CASE STUDY
THE ELWOOD HOTEL
A boutique hotel bursting with imagination.
Client: Elwood x LexArts Location: Lexington, Kentucky, United States Project Type: Hand painted murals and wall artDate Completed: June 2021
Elwood is a lifestyle boutique hotel located in Lexington, Kentucky, USA established in 2021. The client envisioned a plan to have murals throughout the interior and exterior of the hotel so that the artwork would naturally flow throughout the entire building. Through art, our goal was to create a unique experience and stay for visiting guests. In collaboration with the Elwood and LexArts, the murals and wall art that I designed aimed to provide a unique art experience — with art that was ready to tell a story of its own.
WATCH THE PAINTING OF THE ELWOOD HOTEL
Video Credit: Bullhorn Creative & Justin Keens
EXTERIOR MURAL
Hand painted mural on the exterior of the Elwood Hotel
This project features a large, hand-painted mural that spreads across two exterior brick walls on the Elwood. The client requested that the mural be powered by, ‘imagination and adventure, as seen through the eyes of a child.’ It was important that this artwork tell a compelling story while also complimenting the branding and location of the hotel. To achieve this, the mural depicts two children with paint brushes and buckets in hand bringing their ‘imagination’ to life, with their animal friends by their side. The floral in the mural is painted in a ‘trick-of-the-eye’ abstract style where from up close it appears to be just blocks of colours but from afar, it creates the illusion of flowers over-grown onto the building.
Photography credit of Alixandra Jade in action on lift: Justin Keens
CONSERVATORY MURAL
21 x 8 ft hand painted mural for The Conservatory in the Elwood
For the interior of the hotel, the client requested that a mural be painted in the conservatory to help create a bright, warm, and inviting atmosphere. The client was looking for a mural that would be suitable for a space where guests would feel welcome to sit and socialize. The inspiration for this mural was to compliment the exterior floral mural, while also providing a twist. Bright colours and vibrant patterns help to create this effect and reference the exterior mural while also offering a different take on the same style.
CORRIDOR WALL ART
Hand painted sketch style floral wall art painted throughout every corridor on all four floors of the Elwood.
Client requested that sketch-style floral wall art be painted on every hall, in a way that flowed throughout the walls and up onto the ceiling in every corridor on all four floors of the hotel. These illustrations helped to create the feeling of, ‘walking through the pages of a sketchbook,’ and help to carry on a theme of imagination and wonder.
