Learn To Faux Finish At Schools Throught The United States.  Decorative Painting Technique, Venetian Plaster, Glazing and Trompe Loeil
John Pugh
www.illusion-art.com

I am a trompe l'oeil artist focusing primarily on mural painting. I have found that the "language" of life-size illusions allow me to communicate with a very large audience. It seems almost universal that people take delight in being visually tricked. Once captivated by the illusion, the viewer is lured to cross an artistic threshold and thus seduced into exploring the concept of the piece. I have also found that by creating architectural illusion that integrates with the existing environment both optically and aesthetically, the art transcends the "separateness" that public art sometimes produces.

It is important for me, as an artist, to interact with the community, formulating concepts based upon a multitude of viewpoints. Artists must be continually aware that their work can serve as a bridge between diverse cultural backgrounds. Public art is of great interest to me; providing me with a sense of purpose as it is a very powerful form of communication. It can link people together, stimulate a sense of pride within the community, and introduce the viewer to new ideas and perspectives.

When developing a mural, I also respond to aspects of the location such as its architectural style or the natural surroundings. Often, I like to play with the art's context by contrasting these environments with another place and/or time. This paradox or juxtaposition of environments transports the viewer on a journey from local reality into a new space. During this "voyage", the viewer may experience sequential discoveries as my compositions are designed to unfold in narrative layers.

While most of the time I respond to existing architectural settings, I have also had the opportunity to take part in the development of the architecture itself; modifying the design of the structure to marry the painting to the site. This bridge between art and the architectural can effectively erase the transition point between reality and illusion. The art thus becomes integrated into the real world of architecture and lends credibility to the illusion of the painting. Together the sum is greater than its parts.

Past Artist of the Month
June 2006 : Patricia Buzo
July 2006 : Marc Potocsky
August 2006 : Sean Crosby
Septemeber 2006 : Tania Seabock
October 2006 : John Pugh
November 2006 : Michel Nadai
December 2006 : Sheri Hoeger
January 2007 : Christopher Winslow
February 2007 : Sherry Lawler Sparks
March 2007 : Michael A. Boudreault
April 2007 : Rose Lazzaro
May 2007 : Kim Senior
June 2007 : Pascal Amblard
July 2007 : Lynne Rutter
August 2007 : T.A.L.ENT.
September 2007 : Carol Pascale
October 2007 : Nicola Vigini
November 2007 : Ron Francis
December 2007 : Stacey Olson Sachs
January 2008 : Marsha Bowers
February 2008 : Benjamin Craig
March 2008 : Christine McIntyre-Hannon
April 2008 : Rebecca Slaton
May 2008 : Holly Whiting
June 2008 : Jason Brammer
July 2008 : Skip Dyrda
August 2008 : Sandra Kiss London
September 2008 : Kathy Wear
October 2008 : Bonnie Lecat
November 2008 : Patrick Kirwin
December 2008 : Corrado Mallia
January 2009 : Elena Ortega
February 2009 : Anita Medina
March 2009 : Arlene Mcloughlin
April 2009 : Patricia J. McWhorter
May 2009 : Dee Cunningham
June 2009 : Kristiano D'costa
July 2009 : Suzan Granskie
August 2009 : Pierre Finkelstein
September 2009 : Pierre Finkelstein
October 2009 : Gina Wolfrum
November 2009 : Rik Lazenby
January 2010 : Jason Lucas
February 2010 : Mel Holmes
March 2010 : Mel Holmes