ABOUT ME

Murals are designed to be noticed! The more prominent the location, the more people will be affected by them. They have the potential to send a message. From bedrooms and bathrooms to dining rooms and kitchens, murals can go just about anywhere; there are no limits to this creative art form.
Throughout Europe artists were commissioned by royalty and the very wealthy to decorate their homes with lavish imagery and colors. Walls and ceilings were adorned with trompe l'oeil paintings. The French word trompe l'oeil means to "fool the eye," to deceive the viewer into thinking the scene is real, which is exactly what a good artist is able to accomplish; however, it requires a great deal of talent, training, and experience.

"Some people think they can't afford to do it... but it really
depends on the size and how elaborate the mural is…”

Wherever there is a mural, suddenly there is more life in the room! When people walk in, they get excited and intrigued! A mural  makes that happen...anybody can go to a gallery and buy a piece of art and hang it on their wall- but when they have original art hand-painted directly onto the wall- it really becomes personal, unique and makes a huge impact on the viewer. Some people think that they can't afford to do it, because it can be an investment, but it really depends on the size and how elaborate the mural is. It can vary from $100.00 to over $50,000. It really just depends on the size, complexity of design, wall surface and situation- and every single one is different.
   
    The effects of a mural have a lasting impact on you and everyone who enters your home.

In a Nut Shell:
At our first meeting I will provide a 1 hour consultation ($60 fee to be reimbursed if contracted) and discuss some ideas and evaluate colors, the walls surfaces and measure rooms. Then I make recommendations or we decide together on a design. Before any painting takes place you may be given a rough sketch or photo along with an estimate and completion time. As for costs– it is determined by various factors; the complexity of the design, ease or difficulty of access to the work area, size/scale of project, estimated time frame to complete the work, prep and clean up time involved. I require half up front, and the balance upon completion. Please: NO pets, children, or on-lookers during the process- as my job requires a great deal of concentration and there will be many brushes & products that can be “spilled” if people & pets are walking by! For the least disturbance for very large projects, it is sometimes best to schedule the work during your vacation or other absence- What an exciting change to come home to! (professional references provided for security purposes)

Step One :
We meet to discuss ideas, look through my portfolios & idea books, then view the room or wall to be painted. Next I take measurements and / or take some pictures and make some sketches. Then we discuss any budget limitations and/or the costs of the project. While some clients have a clear vision of what they want, others have no idea and leave it up to me. Once the theme is determined, a rough sketch is drawn up or pictures provided. Remember that each project and wall texture is unique and project designs will vary.

Step two :
After the first meeting, if you are happy with the ideas and estimate provided on the invoice, a 50% down deposit is then due before the job begins. When the deposit is paid a projected start date will be scheduled. Changes can be made at this time, but additional sketches, ideas and drawings will be billed at $35 an hour.

Step three :
Once all changes, if any, are made to the designs and the drawings are to our satisfaction, a final start date will be scheduled for the prep work to begin.  The 50% deposit due at this time is applied toward the balance of the job. The project is begun!

Step four :
If the client requests any changes made to the mural or faux once painting has begun, there will be additional charges. The remaining balance is due upon completion of the job.


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More about me:

Book published:
"Kidding Around! Portland", travel guide for children ages 8-12, John Muir Publications (Avalon Travel Publishing), Santa Fe, New Mexico

TV, Radio & Newspaper Appearances / Articles for "Kidding Around Portland" & Art Exhibits:
·Good Day Oregon, KPTV TV Channel 12, interview, Portland, Oregon, June 2, 1998
·AM Northwest, KATU TV Channel 2, TV interview, Portland, Oregon, July 12, 1998
·KWJJ radio interview, Portland, Oregon, July 12, 1998
·Portland's 32nd Annual Author's Party, Oregon Historical Society, Dec. 1998
·She’s preserving history in her art article & photos, Tualatin Times, Feb. 27, 1997
·Art happening at Whitehorse article & photo, Hillsboro Argus, Dec. 12, 1996
·Street Scenes, article & photo, West Linn Tidings, May 26, 1997
·Scenes of Cannon Beach, article, Cannon Beach Gazette, Feb. 27, 1997
·Armchair Traveler, article & photo, The Sunday Oregonian, Aug. 2, 1998
·Art Exhibit announcement & write up, Go! Look! Newspaper, Feb. 20, 1997
·Art Exhibit write up, Spotlight- Lakewood Center for the Arts, March 1997

Commercial Mural Projects:
·Gateway Center, Cornell District, Ithaca, New York, Ciaschi, Dietershagen, Little & Mickelson, LLP/CPA’s, 2004,
2005 & 2007
oCompleted seven murals and trompe l’oeil paintings

·Northwest Cancer Specialists, Rose Quarter Location, Portland, OR 2001
oCompleted wall art and mural projects for 3 floors of new Cancer Ctr.

·St. Vincent’s Hospital, NW Cancer Specialists, Portland, OR  2001
oCompleted wall art and mural projects for Chemo Ward in Main Hospital

·Smokey Point Buick, GMC, Pontiac Dealership, Arlington, WA
o24’ wall project. Historic decoupage mural

·“Street of New Beginnings 2000” Creekside / Monogram Custom Homes, at The Enclave at Canyon Creek Estates,         Wilsonville, OR
oCompleted several mural and wall art projects in a featured home

     •    Renaissance Home, “Street of Dreams”, 2004, Beaverton, OR

  • ·The Miller Estate, Beaverton, OR 2005-2006
          9,642 sq ft Custom Home by Northwest Custom Homes, Inc. 

  • ·The Falisec Estate, Beaverton, OR 2006
          Custom Home built by Northwest Custom Homes, Inc. 

  • ·The Falisec Vacation Home, Scottsdale, AZ 2006
           Private Residence 

  • The Hansen Estate- complete Remodel, Monroe, WA

  • Bella Balducci's  Restaurant Monroe, WA 2009

  • The Magnolia Estate, Seattle, WA -current

Plus thousands more of residential faux, wall art and murals...

Watercolor & Artwork Exhibitions:
Newton Pulley Gallery, Portland, Oregon, November 1995
Patricia Jewel Gallery, Tualatin, Oregon, Nov 1996-1997
White Horse Gallery, Hillsboro, Oregon, December 1996
Tualatin City Library, Tualatin, Oregon, February 1997
Northwest by Northwest Gallery, Cannon Beach, Or. March-May 1997
Lakewood Center for the Arts, Lake Oswego, Or., March-April 1997
Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve, Tualatin Watershed, Hillsboro, Or. May 1997
West Linn Library, West Linn, Oregon, June 1997
White Horse Gallery, Hillsboro, Oregon, August 1997
Coffee Cabana, Cannon Beach, Oregon, Sept. 1997-1998
Stormy Weather Arts Festival, Cannon Beach, Or., November 1997
Stormy Weather Arts Festival, Cannon Beach, Or., November 1998

Memberships:
The Society of Children's Books Writers & Illustrators, American Watercolor Society & Northwest Watercolor Society, 1994-97; Oregon "NewsWorthy" Editor for SCBWI: 1995- 1997
Pacific Northwest Writers Association 2007-2009

Contests Won:
Semi-finalist The Heeklin Group Foundation- Fiction Award 1996
First Place Quincy Writer's Guild- 7th Annual Fiction Contest 1996
Honorable Mention Writers' International Forum- Children's Story Competition 1996

Newsletters Published:
"NewsWorthy" 8 page newsletter for The Society of Children's Books Writers & Illustrators, Oregon chapter, Editor, published bi-monthly, 1995-97
"Cannon Beach Chamber" 4 page monthly newsletter for The Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce, 1996-1997

Newspapers Published:
-“The Pet Gazette” self-published full-size newspaper focusing on the welfare of Washington’s pets and their owners Goto:  www.Wapetgazette.com  2008-present
-"Antelope Gazette" 24 page full-size newspaper published annually for Artistic Taxidermy, Portland, Oregon, 1996-2000


Articles & Illustrations Published:
"Cannon Beach Historical Walking Tour Guide" for the city/ Chamber of Commerce 1997-1998
"Next Life Request" Humorous Fiction, Whiskers Magazine March 1996
"Equine Real Estate" Pacific NW focus, Rails & Trails Magazine March 1996
"Hoofprints in the Sand" Oregon beach trails for the rider, Rails & Trails May 1994
"Using The Unusual" Nutritional Article, This Week Magazine July 1993
"Expect the Unexpected" Black & White, Rails & Trails Magazine  May 1994
"Lest You Be Judged"  Black & White, Rails & Trails Magazine  June 1994
"Using The Unusual"  9 B&W's, This Week Magazine   July 1993


( Scroll down for a list of recent projects)