Pirate Mural Preview

I've been processing pics and video from many cool projects of 2007 while finishing up materials for the new school year at the San Diego Finishing School. I'm new at this video thing so the next three projects I'm working on are taking more time to edit as I get more involved and experienced with fundamentals.

I just got a nice email about the project I'm closest to finishing, a pirate themed mural framed by some good old fashioned scenic art style rock painting and faux wood grain. This project is special for a few reasons, but one I want to point out here in that it is both focal point (the mural) and backdrop (the faux rock painting) for the client's collection of pirate themed memorabilia.

I'm not satisfied with the video yet, but here's a preview picture from my camera:



Here's the email:

Thanx again for stopping by...It cleaned up with water and sponge... You may quote this as a ref. if you like. Good luck with your new born on the way!

As for testimonial:
John is very knowlegable and talented in his craft. He was very cooperative through out the design stages to the finished work of art. He cares about the quality of his work. We got what we asked for and we recomend John as your artist.

Ron and Mary

Even more cool, here is YouTube post Ron made of the pirate mural developing as I'm actually working. (I will post my mural video here as soon as finished.)Check it out:

Projects in three dimensions

One of the reasons I've been so busy the last few months is a flock of scenic art jobs in three dimensions, utilizing sculpture, texturing, pattern making, mold making and casting.

In contrast to my more usual faux finish and mural/commission paintings jobs,I find these kinds of projects exciting but also exhausting in the details and demanding in the sheer amount of time it takes to follow through all the steps.

That said, the end result is always different, and a little more, than just painting, if only for the extra effort invested.

Here are the first pictures of some of the work I contributed to Currant, the new restaurant by Jonathan Pflueger in the first floor of the Sofia Hotel at 150 West Broadway in downtown San Diego:



I was brought on to the project by designer Diane Roberts and architect Ken Winslow, who also selected artists Marie ___________("currant" treatment on the columns)and Christopher Gay, who created the fabulous main lighting fixture and screens you see to the left in these pictures.



Currant just opened for real over the Labor Day weekend and I am just finishing the last of my contributions to the job (though not because I was running behind schedule.... this time, anyway). I will be posting much more about Currant over the next few weeks, so if you're interested, stay tuned.