shed mural 2

Summer of 2007

Prep for the new mural.  

The original mural, which can be seen here, was painted in 1991 and after sixteen years the shed was in need of new paint and a new mural. This time, however, my parents had already decided what type of flowers they wanted to have painted on the doors. It would be blue hydrangeas. 

To prepare, we took pictures of different hydrangeas around their yard and I practiced painting on a grocery bag before applying paint to the shed doors. As a final touch I painted tiny ladybugs on flower pedals and leaves, each one representing a grandchild. Now for fun we can search for the 8 little ladybugs when we're out at the shed. 

Since the second mural was painted the shed has undergone an addition which doubled its size. Of course, special care was taken by the handsome builder to protect and preserve the doors. The building project is now complete but the entire shed will need to be painted except for the doors which, by the way, made it through the addition without a scratch. The body color of the shed has always been blue but a new color has been chosen this time around! When it is finished I will post new pictures. 

Happy Friday!!

shed mural 1

Here is a look at the first mural I painted the
Summer of '91 

And yes, that is me with a perm! 

My parents love art and came up with the idea of having a mural painted on their shed doors and asked if I would be interested in the project. I thought it would be fun to try so I accepted the challenge. They knew they wanted large, stylized flowers but weren't quite sure what type so we walked around their property and looked at all the different flowers that were in bloom to get ideas. We took pictures of possible choices, looked at photos in magazines and books and finally decided on purple clematis. After some doodling and drawings my ideas were approved so we made a trip to the art store, bought some supplies and I began the project that afternoon.

Over the next couple days friends and neighbors stopped by to visit and check the progress and when it was finished my grandparents came over to have a look. The mural can be seen from the back of the house and enjoyed all year long. Later that summer my dad put a coat of marine varnish on the doors to protect the painting from the elements, however by 2007 it was time for some new paint
which meant a new mural.
I will post pictures of the current mural next week.