No, I don't mean smoke and ashes. When I say, "Pompeii's Finale," I simply mean that my home mural project has finally come to an end.
Since my last posting. the mural's window plaque has received a gold surface and a Latin inscription. The font is appropriately named
Trajan, and the saying translates as, "Know Thyself," wise and profound advice from the ages.
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Here are views of the room as it appears today...
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I promised my blogging friend Yvette that I would include a view from the kitchen. It's painted an orange, but I think you could also call it a Pompeian yellow.
Of course there is still work to be done — the Roman grille for the window, a solution to shield the kitchen from view while still allowing easy access, perhaps revised lighting, and then finally, the furnishings. That should be a lot of fun. In the meantime, I'll put away the ladder, the drop cloth and many quarts of paint.
Thanks for viewing!
Dear Mark - it has been an epic journey travelling with you on this journey for the past 18 months. Congratulations on triumphantly reaching your goal - the room showcases your skills and is a tour de force. May it gives you a great deal of pleasure and lots of satisfaction in a job well done.
ReplyDeleteDear Rosemary,
DeleteThank you for coming along on the ride — sharing the project has been at least half of the fun. I never rushed it, in part because I wanted to savor it, and in part because I knew full well I'd be staring at it with a critical eye for some time to come!
Hello Mark, Over the course of this project, you have taught us great lessons in history, research, aesthetics, art techniques, quality of workmanship, and just plain coolness. I was concerned that the complete work might seem a little overwhelming in total, but the whole seems as natural and right as each individual part. Unprepared visitors to your house will be simply amazed.
ReplyDeleteI would like to echo Rosemary's comments, and add that your final motto is a perfect summation of the work, and your involvement in it.
--Jim
Hello, Jim,
DeleteThank you for your comment and your many insightful observations during the course of this project. The fact that I started with a grid of columns and panels allowed me to do much of the designing as I went along, which in many other projects might have been counter-intuitive and counter-productive. As it turned out, that classic Pompeian layout of panels allowed me to do a lot of imagining and reimagining throughout the process. And that in turn allowed me to extend the research in a way that was most enjoyable.
Well congratulations. It looks terrific. I wonder how you feel, (not about it - you should be justifiably proud), but now that the project has all but completed. It will be nice to see the furniture in situ. Perhaps then you can show a 360 degree image of both rooms to get the full perspective?
ReplyDeleteYou really have an extraordinary talent.
Thank you Columnist!
DeleteI would be remiss if I did not say to you that your marvelous red Regency chairs were the standard in my own search for dining room chairs, and I even considered painting mine red, too. (The busy-ness of the mural prompted me to tone down the furniture color, however.)
In answer to your question about how I feel, there's a little relief, because the project has consumed my time for a while. There's a feeling of finality (friends have suggested that I'll probably tweak it endlessly, but that's not the case.) And in terms of feeling satisfaction, it is in that I pushed myself to work on a larger scale than I've ever done before. You wouldn't know this, but all my artwork heretofore has been on a relatively small scale, so this extending of scale has for me represented a personal growth.
Mark what an adventure in art and art history. It has been an honor to be included in this journey! You are indeed a superb and highly skilled artist!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Ceramic Artist Leah Bowring
Thanks for being there Karena and for being such a supporter of the arts on your own blog!
ReplyDeleteDear Mark, Oh no, I'm a little sad. I wanted you to go on and on. You have created a masterpiece. Not only is your work masterfully painted and the colors so brilliantly chosen, but it is the concept of your design that is so remarkable. Every week I knew that your work would be finished and then you would introduce us to another addition and each one, once it was finished, so necessary in your design scheme. And you never gave up. You even made changes along the way. It is truly a tour de force achievement. Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteDear Gina,
DeleteThank you for a very generous comment, and for following along and commenting from the very start of the series. I'm looking forward to turning my recent screen purchase into a Roman grille, and I will definitely be experimenting with the verdigris that you suggested. (I might be in touch for further advice!)
Wonderful post and lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting, Linda.
DeleteCongratulations, Mark! Your piece de resistance is a handsome work of art. I'm sad to see this project come to an end. But I've learned so much, so thank you! I feel like we're all graduating from Ruffner College. Will there be a final exam?
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Loi
PS - Can't wait to see how you furnish it.
Hi, Loi!
DeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed the Pompeian series, and your comment brought a smile and a chuckle. There are no tests at Ruffner College (although, come to think of it, I've had a fun quiz now and again). Classes are freely audited by one and all.
I'm looking forward to furnishing the space. I've been looking for a small table lamp for several years, so far without success. Ideally, it would have an antique look and be small enough not to obscure the detail of the mural. I might end up settling with something modern, perhaps a simple cylinder of light.
Oh, oh, oh, I am swooning, Mark. No exaggeration. :) SO beautiful. I do envy you your talent and stamina and dedication. I was afraid the termite invasion might have somehow harmed your work. I wonder what the exterminators thought of your beautiful walls? Anyone who comes to visit your house now must just be gobsmacked. In a good way. Your house is a treasure.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I'm putting the link on my Facebook page for my friends to see your wonderful work.
Hello, Yvette,
DeleteThough the termites swarmed in my house, and there was evidence of their presence in terms of droppings, I have in fact found no damage whatsoever, so I am lucky. And from here on out, I'll be getting yearly inspections. Only one exterminator (who was bonded) actually entered the house, and he did in fact take a moment to admire the mural. I am gratified whenever anyone notices, and you'd be surprised by the number of people who do not. There are many sleepwalkers in this life, Yvette!
Thank you for linking me to Facebook. I closed my account there last year, but I do appreciate your link, and your generous comment.
Mark, my friend Yvette posted this on Facebook. I had to come and look -- you did all of this yourself? It's absolutely beautiful, and I am pea green with envy ... LOL! You are definitely a most talented man, and I can only say that I wish my home could spotlight your talent. I adore ancient Roman and Grecian design. I'll be watching for more posts...
ReplyDeleteHello, Becky,
DeleteThank you for visiting! As I say in my profile, I love all things Neoclassic. If you enjoy Pinterest, I have several Neoclassic boards there.
Mark, I've looked for you on Pinterest but can't find your boards. Can you send a link or the necessary info? I'm curious and you know, curiosity must be satisfied. :)
DeleteHi again, Yvette — this should get you there:
Deletehttps://www.pinterest.com/markdruffner1/
Hi Mark,
ReplyDeleteYour blog is always a fun place to visit. When I'm visiting here, I feel welcomed and not afraid to ask questions. What a relief.
Your Wonderful Blog: you've given us more than we could have imagined. I love "how you put it all together" lessons of your stunning art work, and learning from you about characters in history. Your blog is a wonderful experience. And, let me not forget to mention, I appreciate your sense of humor adding a warm touch, always entertaining (smile). Thank you, thank you Mark. I hate to see this 18 month segment end.
Hi, Mrs. D.,
DeleteThank you for that lovely comment, which has truly made my day.
I've always thought that history should be a lot of fun. For me, it was never about events and their dates, but instead about the very interesting personalities at the center of all those events, and I think that's the way it should be taught.
Dear Mark,
ReplyDeleteI will not repeat all the wonderful comments you have received already, but to live in a masterpiece...how wonderful is that. My compliments and admiration.
HAIL MARKUS!
Anyes
xx
Thank you, Anyes! I return the admiration in full measure, for all the restoration work you've done on the Dusty Victorian — that's been an impressive journey to watch.
Delete