Behind the Scenes: Coppervine Hotel Mural

Behind the Scenes: Creating the Coppervine Hotel Mural

Working on the mural for the soon-to-open Coppervine Hotel in New Orleans was an incredible experience that blended art, design, and a touch of spontaneity. I had the privilege of collaborating with the talented teams from Studio West Design and Claire Elizabeth Gallery, both based in New Orleans, to bring their vision to life.

The Hotel’s Aesthetic

The Coppervine Hotel is a haven of elegance and warmth. The design, as envisioned by Studio West, is open and airy, featuring bespoke woodwork, an abundance of tropical plants, and excellent natural lighting. This creates a welcoming and serene environment, perfect for a memorable stay in the heart of New Orleans.

The Creative Process

I approached this mural without a fixed composition in mind. Instead, I chose to freehand the mural based on the feeling of the space. The openness and the abundance of natural light in the room were key influences. This project felt more like creating an art installation that fed off of and was inspired by the design of the space itself.

Over the course of five days, I immersed myself in the creation process. There were many trips to Sherwin Williams to find the perfect colors. One of the biggest challenges was choosing the correct paint colors for the wall. The colors selected by the design team for other parts of the hotel looked fantastic in the hallways and hotel rooms but did not work once I began painting the mural.

The Challenge of Light and Color

The room where the mural is located has two walls of windows, flooding the space with bright sunlight—significantly more light than any other room in the hotel. Colors that looked beautiful in the darker rooms appeared too bright and childlike in this well-lit area. This required a lot of back and forth with the design team. Ultimately, we decided on very desaturated versions of the colors used elsewhere in the hotel to ensure the mural felt cohesive with the overall design.

A Harmonious Blend

Despite the challenges, the result is a harmonious blend of art and design that enhances the Coppervine Hotel's ambiance. The mural complements the bespoke woodwork, tropical plants, and airy feel, creating a space that is both visually stunning and deeply inspiring.

Working alongside Studio West Design and Claire Elizabeth Gallery was a rewarding experience. Their vision and dedication to creating a unique and inviting space were evident throughout the project. I am proud to have contributed to the Coppervine Hotel and look forward to seeing guests enjoy this beautiful new addition to New Orleans.

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