Beach Mural

This was a beach mural I did for a gentleman in the next town.

The wall space was 3'x17'.......not your usual kind of wall for a mural.   I labored over this design for about 2 weeks before settling on how I would paint it.   He had certain elements that he wanted included, so I had to consider those also. 

My photos of the mural are not very clear, but you can get the gist of it.

My next project

Now that my Bear on the Chain has been safely delivered to the Antioch Chamber, Antioch, Il, I am looking forward to my next project.

A gentleman has a family room that he would like a beach scene mural in.  Ok, no problem I said when I confirmed his address and a time to come over to look at the room. Usually I get a nice big, blank wall, 8x10 or larger, to paint on.
Well...............this is a blank wall alright, but it is above a chair railing, so the dimensions are 3' high by 17' long.  A challenge to say the least.  I have labored over how to present it..........water to the front, land along the back........or vice versa.  How to fit in all the requirements (huts, palm trees, etc) that he wants in it. 
Sketching and graphing the design in small sketchbooks just wasn't making it for me, so I finally taped some red paper (like found in Menards), 3'x17' long on the wall in my basement and started working on the design in that manner.  I think I have it good in my head now what I am going to do on Monday, May 23, when I start at his house.

I can't seem to get the pictures to align into a panaramic view for you, so use your imagination !
I will post pics as I progress on the mural

Bears on the Chain...........COMPLETED !!

I have finally completed my Bear on the Chain!!

To reiterate what this project has been about, the town of Antioch, IL, secured seated, fiberglass Bear sculptures for local artists to paint.  On submitting designs for the Bears, a sponsor (local business, etc), chose the design they wanted to purchase.  The name Bears On The Chain comes from the chain of lakes in the area.
In June, the Bears (35 in all), will be placed in businesses and other establishments in the town for display to the public.  Then in Sept, the Bears will be auctioned off and the proceeds will go to the Antioch high school scholarship fund, Open Pantry and Save-a-Pet.

My bear was named, "Something Fishy's Going On."

Here he is as I got him, ................................and here he is finished.

Bear on the Chain............nearing completion !!!

I am almost finished with my Bear on the Chain.   By the way, in case I never said, his themed name is "Something Fishy's Going On". 
I have a little bit of painting yet to do, varnish him and tomorrow I am going to my local dive shop and picking up a pair of kids fins to put on his front feet (where you see the bright green now).

On completion, these will be displayed in June in different businesses and other establishments in the town of Antioch, IL, and then auctioned off in Sept., with the proceeds going to local charities.

more of "BEAR ON THE CHAIN"

Decisions, decisions.  As I work on my Bear on the Chain sculpture, I find that there are decisions that I have to make as I go along.

The legs and feet are in different poses than they looked like in the line drawing that we got to do our detailed drawing on for application.  It is more difficult than I anticipated, especially with the scuba bear drawing that I am doing, (see previous blog entry), but I will work it out eventually.

I added sculpture medium to the mouth to give it substance and make it look like he has a scuba regulator in his mouth.

Here are more pictures as I progress on my Bear on the Chain sculpture.

 

Bears on the Chain

The town of Antioch, IL has commissioned the company of Cowpainters, Inc to create seated, fiberglass Bear sculptures.  Artists have been chosen to paint these primed, bare Bears.  These Bears will be auctioned off and will benefit Open Arms Pantry, Save-a-Pet, and the ACHS Scholarship fund (Antioch's high school).
Local businesses and individuals selected which ever artist's design they wanted to sponsor.

The Bears are 28" high by 22" wide.  Here is my Bear and my design, "Something Fishy's Going On" , sponsored by Great Lakes Credit Union.  I will post pictures as I proceed on the Bear.

Mt. Harding, Skagway, AK.............finished piece

On Friday, the 8th, I posted the beginnings of what was on my easel.  Today I will reveal the finished piece, entitled, "Mt. Harding, Skagway, Ak".

This mountain sits at the end of Broadway Street in Skagway, AK.  It is an impressive sight to see, as are all of the mountains in the state of Alaska. 
I have had the good fortune to be able to take  two cruises to this magnificent state.  It has absolutely jaw-dropping scenery.  I would go there again in a heart beat.

This piece, as with all of my artworks, are copyrighted and require my permission to post, copy or anything else you had in mind.  Please take that into consideration before you download it.

What's on my easel ??????

This is the watercolor that I am working on right now.  Please note that this is just a "block-in" of Mt. Harding, Skagway, AK.

There's lots to do on this yet, so stayed tuned.

Mini-mural for Child's room

Yes, its been awhile since I've posted anything.   Just don't ask, ok ??

Last week, I did "mini" murals in a child's bedroom.  Now these are odd items for a 4 year old girl to ask for, but the parents were willing to comply.
She wanted "realistic" dinosaurs, but to not make them too scary looking, I softened up the color palette a bit.

The "framed" 36"x36" mother and baby are over a dresser, the flying ones (36" tall each) are over the bed, and the one "bursting" out of the wall (36" high), is over a desk. The little one in the egg (about 15" tall) is next to the closet door down low.

I hope you enjoy them !