PUBLIC Commissions

...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 the destination of being registered with London’s WORSHIP COMPANY of PAINTERS-STAINERS, the organization that had its beginnings during 1283, Middle Ages.

Today, examples of KERSHAW work can be viewed at VICTORIA and ALBERT MUSEUM, London England.

Being a student of Bill HOLGATE and my association with INTERNATIONAL SALON introduced me to the work of THOMAS KERSHAW.

GOLDEN OAK ~ CLASSICAL Decorative Arts

BIRDS EYE MAPLE (upper left) ~ WALNUT (upper right) ~ BIRDS EYE MAPLE (lower right) ~ BURL WALNUT (bottom) ~ CLASSICAL Decorative Arts

RESTORATION ~ Commercial ~ CLASSICAL Decorative Arts

RESTORATION – Commerical CONDO ~ CLASSICAL Decorative Arts

Restoration at MAYSLAKE PEBODY ESTATE, OakBrook IL

Trompe l’oeil ANTIQUE YELLOW SIENNA ~ CLASSICAL Decorative Arts

THIS PARTICULAR colored ANTIQUE YELLOW SIENNA marble was used extensively by Louis XIV in the Palace of VERSAILLE. So much so that the marble currently needs to be rendered by FAUX MARBLIZING because the original source is scarce.

THE ABOVE EXAMPLE of ANTIQUE YELLOW SIENNA was my submission and final acceptance into the INTERNATIONAL SALON of DECORATIVE PAINTERS in 2000.

WHITE CARRARA ~ GREEN VERDE ~ WHITE SIENNA MARBLE ~ CLASSICAL Decorative Arts

GREEN VERDE MARBLE ~ CLASSICAL Decorative Arts

WHITE CARRARA ~ DETAIL ~ Private Residence

CHICAGO THEATRE RESTORATION PROJECT

BLACK VEINED MARBLE ~ CLASSICAL Decorative Arts

…more artistic musings

THE CABLE HOUSE is a Richardsonian Romanesque style manson was built by Cobb & Frost in 1886 for Ransom R Cable, president of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway. Designated as a Chicago Landmark on October 2, 1992. The investment firm of Driehaus Capital Management, Inc. currently own and occupy the building.

The Richard Driehaus assignment was a multi facet project requiring several years to complete. The work of RENAISSANCE and BAROQUE artists were researched extensively. Relying on ART DECO, BAROQUE and Louis Sullivan designs as historical references, while incorporating personal sketches from nature studies. CLASSICAL DECORATIVE ARTS was able to transform the six bathrooms, entry foyer ceiling and the CARRIAGE HOUSE of this mansion into unique timeless jewels.

STENCIL COLLECTION PROMOTIONAL BROCHURE

GIOVANNI BATTISTA TIEPOLO inspiried CEILING MURAL ~ by CLASSICAL DECORATIVE ARTS ~ Driehaus Capital Management

MURAL was painted while on scaffolding suspended 20 feet. Executed in oil and taking approximately 420 hours to complete.

DETAIL of CEILING MURAL ~ Driehaus Capital Management

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In 1996 CLASSICAL DECORATIVE ARTS recreated the reconstructed TRADING ROOM wing at Driehaus Capital Management, 25 East Erie in Chicago, IL. Project required extended onsite museum research and months of studio preparation before work could commence at the Cable House. Several approaches were used to bring the project to completion.

AFTER walls were measured and the appropriate scale of design determined to recreate the LOUIS SULLIVAN Stock Exchange, stencils were applied to the walls. Afterwards, the ceiling canvas reproduction was completed in the studio and hung by a professional.

The walls of the recreation required CLASSICAL DECORATIVE ARTS to use 64 hand drawn and cut stencil overlays and 33 individually mix-to-match colors prepared on site to reproduce the room as Louis Sullivan originally intended.

THE ETCHED GLASS transom window, above the French door was inspired by Sullivan and designed by CLASSICAL DECORATIVE ARTS.

Transom Window Preliminarily Sketches

L-SULLIVAN-Stencil-10_22_07

LOUIS SULLIVAN STENCIL COLLECTION PROMOTIIONAL BROCHURE

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Architects Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler designed the original Chicago Exchange, built in 1893-94. When the Stock Exchanged was demolished in 1972, sections of Sullivans’ elaborate stenciled decorations, molded plaster capitals and art glass were preserved from the TRADING ROOM. Using these fragments from the Art Institute of Chicago was then able to reconstruct the Trading Room in its new wing in 1976-77.

CEILING CIRCLE DESIGN STUDY

…more artistic musings

...more artistic musings

The OLD STATE CAPITAL, located in Springfield IL is a living history museum (1839-1867) that has significant historical value because it represents and preserves all that was of our 16th President. Lincoln’s best known speech “HOUSE DIVIDED” was delivered in the House of Representatives Chamber. In addition, it was this very same chamber that the public waited hours to pay their final respects to their beloved President, Abraham Lincoln.

Illinois HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES CHAMBER ~ focused view

This historical landmark is filled with authentic period furniture and objects from the past that often beg questions from inquisitive visitors. Guides were dressed in period clothing glided through the building while offering timed tours to their guests.

Often, General Grant could be seen making an appearance while giving an in-character narration that engaged the visitors, while the Boys-in-Blue tend to an authentic recreated Civil War campsite.

GENERAL GRANT ~ center staircase ~ YANKEE LADIES GREETING GUESTS

Boys-in-Blue Campsite Recreated

After answering the call for “specialty” painters submitted by the IHPA, CLASSICAL DECORATIVE ARTS traveled to Springfield IL to participate in the bidding procedure.

Upon being awarded this procurement, work began in June and would require a six month obligation to complete

Our assignment for the IHPA was to recreate imitation oak wood aka FAUX BOIS on both the north and south portico doors, inside and outside.

Before any historical restoration could begin all doors needed to be stripped, primed along with appropriate base coat matched to the original from 1839-1867. To do this a small chip of paint had been salvaged from small scrapings.

TIME HAD NOT TREATED had not these entry doors very well. So much so, that by the time restoration began we were dealing with layers of peeling varnish, weathered sun-bleached paint and mold. Not to mention years of built up debris in the corners of the door moldings that required hours of scrapping with my always handy x-acto knife.

OSC SOUTH ENTRY