Wishing Everyone a Healthy and Prosperous New Year!
#happynewyear #happynewyear2024
Sunday, December 31, 2023
Sunday, December 24, 2023
Sunday, December 17, 2023
Military Tribute Mural at Love Boat Cape Coral, FL
Military Tribute Mural at Love Boat Cape Coral, FL
Love Boat Ice Cream has opened a new location in Cape Coral, Fl. Located in the new plaza at the NW side at the intersection of Del Prado and Pine Island. This is their latest location. You can also find them on San Carlos as you head out to Fort Myers Beach, on Dani Rd in Ft Myers, and downtown Ft Myers on Hendry street.
The Cape Coral location continues their dedication theme to our military and "front liners".
Today's focus is on the military tribute mural side. Dedicated to the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and Space Force. The background is an abstract American flag. Int. Latex with glaze Double Lapis HGSW1371 is used to create the blue field. The blacks are in Int. Latex Tri-Corn Black SW6258. The yellow for the Army Star and band are in Int. Latex Valspar Sunny Jonquil. The balance of colors are in acrylics.
Army Boots and dog tags are painted next to the Army logo:
Navy:
Air Force:
Marines:
Coast Guard:
Space Force:
Here's the mural collage of all the military logos:
To the far right side the mural continues featuring "front liners". That side of the mural will be revealed in a few weeks. So stay tuned!
God Bless Our Military !
#militarymural #Armymural #Navymural #AirForcemural #Marinesmural #CoastGuardmural #SpaceForcemural #militarypainting
Sunday, December 3, 2023
A Kitchen Aquarium
A Kitchen Aquarium
An aquarium in a home has many health benefits. It can lower blood pressure and reduce stress. But what do you do when there’s also cats, dogs, and kids running around? Instead of installing an aquarium you have one painted. You don’t have to worry about remembering to feed the fish. You don’t have to change the water and filters. And the cats won’t bother the sweet little aquatic creatures.
This home’s “aquarium” is painted under the kitchen counter. It’s viewable from the dining area, family room, and the lanai:
A close up view of the some of the cute critters:
Another advantage to having a custom painted underwater mural is that the client’s favorite koi that lives in the outdoor pond can be painted into the underwater scene:
Once the mural is dry a clear coat is painted over it to protect it. For the above mural, Modern Masters Supreme Clear in satin was used.
Ready for your own custom home mural? … Contact me at Swan Studios Inc
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#aquariummural #underwatermural #koimural
Sunday, November 26, 2023
The Importance Of A Great Looking Entry Door
The Importance Of A Great Looking Entry Door
Your front doors are the first impression guests and visitors have of your home. The look of your front doors sets the tone for the home, as well as effects the whole curb appeal of the house. The rich look of stained wood exudes glamour and substance. Of course, here in Southwest Florida stained wood can be a challenge since our humidity levels are high and the sun beams down unimpeded. But the look can be achieved with faux finish. The beauty of faux painted doors is that the finish lasts years longer than wood stain and it can be applied to any type of door fabrication.
Recently this pair of entry doors received a faux wood finish on both the outside and inside:
It may be necessary to sand the current finish off and remove any flaking or peeling paint.
Absolutely apply a primer to ensure grip ang longevity. I typically use Bulls Eye 1-2-3.
To create the finish below use a base color of 2008-7A Natural Cork in Duramax.
Next paint on veins in a glaze mixed with Black Raisin 4002-2C. The veins can be created with either a roller applicator or (my preference: stiff chip brushes)
Once the veins are to your liking apply the glaze mix on as if it were a stain all over the door.
The final step is a good clear coat. This is where it can get tricky. Be sure to read your label to ensure your clear coat is made for exterior AND that it can be applied in humid conditions. Some clear coats are made for exterior but CANNOT be applied in humid weather. (You’ll get a foggy finish that won’t dry clear). In the photo below Helmans Spar urethane was used.
The inside of the entry doors received the same faux treatment:
Here are some other wood faux painted front doors for your inspiration:
Wood faux finish isn't limited to natural wood colors. You can also go with island colored stained wood:
Ready to give your front doors a lift, contact me at: Swan Studios Inc
For more inspirations of faux finishes , follow Swan Studios Inc on your favorite social media:
#woodfauxfinish #woodfauxpainting #painteddoors
Sunday, November 12, 2023
Happy Veterans Day
Happy Veterans Day!
God Bless are men and women who nobly serve in our armed forces. I've put together a tribute to say thank you of military murals I've been blessed to paint over the years.
God Bless the USA !
#VeteransDay #HappyVeteransDay #GoddBlesstheUSA
Sunday, November 5, 2023
North To Alaska
North to Alaska
It’s not every day
that I receive a request for an Alaskan landscape mural with a moose. As a SW
Florida muralist the usual request is for a tropical beach scene. So it was
extra exciting to paint a far northern landscape scene on an exterior wall facing
a pond. The homeowner recently had stones added on the lower portion of the
wall. The upper portion now features a panorama of a walk through the woods.
On the right side of the wall is the adorable moose:
Pulling back, you see
the whole scene with the left side blending out into the roof line:
An angle view shows
more detail:
The paints used are
Valspar Duramax and Sherwin Williams Weather Sheild. Yes it takes a lot of
colors but worth it in the end as both exterior latex paints have excellent
durability. I’ve been asked several times what colors were used. Get ready, the
list is long :
Sky:
Galatic Sky HGSW1347
High Seas 4006-10A
Pure White SW 7005
Mountains:
Felted Wool HGSW9171
Software HGSW7074
Dignified SW6538
Pure White SW7005
Back Green Mountains:
Sleepy Hamlet
8002-26G
Jasper HGSW6216
Water:
Sensual Jade 5009-8
Grand Canal HGSW6488
( reflected trees
same as above )
Left side Pine Trees:
Billiard Green
5005-6C
Sleepy Hamlet
8002-26G
Moose:
Curio Gray HGSW 0024
Otter SW6041
Plum Brown HGSW6272
Belle Grove Buff
3006-10B
Cayenne SW6881
Honey Comb SW6375
Tricorn Black SW6258
Cowboy Hat 3010-8
Important
tip: Wear plenty of sunscreen !
Ready for something
unique on your own walls?! Contact me at Swan Studios Inc
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#Alaskamural #moosemural
Sunday, October 29, 2023
The Bees Knees
The Bees Knees
There is an exciting project in the works here at Swan Studios Inc. For now, I’m showing just sneak peeks of some of the artwork underway. Today’s glimpse into “Birdie’s” world is her home...a beehive.
The original is on art canvas board painted in acrylics:
Be sure to follow all of Swan Studios Inc’s art adventures on your favorite social media sites:
Sunday, October 22, 2023
You've Got Mail
You've Got Mail
Today’s art focus is on a photography project for a mail room. For those who follow my articles and posts you’re used to seeing the fun and wonderful custom murals and faux finishes I’ve created throughout SW Florida. And now you’re in the inside scoop that Swan Studios Inc ventures into the art photography world.
The assignment was an extension of lifestyle photography that is in a welcome center and clubhouse. (I haven’t posted those yet- stay tuned they will be soon). For these photos they were to express the joy of receiving mail. Some of the photos were taken outdoors, some were in the studio, and some on location. Each one was a joy to create, and each person featured was such a delight to photograph.
Of course, we all know that mail can be bills. Ugh. And we all receive tons of advertisements in the mail. But......
Mail can make us laugh when we receive a funny birthday card:
There is joy in receiving a much-anticipated package:
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