Ready, Set, Break! • Rockport Harbor Mural

With the visiting author series beginning at Pascal Hall I have been asked to take a break and regroup next month. A blessing in many ways with summer in Maine in full swing and so many things to do and people to talk to!

The designer and the client getting the hall ready for its first visiting author Lauren Groff

I spent the past two weeks finalizing samples for the trompe l'oeil paneling below the mural and the faux frame that will set the mural off. Originally we though that the off-white trim color used throughout the hall would be the paneling color way, as we did in the adjoining room, but as the project has taken shape and I have more and more LOVED the idea of framing the mural in the beautiful blue Farrow and Ball color including the paneling below the mural.

The trompe l'oeil painted panel in front of one of the incredible chairs Interior Designer Leslie Curtis has brought to the project!

The Farrow and Ball blue hue helps weight the mural wall in my eye.

The faux painted panel creates a beautiful illusion that in my eye makes the whole wall part of the mural. A trompe l'oeil gilded frame will come next and give the mural a feel of one of those grand history paintings in The National Gallery of Art- This was something the client and I had spoken of since the start and her swift approval of the samples was a positive way to continue on with this massive project.

A relatively simple yet effective trompe l'oeil frame with some combing to add visual texture.

Sample approval day.

I could not be happier with how the panels work to weight and set-off the mural and for the moment I will step away, take care of future work-business, and come back with fresh eyes to finish the piece this Fall.

Slowly cleaning my way out with the scaffold down and a clear view of the mural in progress for the coming events.