There is a world of color out there, and that also sums up the color trend for 2009: Going Global. Palettes feature this global concept and embrace nature and natural tones of sand and stone. (Insets in this article demonstrate how Imago Dei treatments are right in line with current trends.)
Experts in interiors have many similarities in their palette choices. However, they all agree, the stand out color for 2009 is yellow, particularly a rich golden yellow. Yellow is a color long associated with embracing opposing concepts and qualities like oriental and occidental, contemporary and traditional, spiritual and intellectual. It is a color that transcends national cultures and preferences in its ability to communicate optimism, respect, radiance and well-being. Color psychologists associate yellow with forward thinking and communication and for this reason is highly suitable for schools, libraries and other institutions of learning and study. People who favor yellow in psychological tests are found to be creative, inspirational and intellectual.

According to Sherwin-Williams, the bold,saturated hues that have dominated palettes for the past few seasons are yielding to more complex, toned-down shades. And the new neutral is gray, ranging from warm to cool tones. it can relax and cool down an interior, but can also carry a chic and contemporary vibe. Gray plays well in both residential and commercial spaces. Sherwin-Williams color forecast organized by color families http://www.multihousingnews.com/multihousing/content_display/features/e3i1e5a2e8d39dee10860a1f55aa87b3b19 . A free color deck is available at http://activerain.com/blogsview/715026/Free-Color-Deck-Sherwin-Williams-Color-Trends-2009.

Dupont’s site http://www2.dupont.com/Surfaces_Commercial/en_US/design_inspiration/color_trends/index.html created their color report in conjunction with Global Color Research, a London firm, and came up with four trends: Oxygen, bright, clean and calm pastels that rejuvenate Desert, muted natural tones, minerals and blue sky Relic, vintage and modern contrast using a wine country palette with tarnished metals Jungle, a sensitive investigation of the exotic using foliage tones with bright accents. Dupont also offers a Color Trends brochure with a click from this page. Pantone Home+Interiors 2009 preview video http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/look/look-color-trends-for-2009-053670 is worth watching. It descriptively lists eight trendy palettes including Wine Country with taupe, olive and (duh) wine; Wanderings include dijon yellow, mystic gray and rose. Honesty has tender greens, tans, unbleached white; Discerning Tastes mixes crystal, metallic silver & gold and sumptuous surfaces; Reveries relaxes with lilac, mauve, purple and lavender. The Solar Energy palette employs mandarin, gold, red, gray and yellow greens; Breathe Easy with cool blues, crisp white, muted greens, blue-violet; Animate with color clashes of red, vibrant blues and apricot.

Benjamin Moore Director of Color, Doty Horn worked for two years to identify the trends for 2009 http://ezinearticles.com/?Color-Trends-2009&id=1557227 She believes the real trend is personalization, people choosing for themselves what they are emotionally attracted to. The four main trends she has identified are Raw, minimal and neutral; Urban Silence, city grays mixed with organic greens and rusts; Simplexity, complex blends that bend the boundaries of hues; and Private Identity, bright, bold and unexpected.

Denise Turner of Colorturners has some simple yet very timely comments for interior colors for 2009. Visit http://kbdeltavee.blogspot.com/2008/08/kitchen-and-bath-color-trends-for-2009.html for her color insights.

Color trends are not set by a grad students throwing darts at a fan deck. Years of research and tidy sums of money go into compiling color forecasts, but when all is said and done, It’s up to you to personalize your own space with the colors that inspire and comfort you. You can travel the world of color, but there’s no place like home to enjoy it.

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What do Picasso, Sherlock Holmes and Rocky the Squirrel have in common? They’re all residents of Lexington, Kentucky lawyer Al Kratzer’s basement. Kratzer decorated the walls entirely with black marker. Content includes references and likenesses of famous artists, authors and family members. Check out http://www.kentucky.com/147/story/532854.html to see a 360 of the whole room and read the article from the local paper. I’m not saying this guy is a trendsetter in interior design, but look what a little homemade creativity can do. I'll be bringing you more "Cool Things People Do" in the future.

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The artists of Imago Dei recently completed a magnificent mural in the cupola dome and turret in the expansive foyer of a grand private residence in the Champion Forest area. Over three months in the making, the 18-foot diameter dome with a 7-foot drop down turret was designed by master artist Jamie Wells of Imago Dei. 

The amazing feat of trompe l’oeil (French for “trick the eye”) was a custom design for a client-specific request to fool the viewer into believing that the ceiling contained a massive carved stone turret structure graced with a heavenly vision. The piece was to specifically reflect the theme of the home which is “ad majorem dei gloriam” … “For the greater glory of God.” In this home, the angels in heaven are constantly giving glory to God and viewers who glimpse this bit of paradise are invited to join them in the celestial celebration. 

Wells gathered inspiration from the Baroque period, in particular the Italian artist Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri) whom she master copied his trumpeting angel. Wells also used images gathered from travels in through Florence, Sienna and Rome. Symbolism, as well as ornate detail, was a major aspect of paintings from that period and is evident here in the use of the dove, the trumpet and chandelier. The piece was painted in Golden Acrylics using over 110 brushes smaller than the size of a dime. Gilding and embossing of the haloes and other detailing adds a striking richness. Jamie and seven other artisans from Imago Dei painted as Michelangelo on scaffolding 42 feet off the ground. The artists had to hold yoga-like positions for hours to work on such fine detailing in order to achieve the realism the piece demanded. In addition to Jamie and co-owner Jeremy Wells, Artisans included Steve Bielstein, Eva Ann Hardcastle, Luis Angulo, Jimmy Houston, Rissa Thomas and Roberto Ramirez. Models were used to accurately depict the foreshortened perspective and the rich folds of fabric that entwine the figures. The final optical illusion is breathtakingly believable and completely draws in the beholder. 

Love trompe l’oeil? These homeowners do and Imago Dei is currently working on another “trick the eye” for them that will be one for the history books. Be sure to look for that in the coming months.

Check out these books for more on this art style: the Italian Frescoes series, includes The Age of Giotto, 1280-1400, The Early Renaissance 1400-1470, The Flowering of the Renaissance 1470-1510, High Renaissance and Mannerism 1510-1600, and The Baroque Era 1600-1800, all published by Abbeville Press. Also consider Francesco Buranelli’s Between God and Man: Angels in Italian Art by Mississippi Museum of Art. For inspiring trompe l’oeil, look up Grand Illusions by Caroline Cass, published by Phaidon.

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We can create a custom digital mural and install it directly on your walls. You may also choose a custom reproduction of fine art at a fraction of the cost of the original and have it framed to hang on your walls. These giclée prints are widely accepted in the professional art world as the best reproduction method for fine art color accuracy, ability to capture nuance, detail and texture. By printing directly on canvas we can achieve results that make it very difficult to tell the print from the original. The special inks are scratch resistant and tested to be archival for over 200 years.

Derived from the French, "giclée" means "sprayed" and is an advanced digital printmaking technology involving archival quality inks that are finely jet streamed onto fine archival papers and canvasses. Giclée printing provides superior color accuracy and incredible detail over other modes of reproduction.

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Natural sunlight is definitely not the best for fine art or decoratively painted surfaces. The infrared and ultraviolet (UV) rays of natural sunlight can damage works of art if directly exposed. Also, it is generally very difficult to control.

Fluorescent bulbs are wrong for several reasons; they emit UV rays and don’t use the full color spectrum, causing art (and complexions) to look flat and lifeless. Artwork aside, new research is reporting that fluorescent bulbs are being linked to skin cancer for many people who are sensitive to specific wavelengths of light that are emitted by fluorescent bulbs.

Incandescent bulbs emit strongly from the warm end of the spectrum, highlighting yellows, reds and oranges, but losing cool tones. 

Imago Dei recommends using halogen bulbs for the best “pure”, non-damaging, close-to-full-spectrum white light. While slightly more costly than incandescents, they last three times longer. Using a 90 watt PAR 38 bulb is sufficient ambient for most rooms and can be used with existing recessed lighting. Whether to use a flood or spot depends on the height of the ceiling and the degree of the light. For most rooms a 30 degree flood bulb should work fine. If you have track lighting already in place then you should look for an MR16 bulb to provide similar light if possible. As you can see in the scale below halogen is closer to white than incandescent and warmer than fluorescent.

There is much research being done on LED lighting materials. This may, in the near future, provide a viable option for interior lighting that is even better than halogen. Our friends over at Lighting Unlimited  http://www.lulighting.com  would be glad to discuss your interior lighting needs. They have many lighting consultants on staff ready and waiting to assist.

LEDs were recently installed in a large condominium project in Toronto, the first residential installation of LEDs in North America, using MR16 bulbs which draw only 4 watts. Compare that to the halogen MR16 drawing 35 watts each and you see where this is going. The CCT and CRI indexes are vastly improving on these LEDs to meet approval of interior designers and fine art collectors. We will keep you posted in this newsletter as more information becomes available.

Halogen light bulbs have become a popular choice for consumers these days, in part, because these lighting materials emit more light, they are found at most hardware stores and are brighter than standard incandescent ones. While this type is generally part of the incandescent lighting sphere, it is known to have a better lifespan than the standard ones. According to home lighting experts, halogen lighting materials offer more safety and savings advantages to homeowners, mainly due to their efficiency and longer lifespan. These lighting materials are usually compact, have the ability to be dimmed and are considered to be truly elegant, long-lasting alternatives to the usual household lighting materials. They are also perfect for use in different tasks or activities, and spotlighting art. When shopping for bulbs we recommend inspecting the glass cover of the bulb and look for one with a smooth surface ideally with no pattern or texture on the glass so as to not cause any “hot spots” of light. 

So, let there be light! Make the switch.

D

Things are Looking Up in the Woodlands Showcase Home. Especially on the parlor ceiling where we did a custom medallion & border stencil. But that’s not all… ONLY FOUR DAYS LEFT! Don’t miss this inspirational home open for touring now through Nov 23. Delayed by Ike, but worth the wait.

Imago Dei

A throng of paparazzi gathered in front of the 1920’s warehouse turned trendy venue, bulbs flashing, shouts of “Who are you wearing?!” coming from all directions. The next car pulls up, the valet opens the door and out steps.... Imago Dei?

No, it wasn’t a Hollywood premier but it was the “Premier Event” for Houston’s interior design community. The Texas Gulf Coast Chapter of ASID held their annual Awards Gala at Warehouse Live on October 26th. The event was bumped up like many events in Houston due to IKE but was well worth the wait.

Jeremy, Jamie and I traded our painting aprons and business casual for the glitz and glam of cocktail attire and joined other ASID Industry Partners in supporting our wonderful friends in Interior Design.

The energized atmosphere, the eclectic decorations, the international fare all set the stage for the long anticipated acknowledgement of the “best of the best”. The winning designs were all spectacular! Congratulations and many thanks to the designers that included our work in many of their winning entries: Diane Alexander and Shundra Harris of Alexander and Associates, Jane Page Crump, Kristen Carlson and Laura Timanus of Jane Page Design Group.

Imago Dei

We have many visitors come through our studio and showroom on a weekly and daily visit. However, It is not very often that we have visitors of Royal origin and status. Our new friend HRH (His Royal Highness) made a visit to our studio recently along with some Houstonians who are originally from HRH's kingdom.



HRH is a Nigerian king, a very nice and respectable man. He is the 28th King in his family's line. We hope to be working with him to help bring clean water and medical supplies to some regions of his kingdom that are currently without regular access to clean water. It is a startling fact that approximately

Imago Dei

The Fine Art of Murals
A guide to commissioning contemporary private murals
By: Jeremy Wells
Founder/Artist, Imago Dei
www.ImagoDeiGallery.com
Article from: Houston Design Resource Magazine | Spring 2007



Chances are you’ve noticed the incorporation of murals into the overall design theme of homes is increasing in popularity. From walls to ceilings to niches, more and more homeowners are seeking the escape, serenity and sense of place that a mural can bring to any home. For the last few decades we have seen a resurgent interest in the private mural, possibly spurred on by the government sponsorship of public murals since the 1930s. The prevalent movement in the style of private murals seems to consist mostly of romanticized landscapes with an emphasis on subtle antiquity. It is not surprising considering our urban surroundings. Whether it’s a diversion from the cool and architecturally austere interiors of post-war modernity or the need to escape from our stressful and overscheduled lives, there has been a definite revival of the domestic mural over the last forty years – one that has not been observed since the fourteenth century’s proliferation of great murals. Perhaps you or someone you know is currently considering commissioning a mural but has no idea where to begin. This article should shed some light on this often mysterious process as well as offer some valuable information and guidelines.

Let me preface the following by saying the art of domestic murals is nothing new. Actually, it is quite ancient. Modern painting as we know it was in fact birthed in the form of murals painted with charcoal and natural pigments on cave walls. The Roman author Pliny the Elder describing a Trompe L’oeil mural over two thousand years ago in Athens noted the grapes painted by Zeuxis were so life-like that the birds had actually attempted to eat them. From the Egyptians and their extremely skillful paintings adorning the pyramids to the remarkable murals of Pompeii to Early Christian catacombs, mural painting preceded and heavily influenced what today we call “high art.”

Perhaps no one culture has contributed more to the advancement of mural painting than the Italians. Examples abound and volumes have been written on the subject. But for the sake of our dialogue, we can be grateful to the artists Tiepolo, Michelangelo, Giotto, Veronese and the architect Brunelleschi. The contributions of these artists are immeasurable and serve to this day as a source of inspiration and awe for professional artists. The above named artists are widely known for their murals but it is interesting to note that many other artists known more for their canvas work, such as Titian, Picasso, Matisse, Monet, Chagall and Sargent have painted murals as well. The point of all this history is to help you understand that when you decide to commission a mural for your home, you are not simply participating in a new trend or fad that will pass. You are, in fact, becoming a participant in a rich history of an ancient art form.

When embarking on commissioning a mural, I would suggest you begin with determining a location that is fitting. Possible locations include, but should not be limited to, walls, ceilings, niches, barrel vaults, domes, and furniture. Ideally, a mural should be in a visible location that can be viewed from a distance simply to maximize its audience and viewing perspective. When considering themes, keep in mind that a mural should be an enhancement to and in harmony with the existing architecture and design, not a distraction. Perhaps most importantly, it should have personal significance and value to you. “A mural should have intrinsic as well as decorative merit...” says Caroline Cass in Grand Illusions, a fascinating book about contemporary interior murals. When our firm is commissioned to paint a landscape mural, we advise our patrons to consider a subject location that has direct sentimental value. These murals seem to be most enjoyed over time as nothing quite captures the essence of a moment or memory like paint.

After you have determined the location of your mural, it is time to find the right artist for the job. First contacting your interior designer is recommended. Chances are they already have a working relationship with a muralist whom you could interview. The most important aspect, as with any art, is for you to be inspired by the muralist’s previous work. No two murals are alike and no two muralist’s styles are alike, which is why this should be your first consideration. Fortunately, living in Houston you have more than a few sources available when searching for a style with which you can connect.

Once you have found several artists and have investigated their websites to learn more about them, you (or your designer) should schedule an initial consultation. If they have a studio you can visit, it may prove very helpful for you to see first hand other works to get an even better feel for their style and skill. Here at Imago Dei, we have a showroom and gallery where initial consultations are usually conducted. This gives you the opportunity to tour the studio, see works in progress and personally meet with our artists. We try to demystify the process by involving you in every step of your mural.

After visiting the artist’s studio, the next step is usually an onsite visit to your home. It is extremely valuable for your artist to observe the architectural space and examine the light and colors that will ultimately have a major affect on the mural (whether it is painted on site or on canvas in the studio.)

The current preferred method of creating murals is painting them on canvas in the artist’s studio and then installing them on site. This is the process we practice as it has many benefits such as the following: a finer quality of artwork, archival artwork that can appreciate in value, the canvas may be safely and easily removed and transported for reinstallation, and it is conveniently non-disruptive to your home environment.

There are, of course, many more things to consider and surely your designer will have advice for you. As with any major investment, do your homework before proceeding with commissioning a mural. The blog section of our website (www.ImagoDeiGallery.com) contains many useful tips and resources on this subject as well as other Art and Design topics.

Above all, I hope you enjoy the process. Savor the smell of the artist’s fresh paints in the studio, engage in the creative brainstorming of initial designs, contribute your thoughts and concerns and be a player on your artistic team. Be soothed and consoled after a stressful day by the power of well executed artwork. Take the time to enjoy your mural as a part of your everyday life.

I leave you with a quote from Henri Matisse that is perhaps more relevant in our day than ever when regarding private murals “What I dream of is an art of balance, of purity and serenity devoid of troubling or depressing subject matter - a soothing, calming influence on the mind, rather like a good armchair which provides relaxation from physical fatigue.”

Imago Dei

By: Beth Murray
Artist, Imago Dei
www.ImagoDeiGallery.com

Image of Imago Dei's Gallery, recently remodeled with white Venetian Plaster wall treatment.

Imago Dei

"Art: The Language of the Soul | Why does art move us in ways that nothing else can?"
By Jeremy & Jamie Wells
Founders/Artists, Imago Dei
www.ImagoDeiGallery.comArticle from: Houston Design Resources Magazine | 10th Anniversary Collectors Issue
On a recent trip to study the Italian landscape for our paintings, my wife and I traveled for three weeks taking thousands of photos and meeting many different local artists. During our time there we experienced the delicate tastes and illustrious light that bathes that land with ethereal colors. We made our way from Rome, exploring every tiny village road connecting Umbria to Tuscany, finally arriving in Florence. This city is a treasure chest of art and architecture. It is truly one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. In Florence (and every other town) we immediately sought out the great art we had traveled so far to see. The locals we met along the way had as much character as the land in which they lived. They were warm and generous, always pointing us in the right direction to see whatever beautiful art that particular town had hidden within its ancient walls. One awe-inspiring piece after another --- exquisite Trompe L’oiel (some even tricked our eyes!), ancient Frescos, infamous paintings, infamous artist’s work we had never seen. To say it was inspiring does not begin to capture what was happening in our minds and hearts.

Our arrival in Rome was, at best, frantic. We participated in a circus act of chasing, catching and changing planes only to arrive and be told that our luggage was still in America. But who cares when you’re at an airport named Aeroporto Leonardo da Vinci. At that point we were just happy to be on solid Italian ground. Our hotel had arranged for a driver to pick us up. He appeared to be a nice man - in a mafia sort of way - until the click of our seat belts. We squealed out into traffic as if we were in a mob shoot-out chase scene. Convinced our driver had another passenger in the trunk and we were being chased by the Policia, I thought to myself, “Now this is the way to see Rome!”  We brushed up on our Italian while our driver screamed out a barrage of friendly Italian words for each car we passed or almost hit. Before we knew it, we had arrived at the Hotel Renaissance a little white knuckled but happy to be there.
                          
Several hours later we immerged from our hotel room to have a romantic dinner near the Pantheon. We dined and drank several glasses of aged wine to recover from the adventures of the day and then returned to the haven of our hotel with, of course, another exciting cab ride.
 
With a little jet lag and a good night’s sleep, we were awake and on our way quite early. As we walked quietly toward St. Peters Square the dew on the cobble stone streets was glistening like a thousand still mountain lakes. The city seemed to be asleep. What a transition from the craziness and crowds of the day before! As we approached St. Peters we were stunned by the stillness of the square. What was a line a mile long the day before was now a few pieces of trash and some devout pigeons. We noticed several locals scurrying inside St. Peters apparently trying to make morning mass. Curious as to where they were going, we followed them inside the great cathedral.
 
Walking inside St. Peters Basilica was indescribable. Stepping inside the huge bas-reliefs bronze doors designed by Filarete and Simone Baldi our eyes slowly adjusted to the expansive interior stretching upward beyond what seemed humanly possible. The vast architectural spaces dressed with sculptures, paintings, mosaics, and reliefs, were all bathed in warm morning light flooding in through the windows of Michelangelo’s wondrous dome and reflecting off the patterned marble floor. We solemnly proceeded forward with our eyes exploring all the richness and creativity of the culmination of different artist’s life’s works.
 
The interior of the cathedral alone is a work of art speaking to its visitors through its visual stimulation. It’s truly amazing to be moved by art and architecture. Henry James’ reflection of St. Peters as a work of art captures what we were feeling in that moment of awe, in his book Italian Hours: “Few great works of art last longer to the curiosity, to the perpetually transcendent attention. You think you have taken the whole thing in, but it expands, it rises sublime again, and leaves your measure itself poor. You have only to stroll and stroll and gaze and gaze; its colossal embroidered contortions, like a temple within a temple, and feel yourself, at the bottom of an abysmal shaft of the dome, dwindle to a crawling dot. This is a building that goes beyond the foundational purpose of providing shelter and shows you your place in the universe.”
 
After a time of reflection, we were drawn to a large painting hanging above an inner alter. A closer inspection revealed this was not a painting but a mosaic formed from thousands of tiny colorful glass cubes! We sat down completely mesmerized by the amount of work that had gone into this mosaic. The colors, the composition, the subjects, all connected to emotions deep within, and without realizing it we were soon moved to tears. The painting depicted a man sinking into violent waters and another man reaching down to rescue him. Somehow this painting, several centuries old, was stretching space-time boundaries to capture the drowning feeling of the current events in our lives. The pressure from unexpected cards dealt us dealing with family sicknesses had been suffocating. Here we were trying to escape from the chaos of the past few months, and this painting brought us right back to what we thought we had left back home. This painting spoke to us and we came away from it with a feeling of hope that hadn’t been there before. If only this artist knew while composing this intricate masterwork that his work would be touching our two souls hundreds of years later.
 
This is the beauty of art: its ability to touch, speak, connect and inspire regardless of time and its restrictions. Art cares not your age, race, gender, occupation or the breadth of your knowledge of itself. It has the ability to evoke emotions in a way that only fine art can.

This is our personal passion with art: to continue in the legacy of the great masters and to create great works of art that tell stories and take others to distant places they have been or would like to be. Whether it’s a serene Tuscan landscape letting someone feel the warmth of the magical Italian light, or a more contemporary urban landscape, the notion is the same: create works of art that move people.  As artists, we find no greater pleasure than to create a painting, mural, or faux finish which takes mundane, ordinary spaces and transforms them into awe inspiring surroundings.

Commissioning a custom mural, faux finish or fine art was once reserved for select patron families and nobilities. Now it has become much more accessible with many offering such services. When considering buying any artwork, commissioning a mural, or decorative painting, do some research and look for an artistic style that captivates you. Don’t be afraid to call and have us meet with you. We welcome the opportunity to meet with anyone who is seriously considering our work. Our showroom and studio are open to the public by appointment. We have found it is extremely valuable for our clients to see the faux finishes on an actual wall in our studio (not just a sample board) as well as being able to see their mural in progress and original artwork in our gallery. 
 
Murals are constantly gaining popularity, especially in the new home market. With practically every custom home being built with numerous art niches, expansive domes and gallery-like walls, homeowners are finding this to be a wonderful opportunity to commission custom fit murals. While this can be an intrusive undertaking to have an artist in your home for an extended period, this is not the only option. Murals can be painted on canvas and installed in your home to custom fit any desired space. This is our preferred method. Murals painted on canvas have many advantages such as the ability to be moved if relocation should occur, canvas is much more archival than sheetrock, and the mural can be created in the artist’s studio where the environment is more conducive to creating art. One of the biggest advantages is the convenience to the client. For instance, a large mural may take weeks to paint, but is sometimes installed in a matter of hours!

From the rolling hills of Tuscany to your home in Houston – commissioning works of art can be a very exciting process. The world has so much beauty to offer and though we cannot see it all at once, we can create works of art that take us there and speak to us in some foreign language called the soul.
 
 
 
 
COMMISSIONING BASICS:
 
1.      Assess your needs.
• What spaces in your home or office are most important to you?
2.      Plan a budget.
• Be realistic. Art is something that is handcrafted and labored over. There is usually more involved than you would think.
3.      Find works that move you.
• Do the research. Find the work. Get referrals. Notice your initial reactions to the work.
4.      Make the contact.
• Plan ahead. Allow time for the consultation, estimates and creating samples/sketches. Custom art doesn’t happen overnight and if you have a deadline, leave plenty of room.
5. Trust Your Instincts & Have Fun!
• Once you know who you’re working with, enjoy the creative process of working with an artist.

Imago Dei