Norman J. Levy Lakeside School Murals

The Norman J. Levy lakeside school was the perfect venue for some interesting and fun mural work. There were seven pre-existing panels in the cafeteria that were just BROWN. These ugly brown panels were begging for some excitement. the PTA President , and principal contacted me and we shot around some ideas, until we came up with filling the areas with the subjects in the schools curriculum. I submitted sketches that featured math, social studies, science, reading , art, and gym for their approval. I was also asked to come up with an idea to fill a large space high above the kitchen window. I painted the murals in three days over this past Christmas vacation, the students and faculty have not seen any of the work yet! This is my favorite part, seeing the reactions of the kids when they first go back to school on Monday.

PDPA SUMMIT

This is a summit our industry has been in need of for a while. I hope to be able to attend in September 2010. Hit the link above for all the information you need to learn about the workshops and lectures that will take place. The summit is being launched by my good friend Patrick Ganino a true leader and innovator in the industry of decorative painting.

Art League Long Island

The annual member exhibition will take place in two parts this year due to such a large participant out pouring over the summer. The first exhibition will be on November 8- 29, 2009 - reception November 8 from 3-5 pm. The second part of the exhibition will be on December 6 - 27, 2009- the reception December 6 from 3-5 pm. The juror for this show will bw Lynda Anderson from Lynda Anderson galleries in Locust valley. I will be exhibiting my painting in the secon half of the show. The Art Leauge of Long Island is located at 107E Deer Park RD in Dix Hills. The Jeanne Tennelson gallery is a lovely gallery and a wonderful venue for exhibiting work. The reception promises to be an afternoon of diverse artwork and a delightful mix of talented artists and collectors alike.

The Best Of Long Island

Once again we have been nominated by the Long Island Press in the "Best Artist" category. This is the third year as a company for us to be honored by this newspaper. We have won the title for 2008 and 2009 ! We hope to win for 2010 . We are very proud to even be nominated again and are looking foward to the results in December. For those of you who would like to vote, and we NEED votes!!! Please hit the link above and go to the "arts and entertainment" section we are located in the "Artists" section. Or go to www.longislandpress.com/bestof/ The Long Island Press is a weekly paper that covers the heart and sole of issues, happenings and areas of Long island, look for it in your local supermarket or subscribe to delivery.

A hotel lobby in your living room!

Recently I was contacted by clients who wanted the feel of a hotel lobby in thier entryway and living room areas. HMMMMM how do we create that breezy, relaxed island atmosphere? We worked together in coming up with ideas that would include murals in 6 built in panels as well as a massive barrel cieling. On the wall facing the "water fall" wall, I designed a mural that created the feel of a veranda opening out onto a beach . We included palms, birds, lush tropical plants and a rock waterfall. On either side of the actual water wall we decided to paint an actual hotel lobby scene complete with a baby grand piano, inviting wing back chairs, plants and wine! The completed mural was finished off with a sky mural painted on the barrel cieling. Finishing off the wood work surrounding the murals I crackled and distressed an off white color semi gloss paint over a copper verdigris tropical blue. The effect is a very weathered and Carribean like wood finish. Now when you walk into this entryway you can almost hear the steel drums beckoning you for a margherita and a cool ocean breeze.

LG Salon a study in metal and texture

LG salon , recently opened in Amityville, a lovely high end salon with a big open and inviting floor plan. When you walk in you are greeted with smiles from owners Larry and his wife Nicole, then it's off for color, cut or style whichever you prefer. The salon offers everything from hair cuts and color to nails and waxing. We did a silver , copper, and gold dutch metal finish over crackled walls, the results give a luminous quality to the environment and are a nice contrast in color and texture to the rustic brickwork on the opposing walls. Located in the Five Guys shopping mall, LG Salon has plenty of parking and is conveniently located on Merrick Rd.

Tissue Finishes and beyond....

One of my favorite finishes to do is a tissue finish. I love the variations you can get with the tissue, from rich supple leather looks to ultra modern and sophisticated looks with metals. Recently i started applying the tissue and activating my metal paints with an activating spray. The results on the tissue are spectaular. The fun of this of course is the element of surprise because you never really know what your going to get as far as pattern and reaction depth. I use Modern Masters metal reactive paints and sprays, Baroque and Blue Patina being my favorites. My most recent project was a small powder room for a long time client. I did a dark eggplant base color to apply my tissue and then randomly applied Statuary Bronze, baroque and Copper paints. When Sprayed with the blue patina solution the results were phenominal. the beauty of these finishes are the tissue, all the metal and patina get caught in the cracks and folds, delivering a lovely surface that invites the viewer to touch it.

St Elizabeth Seton school

Updating and creating a warm environment for Catholic School children. Most schools in general have an "antiseptic" type hospital feel about them . St. Elizabeth Seton school in Bellemore was no exception. When I was contacted by Joe Maniscalco, (head of the Father's Guild) to transform the 2 vast cafeterias and entryway. I had some very definative ideas about what I wanted to achieve. The principal, Leann Graziose, was a dream to work with, her only wish was to include the Noah's Arc theme mural in the foyer connecting the two cafeterias. The rest was up to me, she stated "if you see a spot that needs paint, knock yourself out" - so I did! The main entrance was treated with religious theme mini murals depicting the seasons of the church. I used a mosaic cross stencil and hand painted scrolls and leaves. Cafeteria one has an all out fun feast for the eyes mural depicting fantasy dragons, mermaids , princesses and space. Cafeteria two is hosting a Dali reproduction featuring butterflies and vast perspective. The Noah's Arc themed mural shows the Arc breaking through the wall of the school and the animals are strategically scattered through out the corridors. I believe the paintings have indeed created a fun and more creative environment for the children and I hope they enjoy them as much as I enjoyed creating them.

Cafe Gio gets a new look

The lovely resturant Cafe Gio located on Sunrise Highway in West Babylon recently had some new addistions added to its already cozy and inviting decor. Sal the hospitable and friendly owner asked me to decorate the large frames around two huge tray cielings overlooking the diningrooms. I handpainted scrolls in liquid gold leaf on a metalic copper plaster. The results look bright, interesting and very pretty. Cafe Gio, known for it's brick over pizza among other tasty dishes, also features a large wood sign over the main brick oven, I painted a mural with an old world style Italian chef and some pizza fixings here. If you are in the mood for some great food and a lovely atmosphere check out Cafe Gio

Summer Fun on Long Island

The best place to live in my humble opinion is Long Island. I do not think people realize the abundance of natural beauty this island has to offer. When a person has the luxury of exploring this gem of a place by sea, the wonders never cease. I was out jetskiing last week on the glorious great South Bay, the sun blaring, waves crashing in my salt stung eyes, wind blowing through my hair and all I kept thinking was this is the life!! I felt such gratitude in being able to experience this wonderful place, and cherish it as if it were my own backyard. The tide was real low, just south of the Robert Moses Causeway, we stopped and got of our skis. The water was a mere 18 inches tops. There were bushels of clams, crabs and sea snails everywhere. I picked up a coch shell the size of a football!.. Of course I brought it home to add to my collection. Then we headed over to Fire Island....whew was it hot! Figuratively and literally! Little didwe know ther area of beach we moored on was nude...Then we spotted a very naked man who looked exactly like Santa emerge from the surf..we new we either had to take it all off or head for the bar...Sangria won out and we will be happy to be keeping our tan lines thank you very much! On the way over to the bar we saw a family of deer in the grass just beneath the light house, what a place!! The lighthouse was crawling with people. Kismet is a quaint and lovely little place to beach comb, relax or just throw a few back. Our ride home was choppy, exciting and very wet! I love my little slice of heaven.