How to design a mural, and how
to get be published.
Reply to Trish on June 07, 2000:
I cannot stress enough the importance of working with and for interior designers. They know better than we -artists- what kind of mood and color scheme they are looking for, and they are professional as far as dealing with numbers, contracts and payments.
The work was commissioned by the owner of this private clinic,
specializing in orthopedic and cosmetic surgery. A designer
was involved (see the articles) that hired me however the owner
did know about my work before hand. It is extremely rare that
an artist can sell his work in such projects. Beside painters
there are a lots of other craftsmen involved in such projects, and
they do not like the idea of dealing with moody artists. When I
work for a designer, I keep a low profile, I listen and try to cooperate
with the other trades people to create an efficient project..
What type of paint?
Acrylic, and/or latex house paint reinforced with artist acrylic
paint is a good medium, provided that a painter does prep the walls
and apply a good primer for you. Acrylic when dry is washable, especially
if you glaze a coat of acrylic varnish (of the type used for wood
floor). This final coat is also best applied by a professional.
Keep your design simple. Try to get a competent house painter
on your team. I have learned over time that painting
a good mural does not mean to slap all the colors I can find: To
the contrary, it is best to keep a simple and resolute color direction.
Best of luck to you, Pierre.
In Reply to: Johnny Fasano September 09, 2000.
Johnny
asks:
your work is beautiful, you are very talented. I recently painted a 30ft dome ceiling mural on lexington ave., New York city. I need advice, how can I get my work in the magazines that will help my career. johnnyow can I get my work in the magazines that will help my career?
My
advice in two words: Interior designers.
One thing I
have learned in my own experience: give
all your attention to the professional interior designer. They are
the ones who get publications for you (and most of all for them!).
Rarely will a magazine
publish a mural work just by itself, regardless of how splendid
can it be. A Deco magazine
needs a story to tell, a nice surrounding to show, glamour, furniture,
light, glitz, charm.... They
have a mission -- to be profitable by obtaining advertising support
and catering to the rich and famous (as well as those who aspire
to be). They flatter
the egos of designers rather than the egos of trades people. I would
recommend first to keep humble, then patient. We
are on the craft side of this business, not so much the artistic
one (albeit we may feel otherwise).
The interior designers
must be, for you, the client, the patron of your art. They
have a business to run, with responsibilities.
They are can be capricious, i.e., they are not going to be
loyal to you, as they are constantly solicited by new comers. They love to have absolute
control, same for getting a publication too.
Another surprising
thing I observed: it
does not help that much to get published, unless you come up with
a PILE of great, well known mags, or unless you get a cover, stories
with various pictures of a work done in a very nice mansion. The
potential client will be much more impressed by the setting, the
surrounding glamour where you have your work, rather by the work
itself. The client will worry that you might get a big ego, and
that you will be difficult to work with, be expensive and so on.
Most of the time, if you then get hired, they will relentlessly
nag you to also get their house (and the dog too) published. They will think that is
part of your job.
Another thing: some
clients will detect your appetite for "being in magazines”
and will use this to manipulate you. They
will give you the impression that they might have some leverage
with a publisher, in order to get the most out of you.
You
have in New York the opportunity to participate to charitable events
organized by some interior designers.
For example: a
house is being decorated by a bunch of them, top to bottom, then
the public pays to visit. Everybody
(and the muralists) works for free, and the proceeds go to some
good cause. The
press covers this well. It’s
great apple pie stuff. Offer
your service. Generally
these happen around the Thanksgiving or Christmas holidays.
Last idea (for the moment): a local deco magazine will appreciate
that you be their client (i.e., you pay for advertising).
They might then be more interested to consider a feature
story about you, if you have a nice one (it is not enough to have
a great mural).
I think that you do have a web site, or have
some stuff posted there. Why not post your URL on my Bulletin Board?
You might try to connect with mural-related web sites, and
publish your work there. It will give you the feel. However,
it is clear that a mural web site is most frequently visited by
other artists, and I have never once gotten a serious inquiry in
five years.
To conclude, the best effect a publication has,
is to give you more wings, more self confidence. In
this sense, it does help anybody’s career
Sincerely, and best
of luck, Pierre Marcel.
Have a story to tell, and work with interior designers.