casey kasparek

2005 - blend restaurant. A project commissioned by Dr. Marc Young for the new Cedar Rapids, IA downtown eatery that pushed Kasparek and the capabilities of oil paint to the limit. Once gaining final approval on the project the two 6X12 foot paintings were completed in the awe inspiring pace of two months. They were hung on a Kasparek designed cradle system that allows the paintings to "float" on the wall. In true risk taking fashion the paintings were installed at 1am the night before grand opening night. In the summer of 2008 blend was hit hard by the flood that swept through the heart of the city. With quick thinking the paintings were saved and were able to be rehung for blend's renovation after the flood. Unfortunately, the economic crisis was not as kind. Blend has since shut its doors to the public and the paintings sit in storage under the ownership of Dr. Young.