Tatyana+Ostapenko+Public+Art+Mural.jpg — Strong and Silent Mural. 10x20 ft. Acrylic and latex on masonry. 2020
Location: SE Alder St between 14th and 15th Avenues, Portland, OR

Say hi to the babushkas, they are finished and here to stay on this Portland wall for the next three years!

Many many thanks to everyone who's supported this project!

It's been an amazing experience. In a way I can't believe I've never worked this large before. It feels so normal and natural now. And all I can think of is where to find another wall to paint ?

I had to take a break for a week because of the rain. A little drizzle isn't a problem for painting a mural, but the downpours we've been having are problematic for applying water soluable paint to an outside wall.

Thoughts and reflections

I am learning yet again that I am an alla prima painter. Not that all my paintings are done in one session, but my approach to making a painting is to move quickly, making changes in response to what is happening on the surface. Plein air painting is like that as well: gotta chase the light while it lasts, make a gesture in one breath.

I am glad that I created a smaller painting first before approaching my first mural, but for my next one I definitely plan on using my normal studio approach of just winging it. The spontaneity and discovery are too important. Also this larger scale and the public nature of the work demands attention also demands much more thorough consideration.

My image selection is the same as my painting process: intuitive and reactive. I don’t consciously consider too much, I intuitively respond to an image that I find compelling. But making something this large and this permanently installed in a public place makes me feel like I need to take a step back and really consider.

I’ve heard it time and time again that most of contemporary figurative painting is about identity politics. I’ve been toeing that line, dancing around it for a while now. But something about putting my work in a public space pushes me to fully admit that it applies to me. I am working with heritage, cultural inheritance, norms and customs passed through socialization and unconscious absorption from the environment. Painting this mural, and especially stepping back and looking at it now that it’s done, brings into focus the need to clarify and put more words to anchor the images I make.

I paint archetypes, I create my own pantheon. But it’s not a particularly diverse one. Perhaps I am a worshiper of a chthonic matriarchal cult of the crone.

But then I am not a worshiper either. I bring forth to examine and clarify as much as to pay respects and acknowledge.

More of an archivist really, whose work is both to preserve and critically examine.

Tatyana Ostapenko painting a mural in Portland, Oregon

Prints are on their way

For those of you who have selected mural design prints as perks:

I am working with a local fine art printer on the print proofs right now. As soon as I sign off on the proofs, I'll have a better idea about the delivery timeline.

And for those of you who haven't grabbed one yet, or want another one, please claim them soon. I don't want you to miss out on having your own hand signed and numbered limited edition prints just because the campaign is over.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

First day of mural painting is done!

As always, I was over prepared, bought way more paint, supplies and tools than was necessary.

I anticipated painting on a wall this large to be dramatically different from painting on canvas and it is. It's more fun, faster and easier 🤩

Many thanks to the Portland Street Art Alliance for this wonderful opportunity and for all the support.

Danielle helped me out so much by patiently listening to my over-caffeinated chatter and keeping me organized.
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Thank you Shawna for stopping by to take amazing action shots and making me feel like a star with her multiple flashes firing simultaneously. I am so fortunate to know many fantastically talented photographers in this town. Some of them paid me a visit and took some great action shots. She made me feel like a real star with your multiple flashes going off while I was painting.📸

And Tracy, a wonderful local photographer and film maker I appreciate so much for being patient, asking awesome questions and doing only 3 takes per brushstroke. Tracy is creating a mini documentary about the creating of this mural. He’s been with me at the site almost every day filming me painting and being super supportive and tolerant of my incessant arm waving.
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And much gratitude for all of you who have supported this public art project by cheering me on, sharing it on social media, and contributing to the fundraising campaign. There are still many perks left for you to claim, check them out!

It's been so much fun, but not without challenges

I had a minor meltdown on the morning of the third day.

Really minor, I promise!

Every painting, no matter the size, goes through an ugly, awkward, unlikable stage. It happens consistently, yet it always sneaks up on me and catches me unawares. And the kicker is that it always happens when I think I am doing so well and ploughing through at an increased speed of awesomeness. Haha!

And to be sure, on the morning of the third day, just as soon asI arrived on site, it hit me: this painting, this huge mural, looks horrible and I don't know what I am doing!

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I paced, shuffled paint cans, scowled and ranted about it.

My fellow artists who were working on their murals, graciously listened and offered support. And just like that my disgust and frustration lifted and I got my brushes out and went on to have a super productive day.

Thank you Kyra and Isis! 🥰

That pesky internal critic can get super loud, no matter what type of work we are doing. It's good to let it speak. It usually gets winded and runs out of things to say, especially when there is a kind and receptive audience.