Dan Terry

Varies but based on $50 - $60 hour for professional services plus expenses. Murals generally range from about $9 to as much as $20 per square foot depending on many variables related to each location and mural detail. Average 10-12.50 sq.ft with a usual minimum of $1500.

It starts with a phone conversation. Every customer has an idea of what they want. The first step is helping them refine and explain it in such a way as I can begin conceptualizing and visualizing it well enough to begin to put the idea into visual form. I ask a lot of questions to understand what visual style fits their idea or purpose. Early on, if practical I'll visit the location of the work, get a sense of how the work fits into the existing architecture and the condition of the surface on which the mural will go. Sometimes photos will serve that purpose well enough. We'll talk about the different ways creation of the mural can occur, depending on factors including whether painting directly on the wall is practical or too disruptive (as in an existing open for business commercial enterprise). Those conversations lead to a decision on method, schedule, adjustments to bid pricing, and installation. Once we're on the same page on everything, and an agreement is reached then I begin preparing detailed design proposal drawings/renders showing the potential future work incorporated into photos of the site location. Feedback results in refining the art concept sketches shared via email or text until the design is approved when I begin scaling it up to full size in the method agreed upon. That might be paint on the wall itself or on canvas or vinyl done in my studio for later installation on site or printed from high resolution digital painting onto canvas to be installed like wallpaper. But it all comes down to having discussions face to face or via phone.

AAS interdisciplinary management with an art direction focus - SWTSU 1984, MA photojournalism UT Austin 1990, ABD PhD Advertising Psychology UT Austin. Studied painting under Simon Michael, Texas Impressionist. Years as Exhibit Department Designer for the San Antonio Museum Association. Decades of experience as set & production designer & or painter for films and stage productions. That expertise is incorporated into many mural projects with the inclusion of integrated lighting systems and actual architectural or sculptural elements to truly transform the spaces to accomplish specific moods and feelings as well as integrate with any interior design of the location.

Started with painting and designing stage sets as a teenager. That led to freelance art & murals and work in the film industry doing the same thing. After many years teaching at the university level, I returned to the creative world in the early 2000s and have done close to 200 murals across the entire state of Texas, including work for the Witte Museum and the historic Alamo.

A short edited list: Lots of private individuals and collectors, Dell, Apple, the 4 Seasons Resort, the Alamo, The Witte & San Antonio Museum of Art, Thermon International, Motorola, Atlassian, Centaur Technology, Ropollos Pizza, Black's BBQ, Madrone Coffee, Chipotle Restaurants, Tarka Indian Kitchen, Woodrows, the US Army, the nationwide Art Installer Network, the Arboretum Shopping Center, Pivovar Brewery & Restaurant (Waco), Kicks & Treads Children's Playscape, The Dinosaur Park (Bastrop), Jackson Longhorn Ranch, Morton Hospitality (Ft Worth), Taz Films, South Austin Films, Wimberley Players, SXSW, more.

Had the opportunity to create a fantasy tropical forest mural on a backyard patio for a Assisted Living Development executive's private home. What made it unusual (and extremely successful & awe inspiring), was a near total creative freedom granted myself and my team, allowing the work to evolve naturally as we painted, with impromptu added elements as the work itself inspired and suggested. The entire work at 8'x over 40' took about 40 hours over the span of about a week with a team of two painting.

Keep in mind, that the most important factor that seperates merely ok and work that is awe inspiring and excellent is TIME. Any work of art done in a rush to stay under budget and or at lowest cost, insures it will never represent the best work that any artist is capable of creating. While a work of art may appear 'finished' to an untrained eye, an artist may wish to refine and enhance the work further to make it the best he/she is capable of. A slightly larger budget on a project that will last and be enjoyed for years if not decades, always makes the difference between something satisfying and something extraordinary and amazing.

Besides simply thinking about the "subject", what is the long term EFFECT on mood, feelings, and function of the work to be created. Art should be more than decor. It can inspire, transform a space from ordinary to inspiring, exciting, mood enhancing such that people, whether clients or family loves and wants to simply be in the environment created because it makes them feel good, or comfortable, welcome, and at ease or peace. Know that certain surfaces (like concrete or brick) require a lot more paint and time than a well prepared smoother wall, and precision and high detail may not be possible on a rough surface. Also be aware that often the difference between a low bidder and a higher one, is due to experience. Artists just starting out and building a portfolio, will often bid low to land a job, and not only lose money not realizing all the real costs, but run into complications that inexperience hasn't prepared them for. An experienced artist however will know what to expect and bid accordingly, so it's not unreasonable that such bids are significantly higher. Also the better muralists will always be in much higher demand, and as time is a limited resource, higher pricing is expected. TIMING & DOWNPAYMENTS The better artists are very busy even if they work fast. I have a team to insure we can accomplish much in shorter periods of time. Most mural project are booked several weeks to several months in advance, partially because the design process prior to painting is itself, a time intense process, and partly because scheduling projects that often take days or weeks to accomplish must be juggled with weather, and travel plans. Almost all professional muralists will require a significant downpayment in advance to guarantee adequate blocks of time on calendars, and acquisition of all supplies and materials. Artist paints are very expensive (10 times what house paints cost on average). Scaffolding and or lifts and or accommodations for lodging must be arranged and paid for often weeks in advance. Like any construction contractor a 50% downpayment is normal and expected.