Patricia's Palette Mural Studios

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The ancient art of grottesca painting...
2007-09-30 03:49:00
Two men, each with the tail of a lion, sit facing each other atop stone pedestals. In their hands they are holding oversized candelabras. But instead of a candle, you find a sort of mermaid with not one, but two fish tails. And look! This mermaid has the wings of a damselfly, and with her muscular arms she is holding a rod that carries a giant swag of fruit and laurel leaves. Does that sound like something out of the twilight zone? Well what if I said that what I've just described is a portion of a beautiful work of art, in fact similar scenes are the subject matter of a popular art form...it's called the art of grottesca.Ancient grottesca panel in a "grissaile" style.Grottesca, also referred to as "grottesche" in Italian, is defined as: "A style of painting, sculpture, and ornamentation in which natural forms and monstrous figures are intertwined in bizarre or fanciful combinations...with no reference to reality or common sense." In English, this painting style is called "grotesq...
More About: Painting

Window mural step by step:
2007-09-29 03:30:00
I was recently commissioned to do a tapestry mural by a woman who wanted to give her sister in California a unique gift. After contacting me through my website, she told me that there were a few important elements that needed to be included in the scene...specifically a butterfly, a glass of wine, and a bottle of Riesling. So after coming up with a sketch, we agreed on a basic design. I sent the mural today, hopefully her sister will be pleased. I decided to take photos as I went along, so others could see what it is that I do. So what does it take to paint a mural anyway?Step one, well actually there are several steps to get to "step one". First I tone my canvas with a burnt umber mixture to get rid of the stark white of the canvas. Then I have to draw out the design, measuring everything with a level and ruler to make sure all my lines are straight and the right size. I usually use a watercolor pencil because it is dissolved as I paint and there are no pencil lines left over at th...
More About: Window , Mural , Ural

Painted Tapestry Wall Hangings
2007-09-21 21:03:00
The proud peacock overlooking a French waterscape scene. The soft colors of the background scene compliment the bold hues of the peacocks feathers. The border has been bronzed and gilded, and mica powders were used for the peacock feathers to give them a natural iridescence. The art of tapestry-making goes back for centuries adorning the castes, estates, and villas of ancient times. Traditionally tapestries have been hand-woven using the finest fabrics. However, I've tried to create a unique spin on the ancient art, not with a needle and thread but with paintbrush and palette. I like to use gilded designs in the paintings around the border to give them a more luxurious feel.This particular tapestry painting was the first one I had done, and after I finished I was so happy that the client decided to take a chance on a new idea as I was very proud of the way it turned out. It was a learning experience for me, and I've since tweaked the way the rod pockets are made. These are a lot o...
More About: Wall , Tapestry

These are a few of my favorite things...
2007-09-19 01:28:00
I am naturally drawn to bright colors, shapes, and textures. Whether it be for inspiration for my artwork, or items I choose to decorate my home with, the following are just a few of my favorite things. Their beauty, uniqueness, vibrant color, and the design of these items are just a few of the elements that capture my eye.1. "Flaming June" by Lord Frederic Leighton [English Classicist Painter and Sculptor, 1830-1896]. There is just something about the colors he's chosen, the bright coral color of her dress contrasted by the soft pinks of her skin and the ivory of the architectural elements. I'm also attracted to the way the fabric in her dress flows softly, draping over her body appearing almost transparent in some areas. I can't imagine the amount of time and work that went into the intricate detail of this painting. For more on Leighton, visit Wikipedia's page on the artist.Photo: Roger Beau2. Venice, Italy's Carnivale. There's something about the fantasy of it all joined w...
More About: Things , Favorite , Favor , My Favorite Things

Embellishing with decorative painting...
2007-09-17 21:16:00
This is a very recent project in which the client had seen a photo of a painted mantel and fireplace in a magazine, and wanted to duplicate it. In fact, they designed the entire edition to their home around the fireplace! Friend and fellow decorative painter Andreas Scholz contacted me to help out on the project. We brought at least 10 different stencil designs to the site and mixed and matched elements from each stencil to come up with a similar, but unique finished artwork.The first layers were stenciled in varying shades of gold, followed by hand painting in several shades of red, green, and brown.The fireplace ended up being the perfect focal point of the room, which is what the clients had hoped for.
More About: Painting

The one I'm most proud of...
2007-09-16 05:42:00
For my very first post I want to share what is, to date, my favorite mural project. This mural depicts a French landscape scene. In the distance the viewer can see the beautiful villa Gordes, located in scenic Provence, France. In real life, the stone buildings - built in tight against the base of the cliffs of Plateau de Vaucluse - are made of an beige stone that glows orange in the morning sun. The design also includes classic architectural elements such as the coffered dome, stone columns, and a weathered urn which perfectly frame this rich and vibrant landscape scene.I had the pleasure of working under French artist Pascal Amblard on this mural. The design is taken from one of his French landscape murals, a subject matter he is famous for.I love paintings that include trompe l'oeil elements such as architectural features. It adds so much character to a piece of art, not to mention makes for a very convincing, realistic scene. But for it to be a true trompe l'oeil painting the ...
More About: Proud , The O