The Citizen, 2007-10-18, Page 16For more and more people home
has become a sanctuary. Energies are
being focussed, therefore, on
creating a space that comforts, yet
reflects one’s personal style and
taste.
One way to achieve this is with a
hand-painted mural. Jane Stryker of
Home Expression has been helping
homeowners “bring their
imagination to life” with very
personal works of art.
Stryker has been painting
beautiful acrylic-oil pictures for
decades, starting in her early 20s.
Her success has been highlighted in
the years since with a number of
exhibits. As well, her work was
brought to a massive audience when
in 1999 her work was featured as the
season poster for Blyth Festival.
Despite the recognition, however,
Stryker modestly eschews the label
of artist. “I’m more of a craft person.
Others may want to be called an
artist, but I kind of find it
embarrassing. I tend to think that in
their own way everyone is an artist.”
Perhaps. But not everyone can
create the charming images Stryker
has on the walls of her clients.
The idea to paint murals and get
paid for it, came about through a
comment from a family member. “I
was painting on people’s walls for
fun and my cousin from Toronto
said, ‘You realize people do this as a
business? You should give it a try.’”
On the business side of this,
Stryker said costs vary depending on
how much detail is required. “It
would be around $30 per hour. If
people prefer a job rate I can
calculate that by square footage. But
the bottom line is a judgement on the
time it would take to paint, plus the
time to work up an idea.”
PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2007.
Welcome to my space
A unique design in Sam Sparling’s bedroom has been transformed by Jane Stryker from a
tiny cupboard into an under-the-sea play area. (Bonnie Gropp photo)
Area woman turns spaces into works of artFFaallll HHoommee IImmpprroovveemmeenntt 22000077
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By Bonnie Gropp
The Citizen
Continued on page 17