Mural Makers: Rod Reynolds

MURAL MAKERS

Osprey

Mural Artists: Rod Reynolds
Location: Elmira, NY

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This mural in downtown Elmira is part of the Community Arts of Elmira’s Elmira Infinite Canvas program. It is one of my most recent works and one of my favorites. The inspiration for choosing Osprey for the subject was to visually show the wildlife in and around Elmira, NY. I have also been able to create artwork for a few traffic signal boxes in the city of Elmira.

About the Mural:
Name: “Osprey”
Size: 35′ width x 13.5′ height
Products used: Almost entirely Golden Paintworks Mural and Theme Paints
See it at:
West Railroad Ave.
Elmira, NY

About the Maker

I graduated from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and most of my art is acrylic on canvas or other suitable materials.

My favorite subjects are wildlife and I challenge myself to use my own photographs for reference, making the whole process exciting and interesting since wildlife doesn’t usually say “here I am, take my picture”.

You might also be interested in:

Follow @GPWMuralPaints on social for more featured murals, events and more,
or head to our store to shop our Mural & Theme products.

Behind the Texture with Annette Tyrrell

Behind the Texture

with Annette Tyrrell

from Annette Tyrrell Studio

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Whether exploring the great Pacific Northwest (PNW) or exploring texture and color in paint and plaster, Annette Tyrrell creates architectural finishes and fine art. Her love of nature heavily influences the materials, colors and designs used. Her aim is to create beauty that speaks to each client and collector, assisting them to express their unique style. Ultimately helping to create an oasis where they dwell.

Tell us a little about yourself. How did you get involved with the decorative arts?
I grew up in Eastern Washington, exploring forests, lakes and mountains always fascinated by nature. After high school, I moved around the US, living and experiencing each unique environment from deserts and oceans to farms and cities. I have always been inspired by nature and intrigued by the diversity each place holds.

In my mid 30’s, a friend invited me to a watercolor class. I had no confidence, because I had gotten poor grades in art, but I’m fearless to try new things. I have a deep love of learning.

The instructor was amazing, encouraging me to open my eyes and observe the way color, shape and composition define landscapes and how natural elements communicate depth and perspective. I fell in love with watercolor. I had found something that lit me up.

Just over a decade ago we moved to the PNW. I came home and got a job with a decorative finishing company. I was the “shop rat” always eager to learn from the amazing artisans who were creating beautiful finishes locally. Another world of artistry was opened up and I fearlessly made myself an apprentice. When the owner retired she encouraged me to continue in the decorative arts. Her advice was to take workshops from the industry’s best and explore the latest design trends. So I did. In 2016 Inspired! Surface Design was born.

A few years ago, a dear client asked me to create a HUGE (70” x 100) landscape painting for her home using the textures and mediums from my decorative arts skills. This project awakened in me an appetite to study and use my skills to create fine art. In 2021 I released my first fine art collection called Emergence and rebranded to Annette Tyrrell Studio. Last year I added giclée prints and art shows while still contracting architectural finishes.

How would you describe your artistic style?
My artistic style is abstract impressionism. In decorative finishing I tend to choose natural products to create unique colors and textures. In fine art, interpreting nature through landscapes fascinates me. I am always seeking the boundaries of my materials, watching how pigment interacts and flows across a canvas or plaster lays off a trowel. I love to play with color and texture.

What’s your business philosophy?
My business philosophy is to strive for excellence in workmanship and artistry creating bespoke finishes and fine art. I believe art speaks to us on a personal level and when I am designing decorative finishes for a specific client, I have to listen, ask questions and observe the environment their soul desires to live in. It is an honor to be a part of creating a unique oasis, an environment for people to dwell.

I listen for, “I love it”. Then I know I have done my job.

What can’t you live without?
I have found I cannot live without exploring nature and the arts. It is still what lights me up, sparks curiosity, providing rest, and filling my soul.

If you had to choose a different career, what would it be?
If I had to choose a different career, I would choose something where I studied and worked in the natural sciences.

What’s something interesting or surprising about you that most people wouldn’t know just from talking to you?
I am typically an open book but some things you may not know about me include:

I am a sucker for legal and cop drama shows and could probably cross-examine a witness or track down a suspect if I needed to. I could solve the crime!
Growing up I spent summers in Guam where my dad lived.
In my 40’s I fractured my wrist when I decided to join my kids snowboarding. We homeschooled and while all the other homeschooling moms sat inside, I just had to “hit the slopes.”

Explore more of Annette’s work at annettetyrrell.com.

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Mural Makers: Ladder Mouse

MURAL MAKERS

A Splash of Color

Mural Artists: Tony and Brandy Klindworth
Location: Lake City, MN

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Our most recent project was designing and installing a large-scale mural on the side of a pharmacy building, Kennedy Drug by Sterling, in Lake City, MN to honor Lake City’s 150th anniversary celebration by adding “a splash of color” to the downtown area. The client’s goals were to feature Lake City’s unique scenery and water transportation methods, while the building owner desired to incorporate pharmaceutical and building history into the design.

The design was inspired by the spirit of Lake City itself, a small lakefront town nestled into a bluff-land river valley full of unique water transportation methods and picturesque nautical scenery. We incorporated pharmaceutical and building history into the scenic design by utilizing the concept of a location-based vintage postcard. This allowed us to create a “Greetings from the Pharmacy of Lake City, MN” postcard tagline in the upper left of the mural, seamlessly incorporating the building’s original signage. We designed a postage stamp in the upper right of the mural to display elements of pharmaceutical history (an apothecary jar, mortar and pestle, and weigh scale) in the style of vintage hand-illustrated apothecary posters. The apothecary jar label features the establishment date of the Pharmacy building.

A drone shot above Tony and Brandy Klindworth working on the scaffolding as they painted the lettering of the mural.

Tony and Brandy Klindworth varnished the mural with Golden's MSA Varnish in Semi-Gloss with UVLS protection.

About the Mural:
Name: A Splash of Color
Size: 60.5’ width x 20.5’ height
Products used: Kilz Premium White Flat Water-Based Stain Blocking Primer, Golden Paintworks Mural and Theme Paints, Golden Artist Acrylics, Golden MSA Varnish with UVLS mixed with MSA Mural Formula Solvent (VOC Compliant)
See it at:
223 S Lakeshore Drive, Lake City, MN 55041
(southeast facing wall along Marion St.)

The mural is located one block away from Lake Pepin, so we had the unique opportunity of being surrounded by inspirational reference material like the shifting of fluffy clouds, flocks of seagulls and bald eagles swirling overhead, sunlight casting over the riverside bluffs, and sailboats heading into the marina while installing the mural on-site. We hope the mural leaves a lasting visual legacy in Lake City, decorates the downtown area, and enhances enticing photo opportunities for locals and tourists to develop a draw to local businesses.

About the Makers

We are Tony and Brandy Klindworth, a husband and wife muralist team. We currently live in our hometown of Lake City, MN. We run an art and design studio, Ladder Mouse, turning dusty plans into dream projects by creating attractive artwork and design direction for blossoming businesses and personal passion projects. Our work repertoire ranges from hand-painted logo designs, to signage, to large-scale mural installations. We specialize in highly-detailed work made custom for our clients.

What is your creative process like when making murals?
When creating a mural for a client, our creative process is collaborative. We start our mural design process with an initial discovery meeting to uncover our client’s desires and goals for the mural. This information allows us to create three initial design concepts to be presented and further revised with the client’s feedback and collaboration. Upon reaching an agreed upon mural design, we select paint colors to curate a palette with limited color-fading potential in the short term. We then prepare and prime a wall for painting, use a projector to trace the design onto the wall, and begin painting the mural.

We have discovered it most efficient and encouraging to cover as much square footage of a wall as quickly as possible to keep up momentum and avoid seeing daunting white space for an extended time. This often means color blocking background mid-tone colors first, adding layers for highlights and shadows second, and painting small details last, especially if trying to meet a project deadline. Finally, we seal our murals with a varnish topcoat.

Part of a 4-wall interior residential mural for a jungle-themed children's playroom in Dubai, UAE, featuring a tiger, toucan, and jungle foliage.

Part of a 4-wall interior residential mural for a jungle-themed children's playroom in Dubai, UAE featuring a waterfall, parrots, and flamingos.

Part of a 4-wall interior residential mural for a jungle-themed children's playroom in Dubai, UAE featuring a mama and baby gorilla and two playful orangutans.

Do you have any other projects coming up that you’d like to share anything about?
Next, we would like to paint a mural in a restaurant, hotel, elevator lobby, or on the sides of barns and silos. We recently finished sign-painting a vintage Mobil oil gas truck. Brandy is publishing a watercolor hand-illustrated children’s book called “Hobo Bart” with author Bonnie Sandberg, available on Amazon.

See more of Ladder Mouse’s work:
Website: laddermouse.com

We painted this exterior mural for Rochester Math and Science Academy in Rochester, MN featuring their school's acronym and dragon mascot. We painted a similar mural inside their gymnasium.

We designed the logo and painted the mural for ice cream shop, "The Scoop", now named "Dux", in Lake City, MN. The ice cream shop is located right next to the blufflands of the Mississippi River where you can see sailboats floating by.

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Follow @GPWMuralPaints on social for more featured murals, events and more,
or head to our store to shop our Mural & Theme products.

Behind the Texture with Barbara Klein

Behind the Texture

with Barbara Klein

from Creative Impressions

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My name is Barbara Klein and I have been the owner of Creative Impressions since 1998. I am an accomplished Decorative artist that has been trained extensively to use a multitude of products as well as learning a variety of finish techniques that are applied to many different surfaces. I love creating unique and custom finishes for someone’s business or home. The many years of being in this industry and attending classes has allowed me to stay up on the cutting edge of design and updated on product knowledge. Passion and precision is implemented into every job I complete. It is important to me that any finish I design elevates the space and creates an inviting mood.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grow up and why?
As a child I had a love for fashion and design. After graduating from High school I worked in retail and enrolled in Fashion Merchandising in College. After one year of college I dropped out of the program and changed my career path to become a Respiratory Therapist. I stayed in the medical field for over 15 years but felt I was still wanting to utilize my creative side that brought me so much joy.

How did you get started with decorative arts?
After working many years in the medical field I needed to change course again and do something that would fill my soul and utilize my love for creativity. I found a store in my area that was offering classes on faux finishing and stenciling. I fell in love with what I learned and started doing finishes for friends and family. It was because of the encouragement of those I did work for that I opened up my faux finish and custom stenciling business.

Then I met an artist who told me about a decorative painting group that had conventions and offered more in depth classes. Once I joined this group in 1999 and went to my first convention I knew I found what I was missing in my life. I still look forward to learning about new products and finishes because everything is always changing and it allows me to stay current for my clients.

What are some of your favorite decorative trends? Are there any you don’t particularly like?
Knowing there are many artists or painters around me that are also in the faux finish industry it is part of my business practice to find unique products that I can offer that others are not. Some of those products are implementing glass bead texture and foils into some of my finishes. I have done embossed stenciling with glass bead and mica on walls that adds another dimension to the finish. I also love using decorative foils on furniture and walls that can elevate any finish in order to coordinate with the surrounding area.

In my industry the ceiling is considered the 5th wall and seems to get overlooked as an opportunity for finishes. It is my least favorite place to apply color and design because of the difficulty factor but it does give the space a purpose to complete the final look of the room.

Is there a person in particular that has had a substantial influence on your style?
In the year 2000 I attended my second convention that was held in Houston, Texas. It was at this convention that I found out my husband knew a very significant person who is well known to the Faux finish industry. This person is none other than Gary Lord who I had watched on many TV shows teaching how to do different types of finishes. They knew each other from their college days in the 70s.

Gary was kind enough to invite me to his morning class so that I could see how classes were conducted. Meeting Gary and getting to know the group of teachers he knew was very pivotal in my career as a decorative artist. From this point on I knew it was important to continually educate myself so I could keep improving my skills and continue to increase my product knowledge so that I could guarantee longevity of the finishes to my clients.

I am so grateful to all who I have met over the years because they have shared such valuable information and I treasure the relationships I have made. It saddens me to know some of my favorite teachers have retired but I am always open to learning from new teachers that are coming into our industry. I believe even at my age you are never done learning new things and growing as an artist.

For this fireplace, I used stone texture to tone down the brick and give it an updated German Schmear look.

What does a work day look like for you?
My work day always starts by setting up and securing my work space. First day is always spent preparing the room and getting all my supplies ready for the application of the finish my client has selected. Once the prep work is done it is time for the application to be started. The number of days worked depends on how many layers are needed to reach the final look. My day ends by cleaning up the work area, washing my tools and making sure none of my supplies or equipment are inconvenient to someone’s home. It warms my heart when I return to some homes years later to see that the finishes I have done are untouched and still loved by the homeowners. Some homes I have previously worked in have sold because the finishes gave the room beauty and purpose.

What’s your go-to restaurant for a work lunch?
It is part of my business practice to know how many days it will take to complete my job. Depending on the complexity of the finish I set goals to get done everyday that takes into consideration dry time of the products used. So it is important for me not to leave the job site for lunch so that I can stay on schedule. My practice is to bring any food and drink with me to the job site and take small breaks throughout the day. This system allows me to usually finish on time unless I happen to run into unexpected situations.

Explore more of Barbara’s work at creativeimpressionspainter.com.

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Mural Makers: Emily White

MURAL MAKERS

Jaguar in Scuba Helmet

Mural Artist: Emily White
Location: Philadelphia, PA

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Over the summer, I was a part of the Front Street Walls revamp. There are several walls along Front St in Fishtown that usually get updated every year, but haven’t for a few years due to the pandemic. Streets Dept and MAP organized a few artists to paint new murals and I was lucky to be one of the chosen artists. This was one of the first murals I’ve painted where I was in total control of the subject matter, which was super exciting.

Lately, I keep returning to the imagery of big cats in antique scuba helmets. To me, the diving helmet represents human influence, a heavy burdensome thing. The rise of industry and technology alters our native landscapes and is threatening to wipe out wildlife. Human industry and innovation has consequences – the extinction of species, habitat loss, and climate change are some of them. I love that this piece has a rather bleak meaning to me, but the colorful background doesn’t make it feel so heavy.

Jaguar in Scuba Helmet mural at Front Street in Philadelphia.

Mural in progress. A primed Polytab cloth was painted then adhered to the wall.

About the Mural:
Name: Jaguar in Scuba Helmet
Size: 17.5’ x 12’
Products used: Primed Polytab cloth painted with Golden Mural & Theme Paint, adhered with Golden Mural Adhesive Gel
See it at:
1601 N Front Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122

About the Maker

I’m Emily White. I’m originally from the Boston area, but I’ve been living in Philadelphia for 11 years. I got my BFA from Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston. I actually majored in sculpture – I have a storage space full of life-sized large-scale animal sculptures to show for it! I’ve always loved creating things larger than me, so painting murals was a logical progression.

Once I moved to Philly and saw the abundance of murals, I dreamed of some day becoming a muralist. Many of Philly’s murals are facilitated by Philadelphia Mural Arts Program (MAP), so in 2013, I participated in their summer internship. I’ve been painting murals full time ever since! In the beginning of my career I primarily worked as an assistant for MAP, and then I slowly transitioned to creating more and more of my own murals. I started my own company in 2021, White Knuckle Painting, and I’ve been designing and painting murals and signs independently.

I have a really broad range of mural work, from realistic portraits of people or animals to crisp graphics. I’m happiest when I’m able to combine the two!

In addition to murals, I’m also a studio artist and I regularly show pieces in galleries. Once I painted a mural in an art gallery and bridged the gap between my two creative endeavors – something that doesn’t happen often. My studio art practice is more refined. I’m almost always painting animals.

Are there any particular causes or messages you like to champion through your public art?

My studio art is about the relationship between humans and wildlife. It explores how “nature” has been redefined due to human influence. Most of my work has environmental undertones. These themes repeat often in my gallery art, but I don’t get many opportunities to express them via mural work. I’d love to find an outlet for more environmentally themed work!

Do you have any other projects coming up that you’d like to share anything about?

I’m currently working on paintings for my solo show “Waters Rising” at Arch Enemy Arts, a gallery in Philly. Also, I was recently asked to come back onboard a Virgin Voyages cruise ship to paint my second mural with them!

See more of Emily White’s work:
Instagram: @gggreatwhite
Facebook: facebook.com/emilywhiteart

A 10’x12’ mural painted live for Tiny Room for Elephants, a 2 week long festival where 40 artists painted murals in a space open to the public. Painted using Golden Mural and Theme Paints.

A colorful mural painted for a local restaurant serving Austin-style breakfast tacos, Taco Heart. 57.5’ x 12’.

A floral mural painted in an elevator lobby of an apartment building using Golden Mural and Theme Paints. 10’x10’

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Mural Makers: Filomena Jack

MURAL MAKERS

Read, Write, Listen

Mural Artist: Filomena Jack
Location: Elmira, New York

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“Read, Write, Listen” is an abstract mural in downtown Elmira that is part of the Community Arts of Elmira Elmira Infinite Canvas initiative. The space is adjacent to a public park and not far from the Clemens Center Theater. The art piece includes a little library filled with free writing and journalling supplies. It is my hope that open mic type events for writers in the community will be hosted on site, using the mural as a backdrop. This project was funded by a NYSCA grant with the help of the Arts Council of the Southern Finger Lakes.

About the Mural:
Name: Read, Write, Listen
Size: approximately 900 sq. ft. tall
Products used: Golden Paintworks Mural & Theme Paint.
See it at:
79 E Water Street
Elmira, New York 14901
See a map of all Elmira Infinite Canvas murals here.

“Read, Write, Listen” work in progress. This is a backdrop for a community space including a little library with free writing and journaling supplies.

Detail of “Love” painted at the opposite end of the walkway from my “Read, Write, Listen” mural. I chose this spot because the wall looked a bit sad and many people use this space to walk to local shops. I wanted folks to feel loved!

About the Maker

Hi! I’m Filomena Jack, and artist in the Finger Lakes region of NY. I hold a BFA from Jersey City University. In addition to working on murals and other commissions I am a wedding event illustrator and hula hoop instructor. I love my jobs! My art is hyper colorful and intended to lift the spirits of the community with which it resides. I use design elements that have an upward flow to enhance the feeling of lift and levity. I prefer to create cute, quirky, and expressive designs.

How did you get started painting murals?
I starting working with murals thanks to Community Arts of Elmira’s Infinite Canvas Program. At first I volunteered helping more established muralists on their projects then gradually became one of the lead artists in the program.

Do you have any other projects coming up that you’d like to share?
I am happy to report that I have a number of fun projects on my upcoming agenda! “The Love Birds” (a very large depiction of three sweet and cartoony birds) will commence in a few days and I can’t wait to see this piece come to life!

There is a smaller piece going up at the Meals on Wheels headquarters (also in Elmira, NY) that is intended to be a reminder to the volunteers that they are loved and appreciated. Part of the design includes golden stars that will reflect in the light, it’s going to glow!

See more of Filomena Jack’s work:
Instagram: @FilomenaJackStudio
Facebook: facebook.com/FilomenaJackStudio
Website: FilomenaJackStudio.com

“The Landscape Transforms Us” painted for the Watkins Glen Chamber of Commerce.

“Elmira Community Cycle” painted with and for the community outside ECC’s community bike shop, with help from Elmira Infinite Canvas.

“Erin, NY” painted on a silo celebrating Erin’s history.

You might also be interested in:

Follow @GPWMuralPaints on social for more featured murals, events and more,
or head to our store to shop our Mural & Theme products.

Behind the Texture with Michelle Kesselman

Behind the Texture

with Michelle Kesselman

from Meesh Paints LLC

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Hi! I’m Michelle. I am the owner of Meesh Paints LLC, a decorative painting company in NYC. Although based in New York, I have painted all over the country as well as internationally. I paint residential and commercial spaces, painting anything from walls to floors to ceilings, furniture, canvas and more. My work is a reflection of my deeply rooted passion for painting and art. With decorative painting, the paths you can take are endless, and I am always excited and eager to explore.

Where are you from? Where and what did you study?
I am originally from New Jersey, but have lived in Brooklyn, New York for the last 7 years. I graduated from Indiana University Bloomington in 2010 with a degree in Studio Art with a concentration in printmaking and sculpture and a minor in Art History. In 2015, I attended the Van Der Kelen Institute for Decorative Painting in Brussels, Belgium.

What influences do you think shaped your approach to decorative art?
My teacher at Van Der Kelen, Denise Van Der Kelen, is a wizard with a brush and I had the honor of learning my foundational knowledge of decorative painting from her. I am heavily influenced walking in the streets of New York City daily, by the places I have traveled and cities I’ve lived in…intrigued by the details of everything around me to a fault- the hues of nature, the shapes of buildings, the textures of walls, and the way the colors, the look, and the feel of spaces change from day to night. I like to put a new twist to my finishes while still honoring ancient decorative painting techniques.

What’s your favorite part about your job?
My favorite part about my job is the creating and painting whilst bringing joy to people. If it’s an interactive paint job, a children’s bedroom, or even a canvas, to see that it’s making people feel something makes it all worth it.

Do you play music while you work and what kind?
I love playing music while I work (you’ll sometimes find me dancing on-site), it all depends on the day, the project and the mood! My playlist evolves all the time, but currently I’ve been listening to Billy Strings, Dope Lemon, Erykah Badu, Hiromi, Bobby Womack, and always the Grateful Dead. If it’s not music, it’s usually a True Crime podcast, and if it’s not a podcast it’s an audiobook (Just finished Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin).

If you had to pick just one color that represents you, what color would it be and why?
Blue — with its many different and unique shades, blue feels open and deep, warm and cool, fun and loud while also being soft and inviting.

When you’re not at work, what can we find you doing?
When I’m not at work, I’m either hanging out with my fiancé Jeremy and my dog Potato, traveling, escaping the city to nature, or spending quality time with friends.

Explore more of Michelle’s work at michellekesselman.com.

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Mural Makers: Zulu Painter

MURAL MAKERS

Spread Love

Mural Artist: Zulu Painter
Location: Binghamton, New York

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Recently I was able to paint in Binghamton, NY on the M&T Bank building (68 Exchange St.) with Golden Mural paint and Kobra spray paint. The mural I created is called “Spread Love”. This mural is about how the good deeds we do in the world (watering the rose) are not only beneficial to the initial receiver, but also have a butterfly effect that can create more beauty for others that wasn’t originally intended (the outline of the other roses).

About the Mural:
Name: Spread Love
Size: approximately 40 ft. tall
Products used: Golden Paintworks Mural & Theme Paint and Kobra Spray Paint.
See it at:
68 Exchange Street
Binghamton, New York 13901

Zulu Painter has the sketch up on the wall for the "Spread Love" mural.

Zulu Painter (left) is greeted by the M&T Bank President and the facilities manager in front of the "Spread Love" mural.

About the Maker

I am a freelance Visual Artist working out of St. Petersburg, Florida. My art features stimulating colors, bold design and mindful energy. My art life has been rooted in creation, collaboration and community.

What draws you to make public art?
Public art has the immediate opportunity to affect the community. It requires no fee to enter, is open year round and flash photography is allowed. Everyone can enjoy public art.

Do you have any other projects coming up that you’d like to share?
I am going to participate in a 48 hour mural festival in Jacksonville, Florida, the Paint Memphis Mural Festival and some Mindful Muralist Projects with many great artist friends. I’m also participating in the HULAWEEN Spirit of Suwannee Lake Music and Art Festival and Art With Me Art and Music Festival in Miami, FL.

See more of Zulu Painter’s work:
Instagram: @zulupainter1
Facebook: facebook.com/ZULUPAINTER1
Website: zulupainter.com

Painted in Sanford, Florida for an apartment complex with a mix of Golden Paintworks Mural & Theme Paint and Kobra Spray Paint.

This mural was painted for the 48 Hour Mural Competition in Jacksonville, Florida on 9/29/2023. It was painted in part with Golden Paintworks Mural & Theme Paint and various spray paint.

A fun mural project for a private residence in St. Petersburg, Florida, painted with Golden Paintworks Mural & Theme Paint and various spray paint.

You might also be interested in:

Follow @GPWMuralPaints on social for more featured murals, events and more,
or head to our store to shop our Mural & Theme products.

Behind the Texture with Jacqui Mason

Behind the Texture

with Jacqui Mason

from Alluring Wallscapes LLC

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I am one of those fortunate people who have been able to combine my cumulative life experiences and passion into developing my business Alluring Wallscapes LLC. I specialize in creating mesmerizing focal walls, mimicking high end wallpapers and transforming the appearance of ordinary surfaces giving them a remarkable and invigorating update.

How did you get into decorative arts and was it a career you saw for yourself early on?
Growing up, I worked with my mom in her antique store, “staging” areas for furniture display and helping her clients find just the right piece to achieve the atmosphere they wanted for their homes. Understanding a client’s style and vision is fundamental to the work that I do today, which I think of as a collaboration between us to bring their vision to life and sometimes to help them understand what works or doesn’t work in their space.

As a graduate of The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, I learned concepts of interior design: valuable insights of color theory, idea visualization marketing and communications. At my first job with a prestigious package design and marketing, I learned how research on consumer preferences/desires is then artistically fused and utilized to create the successful packaging of products. Some years later, I was inspired to start a home staging company which was unheard of at the time on the east coast.

After moving to Vero Beach in 2005 I participated in an advanced decorative finishing class offered by Faux Effects International. It changed the course of my professional and creative life, helping me to understand that I would rather be creating finishes than literally anything else! Under the tutelage of the industry’s top artisans from all over the United States I have transformed my passion into my livelihood! I am an active member of IDAL and the Vero Beach Art club.

On a personal note, I am very happily married, love to play tennis and enjoy the beauty and artistic opportunities all around me in scenic Vero Beach, FL.

What does a work day look like for you?
It all starts with consulting with my clients, in their home or professional space as well as in my studio where I have a large selection of samples and ideas boards to share. When we agree on the direction, I create samples for approval, and following that supplies are ordered and then it’s off I go to do the part I love most, application!

What’s the craziest paint spill you’ve ever had to clean up?
It was at the end of a long day – up and down my tallest ladder. I had my plaster and paints balanced on the top step. I knew I was tired and wobbly but rather than having to pack it all up I knocked into it and all my materials went flying – it took hours to clean up! Lucky nothing got ruined and I learned to quit when exhaustion threatens!

How would you describe your artistic style?
I employ a wide variety of designs and artistic styles from contemporary to rustic. The client’s vision drives the style. But I specialize on the abstract and whimsical side.

Do you prefer movies or books? And what genres?
Books for sure, variety is the key for me, I have a great many interests. I listen to a lot of audiobooks while I’m working, it keeps me company!

What’s your favorite paint color and why?
The seemly infinite hues and shades of blue reflected in the ocean and sky. The symbolism of vast open spaces, boundless power, mystery and feeling of serenity it gives me.

Explore more of Jacqui’s work at alluringwallscapes.com.

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Mural Makers: Brent Houzenga

MURAL MAKERS

Men Of Vision

Mural Artist: Brent Houzenga
Location: Johnson City, New York

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The iDistrict Project mural in Johnson City really came together perfectly. I’ve been interested in telling stories from history that I think need to be remembered in the times that we are living in. When I was first accepted into the project I was linked with the owners of the building, and the first story they told me was about George F. Johnson, the founder of the town, and the surrounding areas. He’s a local legend, and still a hero to the people of that town.

About the Mural:
Name: Men Of Vision
Size: approximately 30’x60’ (3 stories tall)
Products used: Golden Paintworks Mural & Theme Paint, Kobra Spray Paint, Poster Board, Masking Tape, X-acto Knife and Blades.
See it at:
17 Broad Street
Johnson City, New York 13790

About the Mural

George F. Johnson had a shoe factory which made every pair of boots for the soldiers in World War One. They were also the largest manufacturer through the Vietnam War.

He had a factory and was a businessman, but he was also kind of a socialist who took care of his employees and basically built the entire town. Employees had access to affordable housing, Johnson would build the houses and sell them to employees at cost. Employees also had free medical care and all sorts of other benefits. You can see why everyone loved him. And in my eyes, this is just a really rare story in capitalism. Could you imagine if all of the billionaires of today actually shared their wealth?! Imagine how much better everyone’s lives would be.

I have also had this experience of stories finding me, from the same time period as the photos. I’ve been using these types of photos as inspiration since I was 22 years old. Painting George F. Johnson was a no brainer.

As far as the design goes I repeated the “Warhol” squares which I have used in several murals, but also took the shape in the center from the Susquehanna River, and filled it with some of my signature abstraction I typically use in studio work. Throughout some of the mural I have stenciled the phrase “Home Of The Square Deal” – one of George F. Johnson’s slogans (that actually influenced Roosevelt’s “New Deal”). The other phrase stenciled throughout the design is “Men Of Vision” – the owners of the building had done some research on the history of the building, which used to house an optometrist. The owners had collected several ads which used this phrase. Not only do I like the phrase I also think it fits well with George F. Johnson.

Watch a time lapse of the mural being created here.

About the Maker

My name is Brent Houzenga. I’m from a rural community in Illinois originally. Lucky for me I got into comic books at an early age and later into punk rock and skateboarding. I always knew I wanted to do something with art but really had no clue how to go about it.

I went to Western Illinois University and studied fine art, turns out comic books don’t happen in the fine art department! I studied printmaking and graphic design, all the while playing in bands and using the things I learned about DIY to promote my bands, making posters, producing zines, and putting them everywhere.

How did you get started painting murals?
Murals really just came naturally with the territory and the type of work that I do.

I was viral before the internet! Ha! Right before graduation I found two photo albums from the 1890’s in someone’s trash. Again I didn’t know exactly what I was doing, but I started painting these people and immediately knew I was onto something. I was fortunate to have this experience, because finding these photos made me think about how short life is and begged the question: What do you want to do with your life? I’ve been painting these anonymous people for a little over 17 years.

I love that they are anonymous. I don’t know who they are but it is my thought that Everyone is meant to shine. Because they are anonymous but presented in this pop art style, viewers often want to know “who is that?” which has led me to depicting some of my heroes, and other figures whose stories I think need to be shared.

Do you have any other projects coming up that you’d like to share?
As of right now I am working on another mural proposal here in New Orleans. I also paint cars and am known around town for that. I am working on putting together a short documentary about my Art Cars and the people that drive them. I’m also working on putting together a book of essays about my life and work, which I hope to self publish.

See more of Brent Houzenga’s work:
Instagram: @houzenga
Facebook: facebook.com/brent.houzenga
Website: houzenga.com

"Get To The Pie", 20'x22', mixed media. Not a mural, but one of my largest installation works, created for the 2020 Farm/Art DTour in Wisconsin.

"Baldwin". My first mural where I ever kind of lifted the "Warhol" squares. Depicts James Baldwin, one of my heroes.

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