Nature in the City

As much as I love living downtown, I do miss quiet streets and a green backyard. But wait—why not have both?!

A recent client lives just South of me, in a small condo in Liberty Village. His small living quarters only offered 2 thin strips of wall, above the kitchen cupboards and the closet. It really felt like it needed some cheer, so he asked me to paint some peaceful scenery.

Being from Northern Ontario, his childhood memories are filled with Canada's wildlife and the great outdoors. He gravitated towards the mountain scene so we discussed some alterations to personalize it to his own tastes.

Blue was chosen for a soft sky and calm lake. Then mixed with green for a tree-lined landscape.

I incorporated some pines and peaceful creatures: a deer sipping water and a loon looking on...

a moose sitting in a valley...

and a soaring eagle.

Even though, the available wall space was very long and narrow, the condo still transformed into an entirely different atmosphere. Painting a similar background on both sides, created continuity throughout the room. Including long, rolling landscapes added depth and expanded the space.

Now his home feels like a comfortable place to relax, surrounded by nature and it's calming remedies.

I've just added 4 new murals to my website! Take a peek here and let me know which is your favourite in the comments below!

3D Window Mural

From window-less to open-vista, Marsha's bathroom now looks bigger, brighter and better! 

I'm sure we all have a small space in our homes that may be under-enjoyed because they're... well, small.

Recently, I've been able to make a small space look larger—without undergoing any construction! Technically, there still isn't a window but the three-dimensional painting creates the illusion that there is.

The ceiling was also painted sky-blue to look like an open Mediterranean-style courtyard:

Every time Marsha passes by the door or enters the room, she gets to peer out at an expansive view. Although it's not real, it's a realistic-looking reminder of the Rockies and the positive feelings they conjure.

The blue sky and clear reflection radiates warmth and peacefulness. While admiring it, she's suddenly transported to a different place that makes her feel more relaxed. "Seeing the mountains so many times a day makes me feel peaceful, deep in my bones."

With a bit of shading and perspective, just imagine all the possibilities!

What 3D image would you like to see in your home?

P.S. While painting this window mural and posting for my "10 Years Ago" photo-a-day challenge, I realized a funny coincidence. Exactly 10 years ago, to the day, I drew this window! Follow my challenge here on Instagram.