Faux-cus on the Pros: Michael Cooper of Murals & More
A little bit ago, we were asked to?provide an?estimate for an?awesome exterior commission.? A very?posh?hotel wanted their name, logo and other mural/trompe l’oeil elements to be painted very elegantly on the side of their building.? A building whose side was 60 feet wide and 15 stories high.? What?a rush!!!!? (As excited as I was, I didn’t give my hubby too many details?– if he knew the height and scaffold situation, he would Not Be Pleased.)? Although we were up to the challenge, I also knew it would behoove me to partner up with a firm that does this type of work frequently.? After several inquiries, I was led to the gregarious?Michael Cooper of Nashville-based Murals & More.? His work is extraordinary and I thought it would be great for you to get a peak into his mind and his incredible art.? He and his wife, Mickie, also write a regular column for the Faux Finisher magazine.? Let’s corner him and ask?a few questions!!
Tell us a little about yourself, your company,?its philosophy and style. I have been painting murals and finishes professionally for almost 20 years. Murals & More LLC has a reputation for quality. We are not the cheapest but we are certainly not the most expensive either. My murals tend to lean towards the more realistic style. Not necessarily photo-realistic, but I definitely want people to look twice before they figure out it’s painted!
Where?do you see?your field heading in the future? I think that there will be more and more talented people in the field, with customers settling less and less for sub-standard work. There will always be a market for the beginners and hobbyists, but I think that the ranks of the professionals will swell.
Professionally, who are some of your inspirations? Richard Haas, John Pugh, Kent Twitchell. Awesome artists. Very inspiring. Gives me some pretty heady goals.
What are some of your favorite color and/or product combinations to work with? I like working with silicates as well as Porter Paints.
What has been?the most positive and/or fulfilling project you’ve worked on? I really like doing projects for fitness centers, because of how it affects all of the kids. I also love doing large exterior projects, because of the influence it has on different people almost every day.
What’s the best piece of professional advice you have ever received? From my wife, Mickie: even if you are busy, still make five
