Blog - Page 9 of 9 - Leichsenring Studios

Choosing Your Challenges

by Sharon Leichsenring· April 01, 2011· in Artisan Finish, Artwork, Columns, Dining Room, Textured Finishes·

From time to time, projects come across my desk that I consider remarkable. What makes them so? In the two cases in this month’s newsletter, the common thread is that both would challenge me to use a skill set out of my comfort zone. The first was an opportunity to paint a large-sized canvas measuring 64″ by 103″. See it below. It is the “Fog Warning”, after Winslow Homer. Usually, the first, and I think more difficult step of a mural project is composing the design. Not a problem here. Here was an exquisite composition; the challenge was to decipher the artist’s palette and brush strokes. I obtained a large print, and then enlarged it section by section to analyze the movement of the original painting. I enjoyed the process once I allowed myself to relax and embrace it. A frame is in the works, but I couldn’t wait to share. The second challenge was so very, very different. I had an opportunity to work on this with the talented Ashlie Bickford of A Fabulous Finish in the Woodlands, Texas. We had an assist from Ashlie’s partner, Kindra Benge, as we got close to deadline. Indeed, even our wonderful […]
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Tasty Dining Rooms

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

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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Horses of a Different Color

by Sharon Leichsenring· December 01, 2010· in Historic, Horses, Murals, Places, Staircase, Stairwell·

Along the way, there have been more than a few projects that have tested me as an artist. However, and that’s a big however, this one surely tops the list in so many categories. It needed a great deal of research, a tightly maintained sepia palette and a design that could transition from different scenes as one ascended the staircase. I’m going to take advantage of the wonderful writing of Robert Pollack, who authored the following article which appeared in the Shoreline Times of Branford, CT. There are more pictures at the end of the article. Wall of history: Muralist paints life as it was in Gibson Girl era Published: Thursday, November 04, 2010 By Robert C. Pollack Special to the Times BRANFORD – The sepia mural that adorns the wall alongside a staircase and reaches up to the second floor of a seven-room 1925 house takes the viewer into another era. The time of the Gibson Girl and the bowler hat. It seems incongruous that this local historic scene in this old house is near Planet Fitness and busy Boston Post Road. Spanning 13½ feet in length and sweeping up 14 feet, the mural typically evokes this reaction from […]
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So now you know the rest of the story…

by Sharon Leichsenring· October 03, 2010· in Commercial Space, Lettering, Murals, Trompe L'oeil·

I finished a project a few weeks ago that just brought me back to the early days of my career. First, the project itself: paint an American flag on this wall, waving in the wind with billowing clouds. Size of wall 49′ by 14′, Wow! It brought back all the tools and tricks of the trade so to speak, that I had used many, many years ago when I was a commercial sign painter. Make a grid, get the layout up on the wall and start painting. I have since finessed my clouds when I consider how particular I am when it comes to that part of a mural, but all the practice of years of cutting straight edges combined with the principles of trompe l’oeil helped this wall just about paint itself. Hats off to my client for his salute to the USA. So, here’s my flag. I’ve also got a picture of this commercial space so you can appreciate how strong the graphic is. For those of you who haven’t known me before I made the choice to concentrate only on decorative painting, here’s my story as Sharon the signpainter. Check out this logo (don’t laugh, this was […]
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What Floor Please?

by Sharon Leichsenring· August 07, 2010· in Historic, Murals·

It’s not often that the design for a project takes me by surprise. But this one did. Let me tell you what it is you’re looking at, and then I’ll fill you in with a little of the background. The site of the painting was a lovely little section of wall in the kitchen with steps on the side leading to the dining room. The client’s request was to recreate the essence of an elevator designed by the famous architect Louis Henry Sullivan. I’ve included a front view, and a side view. The original, which was located at the historic Chicago Stock Market, featured an open designed grill. I’ve also included a photograph of the renown photographer, John Szarkowski, so you can see what the elevator actually looked like. Seen through the grill is white painted brick. I took a little liberty in the transom panel. Though I kept the original design, I did not paint it as if it were metal ornament. Instead, giving a nod to the stunning stencils that Sullivan created for other interiors—some of them with as many as 23 separate screens for each different color—I painted mine by hand using warm earth-based colors. The palette […]
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A horse is a horse, of course, of course…

by Sharon Leichsenring· August 04, 2009· in Horses, Murals, Staircase, Stairwell·

I hope this email finds you well, thinking creatively, and finally, enjoying the summer. This recent project will certainly stay in my favorite projects collection. Not so much that I am a “horse person” (I like horses, from a distance. They are beautiful for other people to ride.) What makes this mural special is that it was the perfect solution for this space nestled in the hallway and another way for the owner to enjoy this motley crew. Working from photos and a peek out the window when needed, this space which is a little over a 7 ½’ square is now home for … Teddy and Freddy Barnum and Bailey and the terriers Buddy and Holly as well as assorted tack and saddles. This mural brings a smile to my face when I see it. Is there a mural in your home that might bring a smile to you?
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Here a dome, there a dome…

by Sharon Leichsenring· July 09, 2009· in Ceiling, Dome·

Hopefully, the rain is behind us and it’s time to enjoy summer. This email shares with you a pair of domes I had the opportunity to design and paint. It also represents that point in my life where I was able to conquer (OK, to a manageable degree) my fear of heights. The opportunity to paint such a challenging commission simply became greater than the terror of getting on the “dance floor”- the planked floor on the top of the scaffolding. The first dome was painted in a soft palette of beige and soft charcoal. The medallion in the center was hand-detailed to add to the drama. And a close up The second dome features a pale gold metallic background for the entire design and then highlights and shadows were added to create dimension. I caught a picture of the first time I got to see the completed dome as the flooring was removed during dismantling. When I was actually painting, I would find myself too close to see the work undistorted. This image shows you how things looks to me while I was painting. I know you’re all jealous of my fancy painting shoes. Last, but certainly not […]
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Painting Away The Winter Blues!

by Sharon Leichsenring· March 05, 2009· in Birds, Ocean, Powder Room·

I imagine that you are with me in feeling that we have had more than enough winter. Here is the solution that one of my clients had for keeping the wonderful ambience of a favorite vacation place and enjoying it all year (especially during the relentless months of winter). This bathroom is used by the owner’s children, the oldest who is a young teenager. The mix includes 2 boys and one young lady, so it was important to keep from looking too juvenile. The subject chosen is Fort Myers in Florida, a place that has sentimental value for the entire family. The room is literally wrapped with scenes of Fort Myers—the pier, the sandpipers in a single line parading at the water’s edge, the small cottages buried in the palms and finishing with the pelican standing guard at the edge of the beach.. The crisp white of the trim and cabinetry is paired with a charcoal granite filled with glints of silver and blue. The soft cloud filled skies meet the ceiling painted blue. All mural work was executed in fine artists’ acrylics. This project was pleasure from start to finish. Think of a […]
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