The TV show Daytime is running a piece on me and my artwork that’s airing this Thursday. Host Cyndi Edwards came by my studio about a week ago and we shot an interview and I showed her around my gallery. Daytime airs nationwide on the Retro Television Network, NBC, ABC and CBS. You can check your local listing to see when it’s on.
Here are photos of Cyndi Edwards and I during the filming of the show:
I often run into the problem of interior designers and home owners thinking that abstract art can’t work anywhere except a space age “stainless-steel-and-glass” condo. This is frustrating because I know from experience that traditional and classical decors can be the most stunning settings for abstract art. It is simply a matter of pairing the two properly.
Modern abstract art has a reputation for being off-putting and visually “harsh”—jagged shapes, hard lines, violent colors—and it’s not difficult to see why people would have trouble putting it on the wall in their cozy den. It is simpler to grab a safe (but dull) painting of a lighthouse or a flower or a snowy cottage. Sure, they’re a dime a dozen, but they’re not some piece of abstract artwork that leaves you going “I don’t get it…”
If you are able to forget preconceptions about what abstract art is “supposed” to be, you will see that there are artists like myself who have a unique style that can be softer and more natural that suits traditional settings. If the issue is simply that you don’t think bright colors work next to wooden furniture and a softer color palette, then you need to see pieces with natural, warm color palettes like Triptych in Brown or Autumn Musings. These pieces look beautiful in traditional homes, and in fact that is what they were created for (learn how I create custom abstract art.)
That isn’t to say you can’t do something exciting with abstract art in a traditional setting. I challenge you to get rid of your fixed ideas about what art can work in a space, and I have a story that might help. The Designer Showhouse of Sarasota is an annual event held to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs where interior designers from the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) are given rooms in a large home to design and decorate. Several designers working on the 2009 showhouse collaborated with me to created art for their rooms.
What surprised (and impressed) me most was the plan an ASID designer came up with for using my art in a way I’d never thought of. They were charged with decorating the fireplace and their idea was to take one of my pieces and turn it into the “fire.” This involved drastically resizing “Four Tori” down to 8″ by 48″ and altering the color then printing it on archival paper and mounting it on a piece of plywood. Then this was inlaid into the wooden mantle place.
I have to admit that at first even I was skeptical but as I worked on it with the interior designer and finally saw it in the finished room I knew it was a perfect match. The life and energy in the artwork creates a focal point and helps bring the room together. Take a look:
Custom artwork in the mantle place (click to expand)
For more examples of abstract art being used to create “transitional” decors (transitioning between classic and contemporary) check out what I wrote up on Menaul News.
Call me at 727-726-7411 if you have any custom art ideas of your own. You can also become a fan on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.
When I tell people I make “custom art,” it isn’t always clear to them what that means. I have been doing it for so long that I forget that it is an unusual concept to a lot of people. So how can art be customized?
It helps to understand my creative process. My abstract art is created using digital 3D rendering techniques that let me sculpt “glass” and control their lighting and composition. Then I produce the art on canvas (or paper or almost any material I want) using the giclee process. I run my own giclee printer and handle all of the prints myself so I can make the piece at nearly any size—from a small 8″ by 10″ to large 40″ by 60″ (and even bigger if we start using special printing methods.) Most of my work is gallery wrapped, which means that I stretch the canvas around wooden stretcher bars instead of framing it. The stretcher bars (what the canvas is mounted on) are handmade by a local craftsman that can make custom sizes. I stretch the canvas on to the frame by hand and even go as far as to constructing my own shipping boxes if needed.
Here is a breakdown of how I can customize my art:
Custom Sizes — Since I control the creative, printing and framing processes, my art can be produced at almost any size. This doesn’t just mean I can make it bigger or smaller; I can also make the art taller or wider or even expand it across multiple canvases. For example, you might like one of my pieces but it wouldn’t work above the wide couch where you want to put it. I can turn it into a horizontal piece or triptych that fills the space. Read The Evolution of Atlantis to see how custom sizes worked for clients with different demands on their space.
Custom Colors — The properties of the glass and lighting in my art determines the colors in the piece. By changing these I can drastically transform the artwork to suit different decors and environments. The original art may be cool blue tones but if you have a rustic country house you need warmer colors, and I can do that. For the clearest illustration of this, look at original Musings and its variations Autumn Musings, Musings Natural, and Romance. Each was created as clients came to me and said “I like this piece but my place is these colors…”
Custom Composition — My artwork often contains geometric elements such as rings, spheres, cubes and pyramids. A client saw Aqua Rings and asked us to add spheres inside of the glass rings (as well as change the colors), and so I made Glass Rings and Spheres.
Custom Materials — Most of my art is on fine art canvas but I can also produce it on paper and watercolor paper or even unusual materials like vinyl, aluminum, ceramics, semi-transparent film that goes over windows, and more. This opens up creative possibilities such as mounting the art on wood, wrapping the piece around a column or cutting it to custom sizes and shapes and mounting in clear plastic objects (we’ve done all of that and more!)
Totally New Artwork — You can always come to me with an idea even if you don’t see anything in my art galleries that matches what you’re looking for. When I created art for the high rise condo Signature Place in St. Petersburg, FL, the interior designer asked for original artwork for the main lobby (in addition to the 60+ custom pieces that went in all 30 elevator lobbies). Knowing their size requirements and color palette, I created Dancer in the Breeze and Daisy.
That should give you a good idea of what it means to make custom art. Let me know if you have any questions or ideas. I love hear them! You can call me at 727-726-7411 or leave a comment below.
Check out the latest update to my main site (www.menaul-art.com):
The most common question an artist is asked is “Where do you get your ideas?” This story shows how a concept in the artist’s head can become a work of art and where it can go from there…
The Creation of Atlantis
Scott Menaul has been a photographer for over 26 years. He has also lived in New England and Clearwater, FL and traveled to the Bahamas and Caribbean. During his photography career he’s had a continued fascination with the sea that you see reflected in much of his abstract artwork. (See Scott’s Clearwater Beach and New England coastline photo galleries here.)
Scott drew from these experiences when he created the abstract artwork “Atlantis” (seen below). The colors evoke thoughts of blue skies, white clouds, sandy beaches and shimmering waves. The shapes suggest a bow of a ship and its billowing sails…
Read more: The Evolution of Atlantis: A Story of Custom Abstract Art
As soon as I get OK from the client, I’ll share the latest new art that I am developing using Atlantis. It’s really exciting to see a single piece of artwork give life to so many more ideas!
For the last few months I have been printing giclées of Hubble and NASA images and gallery wrapping them on canvas. This lead to me working with a local astronomer on a very fun project. Here’s the story (original posted on Menaul Decor’s blog):
A Florida astronomer recently came to our studio after seeing on our site that we produce Hubble and NASA photos on canvas. He wanted to check things out in person before buying because he wasn’t sure how good they would look. We understand his skepticism. An astronomer wants something that captures the same excitement they feel when looking through their telescope at the night sky. Unfortunately, when it comes to astronomy art, that’s not always easy.
Astronomers are usually stuck getting overpriced prints or flimsy fold-out posters from magazines. They’re not that good, but it’s usually the best you can get. You can try dressing them up by having them matted and framed but that gets expensive fast (and probably costs more than the poster in the first place.) Getting a roll of paper out of a tube and slapping it on the wall with some sticky tack doesn’t quite instill the sense of awe and wonder that these heavenly bodies should inspire.
In our studio, the skeptical astronomer’s concerns evaporated the moment he saw Bode’s Galaxy and Sombrero Galaxy on canvas (we’d prepared them at his request.) He was blown away. Seeing it on a computer screen is one thing, but it’s an entirely different experience to see it on fine art canvas, hanging on a wall. Light acts with it differently and the canvas’ texture adds a special quality to it. He bought the two canvases on the spot and placed an order for more to give out as gifts.
The very next day he called us with an exciting idea. He had recently moved out into a rural area that has less light pollution and a clearer night sky for his star gazing. He was still remodeling and decorating his house, which is why he check us out in the first place. He wanted to know if we could print an extremely high resolution photo of Saturn taken by the Cassini satellite that orbits the planet.
This is the image he chose:
He wanted to know if we could make it as big as possible (in fact, bigger than almost anything we’ve ever done.)
Our answer: “No problem.” Custom orders are our specialty.
What we decided on was a 32″ by 60″ gallery wrapped canvas. We had custom stretcher bars built (that’s the wooden frame the canvas is mounted on). After sending him digital proofs for approval, we printed the piece on museum-quality fine art canvas, sprayed it with a clear UV protective coating and hand-stretched it. We had it done for him within a week.
Here’s what the astronomer wrote after receiving his stunning artwork:
“Where no artist has gone before…”
“Scott Menaul has produced something amazing. If it is not a brand new art form, it’s close, and it promises a revolution in modern art—one that returns beauty, skill and optimism to the canvas, in a most post-post-modern way, and may it be a harbinger of the future in more than just the art world.
“Taking public domain images from the Hubble Space Telescope and the Cassini mission to Saturn, he has produced artwork that transfixes the eye and mind. There is a qualitative difference between canvas and paper, and the images of galaxies and star clusters fairly leap from the canvas, the paint-like inks seeming to glow as if lit by the subjects themselves. There is a depth and texture to canvas and paint which makes them richer, more organic, more subtly ‘alive’ than any paper and ink I’ve seen.
“Scott Menaul has made the most spectacular use yet of the greatest public art of our time, the public-domain imagery from the Hubble and Cassini space missions. With an abstract artist’s eye for interest and contrast, and an engineer’s mind for subject and composition, and produced with cutting-edge technologies, modern art has at last come of age.
“If art serves to instruct and illuminate a people and their time, to use and celebrate the latest achievements of man, then here have the planets aligned at last, with technique, technology, and the ineffable wonders and joys of the human spirit taking wing together.”
See our Hubble and NASA space photos gallery or call 877-257-9199 and tell us what ones you want added. Astrophotographers, we’re happy to print your artwork too! Our studio in Clearwater, FL is open and walk-ins are weclome. And you can become a fan on Facebook.
This past year or so I’ve been interested in symbolism. Symbols can be powerful things, things that represent deep-seated beliefs, allegiances; political, spiritual or religious orientations.
To date, I have created an abstract American Flag (“New Glory”), the “Star of David,” and a Christian cross (“The Lord’s Prayer”). I am now working on some Indian (from India) symbolism: the Aum and the Ganesha.
Aum (or “om”) is a sacred or mystical syllable in the Indian religions, including Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism, and Buddhism.
The symbol I’m using is the Devanāgarī Aum. Devanāgarī is the main script used to write Hindi, Marathi, and Nepali.
Here is the Aum symbol by itself. I’ll post my Aum symbol artwork soon. Then I’ll talk about Ganesha. Stay tuned.
Aum symbol
Artwork is a very important element of any home decor. It adds a human and aesthetic touch that can tie the other elements of the room together and make it extraordinary. It’s unfortunate, however, that most people leave the artwork as the last step in the decorating process.
If the selection of artwork is left as the last step, it can be very difficult to find. I often talk to people who spend years trying to find the right piece that will fit with the colors and designs already in place.
As a result of this, fifty percent of my artwork sales are custom pieces. A client will first pick a piece they like from my collection; and then send me fabric or paint swatches to match. I will also custom size the piece to fit precisely in the intended location in the home. This works out well, but it would be better to do it the other way around.
Ideally, one would be looking at artwork at the beginning of the design process. Unfortunately, many people are already overwhelmed by the process at the very start and can’t even think about one more thing. Buying a new home, condo, or even re-decorating and be a huge endeavor. However, if one can take into consideration the artwork from the start, they are more likely to get an extraordinary result of which they can be proud and enjoy every day.
Some of my clients will design their home or room around a particular piece of my artwork. They will request color swatches that I can provide from the artwork from which paint can be mixed to match. It is much easier to color match paint than to go out and find artwork to match the paint.
In conclusion, the next time you decorate, do yourself a favor and consider the artwork at the start of the design process. You may actually find it much easier to pick paint schemes and fabrics when you already have a theme in place based upon the artwork.
Scott J. Menaul
• scott@menaul-art.com.com
• www.menaul-art.com
I receive many compliments from people about my artwork during art festivals and via email. While reading some of the emails recently, I realized that I have been very fortunate to have found my calling; something that I really love to do and something that I am good at. It took about five career changes, a lot of risk and some gumption, but it was totally worth it. The journey has been enriching and has helped me to build the skills and experience to do what I do and make me who I am.
I believe that everyone has one or more special talents or abilities. Many have not discovered theirs yet, nurtured it, or brought it to a professional level. I would advise you to look for your special talent. Follow your interests, try new things, seek out new experiences, new perspectives, and think "outside the box."
Don’t limit your search by preconceived ideas of how you think things should be, or, be unduly influenced by others. Observe everything, question everything and be creative. You might be surprised what you’ll discover. You might just find your own calling.
Good health is important. Otherwise, one is distracted from living life to the fullest by lack of energy, physical pain, illness, etc. I’ve spent many years reading books on the subject of health and managing weight. I’ve finally found the answer. It is too simple for most people to accept. The real answer doesn’t make anyone rich. What is the answer? Eat real food! Eat fruit, vegetables and meat (if your body does well with chicken, fish or red meat). Try it for two weeks for every meal and see how you feel. Eliminate sugar and all processed foods. Most health problems seem to dissappear when the body is properly fed and nutritional deficiencies are remedied. It may take some discipline, but it is well worth the effort.
Scott J. Menaul
• smenaul@aol.com
• www.menaul-art.com
I had my grand piano tuned a few weeks ago. Hadn’t had it tuned since I moved to Clearwater four years ago. The tuner I telephoned, Glen, turned out to be the same guy that tunes for Chick Corea! He’ll tune Chick’s piano every morning on recording days. He did an incredible job on my piano. It sounds like a new piano. I didn’t know that there was a significant difference in tunings between different piano tuners…apparently, there’s a huge difference.
I mentioned to Glen that I had been a frustrated musician. My personal barriers had gotten the best of me. Glen had the same problem. Chick told him that is was only fear. Just ovecome the fear.
I realized that it’s true…fear of making mistakes, fear of disappointment, fear of failure, fear of appearing foolish in front of others, fear that you won’t amount to anything after years of hard work, fear of becoming a starving artist, etc. Fear is the enemy of the artist.
Having a real passion for what I do gets me through those fears. I love to create something out of nothing, and then get real excited about it. I love it when others get excited and passionate about my abstract artwork. Knowing that I’m making others happy and helping them to improve their state of mind drives me to create. And that drive is stronger than my fears.
Artwork is much more than being about the artist, it is about humanity. It involves personal communication from the artist to an audience. It’s a communication that moves another person spiritually via material means. The material world in the hands of the artist becomes elevated and imbued with magic which seduces the observer into higher states of existence.
I recommend that you get passionate about doing something. Fuel that passion and rise above your own fear of accomplishing it. You might try this out on some smaller things at first and have success at those before tackling major things. Marvel at your successes and ignore the failures and frustrations. You are your own worst critic. Lighten up a bit. Don’t court failure because you haven’t yet achieved a professional level. Think of what you are doing as planting seeds. Nurture it without suffocating it with expectations and criticisms. Do more of what creates the good results and less of what creates the bad results and you’ll steadily and rapidly improve. Anything is possible.
Scott J. Menaul
• smenaul@aol.com
• www.menaul-art.com
