Done!

photo by Mary Haynes Johnson

My first outdoor mural! It really didn't take long once I got going...about a week. A few little set backs - had to buy some scaffolding because you really don't want to be trying to balance on a ladder with a can of paint in one hand and a brush in the other. Trust me.

And even with scaffolding, there were lessons to learn. Such as, clip your paint cans to the scaffolding. Otherwise...

Looks horrible doesn't it? I am so grateful for a house-painter friend who showed up with a pressure washer just in time! The sidewalk is spotless now.

Another issue was weather. The sun would heat up the wall and the paint would dry almost on contact. The glare from the sun also made it hard to see at times. So there were early mornings and late evenings, painting when it was a little cooler and not so bright.

 The best thing about creating public art in a small town is that it seems to make a big difference. What might get lost in a larger city, is a big change in a small borough like Oxford. It made the local news! And there is a real interest in MORE. The importance of public art can't be overlooked as we embrace the revitalization of our downtown.  Public art is uniquely accessible. People can experience art in the course of daily life, outside of museums, galleries or studios. This provides everyone in the community direct and ongoing experiences with art and adds to the community’s vibrancy and identity.