Composition, Color, Shape, Line and Texture

Commonly Asked Questions

 How do I decide what my painting should look like?

Selecting art for your home or business can be an exciting experience and a source of inspiration for you and anyone who sees it for years to come. In order to be successful in figuring out what kind of art you like and how it will fit in with the rest of your interior design plans you should start with your feelings and first impressions. 

What kind of art do I like?

If you are a regular visitor to galleries and museums, you probably already have a good sense of what kind of art appeals to you. If not, there are many opportunities to browse art within your community at local exhibitions and art fairs. In Kalamazoo for example, there is an Art Hop event every first Friday of the month to see area artist's work or perhaps you may have local cafés or restaurants that exhibit art pieces that you may be attracted to.  It's a great way to determine how you will like your own space to feel and establish your personal taste in art.

Where is the best location to have a mural painted?

Indoors, outdoors, kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms, hallways...you name it.  A mural or decorative painting can look great anywhere there is an open wall space.  It can depict anything from a baseball field to an English garden in a highly detailed or highly stylized fashion or something in between.  It's all up to the imagination.

What do I have to do before the painting begins?

You may want to have a fresh base coat applied to the wall or entire room depending on the age of the existing wall surface.  I recommend a smooth finish of interior latex, eggshell or satin finish.  The base color is normally chosen during the consultation if you are unsure.

How long will the project take to complete?

The amount of time that it will take to complete a mural is directly related to the size and detail of the painting.  In general,  a small mural perhaps in nursery may only require a cuople of days to finish while a more complex design will require sketch and developement time before the actual paint hits the wall.

What can I expect to be charged for mural or canvas painting?

Commisioned art is painted specifically for the client's needs or wants, therefore many artists have personal fomulas they rely on when considering costs.  A couple of good rules of thumb are; hire the person that you feel comfortable with and they are enthusiastic about your project, find the artist that has a proven track record for the type of artwork you desire and consider if the quote is in your budget.   

How do find the best artist for my project?

Consider your options and do a little research.  Word of mouth is the best source, ask you local interior decorator or the sales person at a local furniture store about muralists and artists in your area.  Many paint shops carry business cards from area decorative painters and muralists also.  A good referral is worth a thousand words!