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November 28, 2003/Kislev 3 5764, Vol. 56, No. 10
Murals enhance backyards
JESSICA BARBER
Staff Writer
Many Valley residents live behind walls - cinderblock, wood, stucco and concrete - meant to provide security and privacy. But walls also detract from the natural mountain and landscape views, a wonder that attracts many to the state in the first place.
Reconciling nature and man can be a difficult task, but two Scottsdale businessmen and artists feel they are up to the challenge.
Rob Kelman and Cris Gardner have created Mural Magic, Inc., a company that offers hand-painted murals of desert or paradise scenes to transform a blank backyard fence into a piece of art.
"Most people like one of two subject matters," explains Kelman. "Either they want the view they are missing or a place they would like to escape to. I have more than 20 designs to choose from."
But Kelman and Gardner also handle special requests.
"If they don't like what they see, I'll ask them what they had in mind," says Kelman. "I had a client who used to live on a golf course and now he has a cinderblock wall. I did mountains with the greens and put in the pole and flag. ... I also suggested they put in a real pole and putting green in front of it to make it seem that much more realistic."
The idea for Mural Magic Inc., was first conceived two and a half years ago when Kelman and his son Jamie decided to "dress up" their own Scottsdale backyard with a mural.
"I planned it out to scale and the two of us knocked it out," says Kelman. "We backed up and said 'wow.' It came out so realistic that we didn't paint cactus on it, we planted real cactus instead. That's what it called for. And any time someone saw the mural, they thought it was a great idea."
Kelman, who is also an interior designer, got tired of just thinking the murals were a good idea, and decided to start the business.
"The Valley is surrounded by walls, and I realized that this is a viable idea," he says. "Sometimes clients want help inside, and sometimes they want help outside."
Since July, Kelman and Gardner have participated in local home shows and have advertised locally to get the word out. Most recently, they completed a 70-foot mural in a private backyard. Most murals take two or three days to complete.
Murals are priced at $500 for the first 8-12 foot panel, and are pro-rated for each subsequent panel. A 30-foot mural would cost about $1,250, Kelman explains.
"I find the clients we typically appeal to are frequently those with some disposable income," he says. "Also, people who take extra pride in their house and environment (are interested in the murals)."
Kelman has taught art education at the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center and through the Paradise Valley School District's adult education program.
Kelman and his wife Teri are residents of Scottsdale. The couple has two adult children, Jamie of Los Angeles and Jennifer Levine of New York.
"I've grown up enjoying and appreciating nature my whole life," says Kelman. "My kids are turned on to nature now too. It's impossible to beat Mother Nature, so I just try to imitate her a little bit."
Call 602-571-0500 or visit www.muralmagicinc.com.
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