Butterfly AirBnB Before and After Interior Canvas Mural Art
Michael Cooper • July 1, 2020
We were called to develop something interesting for a couple’s AirBnB. We did one before for them, by adding an iconic "Butterfly Wings" to their wall, but with a "Nashville" logo, as well as their own hashtag. That turned out to be pretty fun. This time they wanted something more interesting, so I thought that since their AirBnB was downtown, let’s give them a "view" of downtown! And what better view than Broadway! And the "window" actually matches their existing windows. When we installed it, the wife of the couple actually thought that we had installed real pulls for the blind. Talk about boosting one’s ego!"
This project is probably the second largest we’ve ever done, relative to actual square footage. We had to paint custom graphics and signage on the exterior of a massive condo complex in the Wedgewood/Houston area of Nashville. Not only was it seven stories high, but it was on a heavily corrugated metal surface! Lots of “chevrons”, angles, numbers and letters, specified to be painted in all of the weirdest places. We used 85’ and 125’h articulated lifts, 45’ scissor lifts, and multiple widths of swing stages. Some of the letters were 30’h! We painted three coats on all of the white graphics on the green surfaces. The only dark paint used was for the name of the complex, which is “The Finery”. Lots of really hot days, dead in the sun, tons of wind, rain, etc., but we finished after about 3 weeks. Not too shabby!
The client lives in basically a one bedroom condo. She wanted it to look bigger. So…how about a door with a marble staircase leading up to the second floor? Sure! Why not?! Too much fun with Trompe L’oeil!
Art inspired by Music Row that features George Jones, Neil Thrasher, Willie Nelson, Chris Stapleton, Charlie Pride, Loretta Lynn, and George Strait.
Absolutely too much fun with this one! e|spaces is opening a new office on Music Row, and of course wanted something representing the history of the Row. So we gave them an historic recording studio, reminiscent of the early days. Prominently featured are Ray Charles, Johnny Cash, and Dolly Parton in the recording studio. The producers are Chet Atkins, Bob Ferguson, and Owen Bradley. There are numerous signed photos throughout of other artists, as well as a slew of vintage instruments. Even the recording equipment is accurate! The crew did an AMAZING job with this one. Painted on canvas in the studio, and installed onsite. Keep your eyes out - more to come!
Venetian Plaster with a Solar Gold Pearlescent Wax for the wall; Travertine Limestone finish for the Mantle; Faux Marble on the hearth; multi-color glaze for the bookcases.
Here’s one we did out in College Grove. The client has two really old barns. They wanted murals painted on them but wanted to keep the character of the aged barns. So, we painted them to look like “Ghost murals”, faded, worn and weathered, giving the impression that the artwork had been there since the barns were new!
We were invited to paint a mural for the Chestnut Creek School of the Arts, in Galax, Va., outside of their Woodworking Studio. Over 60’ width of concrete walls to paint, but only 36” at the highest! Lots of laying on the ground, snuggled up in tents with heaters blowing full blast! This was Virginia in November - it was COLD! They wanted something to represent not only what their area is known for (like the birthplace of Bluegrass music!), but also what the School of the Arts is famous for: quilts, woodworking, etc. So we painted 3-dimensional display cases featuring banjos, fiddles, mandolins, etc., as well as things to do outside, like maps, hiking boots, bicycle equipment, etc., and various hand-made artwork. And of course, Galax plants! One of my most favorite projects! And the people there were the best! Looking forward to going back again to paint more walls!
A client wanted a mural for his AirBnB. Since it was located downtown, he wanted his guests to feel as if they were looking at Broadway at night. So we gave him a window looking out at all of the Honky Tonks! The entire window is one piece of canvas, pasted to the wall. If they ever decide to leave, they can just peel the mural off the wall and take it with them! Or, of course, hire us to paint another one. Their call!
This is for an author, who, with her sister, writes Children’s Books. She wanted the characters in her books painted on this exterior brick wall, which is actually the back of their garage, leading to their pool. Thought it would be kinda cool to turn the whole thing into a “gallery” of sorts, where you could walk through and see all of the characters coming out of their frames! I personally thought that it turned out to be amazing! And how did the client feel about it? When she finally saw the entire wall completed, she broke down in tears. It was the best compliment ever!