Strong and Silent Mural. Acrylic and latex on masonry. 10x20 ft. 2020
Location: SE Alder St between SE 14th and SE 15th Ave, Portland, OR
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.
Strong and Silent Mural. Acrylic and latex on masonry. 10x20 ft. 2020
Location: SE Alder St between SE 14th and SE 15th Ave, Portland, OR