Ruthie Lowen’s Murals Make Luisa Graff’s New Store A True Gem

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From the fresh squeezed mimosas in etched champagne flutes to Luisa Graff’s heart-felt appreciations of everyone involved in making her new store a reality, the Grand Opening for Luisa’s new Diamond Gallery delighted the more than 100 guests who braved the downpour.

The obvious hit of the evening was the elegant and open design of the new space, complemented by Ruthie Lowen’s murals on every wall. Faux finished covered walls and cabinet doors, Mediterranean village scenes stretched across the longest wall, charming 3-dimensional swirled logos and elegant calligraphy formed an fitting backdrop to the carved light wood display cases of glittering gems.

Two separate cozy spaces were included in the final design, one with floral designs and toys created to entertain children and another alcove with deep leather coaches and a large HD-TV to catch allow a partner to keep up with the game of the day while waiting.

With the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce watching delightedly and surrounded by her staff, Luisa wielded over-sized scissors and cut through the Chamber’s red ribbon and announced her new store was finally open.

Luisa Graff’s newest Jewelry Store is located at 5901 North Nevada.

Ruthie Lowen’s Magnificant Murals Open Today at Luisa Graff’s Jewelers

Ruthie Lowen’s 5 week “work in progress” at Lusia Graff’s new Diamond Studio at 5901 N. Nevada opens July 21st at 5pm.

Perspiration, inspiration, perseverance and vision are what it takes to create a tour de force like Ruthie Lowen’s series of murals for Luisa Graff Jeweler’s new building on North Nevada. From the 46 foot Mediterranean village mural along the northside wall to shuttered faux windows adorned with intricate black curling wrought iron, Ruthie has wrapped the entire space in light and color.

A 50 foot bank of gold-tinged etheral clouds highlight the large dramatic black iron light fixtures

Murals require more than an eye for detail and design. In addition to the time spent on intensive surface preparaton, you can’t forget to add in the weeks of breathing drywall dust and constantly aching shoulders while painting a 50 foot cloud bank on a hydraulic lift.

Misty blue mountains form a gentle backdrop to classical 3-d block columns

Ruthie chooses each element in her murals with care. A fountain in the center of the main mural echoes the one in the front courtyard outside the doors to the building. An Italian hillside village is set in a terraced vineyard to the right. Ripe grapes hang deliciously from grapevines that outline a carved stone arch.

Water cascades from a life-sized fountain

Unexpected details are everywhere. Lemon leaves subtly reflect the light coming from the ripe fruit on the pair of trees that twine on both sides of the bubbling fountain. Geraniums glow brightly enough on slanted sunswept terrazo tiles that the imagined scent fills the room.

Sarah, the trompe l’oeil goddess of Lusia Graff’s new Diamond Studio, oversees sales

The Ribbon Cutting Celebration happens on July 21st in Luisa Graff’s typically elegant style. Discounts, drawings and Ruthie’s amazing artwork can be enjoyed at the Grand Opening at 5pm at 5901 N Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs. More information can be found by calling Luisia at 719.260.0100.

30-Foot Fireplace Sports Crested Fleur de Lis

30-Foot Angled Fireplace Hood Adds European Ambiance to Great Room

Using elaborate layers of scaffolding, Ruthie Lowen painted a grand crested tone-on-tone fleur de lis on a 3 story angled fireplace hood. Supported by white curved and routed corbels, the hood rises 30 feet above the white mantel shelf all the way to the ceiling.

Ruthie’s faux finish in a sandy, dusty rose tone warms the tall open space and lends a European ambiance to the room. The restrained use of design elements adds to the feel of  strength and permanence and provides a natural backdrop for her hand-chiseled looking crest.

Close-up of Ruthie Lowen’s Three-Dimensional Fireplace Crest

Centering her client’s initial in the center of the graceful, three-dimensional mural, Ruthie scaled her painting to reflect the height of the room without compromising the design.

Pairing with Ruthie’s stylized crest, the open floor plan of the room, the taller than normal brass candlesticks and arched french doors flanking the firepace complement the size of the mural.

The Desert Eagle Lands ~ Seasonal Murals for Desert Eagle Distributing of El Paso, Texas

They don’t just know what makes a great beer in Texas, they also know who paints the best murals. Desert Eagle Distributing,the folks who wholesale Budweiser and other cold brews for the thirsty beer drinkers of El Paso, hired Ruthie Lowen to decorate their corporate headquarters.

Eagles own the sky in windswept, southwestern desert landscapes, clumps of prickly pear cactus stand guard around an adobe church and a small stone shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe is tucked away in a quiet corner of the courtyard.

In the boardroom, another of Ruthie’s murals reveals a Spanish-style adobe church built of hand-formed, sun-baked mud bricks. Details include the traditional bell hanging above the carved wooden double doors. A trio of nichos surround the entrance, representing the Holy Trinity, are filled with one of Ruthie’s signature images: trompe l’oeil wooden statues. Each side of the room shows a different season in Texas, reminding the employees that great beer knows no season.

For more of Ruthie’s brilliant trompe l’oeil paintings , check out her Italian Renaissance Wine Cellars and her  Faux Stonework Staircase.

Italian Renaissance Reinvented ~ Hillside Village During the Harvest Season

Simulated ancient stonework surrounds one of Ruthie Lowen’s charming Italian villages scenes.

Set in a romantic 18th century framework of hanging green grapes outlined by faux blocks of painted stone, this wine cellar mural pays homage to the Italian Renaissance architects who worked in the style of Andrea Palladio (1508-1580). British craftsmen later resurrected the style, brilliantly illustrated by Ruthie Lowen’s work above, and the deceptively simple earthy technique was used in country houses as standard treatments for hallways, nooks and wine cellars.

Elegant Whimsy ~ The Gold-Leaf Writing on the Wall

From ceiling to floor, Ruthie’s decorative painting pulls this unusual dining room together with style.

In spite of using deep, intense colors that traditionally make a small space appear smaller, Ruthie’s skill at adding unexpected details creates an expansive,  gilded jewel-toned space.

Renaissance Colors Glow Under Ruthie Lowen’s Elegant Ceiling

Accented by electric candlelight and cast iron sconces, Ruthie’s use of mottled deep crimson, scarlet and red faux finishes add a renaissance touch to this narrow angled dining room. Her use of color forms a perfect backdrop for her client’s dark wood sideboard, tall maroon shaded lamps and long dining room table.

Sumptuous gold-leaf calligraphy just below the darker ceiling molding draws the eye upwards and gives the room a feeling of height and depth. The elegant lettering “A Cheerful Heart Hath a Continual Feast” provides a note of whimsy. Swirled gilded accents continue around the room, highlighted by the chandelier.

Ruthie’s Use of Hand-Lettered Inscriptions Combines Style and Whimsy

Her choice of faded brick paint combined with stone-colored neutrals on the ceiling make the electric candles that illuminate the room reflect a rose-colored glow that flatters both the guests sitting down to dinner and the cuisine being served.

Click here for more of Ruthie’s expressive ceilings.