01 Overview, before
This "before" photo shows a view of the client's two-story entrance foyer. Pictured, from left to right: parlor doorway, coat closet and family room doorway. Not shown at right is the staircase to the second floor.
02 Overview, after
This is the artist's interpretation, complete with faux Caen stone blocks, trompe l'oeil pediment, woodgrained closet door and dark skies looming above, just as the client wanted.
03 Overview, detail
Visible to the left is a leafless tree. To the right, behind the balcony railing, is a raven perched in a trompe l'oeil window frame.
04 Upperview, before
This "before" photo shows the left-most space above the parlor where the mural will soon extend. The home's front door is partially visible at the lower left.
05 Upperview, after
A view of the left side of the mural, featuring the trompe l'oeil pediment over the doorway to the parlor.
06 Upperview, left
The upper left space, as viewed from the second floor loft and hallway. One of two gargoyles which face each other projects from the upper left column. The leafless tree was inspired by a somber black & white photo by photographer Nancy Hauser.
07 Upperview, right
This view, from the second floor staircase descent, shows a trompe l'oeil grotesque transom — featuring none other than the client himself as a gargoyle — over the closet door. The angel monument in the mural was inspired by one found in a New Orleans cemetery.
08 Transom, detail
A close-up of the trompe l'oeil grotesque (a "relief sculpture") over the closet door, featuring the client as a fanged demon with eyeglasses and a skull earring in his left ear. (No, the clients' last name isn't "Munster," but they're just as interesting and lovable!)
09 Upperview, right
A broader view, from the top of the staircase, shows the raven on the right. Because the mural is designed to be seen from below, the trompe l'oeil perspective is slightly skewed from this vantage point, but the mind's eye can make the adjustment and still enjoy the dramatic effect.
10 Gargoyle, right
A gargoyle projects left from an imaginary column. The column itself was designed to provide a logical placement for attaching the handrail.
11 Gargoyle, detail
A close-up view of one of the two gargoyles that face each other across the mural's main face.
12 Stone wall
A close-up of the stone wall which has an added "living creature" feature — a moth. Placed strategically close to the light switch, this little guy is guaranteed to be noticed.
13 Moth, detail
A close-up of the moth "floating" on the surface of the wall at the base of the staircase.