TROMPE L'OEIL HAND PAINTED BISTRO FOR LAURIE'S PATIO & POOL AREA

TROMPE L'OEIL HAND PAINTED BISTRO FOR LAURIE'S PATIO & POOL AREA

LAURIE WANTED A BISTRO ON HER PATIO

So, she asked me to paint a mural of a bistro on the wall behind her patio bar.

She showed me some pictures of what she thought she wanted and left the rest up to me.

This is one of my most favorite jobs EVER!! 

I LOVED painting the red door and steps.  And, I always enjoy painting gardens and flowers.

I think I painted my signature close to the red door but don't remember where, exactly.

Or, maybe at the base of the small tree on the other side of the bistro.

I drew the outline where I wanted the bistro and stone wall to be.

Then, I painted a beigy color as my base coat.

I had to look at a picture of awnings so I could get the angles correct and just drew them on the wall with a pencil.  Then, I drew the shutters.  Those were the most important parts of the structure to get accurate dimensions.   

Ha!  There's me taking a picture, reflecting in the (real) window.

Laurie's home surrounded this pool area with huge glass windows on three sides.  

So, the bistro was very visible and a major part of her patio. 

This is the long, flat wall as I was getting started.

After I was working on the outline and the awnings, Laurie came out and told me they were watching as I worked.  They were amazed and couldn't believe my perspective, that I could just look at the small pictures and draw what I saw.

To tell you the truth, I feel the same way when I'm finished with most of my big jobs.

I believe that special someone is always with me and guides my hand.

I always say that it was "me and God".

Laurie LOVED her bistro and I'm so glad I took good pictures.

She gifted me with a beautiful book of bistros around the world.

Not long after I painted this mural, Laurie's husband was transferred and they moved.

I wonder if that artwork is still there!