The Warriors

The arrival of these larger than life clay warriors to the world-traveling Ann Arbor millionaire’s mansion gave new meaning to “Made in China”. These figures were placed in a quiet corner of the serene and expansive formal backyard. A local paint store suggested a waterproofing agent that produced a dark glossy sheen that many found psychologically repulsive. Martin’s task was to create a color scheme to satisfy the millionaire’s wishes to match the bright and bold colors depicted by a Chinese historian’s conceptualizations versus the sentiments of the millionaire’s employees (who liked the mottled gray intermediate step). Martin came up with an agreeably subtle color scheme to satisfy both groups while maintaining the earthen texture of the surfaces and harmoniously matching the feel of the figures to the low retaining wall that cradles them in their permanent home.