Four Seasons Custom Murals |
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Murals & Artwork - Enhancing the Beauty of Historic Buildings & Interiors |
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So, John Canning & Co. is known for many things when it comes to the restoration, conservation & preservation space, including providing decorative painting, ornamental/flat plaster, woodwork, murals/artwork, stone and gilding for historic and landmark buildings across the country. At John Canning & Co., as specialty contractors, our expert conservators and artisans have decades of experience not only preserving, conserving, and restoring murals and artwork, we also provide custom murals and artwork. Whether it is creating new pieces that align with the historic structure and established style of the space utilizing period methods, materials, and techniques or designing a space with completely new murals and artwork, Canning has you covered.
Our custom pieces can be found in buildings across the Country including state capitols, theatres, churches, high end residential spaces, and educational facilities. Our artisans are skilled in replicating and designing in Art Deco, Chinoiserie, Art Nouveau, Chiaroscuro, Pre-Raphaelite, Plein Air, Realism, and other styles.
Pictured above you can see the Chinoiserie style scenic four-season flower motif murals that were designed and implemented for a residential space. Fun Fact: notice the flower motif was even carried into the winter scene. This scene features plum blossoms which are known to bloom in China during the January and February months and often during the winter snow. A few additional examples of our custom mural artwork can be seen below. |
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Art Deco Mural For The Kentsdale Designer Showhouse |
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John Canning & Co. was invited to participate in a Kentsdale Designer Showhouse. For this project we designed and implemented an Art Deco Mural that depicted a scene from the viewpoint of standing on the deck of cruise ship with a distinguished couple enjoying the view. Some of the fun for this project involved Jacqueline Canning Riccio creating a dress to match the lady’s dress she depicted in the mural. And for the showcase event, Jackie and David Riccio both dressed up to match the characters depicted in the mural.
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Philadelphia Academy Of Music Ballroom Custom Opera Art Murals |
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The Philadelphia Academy of Music Ballroom restoration project enlisted Canning to be the consultant for historic finish exposures and paint analysis, and to perform ornamental plaster fabrication, woodwork restoration, and all decorative painting, trompe l’oeil, and gilding throughout the ballroom. In replication of the original design scheme, we referenced an 1860 photograph. Where we could not determine the original decoration or design, we created new decoration or design working in the established style. Some examples of the new designs created can be seen in this artwork where scenes from Mozart’s operas were created by our artists since it could not be determined from the information we had, who the figures in the grisaille paintings were.
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New Designed Mural Artwork And Decoration For A Rectory Ballroom |
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For this project, the rectory ballroom underwent a complete beautification effort through the implementation of new design. The new design path was determined through the Pompeian subject matter from the owner. In depth research of images and texts on Pompeian and Herculaneum paintings preserved by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD was conducted. In the process of designing the new interior campaign inspiration was drawn from the earliest frescoes. The campaign included the color scheme that would fit the intent of the design as well as blend with rooms in which the ballroom’s multiple doorways flowed into. The new Chinoiserie design features important, symbolic figures and scenes, as well as classical patterns and motifs, all highlighting the beauty of the natural world. Amidst the garden scene with birds, and flowers on the south wall, is the Parthenon along with two reconstructed pagan temples were created: the Temple to Vesta in Tivoli, and the Temple of Apollo at Delphi in Greece. The new design was inspired by the past, and designed and executed in our modern time with a remarkable level of craftsmanship to complete the beautification of this space.
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New Mural Artwork For The Culinary Institute Of America (Left) Angell Portrait, (Center) Trompe L'oeil Mosaics Food Image, (Right) New Design Incorporating The Culinary Institute Of America Name |
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For part of the Culinary Institute of America restoration project for Farquharson Hall, Canning created new designs that extended the design to reflect the Culinary Institute’s roots by incorporating a major donor’s family crest and portraits of the Institute’s co-founders Katherine Angell and Frances Roth, along with trompe l’oeil mosaics featuring images of food preparation.
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US National Archives New Art Mural And Simulated Coffered Ceiling |
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For the US National Archives project, Canning was engaged to assist with the design of a new mural proposed for a shallow dome in the new visitor orientation plaza, located a level beneath the Constitution exhibit hall. Executing the mural directly on the curved dome would cause visual distortion. We proposed inserting a new curved wall, providing enough vertical space for a trompe l’oeil depiction of the upper portions of the Constitution display entablature; the coffered ceiling would be depicted on the dome. The mural in the dome is depicting a replica of the Constitution exhibit hall located directly above this new visitor orientation plaza entrance.
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Cathedral of St. Patrick’s New Fine Art Murals And Artwork
(Left) New Fine Art Murals (Center) Simulated Stained Glass New Artwork (Right) New Fine Art Murals |
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Part of the Cathedral of St. Patrick’s restoration project included creating 22 new murals (16’ x 12’) depicting the life, death, and resurrection of Christ and a series of simulated stained glass windows. Murals that once graced the upper walls of the church had been removed during a whitewash campaign. Canning’s goal in developing new murals was to create a sense of permanence and antiquity. The introduction of new design in a historic interior must be done very carefully even if one is reinstating the original intention with new work. For the back wall of the sanctuary, artwork creation of a triptych was achieved using a variety of gilding, transparent glazes, and metallic paint simulate stained glass windows.
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Stages Of One Of The Murals For The West Virginia State Capitol Project. (Left) Preliminary Sketch Of The Murals (Center) Fine Art Canvas Production Of Mural (Right) Installed Mural |
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The most recent Canning West Virginia State Capitol project involved the design and execution of 4 pendentive and 4 lunette murals for the Rotunda. Research into many of the artists that the Capitols architect Cass Gilbert collaborated with was performed to draw inspiration and guidance from in order to design the artwork. These mural compositions were developed in the tradition of great artists who worked with and for Cass Gilbert with layouts that are characterized by strong established centers, elegant symmetry and figures in the artwork based on studies of life models. The color palette was also guided by the Cass Gilbert’s notes on color he had in mind for the building. The installation of these murals is currently in-progress.
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Artist Henry Pospieszalski Touching Up A Recently Installed Mural That He Designed And Executed For The West Virginia State Capitol Project |
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Latest Articles & Announcements |
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Selecting the Right Substitute Materials When Restoring Historic Campuses |
Preserving the rich history and architectural integrity of historic campuses is a delicate and challenging task. Explore the importance of choosing the right substitute materials and discuss considerations for achieving a harmonious balance between preservation and functionality. |
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| Thomas Aquinas Chapel: Tradional Beauty Made New
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Take a look at the how traditional beauty made new at the Chapel at Thomas Aquinas College's East Coast Campus. The project at Thomas Aquinas College's Chapel required the conversion of a once protestant interior to one of Catholicism. It was desired that the chapel be highly decorated but within the country Gothic simplicity already provided by the architectural lines of the 1909 building.
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Two of the projects getting recognized at the 2024 Connecticut Preservation Awards this year are projects John Canning & Co. had the pleasure to be a part of the Connecticut Capitol skylight and the New London City Hall restoration projects that are both receiving an Award of Merit. The New London City Hall project award is for the first comprehensive restoration project of City Hall in over 100 years. John Canning & Co. was contracted to perform the restoration of degrading plaster and fine art and decorative art conservation at the City Council Chamber 10 and 3rd FL Hall Way which began with a historic paint investigation in order to reinstate the original color scheme. For the Connecticut Capitol skylight restoration we worked on the restoration of finishes that included decorative painting and gold leafing for the interior East and West Atria which was part of a larger extensive atrium skylight project.
Awards are being held May 9th at the New Haven County Club in Hamden CT. Event Registration |
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As the latest Michigan State Capitol restoration wraps up you can find more articles and videos on-line, including this one "A close-up look at MI capitol done's restoration project", from 13 On Your Side ABC media. A recent tour conducted for members of the media allowed for a close-up look at the Capitol dome restoration project from the scaffolding. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1992, the Michigan State Capitol is one of the first state capitols to be topped with a lofty, cast-iron dome. Inside, the magnificent rotunda and nine acres of decorative fine arts give homage to Civil War Veterans. The dome for this project underwent conservation, with the rotunda requiring detailed cleaning to ensure longevity in preserving history. John Canning & Co., experts in preservation, worked alongside additional conservation professionals on this project, making their work seamless from one to another, making the work look like it has been done by one hand. Glad to wrap up another project for the State Capitol, John Canning & Co.'s work consisted of decorative painting restoration and conservation within the rotunda.
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This month we celebrate the birthday of the 3rd president of the USA, Thomas Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson was also an architect and we have had the honor of performing the restoration and conservation of Virginia State Capitol, a Palladian style statehouse he designed. Work included restoration of the historic decorative painting and gilding in the Chamber of the House of Delegates, Senate Chamber and the Rotunda. We also performed work at the University of Virginia and Academical Village which were also designed by Thomas Jefferson. A variety of work including woodgraining, plaster, and painting was performed in various spaces that included the Pavilion, the Rotunda and Garrett Hall.
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Interested in Seeing More of Our Work? Follow Us on TikTok! |
In studio decorative painting- showing pouncing of the detailed design and the painting techniques of the artist used to produce decoration. See how the illusion of depth and dimension starts to happen as the painting progresses. |
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We understand the importance in sharing our expertise and knowledge in our field. Besides the monthly newsletter and blogs we post, we also develop and share downloadable resources to help guide you in your conservation, preservation and restoration projects. Check out the Resources page and see if any of the resources can help answer some of your questions and provide a better understanding of some of the intricacies in the preservation field.
Check out our Featured Downloadable Resource below.
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The origins of decorative painting can be traced back 4,000 years when cultures used different patterns and designs as a means of communication and self-expression. Decorative painting was found in prehistoric times with paintings on cave walls, on tombs in ancient Egypt, and on temples in ancient Greece. This visual guide will serve as a resource to the various decorative techniques and finishes that can be found in buildings and interiors of all periods. . |
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The Association for Preservation Technology (APT) is the premier cross-disciplinary organization dedicated to promoting the best technology for conserving historic structure and their settings.
APTI 2024 November 12-16, Montreal, Quebec |
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As a national nonprofit preservation organization, the National Trust for Historic Preservation works to save America's historic places and is a great resource for anyone looking to learn more or get involved. |
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The League of Historic American Theatres (LHAT) is a non-profit organization with the main purpose of sustaining historic theatres across North America for the benefit of their communities and future generations.
LHAT National Conference July 7-10, Milwaukee, WI |
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The American Institute for Conservation and the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation work together to promote the preservation and protection of cultural heritage. Partner with us to further that mission. |
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JOIN THE CONVERSATION #PerfectingPreservation #jcanningcrew |
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