Murals
Libbey Memorial Physical Medicine Center
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The Mirage of Murals
Trompe l'oeil murals create a magnificent focal point, extending the boundaries of interior walls.
• by A Contributing Writer •
From bedrooms and bathrooms to dining rooms and kitchens, murals can go just about anywhere; there are no limits to this creative art form. Mural painting, sometimes known as trompe l'oeil, has been around for centuries. Early mural decorations adorned tombs, temples and sanctuaries. But the Renaissance period, more than any other, cultivated the divine creativity of technical skill and artistic expression.
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.
"A couple wanted something really big and tasteful," says Groden. The man and his wife were searching for the perfect piece of art for their master bathroom when they were introduced to him. "My wife wanted a nude painted in the bathroom," the husband said, and Groden came up with Botticelli's
"The Birth of Venus,"with the wife as Venus, which stands at an imposing seven feet tall. They were quite impressed with Groden's talent, so they commissioned him to paint several more murals. "We're big wine connoisseurs and wanted a mural of the French wine country." And so, with the stroke of a brush, their kitchen was painted to resemble the beautiful French countryside.
The resurgence of hand-painted murals reflects the desire for a more unique approach to expressing personal style. Just as color sets the mood, so does a trompe l'oeil mural.
"Some people think they can't afford to do it... but it really depends on the size and how elaborate the mural is."
-Randy Groden
A mural can bring the illusion of life indoors while trompe l'oeil art such as columns, stone walls and moldings can add character to a space stripped of architectural detail. "They add to the architecture of the house, especially if it is applied directly to the wall," explains artist Randy Groden of Maui Hawaii.
"When I do a mural, there is life in the room. When people walk into the room, there is a feeling that there is something else there. A mural really makes that happen because anybody can go to a gallery and buy a piece of art and hang it on their wall, but when they have something painted it really becomes personal," he says. "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 several thousand dollars to $150 thousand. It just depends on the client and how special they want their home to be. Averaging around $4.50 to $6.50 a sq. inch for the most lavish murals.
Of course those
are usually clients that like to keep their murals private, and I am always discreet, I have to be. They have to decide if they want a "Rolls Royce" Mural by Randy Groden or the "Economy Version". " he adds.
Groden is the master artist behind the trompe l'oeil in the renewed Libby Bathhouse in Hot Springs. He was given carte blanche to create whatever he thought would appropriately fit the style of the existing bathhouse, and he decided on early Roman bathhouse scenes.
It is important to note that not every mural is trompe l'oeil. The difference lies in both the skill and experience of the artist. "It is the same type of thing as with portraits, or with any kind of art work that you are going to commission; there are tons of wonderful artists around, but you want to hire a professional and someone who fits your style.
You have to really appreciate their work and have confidence in their ability," Groden says. The effects of a mural have a lasting impact on you and everyone who enters your home. Groden is also trained in Creative painting Marbling, Marblizing, and many wood grains.
Testimonials
"Excellent! I have seen many murals that were just blah, but yours are truly Fine Art. We love living with them and actually looking at them daily. Thank you!"
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Gabriel Green-Mitchell
"The twenty Luxury Murals that you painted for us at our Spa have been and will be talked about for years. We have tourists that pose in front of them every day to take back with them. You are certainly a fine Artist"
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Pam and Dewy Crow
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Oman, Palm Islands, Earth Islands, Interior Decorator Dubai Murals, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Gulf Murals, Doha Murals, Royal Palaces, R. Groden can suggest alternatives beyond wall painted murals. He is easy to deal with and very professional. Randy Groden can work on both small and large projects.
Randy Groden is always interested in working together with other nationalities and international companies.
For some time now, Groden has been active in looking for projects in the Middle East region, for The Best Murals and sensuous portraits, Groden brings a wealth of experience doing projects with people from all over the world. R. Groden is based in Hawaii. R. Groden wants to be the Premier Fine Artist, Muralist, for Oman, and Dubai as well as Abu Dhabi....and have his work in many residences,
including work in villas and majlises for many members of the royal family. Groden also is one of the best at restoration of aged and weathered fine art and Murals.
Work on international projects outside Hawaii gives Groden the possibility of further developing his talent. The Arab world with its cultural history, especially in the area of architecture and interiors rich in colour and form, is just as much inspiration as Hawaiian art and culture. High-end Murals and Interior-Design Projects for clients with discriminating taste are Groden's specialties.
Throughout the world the best muralist and artists Interior Designers have been commissioned by royalty and the very wealthy to decorate their homes with lavish imagery and colors. Walls and ceilings were adorned with Murals. Luxury Fine Art Murals.
Dubai Information
THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES HISTORY
UAE has an ancient history. Civilizations flourished here 5000 years ago. Arab tribes who had migrated from different parts of the Arabian Peninsula comprised the community.
In the medieval times, the Arabian Gulf rose to prime importance as a crossroad between Europe and East Asia which was a big source of supplies of silk and spices to the Europeans. The Portuguese sent their military fleet to capture this strategic position and occupied Sukatra, Muscat, Sahar, Khor Fakkan, Ras-Al-Khaimah and Hormuz Strait.
The Portuguese were routed and forced to withdraw after 100 years. Other colonial powers too started competing with each other to gain control over this area.
The British wanted to control the sea-routes to safeguard their trade with India. The Qawasim tribe offered fierce resistance to what they saw as an invading foreign power and frequently attacked British ships. The British retaliated by attacking and burning the coastal towns. A unique permanent treaty was signed in 1853 with the British to end fighting in the Gulf. This Perpetual Treaty of Maritime Truce is the only one of its kind in the world. It allowed the British to look after the foreign affairs and external defense of the Trucial States without interfering in the internal affairs of the emirates.
I would wish to help the Sultan Quboos accomplish the list below.
Art and Craft Education and Its Institutions in Oman
Dr. Mohammed Al-Amri
College of Education
Curriculum and Instruction Department
Sultana Qaboos University, Oman
The general aims for the Art Curriculum in the Oman Basic Education
The general aims of the Art Education curriculum were developed from these postulates. The general aims for art curriculum in the Oman Basic Education are:
1) To identify the aesthetics and artistic values in the components of Omani environment and tradition handcrafts, and work to develop them by creative ideas according to students' abilities and their level of intellectual maturity.
2) To recognise the importance of materials in the environment and their relation with styles of implementation in art and work in economical way toward the consumption of rationalisation.
3) To recognise the tools needed to produce artworks and work towards keeping and preserving them.
4) To develop the students' abilities for artistic appreciation of the aesthetic values of Omani art and to foster creative development of such art.
5) To improve the artistic, and appreciative abilities of the students in such a way as to help them express their reality and future visualisations.
6) To help students develop skills to express opinions and judge artworks.
7) To help students acquire the skill of observation, the ability to finish work appropriately and the ability of mastery.
8) To foster cooperative learning through the use of group work in producing different artworks.
9) To develop students' abilities in terms of their needs, interests and artistic readiness.
10) To form plastic and artistic attitudes derived from Omani artistic heritage, Islamic and Arabic Arts through visiting museums and places of antiquity.
11) To foster the development of students' abilities and increase their level of artistic skill.
12) To appreciate the values of different kinds of artworks and respect those who created them.
13) To participate in developing and beautifying the surrounding environment, such as school and home.
14) To participate in national and international contests and represent the Sultanate in Gulf, Arab, Global contests..
15) To help students’ form attitudes around contemporary issues and concepts and to help them express these visually through different artistic topics.
16) To help students use their leisure times in producing advantageous artworks.
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