The ball is rolling!

First project done! I have completed my first faux finish project in a lovely house in Solana Beach. We refinished the prefabricated cement fireplace to look more like the travertine floors. Both of the ladies I had the privilege of working for were enthusiastic and fun!

It's hard to share photos but let me tell you, I am super happy with how my first project in the area went! And I had a great time working with my new associates at Form and Function on Cedros. Even more so I am looking forward to work with the Hacienda de las Rosas! Admittedly, I get more excited with every new prospect, soon I won't even be able to contain it, I'll just giggle all the time!

It's still a while (hopefully months rather than years) until I'll be paying down my debts but at this rate, I am happy to announce, we will have a fabulous Christmas in the most beautiful city in the world! And I'm sure to learn lots at my class in September on more faux finish technique.

Big News!!

Trio Carmel's mural is DONE!

Professional pictures to come

AND

I have moved to San Diego with Matt!! We are looking for a place currently. I am working on getting a job to supplement my mural income and his job at the neuroscience lab at the Jonas Salk Research Institute.  We'll hopefully be ready to have a little housewarming party for anyone in town in time for my birthday! Anyone who knows people in San Diego who need my mural or part time work talents feel free to hook me up. And I'll spread the news A.S.A.P. when we have a guest room for people to start visiting!

Independent contracting sans collaboration!!

I did it! Thanks to the lovely Aubuchons I have completed my first independently contracted mural since graduating with my BFA!

It looks great! The project was to link the 2 wooden columns that they had in next to their front door so they didn't look so out of place. We decided to add an archway to give the illusion that the columns and arch were the only remains of the previous, ancient structure and in the Italian style they built the current house around it to preserve the monument. Over the course of 2 days I put on 5 layers to create the faux stone arch complete with settlement cracks, inscribed detail and lichen! With all those windows Diane and I struggled to get clear progress pictures, we went in after dark for the final. It really changes the dynamic and overall height of the room.

The original space, as you can see the columns are the perfect fit for the space but
the wrought iron doesn't quite bring them together enough.

My concept drawing, I sent this so they would have a visual idea of what we had talked about doing.

And the results are in!!

The finished product! Mike was really likin' the lichen...

Midnight Mural Update

Joseph and I worked from 7:30pm-12am today!! Made up for the lost time from last week, definitely!

Day 3 or 4... we got interrupted an hour into day 3, and I have worked tiny bits at a time in between

Trio Carmel Day 2

An Exercise in Color

Today we worked under the old adage, "start in the middle and work your way out.".. Is that an old adage or do I just make up sayings that match what I do? Don't strain your mind over it! But we certainly did start in the middle ground. I wanted to get some rolling hills and perspective started when we had a few hours to work before the store opened so our weekend visitors could see a little bit of imagery instead of just 3 stripes of color. 

Joseph is a designer, a sketch artist, and a computer graphics wizard... None of these things add up to a lot of color! We had a great time throwing back to the days of coloring books and positive space. His muscle memory and habits have all been built up to make lines that let us see the negative space, the blank areas make the picture, like comics. When painting a colorful mural we use colored in areas to make positive space so there are no outlines. I remember the times when color was harder because I worked in monochromatic colors. Even now I don't see or use totally natural looking colors, but I'm used to going right in with the color. There was a lot of "don't forget to color it in," and "oh, how do you work so fast??" But we were both laughing and having fun. It feels (to me at least) like a great exercise for the brain, and super satisfying to struggle, paint, and work. Joseph seemed pretty pleased, and is already learning tons. It always helps me to teach, and talk out loud about the decisions I make when I paint.

Day 2: Rolling hills and the Arroyo Seco
And that's me and my miata through the window

Let the professional work begin!

Besides installing my painting from Capstone in its rightful home, the Butterfly Boutique, my goal for the summer is to do a couple of murals here in Carmel to beef up my portfolio and start getting my name out there.

My first project will be at my work, the olive oil, balsamic & wine store Trio Carmel!! I am working with Joseph Grant, my manager at work and a fantastic designer. We knocked out the design based on his drawings for a different painting they had been toying with for the store. It cleverly incorporates the olive tree, grape (for wine and balsamic) vines, the Arroyo Seco cliffs (Mesa del Sol label wine,) the black sheep (Pelerin label wine,) and soon the rooster (Le P'tit Paysan label wine.) We presented our design for approval last night at the company BBQ, and everyone loved it! The color scheme, the mood, the layout was all well received, and I could barely sleep from excitement of being able to start a new painting! I was up at 7:30am texting to make sure we had supplies, finding all my tools, and loading my car. Even with getting my morning chai and a run to the hardware store I beat everyone to the store, haha.

Day 1 at Trio Carmel   :   Design for Trio Carmel Mural

We have the 3 zones blocked by color so this weekend we will be ready to jam on the scenery! I'm pretty darn exciting and already getting some good exposure from it. Wish me luck!!

Final "in progress" Report

Holy wow! It is down to the wire on my capstone, and I wish I was done but I think the stuff that's happening now (a little late) will make a really positive difference. Last week we did walk throughs of the entire class' work and I was happy to feel like my progress was ahead of many. The stress was added on from one of the professors offering some advice to add a whole new step to my small paintings. What I am doing counteracts about half of the 30 hrs of work I've put into them but hopefully it works out for the best. I'm very excited to see everyone who is coming to town, arrivals start on Thursday evening! In the mean time I will be painting in my title, installing my official name and cleaning out my space in the gallery... AND moving and cleaning apartments. My checkout from my campus apartment is on Thursday, so I need to have everything under control by lunchtime on Thursday. Like I said, CRAZY! Its still a good feeling though, very productive and the final product is being a college graduate!

WISH ME LUCK! And see you soon!!

VPA- Site Specific 2

Tonight on campus, the art department held a campus and community open house called "Site Specific" to show off what we do and show how we are "visual" AND "public" artists, to gain or keep support. It is a great opportunity for marketing and talking up ourselves and the department (I was surprised how many capstoners were no shows.) We had classwork on display and all the buildings were open for a sneak preview of capstone. It mostly ended up a nice social occasion to check in with my colleagues and professors but I also had the chance to chat up some new people and show my enthusiasm for my work. Shout out to Jeff Perrine, great to meet you, I hope you painted something fun and colorful when you got home. If you get me a commission nearby that you're connected to I'd be happy to have you come add your touch!!

Here is a photo of the school president checking out my exhibit. It was very exciting to watch people gather around the bright and shiny butterfly dress!

In case anyone missed it, this painting of the butterfly dancer is designed specifically to go on the wall outside the dressing room at the Butterfly Boutique dress shop in Seaside. It is on a special mural canvas that I will take down and paste up in the shop after graduation. The wisteria flowers and lavender wall match the color of the wall in the shop now.

I have all of the meticulous little details that are a drag to finish left at this point but I am thrilled with my progress and I can't wait until its all together and on display!!

Slideshow of my progress up to Friday

To Be Continued!