ABOUT THE ARTIST...

Patti Newton, paint by number wall murals

 

 

Southern California artist and creator of Elephants on the Wall, Patti Newton, is more than an entrepreneur. She is the keeper of whimsy and delight for children’s wall murals.

As a former designer for Walt Disney Imagineering and a past instructor at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, Patti has developed a passion for graphic design, themed environments and lots of color.

In 2005, during a visit with her twin grandchildren in Hawaii, she was asked to work on an unfinished paint-by-number wall mural in the children’s room. Once she started painting the mural, she began modifying the characters for more accuracy and cuteness. After she finished her masterpiece with the much improved design, her son, Scott, said, “Why don’t you do this?” At first she thought that was ridiculous...

On the plane ride back she started thinking... and with the endless creative possibilities swirling about in her head The Menagerie of Doorhuggers was born - designed on a cocktail napkin on the plane! By the time she landed she had lots of ideas and was anxious to start creating a series of easy-to-do kits for paint by number wall murals that were much better, bigger, and much more creative.

Now she could finally share her talents with others and help them to experience the joy of creating a beautiful mural - simply and easily. She is thrilled when her customers say “I can’t believe I did this myself! It was so fun and easy - it’s absolutely Dummy-proof!”. (and she is even more excited when her customers tell her that their friends thought they hired a professional to paint it!!)

Mission Accomplished!

 

Before Elephants on the Wall:

After graduating from University of Arizona with a BS degree in 1976, Patricia decided to give into her more creative side and pursue a degree in Graphics and Package Design from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. After graduating in 1979, she soon landed a position at Walt Disney Imagineering. She would soon find herself designing signage and graphics for Disney's different theme parks - including EPCOT, Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland, and Typhoon Lagoon. Here she learned about the wonderful world of themed signage and graphics the Disney way - than meant the highest quality and perfection in every project.

In 1989, Patricia opened her own studio, Patricia Newton Design Studio, and continued to work not only with Disney Imagineering, but added Space Center Houston, Disney Consumer Products, Disney's Environmental Programs, Disney Stores, Sony, and Hanna Barbera to her client list - just to name a few.