California Theater Auditorium, Pittsburg CA

Auditorium as seen in 2011, ceiling plaster has been taken down

          During restoration. New ceiling has been installed; walls, cornice, and  columns have been cleaned prepped and painted, as per paint study. Dutch Metal has been applied to column capitals, and bases. 

Procineum arch and column capitol after gilding

Top of procenium arch before repair (Hera, Zeus sister and wife). New ceiling has been installed

Installation of egg and dart pattern, reproduction wallpaper.

Top of procenium arch after application of Dutch Metal, and installation 250 linear feet of digitally reproduced egg and dart pattern. The pattern is a hand painted reproduction of the last original pattern found.

California Theater- Entry Lobby, Pittsburg, CA

Although ceiling and walls had been over-painted a number of times, original patterns were still visible.

After chemical stripping of paint, original patterns were copied, colors hand matched, and decorative painting re-instated.

Detail of over-painted original pattern; evidence of Dutch Metal, and a light blue scallop design.

Before

After

California Theater - Exterior Entry, Pittsburg, CA

California Theater during restoration

Theater entry (exterior), uncovering of painted ceiling medallion

Original ceiling painting revealed after light fixture was removed

Detail of original design covered by multiple layers of paint.

Completed ceiling design

California Theater Auditorium Restoration, Pittsburg, CA

Theater auditorium - after the extensively damaged plaster ceiling, balcony fronts, and sides has been removed. Since the theater had been shuttered in the 1950's the open roof exposed the painted ceiling to severe water damage.

Historic photo of ceiling painting, 26 ft in diameter

Lay-out, and recreation of original 26 ft ceiling design on site.

Portions of the ceiling design (8 blue panels, 1 center panel, 8 feet in diameter) were painted on canvas in the studio, and the hung like wallpaper on site.

Finished ceiling painting, view from stairs to the top of the scaffolding.

San Francisco synagogue, CA

                      

San Francisco synagogue, repair of water damaged, vaulted triangular ceiling panel in sanctuary, ca. 30 feet, across 30 long

    

One of four vaulted ceiling panels

Detail of water damage

Close-up of water damaged panel. Plaster was consolidated, and paint was stabilized with a consolidant. After application of isolation varnish, the panel was in-painted.

Detail of finished area