March 23rd, our 63rd 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, Friday, Dawn and I were at the mural all day.  We had a couple of visitors in the morning, and in the afternoon Rita Ziegler (President of the VB Art Club) and her husband George, and Rita's sister-in-law Jean.  Dawn explained the old and new mural to them, we chatted a while, and they were on their way.  Shortly thereafter, Judith Ragusa, our fellow Artists Guild Gallery member, came by and was blown away.  After painting all day it was good to hear such positive responses.

Dawn made progress on her Panel #5, with the children on the beach.  Her boogieboard boy is finished, having given her a good deal of trouble as she tried to combine several images into one to use as a reference--a very difficult process. She has finally nailed him and is now ready to tackle another section. 

Dawn Mill's Panel #5,

Pictured below is Dawn's complete Panel #5, which is getting close to being finished.

Dawn Mill's Panel #5

I worked today on details of Panel #1, painting the logo of "Natalie's" Citrus Company on the 2nd car of the train, and painting in a Hispanic mom and daughter to represent the strong Hispanic history and presence in Vero Beach.

Judy Burgarella's Panel #1 Detail

Pictured below are all but one panel (Christine's #6), and as you can see they flow seamlessly into each other.

Panels #1, #2, #3, #4, #5

Below is detail on my Panel #1, an Hispanic Mom and Child.

Detail of Judy Burgarella's Panel #1

Pictured below is my panel #2 alongside Dawn's panel #3 - they flow seamlessly from one habitat to another, as if one person painted it.  Same thing with Christine's work, we are very similar in style and stroke.

Judy Burgarella's Panel #2 alongside Dawn Mill's Panel #3

Our creative psyche is finally getting fodder once again as we paint together in chatter and in concentrated silence.  Hopefully this project will be completed this spring, and we can plan a hard launch.  This project has enjoyed a soft launch via the blog for some time now, and we are anxious to see what it looks like installed in its final exhibit space.

Well, that's all for now folks.  Stop by the blog Monday night and perhaps you'll see more.  Or better still, stop by the Community Center and see it for yourself--it's a sight to behold!

Judy Burgarella
Blogger for the Vero Beach Mural Project