Large Mural Idea
It's interesting that the article I mentioned in my previous post would have come at this time. I haven't thought about doing another mural for a while, but recently, the wheels have been turning in my head, and I'm considering something big.... maybe something crazy.
This entire month I have been taking serious thought to taking on a really, really large mural project- which I am not sure will ever come to pass, but if it does, it would be a dream come true for me.
For the last few years, I have driven by this wall in town...every time I drive through town I see it and I think to myself, "That would be the PERFECT spot for a mural"....and I just have thought to myself, "One day I'm going to ask the owners if I can paint something on it....
...One day."
This month I got tired of waiting around and thinking "One day".... If I don't actually take some kind of action, it'll never even have a chance of happening. (And it may not anyway, but it never hurts to ask!)
I drove by the building one day and stood up next to the building, to get a feel of how large the side of the building is, and to see whether I felt like I would even be capable of doing something on such a large scale. The first time I stood there, I was intimidated.
Really intimidated! It's immense, when you're standing right next to it.
But I drove by it again another day, and stood next to it again. This time, I felt like it is something that I can take on. Brick surface and all.
So I took pictures of it from different angles, and from close up, so I could study it further and think more about it. I also measured it. It is 85 feet long! Wow.
I talked it over with my husband, and we have discussed many of the possibilities.
I am not going to even suggest this idea to the buildings' owners until I have a plan ready (or a few plans), and have the measurements planned out and everything, and know how much it will cost for the materials, the scaffolding, etc... (I plan to do the mural free of charge, except cost of materials, if they agree to it.) I would hate to tell them I could provide them with a mural, only to not be able to go through with it in the end because I was unprepared.
The paint I would hope to get is a very expensive paint from Germany, but it is worth it's weight in gold because it is a mineral paint which does not fade, even over centuries of time. It's called Keim Mineral Paints, and is used by a muralist that I admire tremendously, Eric Grohe. (Take a look at his artwork and you will probably fall out of your seat in shock. It is out of this world. He is amazing.)
I've drawn a couple of rough sketches of what I might like to do with the building... one of them that I really like is this idea here:
The images in between columns are different landmarks from our town.
I would expect this mural to take several months to complete.
I feel that if I write about it, maybe I'll feel compelled to keep working on the idea and not give up on it. (That's what is great about this blog- it gives me the opportunity to do that.)
I don't know whether the building owners would even consider this at all, but I think that if I plan it out well enough, even if this one doesn't end up happening, I can be better prepared to do another wall somewhere.
I would be greatly appreciative of any thoughts or ideas about this... criticisms...tips...anything.
This entire month I have been taking serious thought to taking on a really, really large mural project- which I am not sure will ever come to pass, but if it does, it would be a dream come true for me.
For the last few years, I have driven by this wall in town...every time I drive through town I see it and I think to myself, "That would be the PERFECT spot for a mural"....and I just have thought to myself, "One day I'm going to ask the owners if I can paint something on it....
...One day."
This month I got tired of waiting around and thinking "One day".... If I don't actually take some kind of action, it'll never even have a chance of happening. (And it may not anyway, but it never hurts to ask!)
I drove by the building one day and stood up next to the building, to get a feel of how large the side of the building is, and to see whether I felt like I would even be capable of doing something on such a large scale. The first time I stood there, I was intimidated.
Really intimidated! It's immense, when you're standing right next to it.
But I drove by it again another day, and stood next to it again. This time, I felt like it is something that I can take on. Brick surface and all.
So I took pictures of it from different angles, and from close up, so I could study it further and think more about it. I also measured it. It is 85 feet long! Wow.
I talked it over with my husband, and we have discussed many of the possibilities.
I am not going to even suggest this idea to the buildings' owners until I have a plan ready (or a few plans), and have the measurements planned out and everything, and know how much it will cost for the materials, the scaffolding, etc... (I plan to do the mural free of charge, except cost of materials, if they agree to it.) I would hate to tell them I could provide them with a mural, only to not be able to go through with it in the end because I was unprepared.
The paint I would hope to get is a very expensive paint from Germany, but it is worth it's weight in gold because it is a mineral paint which does not fade, even over centuries of time. It's called Keim Mineral Paints, and is used by a muralist that I admire tremendously, Eric Grohe. (Take a look at his artwork and you will probably fall out of your seat in shock. It is out of this world. He is amazing.)
I've drawn a couple of rough sketches of what I might like to do with the building... one of them that I really like is this idea here:
The images in between columns are different landmarks from our town.
I would expect this mural to take several months to complete.
I feel that if I write about it, maybe I'll feel compelled to keep working on the idea and not give up on it. (That's what is great about this blog- it gives me the opportunity to do that.)
I don't know whether the building owners would even consider this at all, but I think that if I plan it out well enough, even if this one doesn't end up happening, I can be better prepared to do another wall somewhere.
I would be greatly appreciative of any thoughts or ideas about this... criticisms...tips...anything.
Unfinished murals on public property are terrible trageties! If you start it, I beg you to finish it.
There is this really sad mural that I only drive by occasionally that has all sorts of animals scetched in, but unpainted. It's been that way for at least 4 years.
It sounds like quite the undertaking!
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Thanks, Ashley. I agree! I would hate to start a project and not finish it. If I started it, I would make sure it was completed, even if I had to hire some other artists to help me complete it.
I'd love to come to your town one day and complete that animal mural.
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That has been a dream of mine as well. Whenever I see a blank wall, I would love to paint it! Oh, I hope you do get to do it! I like the sketch of your idea. It would be crazy for the owners to turn you down b/c it would be a big attraction! And def put them on the map! (Another dream of mine ~ if it were not illegal ~ is to paint white box cars on the train. I don't know why? I guess it's just such a huge blank canvas!) Good luck!
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Kelli, how would you like to help me at times, if this happens?
You could come as often or as little as you wanted and we could work together and have fun.
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It would be crazy for the owners to turn you down b/c it would be a big attraction!
I sure hope you are right! I was thinking the same thing- the only thing that I think they'd be concerned with is possibly the cost of the materials, which might come to about $2000.00. However, if they had commissioned me, that wall would have probably cost them at least $40,000 - $50,000.00, easy. So I think it would work out for them (attraction to their building), and for me (publicity for my artwork).
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Bethany-
I just read your post about doing the mural and I think you should do it. You've got the idea, now work on getting the paint somehow, God will take care of the rest if it's supposed to be, you know? I think you should keep on working on it!
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I think it's a WONDERFUL idea! I hate seeing boring sides of buildings with nothing on them.
I took a trip out to see my Aunt in Dallas, geesh, almost 10 years ago now. I met the guys that do a lot of murals around town and became fascinated with the idea. (One of their murals can be seen at http://www.flickr.com/photos/don3rdse/3206002283/ ...it was a lot more breathtaking in person.)
Would love to see a finished one by you!
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That looks really awesome!
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I think that you are talented and gifted enough to take on such a huge project. I say go for it and I admire you for taking the extra time to really plan. It will make the business owners see that you are not just 'flying by the seat of your pants' if you know what I mean.
I have good news: My daughter, Hope, signed an Athletic scholarship( Track and Field ) with Columbus State University
this morning. She will be in the papers this week sometime. We are so proud of her. Just wanted to share the great news.
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That is wonderful news, Shelly!!
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Ooooo, I can't wait to see it finished! Don't forget the cost of the scaffolding. I would also suggest that you have the company with the scaffolding put it up and take it down. If I remember right, you have used scaffolding before? I just remember that the first time my mom used scaffolding, she didn't estimate the cost well. She even fell off once. :oO Please don't do that!
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Hi, I stumbled on your blog today
Maybe even approach your local council for funding??
Good luck, I hope this becomes a reality for you!
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Bethany, I live in Cuba, Missouri, it is known as the Mural City. We have 12 different Murals relating to our town and things that have happened in the past.I love them and love to see them take shape. Best of luck you are an amazing artist. I love to see your work.I will try to post the link http://www.crawfordco.com/murals/ for the murals that we have in our town.
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Connie, those are beautiful!!!!
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I'm always so in awe of and inspired by you, Bethany. I look forward to reading updates on your progress toward approval for and beginning of one massive mural!
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