Rufus Porter-Style Murals

The journey of discovery began in 1970 with the purchase of our first home in East Barre, Vermont. After years of restoration, that 18th century central chimney cape became the first private home in that area to be placed on the National Register of Historic sites. We now live in Westminster where the central village was deemed so special that the entire broad avenue of 18th and 19th century homes was protected by being placed on the National Register.

It was in research for the restoration of our present 1790's home that led me to the discovery of Rufus Porter. Journalist, inventor, portrait painter and world traveler, Rufus Porter was an amazing personality. Perhaps his most noted accomplishment was that of his wall murals. Traveling throughout New England in the early 19th century he painted wall murals of simple but breathtaking beauty. Often they gave a striking, panoramic view of the homes, villages and rural life of the times. With gracious good fortune many of those original murals still exist today. Diligent research and miles or travel have led me to find, photograph and document as many of these treasures as possible. It has also led me to recreate those murals with an historical faithfulness to style, color and composition.

• Rufus Porter style mural work
  • done in your home, shop, or on a backdrop for trade shows
• Tall case clocks grained
  • in authentic style graining
• Other decorative arts
  • done relating to period style work

Estimates can be given after seeing the situation and discussion of what the job entails.

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Original Mural Search:

I am always in search of old murals and other original wall treatments to observe. If you know where there are any,
please email or call:

Phone:_____802-722-4203

Mural Photos: All photos are of hand painted murals done by Karen, directly on a wall.

Village Scene

Tree

Door (before and after)

Township

Hedgerows

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Tall Case Photos: Grain painting by Karen in authentic styles. They are antique clocks that have pine cases which were originally painted cases but had been unfortunately stripped. Karen has put back appropriate grain painting in a typical fashion in keeping with original case style.

BEFORE the grain
painting was executed.

AFTER tiger maple
grain painting was finished.

Close up of the Tiger Maple grain painting on clock to left.

Side of hood is original paint.
Front is grained to match
original paint. Restoration by Karen

Closeup of restoration
of hood from tall case clock

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Grain Painted & Stenciled
R. Cole Tall Case clock

Close up of Cole clock

Side of Waist of Grain painted Cole clock

Rufus Cole tall case clock

Side of Hood on Cole
Grain painted clock

Grain painting and
Stenciling

Replica Signature on base
of R.Cole grain painted clock.

Close up of Door on
R. Cole tall case clock

Grain Painting on a tall case clock by Karen
for The American Clock
and Watch Museum Bristol, CT

Tall case clock door
grain painting

Grain painted of Base

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Door

Tall Case Clock Grain Painted
for the Bristol Watch and Clock Museum

by

Karen G. Larson

Base

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Other Decorative Arts for hire:

Fireboard

Fireboard

Mahogany grained door

Closeup of mahogany grained door

Freehand brush work - border

Freehand brush work - Scrollwork

Farrar-Mansur Tavern /House Museum -Weston, VT

Karen's work

Wall Stenciling, Glazing, Striping

Farrar-Mansur Tavern /House Museum -Weston, VT

Karen's work

Wall Stenciling, Glazing, Striping,

Farrar-Mansur Tavern /House Museum - Weston, VT

Karen's work

Wall Stenciling, Glazing, Striping

Farrar-Mansur Tavern /House Museum - Weston, VT

Karen's work

Wall Stenciling, Glazing, Striping

Stenciling with bronzing powders: ......Click picture to see larger view

Stenciling with bronzing powders - Clock Splat.

Clock Splat and Blocks to an half column and splat clock.

Clock Columns

Clock Splat

Blocks to an half column and splat clock.