iLAdesigns has completed first stage of the exterior fresco project at Sunset Plaza drive in Los Angeles. Historic town of Positano on the Amalfi coast of Italy became an inspiration for the fresco artist, iLia Anossov (fresco) - iLAdesigns.com and Architect Frank Schuetz in their creation of the grand entry fresco to the house of Brian Witzer.
Trompe l'oeil carved plaster work and vignette views of Positano Bay on the left and the Town of Positano street scene on the right, surround main entry doors. The style is in the best traditions of early Italian Renaissance. The technique is a genuine Buon (true) Fresco - the glorious technique of Giotto, Michelangelo and Rafael making it's mark in Los Angeles.
An artist painting in buon fresco must paint with paints made from pure minerals which have been ground into powder and mixed with water. Artist must paint on the wet calcium based lime plaster before it dries. As plaster cures paints applied become trapped within the newly formed calcium crystals becoming one with the wall. The best calcium lime for fresco is made of marble or fine limestone.
"We import lime for our frescoes from Florence, Italy where it is made from pure Carrara Marble. And as lime in plaster cures it becomes once again - marble, it is like painting with "Molten Marble" - said artist iLia Anossov (fresco).
Since the area that can be painted while the plaster is still wet is relatively small - a few square feet, which is especially challenging outdoors, the artist has to work in sections that can be fully completed in one session. Those sections are called "giornata" (giorno - Italian for "day"). After the day is finished the painting is trimmed to the "cut-line". The new plaster is mended and painted the next day.
Ian Hardwick - master fresco plasterer is applying new "giornata"
The second stage of this project is in development and will feature trompe l'oeil elements throughout the exterior of the building in secco fresco (painted on dry plaster).
Comissioning Buon (buon) Fresco in Los Angeles is made possible due the efforts of fresco artist and educator iLia Anossov (fresco) - iLAdesigns.com and his Internationally recognized Fresco School (FrescoSchool.org).
