THE PAINTED CEILING
In The Painted Ceiling, master muralist Graham Rust applies his formidable talents to
creating more than a hundred designs for ceilings of all sizes. The subjects covered include daytime and night
skies; birds and animals; cloud formations; rustic schemes featuring flower-decked trellises; trompe l'oeil
architectural details, such as plasterwork, paneling, and coffering; simple geometrical patterns; and allegorical
scenes in the grand manner.
Along with fascinating background information about the beautful ceilings painted by the author over the past twenty
years, Graham Rust explains how to choose the right design for the area you wish to paint, be it a spacious entrance
hall or a smaller area, such as a bay window or a bathroom ceiling. A practical section regards the stages of
development of a painted celing and gives tips on the techniques that are required.
The Painted Ceiling contains a vast cornucopia of original designs, providing both inspiration and practical
information on the are of creating ceiling decoration.*
DECORATIVE DESIGNS
In this sumptuous volume, Graham Rust, the accomplished painter and muralist, showcases his
distinctive vision with one hundred decorative designs for every room in the house, including objects large and
small, from cupboards and firescreens to delicate miniature boxes, as well as grand mural schemes for whole rooms,
executed on panels and walls.
In his previous acclaimed book on mural painting, The Painted House, Rust fulfulled his dream project of
muraling an entire mansion, room by room. In decorative designs, he expands his vision, presenting ideas
with practical application for an entire range of objects that can personalize any home, large or small.
Lavishly illustrated in color throughout with original sketches alongside finished works, Decorative Designs
offers a breathtaking vista of creative ideas from one of the world's leading decorative artists. A must
for interior designers and decorative painters, it cannot fail to inspire anyone who dreams of creating a
uniquely beautiful home.*
THE PAINTED HOUSE
On a visit to Italy, many years ago, muralist Graham Rust was greatly inspired by the frescoes of Veronese in the Villa
Barbaro at Maser. Since then, the idea od an entire house painted from top to bottom always fascinated him.
That original inspiration may have set the pattern of his career as an artist, but although he had painted murals,
some vast in scale, in many houses in Europe and America, he had never had the opportunity of painting every room
under one roof.
To turn this dream into reality, Rust conceived the idea of The Painted House. He designed a mural for
every room in an eighteenth century house - which was remodelled and extended in the nineteenth century - thus
creating a painted house without moving away from the drawing board!
It is unlikely that anyone would commission murals to be painted throughout their entire house or that anyone would
have the time to carry out such a scheme, but Rust hopes that some of the ideas will suggest ways to decorate at least
one room in your house or apartment. From palace to cottage there is always a place for mural decoration: it can
transform darkness into light, the humdrum into the exotic; it can lift the spirits of the meanest room and visually
transport the occupants into another world.
* (Information from the Bullfinch Press Books.)
|
|
Please allow a moment for the photo gallery to load. |
|
|
|---|
|
ABOVE: The theme of the ceiling painting was the temptation of Christ. In the centre Christ and the
Devil are pictured on the Mount of Temptation at the moment when the Devil offers Christ all the riches of the world.
(The Painted Ceiling)
| |
|
|---|
|
ABOVE: As the painted balustrade turns the corner of the plaster vaulted ceiling, the perspective could
look uncomfortable. The draped figures under the shell fountains either side of the central sculpture help to
disguise this and deceive the eye into seeing a more harmonious 'join'. (The Painted Ceiling)
| |
|
|---|
|
ABOVE: The Tree of Life is represented in this ceiling decoration by a
lushly growing hybrid banana palm. The cherubs hold garlands of flowers
which are species grown on the Mawley Hall estate. The botanical
details signify the family's keen interest in the restoration of the
gardens and increasing the stock of plants. This detail also shows the
illusionistic stonework and drapery surrounding the 'open sky' effect
of the ceiling painting. (The Painted House)
| |
|
|---|
|
ABOVE: The painted wall follows a single, short flight of stairs and
represents the loggia of an Italian palazzo. The fountain which has
given the staircase its name is from a study made in Rome. Elements of
the Italian landscape surround the fountain: the avenue of tall trees
gives a deep perspective. The painted balustrade helps to disguise the
problem of carrying the angle of the view right into the foreground of
the painting. The main colours are blue and white, most strongly
displayed in the drapery flowing from the overdoor into the palazzo
view. (The Painted House)
| |
|
|---|
|
ABOVE: The classical focal point of the design for the half-landing
wall is surrounded by a variety of details relating to family interests
and the history of the state. The blue cedar in the background, for
example, was planted during a visit by Queen Mary, consort of King
George V, and was subsequently destroyed in a gale, so the painting
acts as an historical record. (The Painted House)
|
|
|---|
|
|
