Skip Dyrda: From Floor Cloths to Murals to Outdoor Living Walls

You may have spotted artist Skip Dyrda's artistry underfoot in some of Florida's finest residences. Dyrda will mimic existing rugs and accents, but thanks to his trompe l'oeil techniques, his pieces are much more than solid color with a border. Painted on sturdy artist's canvas with acrylics, Dyrda's durable floorcloths--which range in price from a few hundred dollars to five figures--are created with an eye to clients' interests and decorating style.

Dyrda is also well known for his murals as seen here on mural panels 1, 2 and 3 painted on the walls of The Gan Pre-School in Temple Sinai in Sarasota, FL.   

As the artist himself tells us, “it wasn’t until I moved to Sarasota, FL in the early 90s that I really got into all kinds of creativity.  It was after I was hired to work in a local art factory. It was there that my eyes were opened to what could be created in the art world. I started out doing screen-printing and airbrushing and then later I worked on paintings using all sorts of media . . . watercolors, acrylics, oil paints, and pen and ink. We even created steel plate etchings and handmade papers. After two years, I went out on my own. First I assisted a local sculptor in addition to creating paintings for cruise ships. It was around that time that I discovered the decorative arts. I had been sharing an art studio with a friend who did work for local interior designers. When she would decline a job she thought too difficult, they would hire me to paint the custom canvas floor cloths and murals. Over the last 20 years or so, I have painted hundreds of murals, canvas floor cloths and paintings for private collectors and businesses. But I have found that my true love is painting outdoor murals. Specifically, murals we all know as ‘public art’. When I am painting outside, whether I am on a lift, on a ladder or on the ground, and the public can watch and interact, it’s almost like being on stage. I discovered that the interaction with the public is one of my favorite parts about painting murals.”

One of two walls I painted in the garage of the Punta Gorda Fire Department, Station #1. This first wall, about 20′ x 35′, depicts the original fire station in Punta Gorda, which is still standing and is now part of city hall, as it might have been many years ago. There are several hidden items within the mural. Acrylics on cement block.

To sum it up Skip Dyrda is one versatile and talented artist! He works with interior designers, private individuals and public entities.