November 18th, our 46th Vero Beach Mural Painting Session

NOTE: The Vero Beach Mural Project is being Sponsored by the Vero Beach Art Club, and created by Artist Volunteers Judy Burgarella (http://www.burgarellaart.com/)  Dawn Mill and Christine Thomas (www.innerspacesandouterplaces.com).   Examples of artists' work can be found on www.verobeachartclub.org/) The Mural consistes of six stretched canvas panels, 36' long by 8' high, each panel 8' x 6'.  Created in and for the Community Center, in their "Florida Room."  Visitors are welcome to watch the artists paint between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays.


Today Dawn was ill, so it was just Christine and myself painting the mural.  Working hours would be short for me because of a 2-hour interruption due to a meeting I had to attend.  However I think Christine and I made some progress today.

Evelyn from Vero Beach Magazine stopped in today to take a quick peek at the mural so she could mention it in her "Collaboration" essay for the Magazine.  It appeared that the mural exceeded her expectations because she seemed pleasantly surprised at the color, beauty and magnitude of the project.  She was on the run but we managed to quickly explain a little about the mural and its mission. 

My friend Peni Baker stopped by to check out the mural and show us the wonderful toy train she gathered up for the Christmas mural she is creating for the Sebastian River Art Club.  It will be installed November 29th at the Sebastian (North County) Library--another mural worth seeing.  Yours truly painted a Santa portrait for that project.

Christine was determined today to improve upon her painting of an octopus, which is the biggest, most prominent critter in Panel #6, and sure to be the focal point.  By now she is an expert on octopus anatomy, having thoroughly researched this sea creature ... and by golly I think she's got it!   He looks terrific at this point, and truly an amazing and other-worldly-looking animal.  The children will love him, and the colors look like a rainbow of pearls ... an amazing compliment to the rest of the panel.



Christine Thomas painting "Oscar" the Octopus on Panel #6


Although I myself got an early start, it was slow-going at first.  After perusing some of my research and what I had on my laptop, I began plotting the course of what animal life I will put in this panel, and sketched their locations in with vine charcoal.  I tried to include the most common animals seen in the habitats on Panel #2, along with the endangered Florida panther, yet it was a stretch to paint them in so close together.  Including indigenous shrubs, bushes and trees painted in strategic places would help me to accomplish that.

So today I loosely sketched in the locations of various animals, painted in a turkey and a birdwatcher, and finished painting the two palm trees in the foreground.  The turkey will probably have a mate (female) painted in on Monday.  Next are more shrubs, grasses, debris ... and "Deer-armadillos-and hogs---Oh, my!"

Judy Burgarella's Panel #2

So be sure to come back again, we'll be painting on Monday and hope to make some more progress.  And get well soon Dawn ... we need you!
Ciou!
Judy Burgarella
Blogger for the Vero Beach Mural