Beate Brühl focuses on the restoration and design of painted ornament in historic buildings. In her tool box, she carries a variety of traditional skills, such as gilding, stenciling, striping, faux graining/marbling, color matching, design. In addition to studying art and design at San Francisco State University, and Syracuse University, where she received her MFA, Beate trained at various trade schools in Germany.
Being in command of decorative painting techniques, Beate Brühl is able to re-create previously hidden ornament, and colors, after she uncovered them. As an artist working on construction projects, she has been the liaison between conservation architects, construction companies, and clients. Her numerous projects have included theaters, churches, hotels, and civic buildings.
Together with an architecture team she has received the Governor’s Preservation Award, and the California Preservation Foundation Award for the California Theater, Pittsburg, CA, and the New Mission Theater, San Francisco.
Beate Brühl polychromed the new plaster ornaments of historic Mining Exchange ceiling, San Francisco, CA. She also restored the original laylight frames, and rosettes.
This 27 foot diameter ceiling design was recreate by Beate Brühl using historic b/w photographs. California Theater, Pittsburg, CA. Governors Preservation Award winning project.
Beate Bruhl at work recreating the Art Deco Lobby ceiling of the Metro Theater, San Francisco, CA
Beate Brühl recreated this historic entry ceiling design after removing multiple layers of paint. California Theater, Pittsburg, CA. Governors Preservation Award.
Beate Brühl recreated the Art Deco entry ceiling design after demolition. Metro Theater, San Francisco, CA.
Beate Brühl designed, and painted the polychromed, metal leafed, stenciled plaster ornament finishes for a Bay Area trade showroom.
After removal of 20 layers of paint, Beate Brühl uncovered a 1940’s mural for the State Theater, Oroville, CA. She recreated the Greek Key border, and upper wall design, in addition to fully restoring the mural.
Beate Brühl uncovered and recreated the original patterns, color, and gilt decoration on this painted plaster Pieta statue, for St. Helena Catholic Church in California.
