Drum roll please….

The old Jerusalem unveiled…

13feet x 36 ft latex/acrylic on muslin

54 hours of work, more or less, from start to finish, including the time when I first drew the scene on paper, based on what Pr. Randy gave me.

This is what he first gave me..

It was alot of fun [...]]]> Ladies and gentlemen, girls and boys…

Drum roll please….

The old Jerusalem unveiled…

13feet x 36 ft latex/acrylic on muslin

54 hours of work, more or less, from start to finish, including the time when I first drew the scene on paper, based on what Pr. Randy gave me.

This is what he first gave me..

It was alot of fun and alot of work.

I had great help from Darla, Pastor Tim, Pankey, Katlyn, Samantha, Andrew, Beverly, Nancy, Becky, and Joanne.

I used a variety of old latex paints left over from other projects.  I think I went thry some 20+ different half-used gallons of paint in order to make the colors needed for this project.  I did use 3 different new colors for the buildings.

I painted on the floor as well as on the wall.  I spent several hours on a ladder.

I can’t wait to see it surrounded by the other things which will make up the stage scene.

Thanks for all the prayers and encouragement.  I felt them.

I pray it brings God glory.

I often have a hard time keeping track of how long it takes for me to do things.

But yesterday, my time was limited, so it was easy for [...]]]> Often times, I find people have a hard time getting a sense of how much time it takes to do certain things, especially when it comes to art.

I often have a hard time keeping track of how long it takes for me to do things.

But yesterday, my time was limited, so it was easy for me to see how much time was spent on something…

I spent about an hour and a half at the church, while Phoenix was at school.

This is what I did…

It doesn’t seem like much, since all I was doing was adding in all the brown shading and details, but you have to remember that this section is approximately 36″ x 24″.

Unfortunately the morning has gone, and I’m still at home.

I will have to spend the rest of the day there.  My arm will tire, and I hope it will be mostly done by this evening.

Check back for updates.

Thanks for keeping up with my progress.

Now, I think I have had all the help from other volunteers I can, and I have to do the rest on my own.

The buildings need to be one unit, and I need to do all the details myself.    I won’t be able to get anyone to do it like [...]]]> I’m still working on the mural.

Now, I think I have had all the help from other volunteers I can, and I have to do the rest on my own.

The buildings need to be one unit, and I need to do all the details myself.    I won’t be able to get anyone to do it like I do it, or to do what I want, cause it’s just too hard to explain.

Also, I think tomorrow afternoon, the mural will be going back up on the wall, which will make it a bit more challenging to paint, but it will be okay.

Here are 2 more pictures of the progress:

Little did I know what I was getting myself into.  I had said yes to painting, and leading other volunteers, to paint the backdrop for [...]]]> About 6 weeks ago, I was asked if I’ve done murals before, by a leader from our new church.  Without hesitating, I said, yes.  It’s true, I have done a couple.

Little did I know what I was getting myself into.  I had said yes to painting, and leading other volunteers, to paint the backdrop for the Easter Musical which the choir and drama team will put on.  I had no idea it would be over 11′ x34′.  That is 11 feet by 34 feet, people.  Say it with me, “that is gi-hugic!!”

Anyway, not only that, but the choir director didn’t have much else to say other than to tell me they wanted it done on some sort of material so that they could reuse it–oh, the pressure!  And that the pastor would give me a picture of what he wanted.

He soon handed me a picture of old Jerusalem which he’d found, and said that was what he wanted.  He wanted it to be dismal, and of course, that is when I learned the size of the thing.  I would have to adapt this scene to fit this long landscape horizontal shape.

I worked on the drawing, and showed the pastor, to which he seemed pleased.  It took me a while to find a place to buy the material from.  After doing a couple days worth of research, I settled on using a muslin.  I would paint it on the floor, and it would get hung up afterwards.

The muslin’s arrival was delayed by several days, and when it did arrive, it was apparent they sent us much more than what we paid for.  That was okay, but this is when my work began.  I set out with a helper, to cut the fabric after having to use a big tape measure twice for the length.

After cutting, Pastor Tim hung it up on the gym wall.

Then we got the projector set up and pointed to see what size my drawing needed to be once on the fabric.

Armed with a big fat permanent marker, I set out to trace what I had prepared.  After a few adjustments, I got going in stride. 

Within an hour and a half, I had the whole thing sketched out, to the surprise of many.

I’m sore from climbing on the ladder, and squatting alot as I sketched.  The pastor liked it, which is really the one I’m aiming to please on earth, besides myself.  I pray God is pleased with my efforts and my service.  The outcome is less of an issue for God, I think.

I also searched throughout the many nooks and crannies of the church for leftover paint.  I have many cans which I will attempt to use and make interesting colors from, tomorrow.

Friday the painting starts.  I will have volunteers willing to help.  I’ll have more pictures friday or saturday.

Keep praying for our efforts.