In the beginning Ian McCool-Finn purchased three paintings from me for his Leucadia, California ocean-view townhouse. After hanging the three pieces, we shared a Guinness and contemplated Ian's new art in what now seemed like very stark surroundings. I made the comment "It would be very cool to give the room the feeling of being underwater." Ian responded "I'm a huge fan of Jules Verne and H.P. Lovecraft, you know they're the godfathers of science fiction!"
The conversation escalated as the ideas began to flow. As we talked about sci-fi and other interests, Ian mentioned he was a board and video game player and he holds monthly tournaments in his home. Creating an environment with a theme that tied together the sci-fi and gaming worlds became the mission and it was game on! For imagery, Ian supplied me with H.P. Lovecraft literature, in particular. With a little reading, Ian's vision became apparent. To complete the vision, the project called for a bit of amazing and creative masonry, so I called in the assistance of my masonry and artist friend Bret Hazard.
The Installation...
The journey begins at the front door. Bret gave the entryway an appearance of a black beach sand. To the immediate right is the Nautilus exploring the depths. To the left is the water closet which we turned into a spooky underwater cave complete with gargoyles and black fixtures. Schools of fish race about the reef as ominous man-eating sharks circle the abyss. The ascension leads up the river rock stairs to a very calm living room where peace and tranquility prevail. The river rocked fireplace and hearth has a very organic presence rising above the shiplap hardwood floors. To further the peace and tranquility, the stairs leading to the upper level passes by shipwrecks and schools of fish to reveal a tropical island. Descend downward, the stairway gives the appearance of broken decayed cement to compliment the Greek Parthenon-like ruins as the undersea atmosphere grows more intense. Around the corner on the first stairwell landing, a giant Cyclops octopus is thoroughly intimidated by the baddest demon there ever was, the mile high and bat winged, snake faced Cthulhu. Legend has it that if you wake Cthulhu, all hell will break loose...and Cthulhu's been awoken! Scenes from H.P. Lovecraft fade in and out as one cautiously descends the last set of broken steps into the final landing of Cthulhu's Lair, an eerie and loathsome dungeon where decent men go insane and wizards go stark raving mad!
Tying-in Ian's gaming passion, he created a game within the mural, and we added 13 hidden elder signs, revealing a secret coded puzzle.. The first person who finds the 13 hidden signs and unscrambles the code will win an amazing reward. As of yet, the reward is unclaimed.