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 “calls†a day because you need projects to paint once you are done with the one you’re on!
Over the course of your career, what have been your favorite products? Hate to be self-serving, but I love the brushes I’ve developed. Best I’ve ever found.
If someone had asked you when you were a child “What do you want to be when you grow up?†you would have answered: A doctor. I was going to be a doctor all of my life, right up until my first week of college when I took chemistry. Immediately changed my major to Interior Design. My parents were…ahem…thrilled.
What would you be doing if you weren’t in your current profession? Maybe a photographer, maybe in advertising, maybe in music promotion, but more than likely, I’d probably be dead.
That’s someone who loves what they do. And, isn’t he funny? Well, here’s some of his work for you to see:
How cool is this? The water detail alone must have been insane quite the challenge!
Hello, 911? There’s some big cats on the side of the road…
Oops…there goes the paint…(*shudder*)
Before (drab, drab, drab)
…and AFTER! (Love how those three lights were worked in.)
…and just ’cause it’s so pretty…
We haven’t heard if the exterior project is going forward but I do hope we have the chance to work together. Either way, I was glad to have the opportunity to make Mike’s acquaintance. I hope you take the time to see the Murals & More website and check out the classes and products available — you won’t be disappointed!
