Not much work going on here. Small concrete walkway coming up, some repairs to a CarQuest to bid on tomorrow. So I’m painting a “window” in a friend’s cabinet showroom. Maybe I’ll get some mural work from it? Who knows. Beats watching Oprah and Judge Judy!
View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles Greene
CaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
CaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
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CaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
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View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
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View ImageView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
Still a ways to go, spent a few hours on it Mon., and a few today.View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
That's some good work. I'd have to buy a poster and glue it up to the wall.
Nice work!
I don't paint for anyone but myself, and even that only requires a roller and pan. I admire those with that kind of talent.
Unless that's some kind of paint-by-numbers window. Then I take back all the kind things I said. <G>
Unless that's some kind of paint-by-numbers window
hmmm... That might be the genesis of a great idea, there!View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
very nice work, made them cabinets look a lot nicer. maybe you should get a cut everytime a sale goes thru. I think you should put yourself out there more for mural work. I know a couple people who do work like that locally."it aint the work I mind,
It's the feeling of falling further behind."Bozini Latinihttp://www.ingrainedwoodworking.com
Nice, Huck. That would look great right behind a cooktop or on a few door panels. All kinds of possibilities there.
Really nice, but paint a screen in there, will ya, the flies are getting in.
There are two kinds of people who never amount to much:those who cannot do what they are told, and those who can do nothing else.
"Really nice, but paint a screen in there, will ya, the flies are getting in."
Might be easier to paint in a few flies. :)
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finally finished up today, about 12 hours total (painting - plus a few hours in sketching/research).View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
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View ImageView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
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detail of bottle and spongeView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
Well done!
It looks sweet, I'd almost do the dishes.
But no.
Well done Huck, looks pretty good from here.
Doug
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Thanks. Things still dead around here. One joker, a painting contractor, has a huge billboard in town, "I'll paint anything for 99 cents a sqaure foot". Guess people are getting desperate. So I set up a new website. It was a freebie from godaddy, since I got my domain name from them. http://www.MuralsByNeal.com Guess I'll put some ads on Craigslist and see if I get any bites. - Huck (getting a little desperate myself, but still not willing to paint a house for .99 a sq. ft.!)
Edited 5/15/2008 1:26 pm by Huck
you wouldn't paint an 8x12 wall for $95.04 x 4 walls in a 12x12 room plus ceiling for a total of $522.72 ?
building square footageView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
Just curious does his add say building sq ft. ?
hmmm - I'll check it out better next time I drive by. Maybe get a picture if I remember to bring my camera.View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
That's interesting. .99/sq ft sounds cheap whether it means wall area or floor area, but when you actually do the math, it's actually pretty expensive if it means wall area.
I'm curious which it means too, but I also think it's a come-on. I can easily see that painter saying to a prospect "I can't do THIS room at that price".
Talked with paint store guys today - they said .99 sq. ft. (house square footage) is common now, some guys going .85 sq. ft. 1800 sq. ft house, paint the entire interior, walls ceiling and trim for $1500. Panic has hit Bakersfield. View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
Bid a few jobs, not getting anything. Got a call to bid an insurance job. Told the homeowner insurance co. wants contractor bid to determine amount, but when they write the check to the h.o., most don't want to spend it on repairs. So its $75 for an itemized bid, refundable when I do the work. Their response? No thanks.
So I'm doing another mural, this one for my mechanic friend. Building is on a busy street, maybe I'll get some exposure. Ha! Anyway, here's the sketch from day 1 (today), hope to set up a scaffold and get some more done tomorrow. I have free reign to paint what I want (his words), only restriction is no nudity (my wife says 'for the mural, or for you?' - her idea of "exposure", I guess)
Milkbones if you can guess the car (took my mechanic buddy about 10 seconds, got it on his first guess). Painting artwork on stucco is a bear!
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View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
Edited 5/29/2008 8:57 pm by Huck
That's going to look good... if you can finish it...
One of the local dealerships painted the exterior of their building to look like a huge car. The city claimed it was an illegal sign, violated the sign size restrictions, didn't have a sign permit, etc. Round and round they went. Repainted the building - blah.
So far no one's busted me yet. Set up my scaffold today.
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View ImageView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
Got some color in - felt like a giant coloring book! Hard to see what you're doing up close, gotta climb down and look from a distance. Digital pics help when I get home I can plan the next day.
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View ImageView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
I love it, amazing to me you can paint it on a wall...damn good year you picked, too.Don't forget the horn<G> If dogs run free, then what must be,
Must be, and that is all.
True love can make a blade of grass
Stand up straight and tall.
In harmony with the cosmic sea,
True love needs no company,
It can cure the soul, it can make it whole,
If dogs run free.
Kudos and milkbones for identifying the car (its actually a '48). Back out today, painting in the HOT sun. Got a little further along.
View ImageView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
Still not pleased with the "broken" stucco, and having some trouble with the detailing of the front end grill and bumper. Oh well, its only paint, I'll try and "fix" some of the goofs next trip out.
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View ImageView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
Play a crash sound track and pedestrians will be ducking ; ).
Thats looking pretty cool!
The shadow is a nice touch.
Dang, hood ornament gave it away as a Buick, but it took me about an hour to find the grill/ windshield match, and I was sure it was that'47...You gonna flame it? If dogs run free, then what must be,
Must be, and that is all.
True love can make a blade of grass
Stand up straight and tall.
In harmony with the cosmic sea,
True love needs no company,
It can cure the soul, it can make it whole,
If dogs run free.
I was thinking Buick also.But I though that Buick's had the portholes or was that later models or was that Olds?.
.
A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Later, but not sure exactly when.
If dogs run free, then what must be,
Must be, and that is all.
True love can make a blade of grass
Stand up straight and tall.
In harmony with the cosmic sea,
True love needs no company,
It can cure the soul, it can make it whole,
If dogs run free.
Got some more detail done on the front end, I'm a little happier with the broken stucco, and now I've got a gawker to deal with!
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View ImageView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
Here you can see the front end a little better. Still working on it, as you can tell.
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View ImageView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
Looking absolutely smashing<G> If dogs run free, then what must be,
Must be, and that is all.
True love can make a blade of grass
Stand up straight and tall.
In harmony with the cosmic sea,
True love needs no company,
It can cure the soul, it can make it whole,
If dogs run free.
Very nice work!
The broken stucco looks good now the first round looked torn, now it looks broken.
Shadowing makes it look real, will be looking forward to seeing the by-stander finished up.
Keep up the great work.
Paul No one should regard themselve as "God's gift to man." But rather a mere man whos gifts are from God.
the first round looked torn, now it looks broken
exactly. First go around I just got up there and started making stuff up - but you're so close to the job, you can't see what it looks like until you get down from the scaffold. Once I got down, I didn't like it. So I went home and image searched for "broken stucco". Finally tried "earthquake damage", and got some good photos. It still needs some work before I'll be happy with it, but its getting better.
The shop has been busy, and parking is at a premium (my scaffold takes up some of their parking space), so I'll probably wait until the weekend when they're closed, to go back and set up the scaffold again, and work on it some more.View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
I like the humour in it<G>. Are you going to add a glint to the windshield next? And a bit of shadow to the gawker?I agree w/the stucco fix. It DID look torn at first.Come to think of it, this must be driving regular commuters nuts. First morning a plain building, the next day there's a car sticking out of it, then a guy standing there staring at the car. I'm surprised that there hasn't been an increase of accidents in the area.A gallon of gasoline is more expensive than a pack of cigarettes. Hmmm, I wonder if I can convert my Volksy to run on coffin nails...
Huck
That's looking pretty damn convincing!
The shadow makes the whole thing believable.
Cant wait to see more.
Doug
Went out early this morning, got a couple hours in before the gang showed up at 8. Didn't do any high work, just worked on getting the gawker painted in a little.
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View ImageView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
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View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
Huck,
Nice work!
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Chuck Slive, work, build, ...better with wood
Huck
I dont know why the hell you been banging on wood all this time - you should have been doing this stuff! You should be painting backgrounds for the movies, got to be better money then the contractor trade.
It's looking great.
Doug
yeah, that guy really got me... for a while... long while...
there's no need to reinvent the wrench
so how did you do on yur finals???
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
I haven't had finals yet, But I have had MCAS which is a standardized test to evaluate our teachers. Physics this year
there's no need to reinvent the wrench
Did you think about making it look like the gawker had a shocked look on his face?I was thinking that if the car is supposed to be crashing through the front of the building, he wouldn't be standing there looking so casual...
I poured Spot remover on my dog. Now he's gone.
Did you think about making it look like the gawker had a shocked look on his face? I was thinking that if the car is supposed to be crashing through the front of the building, he wouldn't be standing there looking so casual...
You're probably right about that, lol!
I just wanted him to look like some curious old fart, you know, the kind that loiter around construction sites and watch you work like its entertainment or something, never show any emotion.
I've always admired the work of Philip Pearlstein, who does these real un-glamorous slice-of-life portraits, and that was kind of the look I was after.
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I actually had originally planned to paint a woman standing there looking up, but my wife saw the sketch and said the woman had a big butt and looked like my ex-wife, so I figured the safest route was to change it to an old dude.
View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
Edited 6/5/2008 12:20 pm by Huck
Worked on the old fart again some today, and added some safety cones.
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View ImageView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
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View ImageView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
Great artwork!
Hey, I was right!! Thanks for the picture!
My dad bought my Mom that same car for her birthday 2 years before I was born. I have a picture of her all decked out in front of it when it was brand new.
We had it long enough for me to remember riding in it before someone totalled it.
Talked with paint store guys today - they said .99 sq. ft. (house square footage) is common now...
Thanks. I don't price that way, but thinking back, it turns out that my AVERAGE price is in that ballpark. There are so many variables (how much furniture, how much brushwork, repairs needed, whether or not window sashes are included and what type of window, type and number of doors, etc.) that I'm sure I would be under-pricing if I advertised .99/sq. ft.
Been meaning to pop back on this and tell you how neat it is. Nicely done!In case you'd like some extra inspiration, the city of Frederick, MD hired a guy 12 years ago or so to spruce up the city's image with some murals. I'd say that his art did more to bring along a transformation of the city than anything the city fathers did.First link is some of his earlier work, windows opening out of buildings, man walking out of the side of a building and so on.http://www.williamcochran.com/GalleryMain.asp?GalleryID=5795&AKey=YX679BSXNext two are of a bridge that he painted. Pretty stunning transformation of what was a plain concrete bridge before. This section of the city now hosts an annual artists' festival.http://www.williamcochran.com/GalleryMain.asp?GalleryID=5788&AKey=YX679BSXhttp://tinyurl.com/62qm3d'Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt man doing it' ~ Chinese proverb
Wow. That is some truly awesome stuff! What a talented guy!View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
My daughter's mother-in-law is in that business:
http://www.artistacreations.com/artistacreations_web_site/Murals_and_Fine_Art.html
Clearly you've got a real talent for it as well - hope it can continue to be an income source for you!
Looks great!
I think you have reached the acme of the energy efficient window.
very nice!
Love it, great stuff! I'd love to have someone local who could do that trompe l'oeil. Million different ways you could incorporate that into your home/business.
I think my favorites are the subtle ones. For instance on the project house I'm working on, the sink doesn't have a window (just a blah wall). I think it would be funny to paint a picture over the sink that looked like you were looking out the back window of the house. So not something dramatic like a tropical island... simply the back yard, fence and back of the neighbor's house. See how many people could be fooled.
Your bottle and sponge are great touches. Stuff like that really ties it together. Now I've gotta see how the car is progressing.
jt8
"If we don't put effort into creating what we want, we must then put effort into coping with what we have." --EPNIA
Spent a long day out there today - closing in on it. Here's my work station.
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View ImageView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
...the view from my work station
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View ImageView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
and looking the other way (its kinda scary up there, because the platform REALLY sways with any little movement - the wing nuts don't tighten all the way on the cross-bracing.
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View ImageView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
this is where a big chunk of my time went - the detailing on the front end
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View ImageView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
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View ImageView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
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View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
I'm gonna have to repaint the wall itself - you can see a lot of my "touch-up"s don't really match very well - I'm using semi gloss, and wall is flat. Plus, I was kinda in a hurry to work on the painting itself. I'll go back and re-do the background last.
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View ImageView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
I've been watching this - just fabulously good!
DW (another fan) really wants to know your background (art-wise) - formal training?
Forrest
Thanks Forrest, you BT guys have been a great encouragement to me. A little bit of positivity goes a long way, esp. when fighting the frustration/depression of no work.
Yes, I did have formal training - way back in the pleistocene era... in a community college with an excellent graphics program (before that term had any computer significance!). My teachers were very tough, and I thank them for it now. They wouldn't let you NEAR a paintbrush until you fully understood two and three point perspective, proportion, massing, static and dynamic balance, negative space, anatomy, drapery/garment folds, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera (say that last part like you're Yul Brenner!)
I haven't done any artwork in years, but it sticks with you. Every brush stroke I still hear their voices somewhere in the back of my head... telling me I really could do better than that, lol!!
Work is so slow here now its crazy. Lot of guys closing shop. People are lowballing like no tomorrow - I'm getting a few projects to look at, but not winning any bids, which is so discouraging. I bid a prevailing wage job to the city schools, and my estimates had figured labor alone at 70k. The winning bid was 32k!!! I honestly don't know what they were thinking. I told the winning bidder (guy I used to work with) "congratulations", and he wasn't smiling (only three of us bid it - he was 28k under the next guy! ...and WAY under me).
And as for my competition on the residential stuff - I can't go as low as them, because I pay legitimate payroll, worker's comp, liability, etc.
We do have one kitchen franchise here who sticks to a much higher pricing structure - they're legitimate also, but on top of that, they have the franchise fees and an expensive showroom. So twice now in the recent past I bid against them, and got the job. If they ever close shop or leave town, I'm dead!
The good news is, one of those projects emailed me Friday, and wants to meet next week to discuss design options. I didn't actually bid the job since they don't have a firm design, I just told them I thought I could revamp their small bathroom for under 20k - and they said the franchise said OVER 20k - FOR SURE. So looks like I have good chance with this one.
And on another positive note - I'm doing this mural as a freebie for a friend, because his shop is on a busy street and it gives me a lot of exposure. And so far its not even finished, and I have three requests to bid on other mural/signpainting projects, so I'll be looking into those next week also.
Meantime, I'm weathering the drought with a 10k low-interest business loan, and praying for rain!
View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
Edited 6/8/2008 12:46 am by Huck
I forgot to ask... did you start out painting one happy little tree and then give him a few friends?
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I'm having a Bob Ross flashback ;)
Thanks Forrest, you BT guys have been a great encouragement to me. A little bit of positivity goes a long way, esp. when fighting the frustration/depression of no work.
I'm not saying give up the day job, but for sure you should promote this stuff. I know someone suggested kids rooms, but I don't think that is the target customer you should shoot for. Commercial and mid-to-upper residential. Seems like there would be more $$ there. The average person might not want to shell out $$$ for little Bobbie's room, whereas a business looking for a catchy image would shell it out. And the mid-to-upper residential folks ain't right in the head, so if they fall in love with your work, then the sky is the limit on price (anyone silly enough to pay $10k for a fridge can afford a nice mural).
And who knows, over time it might develop into the primary job that pays much better than the renovation (when the renovation isn't slow). Stranger things have happened.
jt8
"If we don't put effort into creating what we want, we must then put effort into coping with what we have." --EPNIA
did you start out painting one happy little tree and then give him a few friends?
Here's the picture it was painted from. I eliminated the house on the hill. For more, click on the picture.
View ImageView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
Hey - just reading your website; saw you liked Michael Connelly. Client gave me like 20 paperbacks of his a few months ago; was reading the 13th one today - Harry's in Echo Park; Kiz just got shot.
Forrest - liked The Lincoln Lawyer, too
Client gave me like 20 paperbacks of his
Read 'em all. Have you read the old vintage Philip Marlowe novels by Ray Chandler? If not, you're in for a treat. These are the novels that inspired a generation of mystery writers - including Michael Connelly (you may notice he puts references to Ray Chandler's books in his novels quite frequently). A real writer's writer. Then try the John Dunning 'Bookman' novels. And finally, Ross Macdonald's Lew Archer books. Oh yeah, and Dashiell Hammet's detective novels, and especially his short stories.
Ray Chandler and Dashiell Hammett took noir fiction from the dimestore novels to the literature shelves. Literally. A handful of novels that changed the face of crime fiction forever. Like most artists, they could never even have known the extent of what they accomplished during their own lifetimes.
View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
Edited 6/8/2008 6:58 pm by Huck
Cool - will do. Finished Echo Park a minute ago and came in here to check my e-mail.
Ever read the Travis McGee books?
Forrest - not thinking about the new job tomorrow
Got all of Mc Donald's Travis. A lot of them with a 15 cent price.
Good luck in the AM. Will you have to shave?
Chuck Slive, work, build, ...better with wood
Yes! And a starched shirt!
Forrest
Got the snoopy lunch box? Pocket protecter? tape for glasses?Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
"We strive for conversion,we get lost in conversation, and wallow in consternation. "Me.
It's funny - the earpiece broke off my reading glasses tonight!
Forrest
Good luck with the new job! Hope you're sound asleep right now...
See if DW can take a pic of you as you're leaving for work. Give us a change up to see the corporate Forrest.
jt8
"If we don't put effort into creating what we want, we must then put effort into coping with what we have." --EPNIA
Jumping back in the rat race this morn (gotta' get a Halliburton case, not a BucketBoss folder from my, I mean "a" lumberyard) -
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Before, in that dirty, stigma-ridden job I used to have -View Image
Forrest - stayed clean and cool all day
Edited 6/9/2008 9:37 pm ET by McDesign
pretty close to wrapped it up today - had to quit around 1, it got to be over 100 degrees, too hot to paint!
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View ImageView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
the car photographs a little better when it doesn't have the harsh sunlight casting a shadow on the plan-ons
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View ImageView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
Is this guy getting paid by the hour?
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View ImageView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
Me and my buddy
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View ImageView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
Awesome, awesome work!
This sort of thing always reminds me of an explanation of the difference between skill and talent. Skill is taught, talent-you either got it or you don't. You are one talented artist! I couldn't do that in a million years with a gun to my head.
Is this guy getting paid by the hour?
Looks like a State worker to me ;)
jt8
"A little 'enthusiasm' and all problems seems small!"
The wife must think she's sleeping with someone younger, that haircut,cleanshaven, freshduds.
Where's the tie?
jt8
"If we don't put effort into creating what we want, we must then put effort into coping with what we have." --EPNIA
I was slumming - didn't want HR to be overwhelmed!
Forrest - this "work" thing is gonna' take a big piece o' my day
another mural has been started, this one featuring a 1932 Ford Sedan. Meanwhile, work has continued to be slow. I'm bidding a lot, but not willing to drop my prices so low that I lose money - while the bootleg contractors with no license, no worker's comp, and no liability ins. are getting the jobs at prices I can't compete with. Had one day of work in the last two months.
View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
Edited 7/3/2008 10:03 pm by Huck
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Access is by ladder, the roof platform I'm working off of is about 12' up.
I got a few calls for signpainting work from my last mural, but nothing that panned out. One guy changed his mind before I talked to him, one was so rude I wouldn't have worked for him at any price, and one wanted a lowball price to paint murals around an entire store in the ghetto part of town.
So this mural is a freebie, although the building owner has to pay for paint or any supplies needed, i.e. brushes. The building is an antique mall where my wife sells antiques. http://www.centralparkantiquemall.com. And I have a new website, http://www.muralsbyneal.com
If work doesn't pick up, I'll be buying some books on signpainting, and looking into that as a means of income. One signshop / business is for sale here in town, but I don't have the 200k plus to buy it!
Edited 6/25/2008 11:46 am by Huck
My work station.
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View ImageView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
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Working up close on a large mural, the distortion makes it hard to visualize the work. I find that I have to go across the street, and take pictures from there at the end of each day. Then I go home and upload them to my computer, and I can see what needs to be added, deleted, or changed. The mural is about 7' tall to the top of the car.View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
Okay - how about this for a wild idea.
Set up a webcam across the street. Use your laptop there at the painting to see the view from across the street. Seems like it would be useful anytime you did this type of work
Plus, then we all can watch you.
Forrest
Forrest - that is a great idea. I don't know how to implement it at this point, as I have neither a webcam nor a laptop. But if I got into this seriously, I think it would be an awesome way to go. I'm all for using technology to enhance the graphic image.
Have you seen David Hockney's controversial book Secret Knowledge, about how the Old Masters used lenses and reflected images to refine their paintings? The High Priests of Art History are up in arms, but I think he presents a credible hypothesis.
BTW, I just re-read The Last Coyote by Michael Connelly - and it was worth re-reading, a very well written book.
Hope that new office job is workin' out for you - now get back to work!View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
Hey! I've been skipping lunch to play with you guys (and drop some weight, now that I'm sedentary)! Plastics rep took some guys to Longhorn, I stayed here.
'Bout 2/3 finished with Connelly's Void Moon as of last night.
I need to look up the Hockney book - have heard about it.
Forrest
Its OK to hijack my own thread, right? Esp. when its just a tangent anyway! Void Moon was the one MC book I wasn't crazy about - actually I think its the only one I didn't finish. At some point he lost me, and I no longer cared about any of the characters. In my opinion the Hieronymous (Harry) Bosch novels are far and away his best.
I take it back - the other one I haven't finished, its just sitting around here somewhere, is the autobiographical one on his newspaper days. I read a little, set it down, and have just never gotten back to picking it up again.
Thanks for popping in at BT here - I'm envying your steady paycheck right now. I just came from my local Lowe's store, and the place was like a mausoleum. No customers! Things are ridiculously slow here. I can hang for a couple more months at best, and if things don't pick up I'm gonna be holding a cardboard sign at the freeway offramp!
I just browsed the Hockney book at Barnes & Noble - but if I buy, it'll be online, cuz Amazon.com has it for significantly less from the independents that list there. But go online and google "Hockney lucida" (the camera lucida and camera obscura are the keys to his theory), and you'll see that he really stirred the hornet's nest by 1) attacking the sacred cow Old Masters (in the experts' opinion - he himself clearly states that using lenses does not a great painter make, and takes nothing away from their awesome talent) and 2) treading on Restricted Turf when he, a mere artist, purports to see something the elite "Experts" missed!
For a good look at the pretensions of the art world, check out a video on the Jackson Pollock thrift-store find - I can't remember the exact name (I found it at Blockbuster awhile back), but there's web page at http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/05/03/60minutes/main2758110.shtml?source=RSSattr=60Minutes_2758110.
Lady finds a Jackson Pollock style painting at a thrift store - the experts tell her NO WAY is it a real thing. Forensic specialist scientifically determines that it was painted in his studio, using his paints, and has his fingerprints on the back. The experts' response?: We have spoken. If we say No Way, then there is just No Way, facts and forensics be dam#ed.
Hockney probably has a few loose screws himself, but the way they're attacking his thesis with unbridled emotion and personal character assassination tells me he is likely on to something. Plus, as an artist myself, I get what he's saying: Reflected images don't account for great paintings, but they sure might account for the camera-like accuracy of incredibly intricate fabric patterns that follow the folds of garments in a portrait.
OK, I need to get back to Dr. Phil now.View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
you are good...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
In the late 60's I had an artist friend who did metal sculptures in copper. The technique he used was taking a polaroid photo of the scuplture, then ink in whatever he wanted to do. If it didn't look right, he took another photo and inked in something different. He repeated the process until it looked right to him. He then proceeded to add to the scuplture using the photo as a guide. He died several years ago. I guess that's why Polaroid is giving up making film.
Working up close on a large mural, the distortion makes it hard to visualize the work. I find that I have to go across the street...
Just don't be tempted to step back to get a better overall view. That may sound tongue-in-cheek, but I can imagine that it really is possible to get so engrossed in the work that people can forget where they are.
Our former neighbor, the college dean, retired to pursue his hobby, photography.
Taking a picture of an oncoming train, he was hit and killed. Guess the view thru the viewfinder looked like he was far enough away.
Forrest
Ya, but, How'd the pict come out?
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"We strive for conversion,we get lost in conversation, and wallow in consternation. "Me.
Edited 6/26/2008 10:26 am ET by Sphere
"Ya, but, How'd the pict come out?"
Probably a little bit like this:
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Sign in the middle of a field: "The farmer allows walkers to cross the field for free, but the bull charges."
Got a little color in today
View ImageView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
View ImageView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
I'd be pushing the murals and signage to businesses. That's some awesome work, very few can do work like that. Businesses are struggling too, they could use that kind of painting to get more traffic. Push it as an investment to them.
Thanks, that kind of imput means a lot - I'm going to look into doing just that. Any suggestions on how to do just that - i.e., newspaper ad, yellow pages, or????View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
One of the best advertising for something like this is free news stories.This one would probably be in the business section.The window could either be there are maybe a home section.And if you have any local "home and garden" magazines then you might try an ad in those ($$$).But also if you have home mural going them see if they will do a spread showing some of the different stages of the painting..
.
A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
I'm not a business man, can't offer much. Make sure your name and contact info is readable on the mural itself. See if the local news will do a spot about a car crashing through a wall.
That's scary to hear. Given that, it seems that there's a LOT smaller pool of people who can do that kind of painting - if you get your name out, then less bidding commodity jobs against low bidders - there just won't be any!
Have to brag on DW before she wakes up - here's the wall beside me now -
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Forrest
Edited 6/8/2008 7:59 am ET by McDesign
Wow, that's cool. Who climbs up there to water those plants?? =)
Does she do this professionally? Any suggestions on how to market, and how to charge for this kind of work? I have three jobs to look at next week, and am kinda nervous about what to charge.View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
I'd have to agree with Bill - try submitting a ready-made, completely written article to a local paper - they're often short of local "human-interest" stories, and will jump at the chance.
As far as pricing, DW has no idea. She's trying to set up pricing for her new tile-making business, and is trying to relate it to cost of materials and a diligent accounting of her time - sounds like you've got a handle on that. She's shooting for a dollar a minute for direct work on the item, generally. Not setup, moving, loading the kiln, etc.
Forrest
Edited 6/8/2008 12:11 pm ET by McDesign
Great artistry and creativity! This thread is fun to follow.
Someone else mentioned being certain to include your name and contact info somewhere on the mural. It occurred to me that a good place for might be on that note that's stuck to the wall or maybe if you had a fake bill/receipt sticking out of one the mans pockets.
Holy smokes that fly freaked me out, I started to flick at the computer screen.
great job Huck, Will you do my van??? I want mythical creatures and gladiators and Amazon woman though;}
wow ...
why do U waste yer time with a hammer!
that's pretty cool.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
why do U waste yer time with a hammer!
Well, you've heard of the saying "starving artist"?? ....hmmm, come to think of it, the way contracting has been going here lately, maybe you have a point! (Thanks for the compliment)View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
Wow! Great job. I guess that blows my theory that artistic people generally aren't good at business. Ahhhh, another Danism in the toilet. Great stuff. I admire your talent. DanT
I see you know what a nice bowling right looks like!
I'm goofy--prefer lefts.
I'm goofy too, but love those righteous rights as much as the lefteous lefts!
View ImageView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
http://oregonsurfcheck.com/
Looks like a fun wave. Kind of looks like fernalds in santa barbara?
The beach is in Cambria. The wave is from my memories of a point break called Faria Beach, about 45 minutes south of Fernalds. I used to be a mailman in Montecito - man that stretch of coastline is pretty!View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
Very nice work, Huck!
What kind of paint are you using? Acrylic?
Also, is there something you will apply to the painting after you are finished to protect it, and make it washable?
Not sure if I will ever get it right, but I will continue to roll that marble around my pea-brain until I figure it out.
Very nice work, Huck!
Thanks, its really not all that nice in real life. The smaller image seen here makes it look more complete - its really still a pretty rough painting. I'm hoping it'll look great when finished, 'tho! =)
What kind of paint are you using? Acrylic?
Yup.
Also, is there something you will apply to the painting after you are finished to protect it, and make it washable?
I could, but it probably won't be necessary, since this is a cabinet showroom, and not a real kitchen. I could put a water-based polyurethane over it.View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
Looks good Huck.
Have you considered doing kid's rooms? Match themes of the bedding and drapes.
Easy money there.
Have you considered doing kid's rooms?
Honestly, I haven't done any decorative painting like this in probably 20 years. I did some on my own house when we bought it, and I've been so busy trying to make it as a contractor/carpenter since then, I hadn't given it any thought. About ready for a new branch to the business, 'tho, now that things are so slow!
- Huck (creative, but not a great business mind)
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View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
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got some of the mid-ground painted in, worked on the trees a little more, and painted a window sill. This is the end of my second trip, about 6 hrs. into the painting.View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
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Oops. Guess I held the camera a little crooked on this one. Got some of the foreground in now, and finally feel like I'm closing in on it. About 9 hrs. into it. The beach area in the foreground still needs work. Then maybe some detailing on the windows.View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
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View ImageView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
I think I feel a draft.
:-)
There are two kinds of people who never amount to much:those who cannot do what they are told, and those who can do nothing else.
Good job, now start painting a sink where that hole is...
There are two kinds of people who never amount to much:those who cannot do what they are told, and those who can do nothing else.
Wow!! Nice work!!
The only thing missing is the buxom mermaid sunbathing on the beach!!!
Runnerguy
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CaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
OK, I just got a call - flatwork job I bid awhile back is a go. Yippee - couple days' work! And then when I told a friend about it, he said "You do flatwork?" (right now I do flatwork, sing, dance, paint murals, and next week I'm gonna add mow lawns). Anyway, he may know someone who needs a slab for a storage shed.I bid a small job yesterday, and the H.O. asked me what my schedule was like. I told him Dr. Phil at 2, Oprah at 3. He got a chuckle out of that.Today a guy came by and took some pictures of me painting, asked me if he could include my name in case they get published in the local paper. Yeah, buddy! I told him go by and check out my other one (its just a few minutes away from this one), and he said he would.Who knows - but I can always hope, anyway!View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
VERY NICE Work!
That would be great advertising for you.
Really enjoy your posts and wish you all the luck in getting this going as a full time business if that's the way you want it to go.
"Never pick a fight with an old man. If he can't beat you he will just kill you." Steinbeck
Thanks. I haven't seen it yet, 'tho. Got some of the darks worked in today.
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View ImageView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
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View ImageView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
You are turning a ho-humm old store front into a really nice looking building.
Thanks for letting us watch.
"Never pick a fight with an old man. If he can't beat you he will just kill you." Steinbeck
Thanks. I can only work a few hours a day - triple digit temp's and pollution and smoke filled air you can feel in your lungs make it tough to work much. I usually try to paint between 6-9 am.
Its kinda peaceful up there - no one bugs me or tries talking to me or anything, its just a sort of a quiet meditation almost. The manager of the store saw me painting today in my painters' overalls, and hired me to repaint some divided light windows in his house, so I've actually gotten my first job from it!View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
That's great!
Just don't let tose 'side jobs' detract you from your 'real work' - posting pictures on BT.
<G>
"Never pick a fight with an old man. If he can't beat you he will just kill you." Steinbeck
I usually try to paint between 6-9 am
The trick would be to make the 6-9 mural painting pay as much as the 7-4 contracting work. :)
I wonder if you couldn't come up with some unobtrusive logo you could slip into your murals. Something that would slap your brand name on each work and possibly let folks know how to find you?
Could be something as simply as a little dog... or something specific to draw them to your website or yellow page ad.
jt8
"A little 'enthusiasm' and all problems seems small!"
Edited 6/29/2008 1:38 am by JohnT8
Great work brother!!!!!
You are extremely talented. I love the 3-D look of your murals. That you include the shadows, etc.....
I actually thought that barrier tape and cones on that car shop deal were real!
Please keep posting.
“Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.†Reagan....
Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor. -Truman Capote
Thanks for the encouragement! Sometimes its hard to keep going on these, haven't had a whole lot of positive feedback from the community. My wife says get three good murals out there in real public places, and the jobs will come. I hope. I did hear there is a local auto body shop that wants to talk to me. Here's the latest update.
View ImageView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
I am actually planning on incorporating the car into a scene, so there will be more to the design - but the car is the centerpiece, so I wanted to get it well along before adding the rest. Plus, I love surprising the people who have been watching it go up!
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View ImageView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
Wish you lived close to me i could use a free painting or two myself. nice work.
Havn't heard from you in awhile are you back to work? any pics of the finished product?
Thanks for asking! I judge from the wording of your question you followed the thread from the beginning - meaning, you were aware that I was painting murals during a completely DEAD period here, with virtually no work for anyone in the trades.
Things are a little better now, but not much. I am thankful to have had some work lately (hence, the reason for no progress on the mural), but many, many of my fellow tradespeople are struggling, as indeed, I have been - in my case, living off a low interest business loan.
The murals have been an adventure. The first one was the kitchen showroom - nothing really has come of that one - not one referral, and very few comments from the owner of the showroom, who still does my cabinet work. The main benefits from that one are maybe improved rapport with my cabinet guy, and the fact that it got me going on the next mural.
The yellow Buick mural was a success in that it got me several referrals - but none have turned into an actual job, at this point. One of which is because I have been too busy with the little work I have, to get by and talk to the prospect (people don't realize that when things are slow, we are often physically busier than ever, doing more of the work ourselves, bidding like crazy, etc.)
Again, I do as a result have a better relationship with my mechanic - he's ecstatic about the number of new customers who tell him they drove by every day, without realizing he was there, until the mural. Now, you can't miss the place!
The Ford sedan mural (unfinished) got me a small painting job (the manager of the store saw me in my painting overalls, so he hired me to do some painting on his place), and played a part in getting me a bigger room addition job. The owner of the store (an antique mall where my wife sells antiques and used books) recommended me to one of his friends, and I just got the verbal OK on a small but spendy room addition in an elite neighborhood.
Friends who know my client tell me Watch your back, but this is the only game in town for me, so here I go!
I plan to start a thread on the job just finished, and the one beginning, but I'll post a few pics here. Again, thanks for asking.
View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
Huck,
Glad to hear you have a little something going at least.
I was in Bakersfield around the first of the month and saw the Buick mural on Union Ave.... Looks Awesome....
Hope things pick up for you soon.
Here's a before/after of the job I've been on lately...
View ImageView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
lookin good glad to here your back to makin money again
Huck, all of the murals look great. I just caught this today and have really been enjoying the posts. Glad you are getting "some" paying jobs too.
I really wanted to post so I could keep up with this.
John (Waiting on the rain)
Awesome...again. I agree with your wife, get some of 'em out there. Is there any way you can put your contact info next to the "freebies" you're doing for 6-12 months? And I don't mean the business owner handing out your # IF someone asks...maybe painting it next to your work? Least you should be able to expect for doing this kick a$$ work for no (or little) $$.(if this was covered earlier...my bad). Great work!Jay
Edited 7/4/2008 1:58 pm ET by jjf1
It's looking good!
anxiously awaiting more pix.
Doug