Clouds Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Leichsenring Studios

A Little Piece of Heaven

by Sharon Leichsenring· December 05, 2017· in Birds, Ceiling, Clouds, Historic, Lettering, Murals, Signs, Trompe L'oeil, Video·

So sometimes a project starts out as a wonderful surprise. When I pulled into the driveway of this home for the first time, I just knew this was going to be something special. Looking at this beautifully restored country church in Fairfield county, Connecticut, I had no idea of what to expect. Originally built in 1873, the church was sold and converted into a private residence when the parish outgrew its tiny size in the 1950s. An attic floor was built converting it into a five room home. My client purchased it in 1990. By that time, the deed restrictions dictating that “it not look like a church” had passed and she was able to renovate the exterior back to its original beauty in 1992. The interior renovations started earlier this year and are nearly complete. When the closet was demolished and the false ceiling removed, an absolutely lovely foyer space emerged. Salvaged wainscoting was used where needed. I experienced the special gift when I “get” a new client and they in turn “get me”. It’s a special combination of crazy and inspiration, with a dash of whimsy and when it’s there, we get magic. Here is the vision I […]
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I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now

by Sharon Leichsenring· June 01, 2017· in Ceiling, Clouds, Dome·

Clouds have always fascinated me. I have literally thousands of pictures I’ve taken, or friends have sent me, of simply beautiful clouds. And I’ve painted them. Each cloudscape calls for different palettes and approaches. I am grateful to have been brought to this project by JoAnn Clapp of the Stone House Studio in Woodbury (www.JClappDesigns.com). JoAnn and I both paint custom headboards for the I.M. Smitten gallery in Trumbull. I have painted larger sized ceilings and domes than this one, but these had other design components: architectural details such as trellises, vines and birds. This was the largest that I had approached that was pure and simply JUST Clouds. No distractions. So, I had to plan a cloudscape that met the client’s wishes for calm and peaceful clouds, with no hint of storminess, and yet, I knew it had to have oomph! The dome measures 30 feet in diameter with a rise of 8 ½’. The bottom of the dome is about 18′ above the platform that covers the pool which it is over. Here’s a picture of the dome structure just after installation. It would still need to be smoothed, primed and basecoated before work could begin. I prepared […]
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A Gallery Opens in Trumbull

by Sharon Leichsenring· November 01, 2016· in Clouds, Events, Headboards, Murals, Textured Finishes·

A new gallery is opening its doors soon in Trumbull. I am so psyched because I will have work hanging on its walls! And what a gallery it is. A totally new concept. The works of art are custom headboards. Located at 1 Trefoil Drive in my hometown of Trumbull, I.M.Smitten will be hosting a private Friends and Family Party November 5th to show off its unique collection of custom headboards. The brainchild of owner George Holley and his partners Phairot Iamnaita and Holly Sutton Darr, the collection includes innovative features such as built in reading lights and USB ports. Design Director Holly Sutton Darr has collected an impressive array of Connecticut artists and artisans to execute their talents on the headboards. Here I am working on one of my favorites, a queen size board showing Italianate Scrollwork. My boards include some textured finishes. I’ll also show you a few of my favorite “mural” boards. The collection of artists brings wonderful visual energy to the gallery. There is hand painted glass, plaster and wonderfully distressed finishes. As an artists, I love the opportunity to paint in the company of other artists. All work is completed on premise. Truly, as […]
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Equal Parts Quirky and Classic

by Sharon Leichsenring· July 06, 2016· in Clouds, Furniture, Lettering, Trompe L'oeil·

A request for whimsical lettering? Music to my ears. I met with the fabulous Joanna Farber, no stranger to the world of design. Farber, the former owner of Westport’s iconic Parc Monceau was looking for some lettered detailing. She had chosen a font named Gluttony Man for this location. I was also asked created a rebus that was an homage to her late husband’s career. At Ms. Farber’s home, I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Michael Pagett, the owner of Chetwode. Michael has recently opened his new showroom at 318 Strawberry Hill Avenue in Norwalk. Learn more about his exquisite cabinetry at www.chetwodecabinetry.com. Here is a fun trompe l’oeil window I created in the showroom. Have I mentioned that my work is never boring? A call from Virginia Blaker of Room Rescue (www.roomrescue.com) resulted in an unusual request. Virginia asked me to add my painting skills to a “chair-ity” auction for the Center of Family Justice in Bridgeport, CT. Virginia had a sturdy little high chair that had been originally painted by her grandmother in the early 1950s. It was time to give it a new face. Virginia sanded the chair, primed it for me and together we brainstormed […]
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Surprising Spaces in Unexpected Places

by Sharon Leichsenring· June 03, 2016· in Childrens, Closet, Clouds, Floral, Video·

If I had my choice of my favorite places to paint, the list would probably not include a confined space that brought out my heretofore unknown claustrophobic angst or an outdoor project that put me at the mercy of the elements. This first space was a little nook carved out of the unused space under a curved staircase. My client had found the perfect spot to give her daughter a room to construct a Lego City, and keep it protected from her younger brother. Here’s the space waiting for me. The first request was easy. The room would be painted blue. I’d add clouds, a primitive rainbow in solid colored stripes and a few butterflies. Somewhere a few items were added: very realistic jets, helicopters, seagulls and bunnies. What would Lego City be without this? The room went from a cramped 30″ in height around a curved wall to a height of eight feet. Below are some closeups Here’s a picture of the finished space. I’m hoping to be invited back when Lego City is built! So, you would think I’d be ecstatic at the idea of working in a wide open space, under blue skies? Well, to a […]
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Rooms with a View

by Sharon Leichsenring· December 03, 2015· in Bathrooms/Powder Room, Clouds, Dining Room, Kitchen, Murals, Places, Staircase, Stairwell·

The 21st interior design celebration, Rooms with a View, took place in Southport recently. Conceived as a brilliant church fundraiser under the auspices of the famed Albert Hadley (designer for the Kennedy White House, the Rockefellers, Astors and Gettys to name a few notable clients), each year the show embraces traditional and cutting edge design. Each of the twelve invited designers is given a space of 5′ x 8′ to create a vignette. They have a week to”build” their room, which comes quite simply with three walls and wiring for electricity. Then, the magic is on display for the weekend. This year was personally exciting to yours truly because the design team, Tracy Dwyer and Patrick Briel, from Westport’s Parc Monceau had asked me to paint a floor cloth that would be used in their vignette, The.Diving.Room. Too cool for words, I assure you. First, take a look at the room’s view. My rippling water over sand design painted on a canvas floor cloth is easily seen through the Lucite coffee table. Here is another view of the room. Here is the rug by itself. If you’ve never been to Rooms with a View, plan to next year. I’ll […]
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The Fifth Wall… Forget Me Not

by Sharon Leichsenring· May 03, 2015· in Ceiling, Clouds, Dome, Mica, Trees, Trompe L'oeil·

Thank you so much to each and every one of you that send me your choice of your favorite powder room. I loved the feedback. It was so much fun compiling that last newsletter, I thought, let’s do it again. So here we go. Ceilings are often referred to as the “fifth wall”. And way too often, they are simply ignored. There are so many solutions that there is no excuse not to consider that ceiling the next time you are looking up at the expanse of flat ceiling white paint. If you’ve got crown molding already (or are considering it), make it pop with anything but white. Here’s my answer to adding color and a few simple stripes for a simple solution. Below is an area of mica infused plaster that reflects the chandelier’s light. A border and shadow give dimension. A ceiling treatment does not have to utilize the entire ceiling. Here are two trompe l’oeil medallions that add focus but are modest in dimension. I see many master bedrooms that have very deep trays, with the sides being three to four feet. This design incorporated the entire space. And then there are situations where I am so […]
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Walk Away From The Wall!

by Sharon Leichsenring· November 05, 2014· in Childrens, Clouds, Dining Room, Floral, Mica, Murals·

A few years back, I used to teach week long workshops at schools for those wanting to learn decorative painting. Subjects included painting murals, clouds, trompe l’oeil and perspective. I taught occasionally in Denver and Atlanta, but was most at home in Houston at Janie Ellis’s School of Decorative Painting at Anything But Plain. As I was scheduled there several times a year, I had the unique opportunity for me to get to know my students well. I followed their progress and got to know them well enough to appreciate some very distinct personalities. The most common problem most faced was expecting way too much of themselves during a short period of time. The mind says “Yes, I know I need to factor in years of practice” but the truth is the heart looks for perfection. Quickly, with frustration only a heartbeat away. I shared my own mantra of what to do when that happened. I tell myself to walk away from the wall. A few feet’s distance quickly puts things into perspective. An artist needs to learn when something is done. Two projects this month had me muttering to walk away from the wall, indeed. A dining room designed by […]
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Look Up!

by Sharon Leichsenring· March 03, 2014· in Ceiling, Clouds, Dining Room, Scrollwork·

Ceilings… Designers think of them as the fifth wall. Let’s take a look at the possibilities. I’d like to share a recent ceiling project. It’s the ceiling in a large entertainment space. The overall ceiling measures a massive 40′ by 75′. My design was dictated by the two parallel lighting tracks, leaving a width of 18′ by 48′. I took this picture before the second chandelier had been hung so you could see it clearly. When working on a ceiling, any consideration making the work time shorter is much appreciated by the already stressed neck muscles. I cut large patterns out of ¼” foam core. This is work that can be done in the shop ahead of time and getting the design up on the ceiling. Each pattern was 6′ by 8′. I’d outline one side and then flip the pattern to complete each half of the semi-circle design. Here’s the template in place. Cool stuff indeed! Here’s a close-up shot. Another ceiling took on a completely different aspect. Here a small dome that’s been treated to a sophisticated celery metallic paint treatment. A three foot wide floral border circles the dome. It’s a grand ceiling for a formal breakfast […]
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Ahoy, Mr. Mole

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

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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