Beautiful Murals, Faux Finishes & Stencils

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. VIEW THE ARTIST'S WEBSITE FIRST, make sure that you like their work and that the quality is up to your standards.

The next step is to SET UP A CONSULTATION to meet with the artist at the proposed project site to discuss your hopes and dreams for the project you have in mind.

YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE you feel comfortable with her or him, that they're listening to you and understanding your ideas. The initial consultation is often a brainstorming session and should be fun, creative and exciting in anticipation of the transformation that lies ahead!

IN PREPARATION FOR THE CONSULTATION, bring to the table whatever reference materials you have collected that have inspired you that would help the artist understand your ideas better - pictures cut from home magazines that show the colors, designs, artwork or faux finishes that you like are particularly useful.

HOPEFULLY BY THE END OF THE CONSULTATION you will have reached a consensus on which direction to take. The artist will want to take pictures of the space, take measurements, etc.

Since every project is unique, most likely the artist will not be able to give you a cost/time estimate until a day or more later, after considering all the variables, but may like to know what your budget for the project is. The artist may want to paint sample boards first, particularly if several options were discussed and need to be narrowed down.

Usually an artist will charge for the consultation and sample boards, sometimes waiving the fees if the project goes forward.

Once everything is agreed upon, the artist will draw up a contract - and then the REAL fun begins!

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. My work reflects a quality that comes of perfectionism, but not to the point of insanity - I do know when to stop! But if the work does not meeting my standards of excellence - if something I thought would work doesn’t, for example, whether it be a brush stroke or an entire section - I won’t stop until it is right and beautiful and everyone is happy. Even if it’s on my dime.

Q. Do you have a favorite story from your work?

A. My favorite story followed the completion of a trompe l'oeil mural I painted on the facade of a sporting goods store to look like a trading post (http://christinewoodsart.com/tradingpost.html).

The mural transforms a flat cinder block wall into the illusion of a 3-D wooden porch with all kinds of items scattered around. In the left corner I painted a big barrel of worms with a raccoon peeking out from behind it. A sign on the barrel reads, "Worms - 5 cents doz."

The proprietor told me that when customers come in asking for worms for 5 cents, he tells them that if they want worms at that price, they'll have to go outside and pick them from that barrel!