors the famous Orange Blossom Regiment formed in Middletown in 1862. The statue of a lone soldier salutes the honor […]
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Bare Naked Stairway

by Sharon Leichsenring· October 05, 2011· in Murals, Staircase, Stairwell· 0 comments

It’s hard to imagine that anyone was content with the “before” once you’ve seen the “after” photo. It was always an area with something missing. A picture was hung, but just wasn’t the right answer. That was my cue. Here’s my solution. Take a look at the “before” space. Now consider what I could do with it Here’s the “after” shot. Thought you might enjoy some close-up shots. Let me paint an entrance to your private little world. I’d love to talk to you about it.
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Mermaid Medicine

by Sharon Leichsenring· September 06, 2011· in Childrens, Commercial Space, Murals, Ocean· 0 comments

It’s always an enjoyable project when the words “fun, children and mermaid” are part of its description. I came to do this work through an unexpected path. A client of mine had a situation which required her to bring her child to this Connecticut hospital. First, the best part: her child is fine and received excellent care. What was in need of a little “artistic medical attention” was the play area in pediatrics. My client made a donation to show her appreciation and suggested that I might be the right person for this makeover. Here are pictures of the play area with the artwork in place. The work was done on canvas, and installed much like wallpaper would be handled. By doing this, in the event that the area had to be relocated, the artwork could easily follow. Check out the little details as well. I made a pattern for the “wave” molding that borders the bottom of the mural, which was then cut out of wood. A subsequent donation enabled the addition of another mural area in the adjacent nurses station. Again, the work was done on canvas. I thought you might be interested in seeing my concept […]
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Art Deco Delicious

by Sharon Leichsenring· June 03, 2011· in Artisan Finish, Ceiling, Murals, Textured Finishes, Trompe L'oeil· 0 comments

There’s no other way to describe this home media room project: it’s one of my most favorite jobs, ever! Kudos to my client for having such a clear vision of what he wanted, and allowing me to bring it from concept to completion. Here’s the entry. I relied on my old sign painting skills to make templates for the dimensional marquee. They were then cut and assembled with column support. The columns were cut and inserted to add depth to the opening. Made of PVC pipe, a faux marble was painted on the surface of the pair of columns. They were top coated with a high gloss sheen to enhance the finish. The doors are stippled with an antique bronze metallic finish . I painted an art deco motif on the doors. The painting has a dimensional style of its own. It is painted in trompe l’oeil style. This French term, meaning “to fool the eye” uses a complex system of painting values ranging from bright highlights, to deep cast shadows. Come on in! A visual feast awaits within. A giant starburst was constructed on the ceiling. The bronze palette continued with gold and dark chocolate accents. All the wood […]
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Tasty Dining Rooms

by Sharon Leichsenring· February 04, 2011· in Artisan Finish, Ceiling, Clouds, Dining Room, Mica, Murals, Textured Finishes· 0 comments

For my friends in the northeast, have we had enough snow yet? For those of you in warmer climates, you just don’t know what you’re missing (or maybe you do, and that’s why you moved away). In any event, this month’s newsletter deals with that particular room of the home where, regardless of the weather, we join for family, good friends and delicious food. You’ve guessed it: the dining room. Here is a sampling of murals and faux finishes from a handful of my favorite dining rooms. First, here is a classical Zuber design panel. My favorite part of this mural is the trompe l’oeil frame I painted around the mural so it has a detailed start and finish. The rest of the walls were glazed for added depth. Next, is a sunny Tuscan selection. The warmth of these colors carries through every on the greyest day of winter. Loving these warm colors, our next room has a sophisticated hand painted medallion. The walls sport a mica-infused plaster finish in a warm custard yellow. Here is an art deco favorite. Looks like everyone is at the party already! The soft pastoral colors of this landscape promise just the right dinner […]
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