In a back part of the Areté complex, behind the building in which the Kirkland Chamber of Commerce resides, is a wall and a staircase I was commissioned to paint. From its inception, the subject of Salvador Dali and his influences had a pretty good hold of me, and I wanted to present something that might inspire artists old and new to pick up that brush and begin to create.
Depending upon your viewpoint, there are a few main themes presented, primarily of fish, paint and brushes.
On the central staircase the tubes of paint turn fish-like and swim within the water on the stair risers, the top fish breaking above the surface where the clouds tie in to those on the wall, both sides of the stairs.
Depending upon your viewpoint, there are a few main themes presented, primarily of fish, paint and brushes.
On the central staircase the tubes of paint turn fish-like and swim within the water on the stair risers, the top fish breaking above the surface where the clouds tie in to those on the wall, both sides of the stairs.
To the left of the stairs there is a partially covered canvas on an easel in and out of which fish-tubes swim.
To the right of the staircase is a large mason jar of paint brushes on a table (?), and a tube of paint swimming by.
A most enjoyable part of painting this feature was creating the look of the glass jar by simplifying the shapes that present themselves as the relief design on the jar. Little added touches like the illusion of the bottom corner curling up, or the image of Dali himself looking back from the right side of the jar, made this a delightful mural to paint. Little things too came to mind to tickle the imagination, like the imprint on the green pencil below: "I, Pencil".
Google it, read the original by Leonard Read or enjoy the vids on it, and join the conversation.
At the right of the mural, now on a metal plaque, is a quote by Salvador Dali : "A true artist is not one who is inspired, but one who inspires others." That puts the bar a bit higher, doesn't it.
A most enjoyable part of painting this feature was creating the look of the glass jar by simplifying the shapes that present themselves as the relief design on the jar. Little added touches like the illusion of the bottom corner curling up, or the image of Dali himself looking back from the right side of the jar, made this a delightful mural to paint. Little things too came to mind to tickle the imagination, like the imprint on the green pencil below: "I, Pencil".
Google it, read the original by Leonard Read or enjoy the vids on it, and join the conversation.
At the right of the mural, now on a metal plaque, is a quote by Salvador Dali : "A true artist is not one who is inspired, but one who inspires others." That puts the bar a bit higher, doesn't it.
And just to the left of this jar, under the steps, is Dali himself, looking back. This is suitably a Dali-esque anamorphic portrait, stretched out five to one, so that from under the stairs he's not quite there; but as you approach the stairs from the right, along the painted wall, you see him almost extending from the wall.
Seeing Dali from the side of the stairs.
His famous moustache was so elongated, that I painted a dude holding it up with a long, skinny crutch. Shrug. Cliche, I know...
His famous moustache was so elongated, that I painted a dude holding it up with a long, skinny crutch. Shrug. Cliche, I know...
What Dali looks like straight on, from beneath the stairs.