February 10th, our 60th Vero Beach Mural Painting Session

NOTE: The Vero Beach Mural Project is being Sponsored by the Vero Beach Art Club as a gift to the City.  The artist members of the Vero Beach Art Club who are volunteering their time and talents are Judy Burgarella (http://www.burgarellaart.com/)  Dawn Mill and Christine Thomas (www.innerspacesandouterplaces.com).   Examples of artists' work can also be found on www.verobeachartclub.org/) The Mural consists 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," 2266 14th Avenue, 772-978-4592.  Visitors are welcome to watch the artists paint between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays.

Today all three of us worked on the mural, and we had a visit from the Board of Directors of the Vero Beach Art Club at about 11:00 am.  Most of them had not seen the mural up till now, so they seemed to be very pleased at the quality of the work.  We discussed the timing and launching of the project, different aspects of its progression, and explained some of its characteristics, and then they were on their way and we resumed painting.

We discussed the continuing busy season, with the Environmental Learning Center Paint-Out and Under the Oaks coming up and other art-related commitments, and realized our days at the panels would be very limited until mid-March.  It's frustrating not being able to keep the momentum going, but that's life as an artist in season.  We also discussed putting ibis in flight to conjoin two of the panels.  Christine and Dawn had a slightly shorter day due to commitments, but got some important work done.

Dawn worked mostly on refining her shorline buildings, fixing perspective and painting in railings and posts.  Looks a lot like the real thing.  Dawn and I both have panels with buildings and tough perspective in them.  Frustrating, tedious, and not a lot of fun.  Dawn has a lot more patience and a better eye for buildings.  So below is pictured the area she worked on, depicting the colorful buildings on Ocean Drive, and the backs of those lining the beach, including the spectactular Costa d'Este and the fascinatingly eclectic Driftwood Inn.

Detail of Panels #5 and #6 by Dawn Mill

Christine Thomas worked on several areas of her Panel #6, but concentrated especially on the surfer (her grandson Noah) and the sailboarder with the dog.  Very tricky perspective, but I think she's nailed it.

Detail of Christine Thomas' Panel #6

Today for me was pretty productive, although much of it wasn't fun.  Buildings, buildings, and more buildings!  Painted in the areas from the top of the main buildings all the way into the barrier island on Panel #1, putting in crude buildings sandwiched by foliage, sandwiched by buildings.  These areas are certainly not the focal point, but they had to be done, albeit fast and vague.  Need to get a good image of the 17th Street Bridge, and I hadn't been able to get one on the web.  Next session I will paint something enjoyable in the lagoon--perhaps sailboats and fishing boats.

Judy Burgarella's Panel #1

When I couldn't stand it anymore I switched to working on Panel #2: painted in a painted bunting, a cardinal, and a roughed-in deer behind the plumbago tree.  Also refined Rob Slezak's wife (gal with camera central on Panel #2).

Judy Burgarella's Panel #2

It's hard to see the progress on these large canvases when they are reduced so much to fit a computer screen, but close-up you would see the progress.

Monday of next week Dawn and I will not be working on the mural, but Christine may be, and perhaps she'll post for me.  And Friday both Dawn and I will be working at the Paint-out at the Environmental Learning Center--come see us there painting "en plein air" Thursday, Friday and Saturday (Feb. 16-17-18) 9:00-4:00.  So not much work on the mural will be accomplished next week, but we'll keep you posted of any progress.

Ciou!
Judy Burgarella
Blogger for the Vero Beach Mural Project   -   PS-Be sure to check out the OTHER Vero Beach Mural, on an outside cement wall by the railroad tracks on Route 60 Eastbound--beautiful colorful giant hibiscus brightening up downtown Vero Beach for all to enjoy! (Also sponsored by the Vero Beach Art Club, and generously painted by Art Club members)