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…more artistic musings

The CLASSICAL Decorative Arts BLOG

Trained as a fine artist I soon found myself specializing in both Restoration and Conservation.

My artistic endeavors have taken me to London, Paris, Bruggs, Texas, Seattle Washington, Georgia, New York, Naples FL, Chicago.

This BLOG is the outcome from working in the both the Public and Private sector for 25 years.

Professional Restoration/Conservation artists find that they can not simply quit the job site after the ladders are removed, buckets emptied that one last time and all related supplies are finally put away for good. These retired professionals, if there is such a thing, are driven to continue.

salon 2013 exhibition panel — Salon 2013 Exhibition Panel Oil on Cambric Linen

Those Quick camera shots and pencil sketches have now been replaced with a Marco Lens and a fully loaded Urban Sketchers travel kit.

The Original TRAVEL SKETCH Vest

ARTISTIC juices continue to flow, only now in a smoother easier direction. Those scheduled research times are replaced by a leisure museum visit.

Sketches from SE ASIAN Room at ART MUSEUM in Chicago

HOME PAGE explains the existence of CLASSICAL Decorative Arts BLOG™ and why it has been written. BLOG POSTS are assigned random topics while MUSEUM VISITS focus’ on specific exhibits. HISTORICAL OBSERVATIONS are short informative little known facts about places, people and things. PAST WORK is an accumulation of highlighted commissions over the past 25 years. GALLERY hosts non commissioned works.

Please share my life long ARTISTIC ADVENTURES from the past and exciting new present.

CURRENT POSTS

The Perfect Color

…more artistic musings I remember vividly the very first time I was asked what color palette did I use. I had just completed my first oil masterpiece (at least I thought so) and thought it deserved a “proper” frame, perhaps something gilded? Stuffed the boys…

The Adventures of a Website Muse

…more artistic musings FINALLY being able to bring CLASSICAL Decorative Arts BLOG twelve year project to completion and thought it would be interesting to share my computer development adventures I’ve had over the years. DATE BOOK, TO DO JOURNAL, SPREADSHEET REQUIRED SPREADSHEET IN THE PAST…

POMPEIAN Room Recreated

…more artist musings POMPEIAN Room Corner and WALL by CLASSICAL Decorative Arts This HISTORICALLY correct ROMAN VILLA was re-created using Pompeii and Herculaneum, A.D. 79 for the reference. Both design and color palettes remained true to the original. Fireplace WALL~ Under SOFFIT Detail Under SOFFIT…

STENCILS

…more artistic musings STENCIL DECORATION has been used for embellishments for hundreds of years. My interest in this form of design began when I received the DRIEHAUS CAPITAL MANAGEMENT commission. The building where the office is located carries a historical presence in the City of…

FAUX Bois ~ FAUX Marble

…more artisic musings THOMAS KERSHAW (1819-1898) was the leading DECORATIVE ARTIST in England 1850’s. Making his skills in high demand to work extensively in BUCKINGHAM PALACE. During his life time he was known as “The Prince of Grainer and Marblers” by his contemporaries. Kershaw has…

TRAVEL SKETCHING: Liz Steel Classroom

…more artistic musings SIGNED UP FOR ANOTHER FABULOUS art instruction class with my favorite on-line Australian teacher, Liz Steel. Which brings to mind a gift I received from my dear Uncle Leonard over 40 years ago. One day he presented me with a box full…

LOUIS SULLIVAN Rediscovered : Lecture

…more artistic musings LOUIS SULLIVAN (1856-1924) the American Architect often referred to as father of modern design, mentor to Frank Lloyd Wright and creator of the modern skyscraper was my inspiration for a guest lecture given during the INTERNATIONAL SALON in Atlanta, GA. this lecture…

LIZ STEEL Online Education

…more artistic musings I came across LIZ STEEL’S Online Sketching Courses in 2014 and so glad that I did. The discovery came at a really good time as I was going through down sizing with CLASSICAL DECORATIVE ARTS. At a cross road as to what’s…