Murals Archives - Leichsenring Studios

A Journey To Capricorn

by Sharon Leichsenring· April 28, 2026· in Artwork, Clouds, Murals, Scrollwork, Trees, Zen/Wellness· 0 comments

When I finished the murals in this yoga studio/office in a private residence, I was filled with mixed feelings. There had been a lot of research about the subject matter and personal stretches for me as an artist. The largest wall in the space is upright for 40”, then breaks forward at a 45-degree angle, following the roof line. Painting at that angle was a new experience, and to be honest, even if I were twenty years younger, it would still be physically taxing. There was the big sigh of relief that it was done and I was more than happy with the work. Time to clear out my paints, brushes and patterns and my mess of the work space and return it to the serene space it will become. But I greet completion with a little sadness. I loved every minute of designing and painting. I learned so much. I am grateful to designer Chrystal Toth for her direction and encouragement and to my client for allowing me to create a magical place. All murals are not created equally. This one asked for a piece of my soul, and I was glad to give it. Enough about me, let’s look at […]
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A Tree for Four Seasons and Many Reasons

by Sharon Leichsenring· March 29, 2026· in Artwork, Murals, Trees, Zen/Wellness· 0 comments

I recently completed the first wall of three in a beautifully created room in a private home. It serves as a studio, office and spiritual space. It was creatively challenging and gave me an opportunity to work with the discerning Chrystal Toth of ChrystalTothDesigns.com. It was a time to delve into that part of me that, as an artist, who just thrives on intricate designed work. The search for the perfect layout for this wall also included learning a bit about what yoga represented to my client. I did not arrive at the final sketch quickly, but when I did, it checked off so many requirements. The tree leaves span the four seasons with the changing of the leaves from fresh spring colors to autumn leaves covered with snow. The mandalas start with a spring-oriented pattern with pansies and move to summer fullness and blooms to a harvest motif and ending with a snowflake patterned signaling the end of the passage. I know it’s much more fun to look at the pictures. So here’s the final approved layout. Next is the sketch in color. The mandalas were finetuned after this was completed. Notice that wall on the left is cut away on a […]
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Perhaps Eden

by Sharon Leichsenring· December 09, 2025· in Artwork, Childrens, Clouds, Murals· 0 comments

I’ve simply got no excuse. Life got in the way and I haven’t kept up with my newsletter. I hope you’ll agree, this one is worth the wait. Several years ago, I was most fortunate for the opportunity to paint these two murals in a lovely Westchester, NY residence. They were respectively for the oldest child, a girl and her younger brother. A few years passed and there is now another sibling, a little girl, whose room was ready for its new mural. This mural was an opportunity to use part of the existing landscape- a fairy tale like pond with its own stone bridge, calling your name softly if you stop to listen. There is also a tree that holds many memories for the children’s father, who grew up in this house. The swing still hangs on the same branch. Shh….you can still hear laughter. A perfect setting to place all the children. Billowing clouds frame the composition, a nod to my client’s vision that this is their Castle in the Clouds. Forgive these whimsical references. Believe me, you can feel this. This world is both real outside the walls, and just as real in the painted scene that begs […]
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Horses of a Different Color: a Second Look

by Sharon Leichsenring· September 26, 2025· in Historic, Horses, Murals, Places, Staircase· 0 comments

This month finds me with several projects, all vying for my attention but not one is ready to share with you. I thought I’d take the opportunity to share an older project that still remains one of my favorites. (Who’s kidding who? They are all my favorites). It is done in grissaille, required a ton of historical research and posed its own challenge in that there were several vignettes that needed to be combined, on a staircase wall. 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 […]
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When Less is Just Enough

by Sharon Leichsenring· July 18, 2025· in Artwork, Murals, Trees· 0 comments

One thing is certain, there is never a dull moment when it comes to designing a mural. Case in point, this living room wall. Where did my intended wall stand? One wall of the room opened to the foyer and a staircase. The adjacent wall already featured a well organized collection of framed artwork that had been collected during travels by my clients. The third wall featured a colorful and dynamic watercolor that hovers between a deeply saturated palette of rich color with a hint of abstraction about it. Above the well appointed fireplace, it is the center of attention. Which brings me to my wall. Hmmmmm….. Enough art had been hung in the room and there was no need for a piece of furniture to fill this rather large wall. My space is about 9’ by 11’. The solution, a background mural, if you will. A simple landscape, with plenty of detail but. Wait for it. NO COLOR, and little contrast, meaning NO POP. Color would have distracted the eye from the focal painting over the fireplace. Keeping the painting all monochromatic generally means I have a range of values to create dimension. But such a large wall would […]
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What happens when you least expect it!

by Sharon Leichsenring· June 09, 2025· in Artwork, Fine Art, Floral, Murals· 0 comments

What happens when you least expect it? I guess I’ll have to lead with that. About two years ago, I decided that I had put off something that, if I’m being totally honest, I was afraid to try. It was painting with oil paint. It’s it so totally different from what I’m used to painting murals with which is acrylic paint. I really struggled for months, just trying to do small studies which ended up in the garbage before I was even twenty minutes into them. I did a small piece of one of my grandchildren and realized I was fighting the wrong battle. I was trying to make the oils work like the familiar strokes of acrylic and it could never happen. I had that a-Ha moment, coupled with the fact that I had an entire box of aluminum leaf at my disposal, and I began the first of the collection you can find on my website called ”Reflections.” Here’s the link to see them: www.LeichsenringStudios.com/fine-art-gallery. The first piece I painted was called “Considering”. So, I’ve spent the next two years, still learning and struggling. I entered many art shows where I learned to grow a thicker skin. The […]
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Image showing the depth that trompe l'oeil does best

Winter 2024 Masonic Lodge Update

by Sharon Leichsenring· February 13, 2024· in Artwork, Columns, Murals, Trompe L'oeil· 0 comments

So I admit, there was a point in time when I was completely satisfied with my work at the Masonic Lodge in Park Ridge, NJ. The bones of the painted illusion turning the lodge hall into the Temple of Solomon were completed. The eight columns were done. They supported a perimeter of painted ornament around the space which framed the huge open sky tray. Yes, a point in time. But a really brief moment. As soon as I started what we would call phase 2, I simply don’t have words to describe how radically the new work would push what I thought was complete into an entirely new level. I often explain that once I’ve got the design put to paper, I can see it done in my mind’s eye. Boy, was I wrong. Once I started painting the massive blocks ( 20” by 48”) that would fill in the wall space and create the window opening that would feature the first of the project’s murals, I really felt like I was creating magic. Yeah, I know, hardly humble here, but this is one of the few moments in my mural painting career when I have surprised and actually amazed […]
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In the words of Dr. Seuss “Oh! The Places You’ll Go!”

by Sharon Leichsenring· April 27, 2023· in Artisan Finish, Artwork, Bas Relief, Brick Treatments, Ceiling, Clouds, Dome, Murals· 0 comments

Was he speaking directly to me, the esteemed Dr. Seuss? Would the poem provide answers to the absolute gut-wrenching reaction I used to have when contemplating a project where I’d spend days on ladders? And the bad reaction only began with ladders. There were scaffolds to climb and scissor lifts to navigate. Seems the love of painting was and continues to be greater than the fear. If you shudder at the idea of heights, tag along with me through a few of my challenges. First check out this barrel ceiling. Here is the space during construction. It’s good you can’t see my face as you’re reading. I really had to work hard keeping the panic in place. However, and it still amazes me every time, once I have that stern talk with myself and start painting, the fear truly dissipates. Got my backer’s scaffold in place and commenced painting this ceiling, grid method, square by square. This next project was a cloud dome that was over an inside pool. Look at the support structure to hold the dance floor that would span over the approximately 28’ wide pool. Once I climbed through the trap door onto the dance floor, I was […]
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The Best Medicine for the Worst Patient

by Sharon Leichsenring· February 28, 2023· in Artwork, Murals, Scrollwork· 0 comments

It was the night before surgery And all through the house, Not a creature was stirring… Nor anyone wanting to ask Sharon What ARE YOU DOING!!!! So let me give you the back story first. I had three hernia repairs on February 1st. Surgery was a great success. Uneventful. Just like you hope for. THAT was not the problem. What was the problem was what was I going to do for the next three weeks to keep me, and everyone living in this house with me, from going crazy? So, I kept looking at this wall that my bed is against. It’s a huge headboard, and bigger than the windows, and it’s always bugged me. Need I say more? I finished up my last project early afternoon the day before surgery. The idea had been floating around in my head. After dinner, I moved the bed (while I still had the ability to move something more than 10 lbs. The next day, that restriction would be in place.). Started sketching, then blocking in with paint directly on the wall. I’m running out of time because sooner or later, the closed door behind me is going to open… And it does. It’s my […]
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When a Mural Makes You Smile

by Sharon Leichsenring· November 30, 2022· in Artwork, Birds, Ceiling, Murals· 0 comments

If I could wish for a perfect mural client, it would be someone who gets me. Seriously, gets me. The talent part sure, but also that slightly crazed part of my spirit that says, “Oh no worries. That’s not too crazy. I can figure it out. I CAN make it happen.” That person would also have to be good at communicating what she is looking for in a mural, clear in her style and tastes, and trusts me. When this is present, magic happens. Like this ceiling project. I’ve done several projects for Mrs. H, arguably one of my favorite people to paint for. The ceiling in her foyer and the hallway leading from it was sadly lacking, painted in ceiling white, when you could see the gorgeous collection of artwork, hung gallery style on the walls. Lively, bright and full of color, she was looking for a ceiling design to compliment the color on the walls and we would use her passion for Native American art and spirituality as the impetus for the design. Specifically, I needed to include the sun and the moon, running water, canoes, tipis, deer, and several birds that had a personal connection to her. Knowing […]
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