| How it all
began… |
When friends find out you're an
artist, they'll say, "Can you do a mural for my kid's room?" So in 1992, artist
Dede Lifgren started a small mural business. As is still her process today, she
spent weeks researching each animal before starting any painting. Dede studied
every angle of the animal, specie differences and the dynamics of light under
water, through the rainforest canopy or on the sun-drenched Serengeti. Needless
to say, she knew each animal intimately.
All that loving attention
meant her business was only small momentarily. Soon her high-demand talent had
her overbooked and left wondering if there was a better way to bring art to
more children and families. In 1994, Dede, with the help of her husband Jeff, took
Walls of the Wild into the digital wall decal age with the three rules still
used today by the company:
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Every
hand-painted piece must look highly realistic and capture the heart and soul of
each animal. |
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The
quality of every decal must look as if Dede came to your home and painted it
herself. |
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Walls of
the Wild decals should be affordable so every child can appreciate art that
isn't a cartoon. |
Dede's commitment to animals
that are realistic and not "dummied down" has made a hit with kids and adults.
Her pieces are featured on walls around the world in children's rooms, schools,
hospitals, zoos, pediatric offices and more. Even Hollywood has taken notice
featuring her works in countless makeover shows and celebrity homes.
Today, Dede still personally paints each piece and can be found every day
in her studio creating more wildlife ideas as well as sculptures and other
artistry. In a recent interview she was asked "What do you love about
painting?" Her answer, "It just keeps me and everyone else smiling!"
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| One of Dede
Lifgren's first paintings and still a crowd favorite was this bedtime companion
Chimpanzee. | |
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| Artist Dede
Lifgren with her dog Yuna outside their beautiful home in upstate
NY. |
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