HAND PAINTED : MURALS / WALL GRAPHICS / LETTERING / FAUX FINISHES & DESIGN AND FABRICATION OF CUSTOM BIKE RACKS
Making art for public spaces is one way Mark Melnick shares his art with a broad audience. His murals bring color and creative energy to a chosen space, while inspiring curiosity and imagination.
Lone Mountain, Las Vegas 2017
Commissioned by Metro Arts Council / Clark County Parks and Recreation
Oil enamel on metal
Commissioned by RTC Arts- in-Transit Program 2013
Hand painted mural - acrylic on canvas - South wall detail
Desert Breeze Park, Las Vegas 2014
Commissioned by Metro Arts Council / Clark County Parks and Recreation
Zap5 Utility box art - Las Vegas, Nv 2014
Zap5 Utility Box Art - Desert Breeze Park, Las Vegas, NV 2014
Commissioned by Channel 8 KLAS TV 2005
15’ x16’ oil enamel on metal studio doors, Las Vegas, NV
Mel-Nicholas Studio can enhance the learning environment with colorful stimulating artwork. Professionally hand painted school murals by Mark Melnick are superior to any form of digital reproduction. Murals can be painted any size on any surface and will out perform digital prints for lightfastness, durability and vibrance. All exterior murals are painted with non-toxic water based 100% acrylic enamel. Some of the following work was sub-contracted for and designed by Larger Than Life and hand painted by Mark Melnick.
Courtyard Mural, Las Vegas 2018 25’ X 75’
Snyder ES, Las Vegas 2018
Don and Dee Snyder Elementary School, Las Vegas, 2018
Joseph Neal STEAM Academy, Las Vegas 2018
Pinecrest Academy, Henderson, Nv 2014
Pinecrest Academy, Henderson, Nv 2014
Pinecrest Academy, Henderson, Nv 2014
Pinecrest Academy, Henderson, Nv 2014
acrylic on block 2014 Henderson, NV
Don and Dee Snyder Elementary School, Las Vegas 2018
Don and Dee Synder Elementary School, Las Vegas 2018
Ortwein Elementary School, Las Vegas 2018
Kenneth Divich Elementary School, Las Vegas 2018
Kenneth Divich Elementary School, Las Vegas 2018
acrylic on stucco, 7' X 32' Logandale, NV 2017
Las Vegas, NV acrylic on stucco 2012
Las Vegas 2005 acrylic paint on stucco
Summerlin, Ls Vegas, NV 2002
Don and Dee Snyder Elementary School, Las Vegas 2018
Murals are an important form of cultural expression in our communities. Mark Melnick has participated in many projects and residencies that introduce children and young adults to the creative process through mural painting. These projects are structured around professional mural painting techniques and procedures with an emphasis on the finished piece and how it will integrate with its environment. Students come away with confidence and pride in being part of the collective effort to create a permanent piece of public art.
Las Vegas, NV 2008 50' x 8' acrylic paint on block
Sunrise neighborhood, Las Vegas 2016
Commissioned by City of Las Vegas
acrylic on block
32' X 7.5' acrylic on block 2017
Commissioned by City of Las Vegas
Coyote Youth Program, Kingman, AZ 2007
Mural Project supervisor - 2nd of 3 murals /7 students / 9-12 grade / summer work program / outdoor
Coyote Youth Program, Kingman, AZ 2007 -
Mural Project supervisor 3rd of 3 murals /7 students / 9-12 grade / 2 weeks / summer work program /
Coyote Youth Program, Kingman, AZ 2005
Artist in Residence 7 students / 10-12 grade / 3 weeks / summer work program
Lied Children’s Museum, LV 2002
Artist in Residence 9-12 grade / 28 students / after school program
9’ X 45’ acrylic on canvas mounted to vinyl bill board
Expert hand lettering offers a distinctive artistic alternative to common vinyl lettering. Mark Melnick brings 25 years' experience in all facets of hand painted signs to each project. From gold leaf gilded glass work to distressed aged lettering, authentic sign-making techniques provide a unique one-of-a-kind look.
Hand lettering on doors - oil enamel. Downtown Grand Hotel, Las Vegas, NV
at Beer Park, Las Vegas, NV
Hand painted distressed enamel on ceramic tiles
Distressed signage and lettering on brick. Las Vegas NV 2013
Distressed signage on exterior brick. Las Vegas NV 2013
Hand painted silver enamel & blue acrylic on block
Pizza Rock, Las Vegas, NV 2013
Pizza Rock, Las Vegas, NV 2013
distressed hand lettering on barnwood
Acrylic and black light paint on brick
Billboard style on plywood
O'hare Airport, Chicago, IL
17 West Adams St. gold leaf sign on glass
Hand painted enamel logo
Oversized lettering - sprayed urethane w/ paint mask
Artist designed bike racks by Mark Melnick replace common bike racks with interactive, multi-functional public sculpture. These 3 dimensional contour line sculptures are custom designed to address needed bike parking while providing cost-efficient public art. As artists and cyclists, we'd like to encourage cycling and public art in your community by offering innovative and aesthetically pleasing hand crafted bike racks.
Desert Tortoise Bike rack
The Desert Tortoise Bike Rack was designed and fabricated for the City of Palm Springs Californiaas one of five designs selected from a nation-wide call-to-artistsin 2014.
At nearly 200 pounds, the Desert Tortoise bike rack is very stable and built to last in all outdoor conditions. It is constructed of welded solid steel rod and finished with a epoxy powder coating for superior durability.
This large sculpture / bike rack accommodates over 6 bikes while covering a 150 ft service area which is perfect for parks, playgrounds and public areas.
Watch a short video on YouTube about The Desert Tortoise Bike Rack
The Barrel Bike Rack was originally designed for Truro Vineyards of Cape Cod. Modeled after an actual 65 gallon cask this unique design accommodates up to 6 bikes while retaining a very compact footprint. This rack provides needed bicycle parking and a cafe-style table area on which to place food, drinks and other personal items, encouraging interaction between business patrons, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Each rack is custom made and can be personalized with your choice of design options: lighting, banners, color and lettering variations. It comes completely assembled and is constructed of welded solid steel round rod and steel plate. The rack is finished with a baked-on epoxy powder coating for superior durability.
footprint: 42” diameter circle
service area: 6’ radius
weight: 125lbs
materials:
5/8” solid steel rod / 12 verticals / base
1/8“ steel plate / head and bilge hoops
In 2011 I received an honorarium art grant to design and fabricate a large-scale bike rack for Black Rock City, the temporary metropolis that is Burning Man. The 40 ft. long multi-functional sculpture was created with criteria specific to the event: large-scale, portable, able to be assembled and disassembled in a short period of time, strong enough to hold up to thousands of burners interacting with the piece, simple enough to be reconstructed on playa and light enough to be transported in a cargo van. Also the piece supported a independent 12V LED lighting system.
At full-capacity, Rack Attack! could hold over 100 bikes.
Watch a documentary about the making of Rack Attack1 on YouTube
The 22’ high interactive sculpture was created and designed for Burning Man in 2016 as an Honorarium Art Project. This beacon for cyclists optimizes the bike parking experience with light and sound. Rube is powered by two 12V deep cycle batteries that can support 6 circuits of LED lighting and dmx controllers plus a 10 watt amp for sound effects. The brim lights are activated by timer and are on continuously from sundown to sunrise, whereas the animal head lights are animated when prompted by the bike parking switches and random controller sequences. The audio effects occur when you park your bike and trip the switch and last for 2 to 5 seconds. The Control Center and power supply are located at the center of the piece in a weather-proof circular compartment. Solar panels located on the brim recharge the batteries during the day. This large scale bike rack is able to be assembled and disassembled in a short period of time, light and compact enough to be transported in a cargo van.
This year the City of Las Vegas put out a Call-to-Artists for design and engineering of two sets of Art Racks, one to be placed in the Downtown / Fremont Street District and the other for specific locations at various city parks.
The Card Suit Bike Rack suite is a simple and intuitive design providing space-efficient, high-security bike parking and was designed for the urban environment in downtown Las Vegas.
By introducing a sports element to the classic ‘O’ rack, these Sports Bike Racks appeal to both the spectator and participant by providing eye catching bike parking. Whether the four designs: Basketball, SoccerBall, Baseball, or TennisBall are grouped together in a row or placed solo, these designs offer a wide application for placement at various park locations.
A simple efficient design with perfect functionality and a small footprint, make the Sports Bike Racks universally appealing.
Each ‘Ball’ rack can accommodate at least two bikes, supporting them at two points and allowing for u-lock compatibility of one wheel and bike frame. All Sports Bike Racks are made from welded 1.5” dia sch 40 pipe with a 3/8” steel plate base. The entire rack has a powder coated finish.
All Sports Bike Racks are slim, trim and strong.
Mel-Nicholas Studio specializes in both commercial and residential faux finishes: Faux rust, aged copper, aged wood grain, marble, stone, fresco, and perfect color match wood graining. To assure lightfastness, durability, and vibrancy, oil based products are used for all exterior finishes.
Faux rust patina - Oil enamel on sheet metal. Container Park Las Vegas, NV 2013
Oil enamel on metal panel. Container Park, Downtown Las Vegas, NV
Faux wood paneling and trompe l'oeil elements. Oil enamel on metal. Painted on site in Cape Cod MA, 2012
Faux wood paneling and trompe l'oeil horseshoe. Oil enamel on metal.
Acrylic paint and glaze on wall. Private residence, Las Vegas, NV
Hand painted trompe l'oeil elements with faux stone finish throughout. Las Vegas, Nv
Faux distressed stone wall finish with hand painted grapevines.
Acrylic paint and glaze
Hand-applied silver leaf - private residence, Del Mar, CA
Mel Nicholas Studio wall graphics and finishes are the most economical way to transform a space. From subtle to bold, our custom graphic designs and faux finishes will visually enhance any size room or ceiling. We offer traditional and custom finishes from distressed fresco to aluminum leaf walls. Perfect color matches to fabrics, flooring and existing finishes complete the custom look.
Hand painted graphics on aluminum leaf
Acrylic on fabric, 100yds. x 10' Design and production on custom wall fabric (non-repeat pattern) for 45 insets throughout casino. Las Vegas, NV 2006
Hand painted design on fresco wall finish. At The Palomino Hacienda, Las Vegas, NV 2012
Residential poker room wall graphics. Hand painted metallic copper paint on custom wall color.
Since 2001 Mark Melnick has been sub-contracting mural painting for the hospitality industry in Las Vegas.
Detail, 5'X15' acrylic on canvas
Stations Casinos, Las Vegas, NV
5'X15" acrylic on canvas
Stations Casinos, Las Vegas, NV
4'x4' Acrylic on panel
Station Casinos, Las Vegas, NV
Flip-n-out Xtreme, Summerlin, NV
acrylic and black light paint on site 2015
12'x8' acrylic on canvas
Manhatten Bagel, Las Vegas,NV
8'x120' acrylic on canvas
Wildfire Casino, Las Vegas, NV
14'x50' acrylic on stucco
Las Vegas Wedding Chapel, Las Vegas, NV
12'x45' acrylic on canvas
Stations Casino, Las Vegas, NV
11'x11' acrylic on site
Harrah's Casino, Las Vegas, NV
Entire 3,500 sqft facade, acrylic on stucco
Las Vegas,NV
‘Maps have meaning because they filter out all the chaos in the world and focus obsessively on one thing only.’ -Ira Glass
Maps also convey a unique graphic quality making them ideal subject matter for murals. All Mel-Nicholas hand painted maps are painted on canvas then installed like wallpaper and are custom designed tailored to the clients taste and purpose.
45'X 6' acrylic on canvas, 2000
Coast Casinos, Las Vegas, NV
3'x24' acrylic on canvas
Westcliff Park & Ride, Las Vegas, NV
Details from Westcliff Park & Ride Murals
2- 10'x14' acrylic on site - distressed fresco finish
Truro Vineyards, Truro, MA
5'x6' acrylic on canvas - distressed fresco finish
5'x20' acrylic on canvas- distressed fresco finish
Mel Nicholas hand painted murals are designed for each specific space, ensuring that every project is unique. We work closely with clients to create an enviroment which is inviting, visually engaging and always reflects our client’s taste and personality.
Most murals are painted in our studio on canvas and installed on site like wallpaper or allowed to hang loose like a tapestry. When a client moves, the mural can move too. We specialize in recreating classical methods and effects using modern materials and techniques. Aged and distressed mural finishes are quite popular. To complete the effect, murals are often integrated into the space with Trompe L’oeil detailing and wall finishes.
Two pastoral murals - one on each side of main stairway 9' x 20' acrylic on canvas, 2005
Two pastoral murals - one on each side of main stairway 9' x 20' acrylic on canvas, 2005
Painted on site for Truro Vineyards of Cape Cod, 2009 Distressed fresco finish throughout
Painted on site for Truro Vineyards of Cape Cod, 2009 ,Detail
Painted on site for Truro Vineyards of Cape Cod, 2009
Painted on site for Truro Vineyards of Cape Cod, 2009 ,Detail
6' x 5' Oil on marble tiles, 2003, private residence Boulder City NV
Free-hanging tapestry, acrylic on canvas, 6.5' x 8'
Architectural trompe l'oeil Tuscan landscape murals. Distressed wall finish throughout. Private residence, Las Vegas, NV
Hand painted mural on canvas on dining room ceiling. Las Vegas, NV
Hand painted mural on canvas on dining room ceiling (detail) Las Vegas, NV
Hand painted sky ceiling in residential foyer. Las Vegas, NV
Hand painted ceiling design on canvas with trompe l'oeil molding, faux metal patina on medallion & distressed wall finish throughout. Las Vegas, NV 2005
Mark Melnick has been painting original commissioned portraits and landscapes for over 30 years and specializes in oil painting of the traditional realist manner.
A native of Chicago, Melnick graduated from the University of Michigan with a BFA in painting and continued his education at the Art Institute of Chicago. He gains inspiration from artists past and present and is an ardent student of the art of painting.
for FreyBoy Tobacco, Las Vegas,NV
42" x 36" oil on canvas w/ 23k leaf details 2005
for FreyBoy Tobacco, Las Vegas, NV
16"x15" oil on canvas, 2017
painted on location from Horseshoe Mesa
13' X7' oil on canvas 1993
for the Berghoff Restaurant, Chicago
for the Berghoff Restaurant, Chicago
13' X7' oil on canvas 1993
36" x 48" oil on canvas 1995
4' x 4' oil on canvas 1996 Jazz Showcase, Chicago
5' X 5' oil on canvas 2011
Ray Tye / Jan and Herman Berghoff
30" x 60" oil on canvas
3'x4' oil on canvas
9"x12" oil on panel
19"X18" oil on canvas 2014
All animal murals commissioned for pediatric offices, children's rooms or schools were painted directly on the wall in a classic scenic painting style.
Painted for the regional office in Kingman, AZ this mural highlights the three specific regions that make up Mohave County; The Colorado River Canyons, The High Plateau and the High Mountain Habitats.
Desert Pediatrics, Las Vegas NV, 2014
Desert Pediatrics, Las Vegas NV, 2014
Desert Pediatrics, Las Vegas NV, 2014
Orangutan Mural, Desert Pediatrics, Las Vegas NV, 2014
Golden Retriever and Weimaraner hand painted portrait, 4'x4' acrylic on panel
Pet portrait of Maine Coon cat, 4'x4'
Twenty six letters of the alphabet with corresponding animals and objects. Desert Pediatrics, Las Vegas NV
Hand Painted mural for private residence, 14' x 10' acrylic on site, 2010
Children are very responsive to colorful murals. I try to engage the viewer through vivid color and playful stories using animals as the main characters. They can be both instructive and entertaining and are perfect for pediatric offices, schools and kid’s rooms. All children’s murals are painted directly on the wall in the classic scenic style using non-toxic 100% acrylic paint.
Desert Pediatrics, Las Vegas
Desert Pediatrics, Las Vegas
Design Proposal for Cook Memorial Public Library, Libertyville IL 24' x 10
9’X9’ acrylic on existing background 2009
Desert Pediatrics, Las Vegas
