Trompe Loeil Mural of Block Island Ferry, 8’6″ x 4′, 2014
Private Residence, Narragansett, Rhode Island
by Charles C. Clear III and Bonnie Lee Turner
Trompe L’oeil Murals are so much fun! They blur the line between the reality of the wall and the illusion of what is painted. Even after you know that you are looking at a painting, it’s easy to let your mind wander into the scene.
This scenic trompe l’oeil mural features the Block Island Ferry. The Ferry is a Rhode Island icon that transports passengers, vehicles, and freight several times a day to and from Block Island. Block Island, also called New Shoreham, is a part of Rhode island, but it’s located about 14 miles or so off the mainland. The Mural shows the boat coming in to port at Point Judith in Narragansett, Rhode Island.
We were commissioned to paint this Mural by the homeowners of a luxurious seaside home in Narragansett. They had purchased a small photographic print of the Ferry from a local photographer, but their print was seriously damaged. They asked if we could take the remainder of what was visible and use it as a reference to paint it in the Mural. This was an unusual request, but we agreed, and designed the Mural to include the Ferry.
The misty twilight scene in the Mural is shown through a hand painted bay window. This trompe l’oeil bay window has decorative grilles. The warm brown tones of the window’s faux wood molding complement both the furniture and the actual molding on the opposite side of the room. This is a very calming, quiet Mural, and it fits perfectly.
The homeowners were so pleased with our Block Island Ferry mural that they commissioned us to paint a companion piece – the Narragansett Towers Mural.
To commission a hand painted trompe loeil Mural of your favorite scene for your home, contact me today!
Bonnie Lee Turner
bt@bonnieleeturner.com
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