Murals are a skillful attempt at illusion. They expand our horizons and have the ability to transport us to another time and place. In their
simplest form, murals are a decorative work for a specific area to expand the space we live in and the common wall provides muralists, hobbyists and artists alike the canvas needed to create illusion, beauty and delight on a grand scale.
Whether you are in search for the perfect mural or muralist or simply long to know more about this deeply rooted artform, here are a collection of interesting facts about murals and their makers and how they've shaped our history and world.
5 Interesting Facts about Murals and their Makers
1. Murals have largely been inspired by 6 main topics:
a. religion
b. the four season (spring, summer, fall & winter)
c. historical events
d. ages of man
e. politics
f. social issues
2. Mural Program Instituted By President Roosevelt
In 1933 President Franklin Roosevelt initiated a mural program for out-of-work artists under the American New Deal. It was a remarkable act of patronage that enabled artists involved to earn a small wage and helped reduce the devastating effects of the Depression. The program was called the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The murals made art accessible to people and it commissioned local artists to paint public buildings.
3. Ceilings Are the Hardest Physical Part
A ceiling is by far the hardest physical task for a muralist. It takes a lot of energy to stand for hours with an outstretched arm above the head
and still maintain accuracy and attention to detail. But have no fear...muralists are masters of this uncomfortable task and make it look
easy as their work (if their any good) is never compromised.
4. Do You Get What You Pay For? Sometimes.
Costs of murals depend on the amount of talent and fame held by the muralist. People have been known to spend anywhere from hundreds to hundreds of thousands of dollars on a mural. The price partly depends on the size of the wall, how long it takes to complete and the complexity of the design.
5. The Past Inspires the Future
Muralists today look towards the past for inspiration, especially towards France and Italy. And why wouldn't they? They can study the grandeur and excesses of the Boroque and the frescoes of Giambattista Tiepolo, created for palaces, churches and villas.
Fascinating and rich with history, murals are as interesting as their creators. Muralists are multifaceted, skilled painters who are versatile in
their ability to paint on various surfaces with great skill and attention to detail. They are eager to tackle any style of architecture and any size
room or wall that needs to be transformed.
Muralists are fascinating creatures who have big shoes to fill since Italian masters like Michelangelo, Veronese and Teipolo set the standard
centuries ago for which murals and muralists are still measured by today.
Veteran muralist, Michael Cooper, has been painting for about 20 years! He runs an incredibly successful mural business, teaches on the side and has created a one stop shop for mural supplies. His work is jaw-dropping and his jokes are funny! Check him out! http://www.muralsupplies.com. Be sure to visit his blog at http://gopaintsomething.com for tips, tricks, techniques and industry news!
