What is a "Mural"..? A mural is a very large image, such as a painting or enlarged photograph, applied directly to a wall, ceiling, or other large permanent surface in different techniques.

What is a Trompe L'oeil..? A Trompe-l'œil (French for "trick the eye" from tromper - to deceive and l'œil - the eye; pronounced as "trom ploy") is an art technique involving extremely realistic imagery in order to create the optical illusion that the depicted objects really exist. A typical trompe-l'œil mural might depict a window, door or hallway to optically enlarge a room.

What is the purpose of an Mural or Trompe L'oeil..? Basically transform your surroundings with unique and personalized design and style . I can with a mural enhance your interior developing the natural character, building upon themes or history to create the personal touch.

Can A Mural Be Painted On Any Surface..? Yes! Murals can be painted on a numerous surfaces ranging from concrete to wood, wallboard to canvas and even on certain types of wall paper. The possibilities are absolutely endless!

Do I Need To Get A Building Permit..? No. To have a mural painted, you will not need to obtain a "city building permit."

How do you charge for murals, faux finishes and decorative work...? Every job is different...A custom hand painted mural's cost depends upon several factors: Size, topic, Complexity, Location, Surface, Detail, or particular difficulty sometimes even according to accessibility and safety (for example, ceilings and floors). type of paint (Oil or Acrylic Paint). I enjoy both mediums; however it takes me twice as long to paint with oil paint as it does painting with acrylic paint. Oil paint is also more expensive than acrylic paint. Murals are also priced by the foot and start at about $35 per square foot.

Wall finishes are priced by the square foot and start at $3.00 per square foot and can go as high as $20 for artistic finishes, exotic woods, marbles or stones. Complexity and ease of access affect the price as well as travel considerations for out of town work. Special items or tools are always charged separately, like scaffolding. The best way to provide you with a quotation (firm or simply a guide) is to discuss your requirements with you.

Do you charge for consultations and sample making..? Yes. A First consultation for ideas or to show you the portfolio can be free charge, but the second one is $50 per on site hour. We can achieve an agreement for that, Sample boards for decorative finishes, preparatory sketches and drawings must be paid for in advance. However, if the client decides to commission to Elizabeth Gomez for the job, then the cost of one sample per room or hand-painted element will be reimbursed to the client. All samples remain the property of Elizabeth Gomez unless the client declines the reimbursement for the samples after the completion of the project.

I have no idea what I want...can you help..? Sure...that's what I am here for. Just email me with your questions and as soon as time permits I will send you some ideas. If you need more in depth consultation, such as color consultation or whole house planning, then just email me and I will get in touch right away.

Can you travel to my location..? Yes. Elizabeth Gomez works all over the United States, in fact anywhere that the work takes. Of course, I do charge for transportation and expenses. However, with the use of email most of the preparatory work can be done long distance, thus eliminating costly back and forth traveling expenses.

How long will it take..? One-process wall finishes usually take about a day per room; plaster finishes require about 2 days per room. For murals, it is harder to estimate a completion time. It ranges from several days for a quick painting to weeks for detailed work on a large scale.

What do we need to do to the walls to make sure they are ready for you..? If you want a mural, a flat white primer or basecoat is required. Transparent finishes require a smooth flawless basecoat in an eggshell finish (referring to the sheen). All point-up (ding and nail pop repairs) must be finished and painted before we can begin. Opaque finishes require a flat basecoat and small imperfections in the drywall need not be repaired. Plaster finishes require a flat paint or primer and wall repairs and imperfections need not be repaired.

Can you basecoat the walls or do I need to hire a house painter..? I do not basecoat walls or moldings for transparent faux finishes. A house painter will do it for less and more efficiently. However, I do basecoat walls, moldings, and cabinets for distressed and plaster type finishes as wells as opaque finishes (not transparent).

Do I need to move the furniture..? No; but to prevent additional fees all perimeter furniture can be moved at least three feet away from the walls to make room for ladders and other equipment. Pictures and other wall décor should be removed prior to our arrival. If a mural or faux finish is being done on the ceiling, then all furniture should be removed from the room to make way for rolling scaffolding and ladders. This ensures our safety and adds to our quality and efficiency.

Are you insured..? Yes. I have a very comprehensive liability coverage insurance policy.

What kind of paint do you use, and how long will it take to dry..? For wall faux finishes, I use different materials over a latex basecoat. For murals I use Acrylics or Oils depending of what kind of place and topic. The drying for oils paints is slower than Acrylic paints or different mediums , so it's something that we can decide in the process of design.

Do you work with designers? What if I already have a designer..? Yes, Working with designers is a big part of this business. Some designers will know exactly what they are looking for in painted finishes, and some will enjoy the brainstorming process with a custom artist. In any case, over the years I have had great relationships with interior designers and will keep on doing so.

Do you guarantee your work..? Absolutely. Your satisfaction with the finale results is of utmost importance! I will not finish until you are completely satisfied with the work.

How do I guarantee scheduling time..? No job is permanently placed on the schedule without a deposit. When this deposit is received, we give you the previously agreed upon and discussed time slot...if it is still available. Because this is a custom business, it is really on a first come first served basis.

Why should I hire you..? Elizabeth Gomez is an Artist who to provide the highest level of service with creativity, quality and professionalism.

Please take time to browse my extensive online portfolio. I have many years of experience. I enjoy the design aspects of the job and can help you to give you the better idea for your situation in particular and tastes. If you have any further questions, please contact me.