W

hen Howard Fridson was a
little boy, he may not have
dreamed of painting walls.
Even today, don't confuse
him with a guy with a paint roller. As an art
student at Wayne State University, he
became fascinated with the art he could
create on a wall — the magic of a mural.
Fridson, of Huntington Woods, is an
artist with a studio in Royal Oak. Early in
his career, he became a pro at "supergraph-
ics" as he calls them, simple lines and col-
ors that would enhance and decorate a
room. "I would think about it, study the
room, and get to know the people," he
recalls. Over the years, his style evolved,
becoming more representative and person-
alized. He also illustrated a book, Maya's
First Rose, by his friend Martin Scot Kosins.
Fridson loves creating pen-and-ink draw-

ings and colored pencil work, most of
which he sells on consignment.
And then came his relationship with
Fourth Street Bakery. When the bakery
was in Royal Oak, Fridson would pop in
for a cookie or a cake, had both of his sons'
bar mitzvah cakes made there, and over
time, became friends with Jeff Smith, the
owner.
When Smith decided to move Fourth
Street Bakery to Bloomfield Hills, on
Woodward north of Square Lake, he asked
Fridson to create a large wall mural that
would be representative of the bakery, and
add a little magic to the space. It took
Fridson six months to create, but the
effects are remarkable.
"I made it look like a gallery," he explains.
"I painted paintings showing off the food,
and painted frames around them."

Jeff Smith wanted his pastries incorpo-
rated into the mural. The area showcasing
the wedding cakes is sumptuous. One
painting is a duplication of Fridson and his
wife Cathy's wedding picture, down to
every minute detail. In another, a slice of
raspberry cake looks identical to the slice
in the real showcase. Another painted area
shows Smith making toast, with the reflec-
tion of the door in the toaster.
"He studied every detail. It's all exact,"
says Smith.
"It took me a whole day just doing the
houndstooth check on the chef's pants,"
laughs Fridson. "On a large wall, you want
a variety of styles, colors and textures to
keep people's interest.
"It was a blast painting this," he says.
"And the food was fabulous."
— Lisa Brody

Left: Howard Fridson makes a

little magic with his life-size

murals.

Above left: Customers enjoy

sweets against a backdrop of

strawberry shortcake at Fourth

Street Bakery.

Above right: A still-life of fresh-

ly baked bread is juxtaposed

against Fridson's bakery mural.

Right: Fridson's tools of the

trade are a colorful lot.

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N • OCTOBER 2000 •

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