Hirst

Many of todays high-rise condos share two things in common; they have fantastic views and smaller room areas. With the cost of property values this seems to be the norm now days. One solution more and more requested by both designers and homeowners the last few years is for Trompe Loeil murals to visually open up and expand the space.

(Trompe Loeil (pronounced - tromp loy) is a French term meaning To Trick The Eye. ..from tromper to deceive and loeil the eye.)

The visual tricks can range from minute water droplets on a 10-inch canvasto false windows, architecture and statues on a ten-story building that all appear real. Trompe loeil illusion has a history going back centuries and is quite common in Europes grand homes. In many cases, it was preferred over real marble or stone to have an artist come in and paint the illusion of marble and stonemainly to have the delight in the discovery of the illusion.

Unlike a painting, trompe loeil murals are specifically designed for each wall space that they are painted on. In this type of art the viewers eye level is imperative to the illusion because exact vanishing points and precise shadow placement all help with the optical deceptions in the viewers eye.

When it comes to a small room area, trompe loeil murals can add a major focal point to the space and although not real, the mind of the viewer gladly suspends reality in order to participate in and enjoy the grand illusion.

Trompe loeil murals are often painted in studio, on canvas due to the attention to detail needed and then installed within one day on site. This type of art can be painted with modern and abstract design theories in mind or can be painted with more traditional and time-honored designs. They can include landscapes, niches, animals, flower-filler vases, portraitsor completely unique and, as yet, not thought of ideas.

Kitchens, bathrooms, family rooms can all be expanded with this form of art. Ocean scenes are quite popular, especially here in Southern California.

Beautiful Faux (pronounced - foe) (French for false) marble, stone and patina wall finishes further compliment and expand the scale of the artwork.

___________________________________________________________________
Rik Erickson is a member of the National Society of Mural Painters and The San Diego Art Institute. He is based in Southern California and more of his work can be seen at http://www.muralsfantastic.com He may be reached at 619 296-9898 for more information.

Rik Erickson is a muralist based in San Diego, California. He began producing art as soon as he could hold a pencil. His father was an artist and greatly desired his son to succeed in this creative outlet. Rik has continually practiced daily for over 50 years and is considered an expert in murals & trompe l'oeil ("trick the eye"). He is also fluent in most types of beautiful faux wall techniques including marble & stone, old world plasters, aged patinas, color washes, glazes, Venetian plasters, Belagio, hand painted embellishments & more. His sense of color coordinating and color matching is at an extremely high level due to a life time of experimenting and working with colors & color mixing. "This is knowledge that can not be learned in school."