It's Tuesday and a great day on the wall. I left home with Grandma and we went into Gypsy's to drop off a copy of the book "Living Waters" By Ben Casey. Several regulars were there and they all jumped at the chance to look at the beautiful photographs Mr. Casey has in his book of Trent River. I can keep that copy until the end of the mural, then I plan to purchase one for the Beautification Committee and of course one for my family. I suggest all Trentonians check out this book and get one for themselves, a great pictorial of the river that runs through Jones County!
Got to paint on the wall about 9:15, and Nelson West stopped by, the son in law of Dude Andrews. He was checking out the progress and talked with us. He is a member of our church and had wonderful things to say about the mural and the progress. He will be painting with me one day so he can leave his legacy on the wall also. Nelson helped me with the big ladder. Stewart loaned me a 14 footer. This ladder almost gets me to the top. I only use the sliding ladder when Tony is available because I get so scared up at the top, I am so afraid of heights. Not a good thing for a muralist, ha ha!
Today I worked on the forest again, which will be a large part of what I will pursue for the next two weeks. Then comes the writing on the wall "Trent River, Trenton, NC". Grandma and I will begin making the stencils in a special font requested by Willow Faye Stroud. It is a signature font for her and it reminds me of a Willow Tree.....thus her name sake. I like this about people, they sometimes compare themselves to trees or animals and most times they are spot on. I think I am a Butterfly, or some might say "ADHD", it is hard to focus sometimes, but when I am painting I am focused and into the paint and the structure I am painting on whether it be canvas, hardboard or concrete walls. I love painting with oil, because it is so forgiving and changeable. The acrylic medium,which I am using on the wall, is a fast drying very stable paint and most unforgiving. But that is where layers upon layers make it feel like its oil. I can see the green at the bottom (my first layer of paint) and I can dab brown, yellow and white, and the wall begins to respond like getting a new dress at Easter. The wall just wants to work with the paint then walla the wall becomes the river bank, with a glowing forest and little animals everywhere. It isn't there yet, but it is on its way. In 2-3 weeks, I believe we will be finished. I hope you keep looking daily, it will be hard in a few days to see what has changed on the wall, because the forest is growing daily!
Today lots of people stopped by, Nelson, Glen, Sam, Brown, Russell, Wallace, Rabbit, and Jean and two unnamed people came by. Nelson, as I said is Dude's son in law and a friend from church, Glen is part of Trenton too. He owns a security system company and has installed one for us, which we love. He is also a singer songwriter and has written songs about trash and his lovely wife, Linda. Sam came by and he is a caterer in Trenton, Dixon Catering. He talked for a long time and said something that impressed me. He caters to lots of business, but he also caters to the elderly, and charges them what they can afford. He provides good meals, delivers and has a smile straight from God. I enjoyed talking with him today. Brown from Cove City, dropped by to admire the mural which was sweet. Jean and Rabbit McCoy, also from Cove City,stopped by after seeing their lawyer, and were just a delight to talk with. They talked about Ashton, their 6 year old great grandson, and what a joy in their life he is. His mom died two years ago and Jean talked about that for a moment. I had a shirt on that read "Jesus loves you, but I'm his favorite", and she said "So am I"......so who am I to question the infinity of God, He knows how many hairs are on each head so I guess he could have approximate 6 billion favorites! You go God!
So around 1:45 we left and went to Gypsy's for a cool drink and ended up eating chili, Grandma and I shared a bowl. We are watching our figures.....smile! I brought my book "Unmerited Favor" by Joseph Prince and I read the first chapter to someone today, it was enlightening again. A book I would recommend to everyone.
When we left we drove slowly by the wall, and Grandma and I loved the expanding forest, it really looks like you can walk behind Dude. There were also reflections in the river today, the three trees and the beginnings of Dude's feet. I can't wait until Thursday to start working on the movement of the water and more forest. So today I got lost in the brushes, colors and the possibilities happening on the wall that will make it more attractive to the people who pass by.....it is your wall, I am just getting the pleasure of painting on it.
Thanks for the prayers today, thank you Carol Ann, Willow, Stewart, Grandma and Tony, it was a safe ladder day, and a great painting day.....God was present and good again today. Thanks k
PS: There will be new pictures tomorrow!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
8th Day On the Wall
Yesterday Diane (Dude Andrews Daughter) loaned me the book "Living Waters by Ben Casey." He is the photographer that took this wonderful picture I am painting on the wall in Trenton. I emailed Mr. Casey last night after I looked at the book and found my self guilty of not getting his permission to actually use his photo on our wall. This morning Tony opened his email to us and he said he had allowed Jones County and Trenton any non profit use of all pictures in his book. Wow, what a joy and how generous. So here is a big thank you to "Mr. Casey." Also check out his book on Amazon, there are some amazing pictures of the Trent River and the captions are almost as captivating!
Grandma went with me to the wall today, and we stayed until 12 noon. After a quick rain shower this morning, we hopped in the truck and drove slowly enjoying the cool air into Trenton. Kelsey was taking a pre college test today but she will be back on Thursday and Friday of this week. She is a great help this Summer,
Today I worked on the forest behind Dude! The trees grew, the grass went wild and the forest seemed to grow deeper toward infinity in the mural. I enjoyed the sleepy weather and the breeze, it helped me get into making some smaller trees...and the leaves reached toward the river as they became painted on the wall. So today, the ground, the grass, the trees, the river bank, the light on the right side of the mural began to gel. It is looking more like a finished river bank, so I hope as you drive down Jones Street or up the street you will pause and look into the forest, and remember how it feels to watch the river flow in your life. This town, Trenton, is a reminder that peace is really important in your lives.
It is supposed to rain Tuesday and parts of Wednesday, but I plan to be on the wall early prior to the rain so I can finish it within the next 3 weeks.
Today I saw Walter, and he waved, I met Frankie and he asked who Dude Andrews was and he and I talked for a brief time and Frankie said "I know this guy, he drives a little truck", and he and I both smiled because a true connection had been made about someone who lives in Trenton, and is part of our lives. Alan stopped by, Darlene Spivey's brother, and he was most complimentary about the wall. He made my day. He said it is more than what they expected, they being the "Beautification Committee." This made me smile, because every time I get on a mural, I think I have forgotten how to do really BIG!....But you don't forget when you are connected to the One who helps us do the talents He has given us, it is His talent on loan to me, while I have a brush in my hand. So when I get really scared I am going to mess up, I remember it is not me, and I know it will be OK, because it is God's talent, not mine. So thanks Alan, for the sweet words and the smile I saw when you looked into the mural. A Mr. Tidwell stopped by today and talked with me and Grandma. He suggested I put some blue sky in the mural, then we continued to talk and he realized that the mural is really a 3-D mural. I am using the tree tops behind the building as the top of the mural. If you stand by the Jones County Tire Store, you will see the tops of the trees are part of the mural and the blue sky or clouds are an extension of the mural. This is an odd concept, but it works for this wall. It seems like the wall is actually letting the little bushes grow at the bottom of the wall, to help create the river. The little bushes will be kept also and used. So all in all I am quite pleased with my new found acquaintances that stop by and make comments and those that drive by and smile or give a thumbs up sign.......Thanks.
Tomorrow if the rain holds until noon I will be there again, working on the left side of the mural, and if Tony is along, I will be on the tall ladder working on the top of the mural. Thanks for your prayers for safety as I climb and for your interest in the painting. The people of Trenton are remarkable, and this blog proves just how many people are really liking the change in the corner there.
Last night I went to a Bible study at Rheams Church on 17. We are reading "Crazy Love", which is a most interesting and thought provoking book. This book reminds us to know we are loved by God and that special moments in life are gifts, this mural is a special moment in my life, thank you for letting me share this photo with you. Thank you Beautification Committee for believing in me and working so hard to get this approved. This project would not have happened without you or God (who uses the brushes in my hand.)
In His Name K
Grandma went with me to the wall today, and we stayed until 12 noon. After a quick rain shower this morning, we hopped in the truck and drove slowly enjoying the cool air into Trenton. Kelsey was taking a pre college test today but she will be back on Thursday and Friday of this week. She is a great help this Summer,
Today I worked on the forest behind Dude! The trees grew, the grass went wild and the forest seemed to grow deeper toward infinity in the mural. I enjoyed the sleepy weather and the breeze, it helped me get into making some smaller trees...and the leaves reached toward the river as they became painted on the wall. So today, the ground, the grass, the trees, the river bank, the light on the right side of the mural began to gel. It is looking more like a finished river bank, so I hope as you drive down Jones Street or up the street you will pause and look into the forest, and remember how it feels to watch the river flow in your life. This town, Trenton, is a reminder that peace is really important in your lives.
It is supposed to rain Tuesday and parts of Wednesday, but I plan to be on the wall early prior to the rain so I can finish it within the next 3 weeks.
Today I saw Walter, and he waved, I met Frankie and he asked who Dude Andrews was and he and I talked for a brief time and Frankie said "I know this guy, he drives a little truck", and he and I both smiled because a true connection had been made about someone who lives in Trenton, and is part of our lives. Alan stopped by, Darlene Spivey's brother, and he was most complimentary about the wall. He made my day. He said it is more than what they expected, they being the "Beautification Committee." This made me smile, because every time I get on a mural, I think I have forgotten how to do really BIG!....But you don't forget when you are connected to the One who helps us do the talents He has given us, it is His talent on loan to me, while I have a brush in my hand. So when I get really scared I am going to mess up, I remember it is not me, and I know it will be OK, because it is God's talent, not mine. So thanks Alan, for the sweet words and the smile I saw when you looked into the mural. A Mr. Tidwell stopped by today and talked with me and Grandma. He suggested I put some blue sky in the mural, then we continued to talk and he realized that the mural is really a 3-D mural. I am using the tree tops behind the building as the top of the mural. If you stand by the Jones County Tire Store, you will see the tops of the trees are part of the mural and the blue sky or clouds are an extension of the mural. This is an odd concept, but it works for this wall. It seems like the wall is actually letting the little bushes grow at the bottom of the wall, to help create the river. The little bushes will be kept also and used. So all in all I am quite pleased with my new found acquaintances that stop by and make comments and those that drive by and smile or give a thumbs up sign.......Thanks.
Tomorrow if the rain holds until noon I will be there again, working on the left side of the mural, and if Tony is along, I will be on the tall ladder working on the top of the mural. Thanks for your prayers for safety as I climb and for your interest in the painting. The people of Trenton are remarkable, and this blog proves just how many people are really liking the change in the corner there.
Last night I went to a Bible study at Rheams Church on 17. We are reading "Crazy Love", which is a most interesting and thought provoking book. This book reminds us to know we are loved by God and that special moments in life are gifts, this mural is a special moment in my life, thank you for letting me share this photo with you. Thank you Beautification Committee for believing in me and working so hard to get this approved. This project would not have happened without you or God (who uses the brushes in my hand.)
In His Name K
Thursday, June 24, 2010
7th Day on the Wall
We got an early start today! It was wonderfully cool at 7:30 am and Kelsey and Brad were ready to work. Brad climbed the 14 foot ladder and painted the forest background for me and I am so appreciative! Thank you Brad. Kelsey worked on her dragonflies and they are adorable, she even put her initials on one and Brad's on another. This made me happy, they are personalizing the wall, who knows how long this mural will stay on this wall, but I hope it is forever.
Wesley stopped by to say hello, and ask if it was hot enough to paint and I said oh yes. I also let him know I had felt some wonderful breezes this morning and I found myself lost in the grass under the cattails! This was a peaceful morning, and the song "There is A Sweet Sweet Spirit In This Place" kept erupting from my heart. Trenton has a sweet Spirit in it and it is alive and well....as Gypsy, Willow and Carol Ann said today "business as usual." This made me smile.
Another man stopped by today "Walter" and asked if I would paint a sign for his church, he was a joy to talk with, and he commented on the wall before he left.
A lady drove by in a red truck and gave Brad, Kelsey and me the thumbs up sign, and honked....smiled and went on....we appreciated that!
The grass on the creek bank was introduced by Kelsey and I added some dark grounding color to it, today the cattails and the grass became one. I found a humming bird hiding in the grass, which I am going to ask Kelsey to paint on Monday, and then I found another bird hiding, which I used black to help me remember where it was. This is the beginning of the wall working with the artists. As we go along and paint the picture, there will be little things that want to be exhibited on the wall that have been waiting for this wall to be painted, so they can be seen. I believe Angels like to draw also.....so I am letting you know I did not place the humming bird there or the other black bird.....it was my guardian Angel wanted to draw on the wall also.....kind of wonderful!
This happened on the walls at the Picnic Basket, just ask Gypsy about her flowers. Oh well, I will tell you. Gypsy helped with the murals in the Picnic Basket in Kinston. She was a beginning artist and had taken a class from me a few months before this project was started. She came in after her daily activities one day and said "K, I want to paint some flowers here on the wall." Well, I thought we are not there yet, how about you do something else and when we get there you can do that. She said "K, I really want to put some red flowers here with some white", so I reluctantly said ok, and watched her carefully. She finished and was loving her flowers, I was not so loving her flowers.....but they stayed and when she left that day I asked the owners to come and look at the flowers and let me know if this was satisfactory to them. Well needless to say THEY LOVED THEM! Just goes to show you it is all in the eye of the beholder. The grandmother that cooked for the granddaughters loves Gypsy, loved her work, couldn't get over how much she loved those flowers.....so who was I to rain on that wonderful parade....I also learned that not all painting had to be done by me to be beautiful....I learned to see with God's eyes and fell in love with the flowers too! As you go in the Picnic Basket to eat, look at the wall on the left, find the gate and look at the left side of the gate.... you will see Gypsy's wonderful flowers. This is a story between me and Gypsy and we still laugh about it.
So today when I started to paint within the grass that Kelsey had started I was careful not to overtake what she had done and brought to the mural........sometimes lessons have to be learned over and over again, and my hope is to learn these lessons early.....so there has to be no long valley trips.......I like the mountain top, the view and the breeze is wonderful there!
The wall is continuing and you, Trenton, are wonderful....keep looking, keeping smiling and know you are all part of this. See you Monday, K
Wesley stopped by to say hello, and ask if it was hot enough to paint and I said oh yes. I also let him know I had felt some wonderful breezes this morning and I found myself lost in the grass under the cattails! This was a peaceful morning, and the song "There is A Sweet Sweet Spirit In This Place" kept erupting from my heart. Trenton has a sweet Spirit in it and it is alive and well....as Gypsy, Willow and Carol Ann said today "business as usual." This made me smile.
Another man stopped by today "Walter" and asked if I would paint a sign for his church, he was a joy to talk with, and he commented on the wall before he left.
A lady drove by in a red truck and gave Brad, Kelsey and me the thumbs up sign, and honked....smiled and went on....we appreciated that!
The grass on the creek bank was introduced by Kelsey and I added some dark grounding color to it, today the cattails and the grass became one. I found a humming bird hiding in the grass, which I am going to ask Kelsey to paint on Monday, and then I found another bird hiding, which I used black to help me remember where it was. This is the beginning of the wall working with the artists. As we go along and paint the picture, there will be little things that want to be exhibited on the wall that have been waiting for this wall to be painted, so they can be seen. I believe Angels like to draw also.....so I am letting you know I did not place the humming bird there or the other black bird.....it was my guardian Angel wanted to draw on the wall also.....kind of wonderful!
This happened on the walls at the Picnic Basket, just ask Gypsy about her flowers. Oh well, I will tell you. Gypsy helped with the murals in the Picnic Basket in Kinston. She was a beginning artist and had taken a class from me a few months before this project was started. She came in after her daily activities one day and said "K, I want to paint some flowers here on the wall." Well, I thought we are not there yet, how about you do something else and when we get there you can do that. She said "K, I really want to put some red flowers here with some white", so I reluctantly said ok, and watched her carefully. She finished and was loving her flowers, I was not so loving her flowers.....but they stayed and when she left that day I asked the owners to come and look at the flowers and let me know if this was satisfactory to them. Well needless to say THEY LOVED THEM! Just goes to show you it is all in the eye of the beholder. The grandmother that cooked for the granddaughters loves Gypsy, loved her work, couldn't get over how much she loved those flowers.....so who was I to rain on that wonderful parade....I also learned that not all painting had to be done by me to be beautiful....I learned to see with God's eyes and fell in love with the flowers too! As you go in the Picnic Basket to eat, look at the wall on the left, find the gate and look at the left side of the gate.... you will see Gypsy's wonderful flowers. This is a story between me and Gypsy and we still laugh about it.
So today when I started to paint within the grass that Kelsey had started I was careful not to overtake what she had done and brought to the mural........sometimes lessons have to be learned over and over again, and my hope is to learn these lessons early.....so there has to be no long valley trips.......I like the mountain top, the view and the breeze is wonderful there!
The wall is continuing and you, Trenton, are wonderful....keep looking, keeping smiling and know you are all part of this. See you Monday, K
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Words to my town "Trenton" and "Willow Faye Stroud"
First I hope anyone who read a comment posted on the 5th day reads this! The comment was not my words about Trenton or Willow. I agree with Carol Ann's post that Trenton has a long history of friendliness and community involvement with lots of energy for all who live here or who once lived here. That is why we chose to live here. Also, Willow Faye is the second person I met in Trenton. I met Glenn Spivey first and he suggested I talk to Willow about Grandma's afghans and my art, because she was opening a gift shop!
Well that is how it started, Willow took it from there and has been a true supporter in all my paintings endeavor. So without Willow I might still be painting in a closet. She believed in me, Tony believed in me and Grandma supports my ever artistic thought. People in Trenton have bought my "Roosters" rendered kind words over and over again about my paintings
As you can see over the past two weeks, only positive things have been said to me while working on the wall and walking around town about the mural and the art. People have embraced Tony, Grandma and me in Trenton. We have been here two years, and there has been a welcome sign on each person face for our family. I hope you will accept my apology for the words said about our town "Trenton and Willow Faye." She is a light to my life and a dear friend, Trenton and Willow believed in my talent and that gave me the energy which created a desire and helped me to believe that my paintings would be accepted, thank you Trenton and Willow for that and much more!
I did not paint murals in California, I paint murals in Jones County and for the people of Jones County, because they are examples of people I want to be like, include in my daily life and share my gift from God with. Again, please accept my apology for words said and please keep reading, talking to me and praying for this project.
In His love. K
Well that is how it started, Willow took it from there and has been a true supporter in all my paintings endeavor. So without Willow I might still be painting in a closet. She believed in me, Tony believed in me and Grandma supports my ever artistic thought. People in Trenton have bought my "Roosters" rendered kind words over and over again about my paintings
As you can see over the past two weeks, only positive things have been said to me while working on the wall and walking around town about the mural and the art. People have embraced Tony, Grandma and me in Trenton. We have been here two years, and there has been a welcome sign on each person face for our family. I hope you will accept my apology for the words said about our town "Trenton and Willow Faye." She is a light to my life and a dear friend, Trenton and Willow believed in my talent and that gave me the energy which created a desire and helped me to believe that my paintings would be accepted, thank you Trenton and Willow for that and much more!
I did not paint murals in California, I paint murals in Jones County and for the people of Jones County, because they are examples of people I want to be like, include in my daily life and share my gift from God with. Again, please accept my apology for words said and please keep reading, talking to me and praying for this project.
In His love. K
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
6th Day on Wall
Let me begin by saying thank you to the residents of Trenton and The Trenton Beautification Committee for the opportunity to paint this mural. I was humbled today by all the compliments and well wishers that stopped by. First, Otis stopped by to say how beautiful this was and how wonderful that it was in Trenton. He is a successful business person in New Bern and Trenton and he took a bit of his personal time to let me know how blessed he was in his life, and how he and Catherine lives a life with God. He and Catherine are taking care of his grandchild and he kept saying how important it was to give back to our community. He own a heating and air condition business and work inside of Cherry Point. He talked about his grown children and how wonderful they are, and gave God the glory. He talked about going to college and graduating and how hard work had helped him in his life. I was uplifted by his stature and grace as he spoke of his life and how he was proud to be a Trentonian. I agreed with him I am also happy with my town, and the people I have been exposed to as I paint on the wall. Shortly after Otis left, I noticed a man in a green t-shirt just smiling looking at the wall. He slowly came over and said his name was Garfield, just like the cat. He said he worked for the water department in Jones County and wanted to walk over and say thank you for painting on this particular wall. He said he drives this way often and when it first started to appear, he just had to smile, because he not only knows the man on the wall, but the colors and light just make him smile. He said it is like having ownership of a painting. He made a little tear come to my eye, because this has long been a dream of mine. I have wanted that light that gets painted on paintings and walls to say "believe I am still alive and well and I will watch over you", of course these are God's words but my dream that someone out there would see with His eyes and smile because of the peace the painting displays. Another person came by named Johnny and he just stopped to say hello to Kelsey and K, because he had read the paper and wanted us to know he knew who we were and that he would be checking on us from time to time. Numerous people drove by and honked, putting a thumb up to say "alright, we like the art", and I also got a visitor from the courthouse that remarked how wonderful this was for the county. Later in the morning, Brad stopped by to see Kelsey and he graciously got us a drink, and talked. It was peaceful seeing these two young people talking about their futures and what makes them happy. Brad helped get paintbrushes and paper towels and he said on Thursday he would be back to help get the high parts, which will definitely be a blessing. Then the heat began and Kelsey and Brad packed up and let me know it was too hot for me too! I stayed and I am glad I did because even more people came by to talk. Claudia's sister came by after visiting the lawyers who are in the building on which I am painting. She introduced me to Bonnie who had some wonderful things to say and she let me know she is also an artist. We began to talk about where our talent comes from and we both agreed we are just the vessel, the light and talent comes from God for us to use. That was a delightful encounter with the two of them. Carl, the postmaster in Trenton, stopped by and he gave me a sweet hug. That was so nice of him. I feel like over the past two years we have become friends. He was full of wisdom and favor as usual, but today he had on a most marvelous hat. A woven straw hat that just made me happy when he smiled. Thanks Carl for stopping by. See you soon, K. Then the Trenton Market person came over and discussed the painting with me. He is not from Trenton, but he runs the Trenton Gas Market and Store near the wall. The first day I met him he, Abdul, was very helpful. I had gone to the Beautification Committee and asked for help cleaning around the building wall. There was about 2 feet of debris there. Willow Faye organized a crew for cleanup that afternoon. After the cleanup occurred, Abdul, came out and said don't worry about the bags of debris being picked up by the city, just put them in our dumpster over there. He was very happy, the cleanup occurred. Willow had about eight people there so it was easier with so many hands. My first encounter with him was gracious and enlightening. Today, he came out and talked to me about the painting and how it looked better than the picture I was painting from. We talked a little about his cousin, the owner of the market, and a young man in his family that was also an artist. Abdul said he would share some of his art with me in the future, and I am looking forward to that. Then, he asked if I was thirsty and said he could bring me a water! Again, I was brought to tears, sometimes when I think of profit, and how every water, every cup of coffee, every drink, every paper towel I use cost money, I worry about the shop owners and how everything seems to cost money. But when he said I will get you a cup of water, I thought of the Bible, and how many times people met at wells, some met Jesus there, some met their future husbands there, some were forgiven their sins there and I graciously accepted the water, thanked him, but what he didn't know was how he affected me. A bottle of water was like a bottle of gold, because it was a spiritual experience I shall never forget. For God cares for me, just blessed my heart. Thank you Abdul, may blessing be abounding on your family and their families for you were a vessel of care to me today. Thank you!
So when I say thank you to the residents of Trenton, and the Beautification Committee I really mean it, the wall may change the peoples view, but it is changing my heart. Again thank you!
The Beautification Committee has paid for my supplies to paint this wall. I am painting probono, but several people have asked if they could donate to the Beautification Committee which will help with future murals and some solar lights to light these murals. If you are one of these who would like to donate, please contact Willow Faye Stoud at Red Willows in Trenton on Jones street. Her phone number is 252-448-1138.
I would also like to mention another group in Trenton. They are called Neighbor Helping Neighbor. Greg and Eve Davis started his volunteer group about 1.5 years ago. During the winter we all helped each other do certain things that we either had no experience with or little experience. For example, everyone helped us mud and wall board our upstairs art room and exercise room. We didn't ever know how to begin, but several families helped. Today, the day started out with a huge issue at our house, the septic alarm was on. We didn't know what to do but to call one of the companies in the yellow pages. My husband, Tony was supposed to come and help with the ladder work today, but this took precedence. I left with a little of a heavy heart, but before I left Tony said don't worry about this it will be taken care of, just have a little faith. So I left with a heavy heart. I got to the wall and Kelsey was smiling and all these people came by and my Spirit just soared. I stayed on the wall from 8:30 to 3:00 pm and when I got home, Tony walked out of the garage and said "It's fixed", I said great. He explained that Eve had dropped by with some plums and peppers, and Tony asked if Greg knew anything about septic tanks, and she said she would ask. Greg called, came over, helped pull the pump, Tony went to New Bern to get a pump, came back, Eve called, Greg came, Tony and Greg put in the pump, and things are working. This again humbled me, we have always paid for every service, always given when asked and now it is so hard to receive when people just want to give back. I thank these people for helping us today while I was having bliss painting on the wall. I left with a heavy heart, I came home with light in my heart and found God had been here. He made sure our problem was taken care of at a minimal cost. Thank you God, Greg, Eve, Tony, Grandma for the watering and care of our food preparation today.
So, all in all, it has been a thankful day for what I have received, what I have given and the faith that continues to grow inside me as I learn to see, hear and believe in the people who make up my town "Trenton". God bless you all!
So when I say thank you to the residents of Trenton, and the Beautification Committee I really mean it, the wall may change the peoples view, but it is changing my heart. Again thank you!
The Beautification Committee has paid for my supplies to paint this wall. I am painting probono, but several people have asked if they could donate to the Beautification Committee which will help with future murals and some solar lights to light these murals. If you are one of these who would like to donate, please contact Willow Faye Stoud at Red Willows in Trenton on Jones street. Her phone number is 252-448-1138.
I would also like to mention another group in Trenton. They are called Neighbor Helping Neighbor. Greg and Eve Davis started his volunteer group about 1.5 years ago. During the winter we all helped each other do certain things that we either had no experience with or little experience. For example, everyone helped us mud and wall board our upstairs art room and exercise room. We didn't ever know how to begin, but several families helped. Today, the day started out with a huge issue at our house, the septic alarm was on. We didn't know what to do but to call one of the companies in the yellow pages. My husband, Tony was supposed to come and help with the ladder work today, but this took precedence. I left with a little of a heavy heart, but before I left Tony said don't worry about this it will be taken care of, just have a little faith. So I left with a heavy heart. I got to the wall and Kelsey was smiling and all these people came by and my Spirit just soared. I stayed on the wall from 8:30 to 3:00 pm and when I got home, Tony walked out of the garage and said "It's fixed", I said great. He explained that Eve had dropped by with some plums and peppers, and Tony asked if Greg knew anything about septic tanks, and she said she would ask. Greg called, came over, helped pull the pump, Tony went to New Bern to get a pump, came back, Eve called, Greg came, Tony and Greg put in the pump, and things are working. This again humbled me, we have always paid for every service, always given when asked and now it is so hard to receive when people just want to give back. I thank these people for helping us today while I was having bliss painting on the wall. I left with a heavy heart, I came home with light in my heart and found God had been here. He made sure our problem was taken care of at a minimal cost. Thank you God, Greg, Eve, Tony, Grandma for the watering and care of our food preparation today.
So, all in all, it has been a thankful day for what I have received, what I have given and the faith that continues to grow inside me as I learn to see, hear and believe in the people who make up my town "Trenton". God bless you all!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
5th Day on the Wall
Friday started out really slow, Kelsey had plans with friends and was ready to start the Father's Day Weekend! Go Kelsey! I got a late start at about 10 a.m. I stopped at Gypsy's Place and had coffee with the Round Table group, or might I say grape juice with that group. We talked about everything and laughed the day into existence.
I left there about 10:30 a.m. and went to look at Mr. A.L. He needed some refining and I knew just how to do it. I mixed together all the skin tones I thought I might need. I added his jacket color blue and black, and worked on the light that hits the top of his cap, and melts down his face to his neck and lap area. It is amazing to watch the light create the shapes an artist can use to help them create a face, or a figure. Without light there is nothing, and with light there is creation. I am talking about sunlight, but I could also be talking about Son light. Without the Son light in my life, I could not create a mural that I see unfolding in front of me. All the glory to God....He is the master artist!
It was very hot by about 11a.m. and a man came to speak to me as I climbed down the ladder and walked halfway down the block to see A.L.'s face from a distance. This man's name was "Eugene." He was friendly, and I had seen him in the past few days just quietly watching the paint beginning to illustrate the portrait of A.L. or as he likes to be called "Dude Andrews." Eugene asked me if that was Amos Andrews and I said yes. He began to tell me that he went to school with his sons. Eugene said at that time they were best friends. He said it brought back memories of all the good times had by himself and Dude's sons. He smiled threw his head back and belly laughed; saying you know I was a character. From the look of gleam in his eye, he was still a character, a likable one. He also said that he had helped some others see the mural in a different way when he was able to explain the tree trunks that go straight up the wall to the roof. He said "you know you have to go the corner to see that the tree trunks you painted are attached to the trees behind the building!" I immediately stopped, looked at him with unbelief and said how in the world did you see that. He said "I just studied the trees and then the wind blew the leaves and they just looked like they were attached and part of the bigger picture!" Wow, I couldn't have said it any better myself. We are always trying to see the bigger picture in life, and this person had just opened the mural to the world. The big blue sky, the large trees surrounding the walls of the building, the noise of the small town and the people all standing around....the mural became a living mural not contained within the wall. He also said he was an artist also, he liked to draw and study things around him. He continued to share some of his life with me, and we looked across at the Court House. It was Friday and court was in session. We saw a lot of young people go in and out of the doors, some upset, other relieved, yet all somewhat troubled. He said I was there one time, but I lived to see a better day. A day when consequences were not an option anymore. I wanted to be free, so I choose a different path. This touched my heart, because we have all been in a place of shadows before, where we don't use the path we have, or just don't see it. I haven't walked in his shoes, but I have walked in the shadows and when the Son shine came I readily choose to leave the consequences behind and walk into the light, which I stated at the start of this, makes all the difference to people in this world. So the rest of the day I thanked God for the light in my life! My friends, the talent God awakened in me for painting, my immediate family, (Tony, Irene, Meg, Trevor, Jay, Kristine, Sam, Cole) and my expanded family, Mary, Jacqueline, Susan, Eve, Willow, Gypsy, April, Lisa, Donnice, Suzanne, Carol Ann, Marie, and friends too numerous to add to this list! In each of these people I see light, and my path is so lit because of my exposure to them. I may have walked only a few minutes with some, and years with others, as we know people come in and out of our lives for all kinds of reasons, but I know I would not be who I am today without many many acquaintances, friends and extended family. Eugene is this kind of person, a fraction of a moment shared, but light shared on a Friday, in 94 degree temperature, over grape juice with paint on my hands in front of a wall 20 feet high and 30 feet long waiting to share light with those who see it, drive by it and remember the person painted on it.
Tomorrow is Monday, I am not painting, I am running errands and finishing the lawn. Tuesday I will start again with the background which includes the distant trees, shadows of the final trees to be painted. Tony plans to hold the ladder, and reassure me I'm safe, Kelsey will be painting a dragon fly that will sit on his fishing pole that drops into the Trent River, and some cattails along the bank......a day to create, look for light in all we see, and remember our path may be unknown in our futures, but there will always be people to light the way just in case clouds arise......thanks to all who have helped me along my way.
In His love, k
I left there about 10:30 a.m. and went to look at Mr. A.L. He needed some refining and I knew just how to do it. I mixed together all the skin tones I thought I might need. I added his jacket color blue and black, and worked on the light that hits the top of his cap, and melts down his face to his neck and lap area. It is amazing to watch the light create the shapes an artist can use to help them create a face, or a figure. Without light there is nothing, and with light there is creation. I am talking about sunlight, but I could also be talking about Son light. Without the Son light in my life, I could not create a mural that I see unfolding in front of me. All the glory to God....He is the master artist!
It was very hot by about 11a.m. and a man came to speak to me as I climbed down the ladder and walked halfway down the block to see A.L.'s face from a distance. This man's name was "Eugene." He was friendly, and I had seen him in the past few days just quietly watching the paint beginning to illustrate the portrait of A.L. or as he likes to be called "Dude Andrews." Eugene asked me if that was Amos Andrews and I said yes. He began to tell me that he went to school with his sons. Eugene said at that time they were best friends. He said it brought back memories of all the good times had by himself and Dude's sons. He smiled threw his head back and belly laughed; saying you know I was a character. From the look of gleam in his eye, he was still a character, a likable one. He also said that he had helped some others see the mural in a different way when he was able to explain the tree trunks that go straight up the wall to the roof. He said "you know you have to go the corner to see that the tree trunks you painted are attached to the trees behind the building!" I immediately stopped, looked at him with unbelief and said how in the world did you see that. He said "I just studied the trees and then the wind blew the leaves and they just looked like they were attached and part of the bigger picture!" Wow, I couldn't have said it any better myself. We are always trying to see the bigger picture in life, and this person had just opened the mural to the world. The big blue sky, the large trees surrounding the walls of the building, the noise of the small town and the people all standing around....the mural became a living mural not contained within the wall. He also said he was an artist also, he liked to draw and study things around him. He continued to share some of his life with me, and we looked across at the Court House. It was Friday and court was in session. We saw a lot of young people go in and out of the doors, some upset, other relieved, yet all somewhat troubled. He said I was there one time, but I lived to see a better day. A day when consequences were not an option anymore. I wanted to be free, so I choose a different path. This touched my heart, because we have all been in a place of shadows before, where we don't use the path we have, or just don't see it. I haven't walked in his shoes, but I have walked in the shadows and when the Son shine came I readily choose to leave the consequences behind and walk into the light, which I stated at the start of this, makes all the difference to people in this world. So the rest of the day I thanked God for the light in my life! My friends, the talent God awakened in me for painting, my immediate family, (Tony, Irene, Meg, Trevor, Jay, Kristine, Sam, Cole) and my expanded family, Mary, Jacqueline, Susan, Eve, Willow, Gypsy, April, Lisa, Donnice, Suzanne, Carol Ann, Marie, and friends too numerous to add to this list! In each of these people I see light, and my path is so lit because of my exposure to them. I may have walked only a few minutes with some, and years with others, as we know people come in and out of our lives for all kinds of reasons, but I know I would not be who I am today without many many acquaintances, friends and extended family. Eugene is this kind of person, a fraction of a moment shared, but light shared on a Friday, in 94 degree temperature, over grape juice with paint on my hands in front of a wall 20 feet high and 30 feet long waiting to share light with those who see it, drive by it and remember the person painted on it.
Tomorrow is Monday, I am not painting, I am running errands and finishing the lawn. Tuesday I will start again with the background which includes the distant trees, shadows of the final trees to be painted. Tony plans to hold the ladder, and reassure me I'm safe, Kelsey will be painting a dragon fly that will sit on his fishing pole that drops into the Trent River, and some cattails along the bank......a day to create, look for light in all we see, and remember our path may be unknown in our futures, but there will always be people to light the way just in case clouds arise......thanks to all who have helped me along my way.
In His love, k
Thursday, June 17, 2010
4th Day Progress
Today the mural really started to gel! The river and bank started to have edges and slopes, and the grass started to have roots and peaks, so all in all it was a very good day. A hot day, but a very aggressive painting day. Kelsey and Tony both helped paint the green on the wall and we decided with the help of Willow where to put the Trenton, NC sign. If you drive by now you will see a white window at the top of the mural. Soon it will say Trenton, NC.
Mr. A is taking shape. Today his lap appeared and he is sitting on a tree stump, which is a change from the photograph we are painting from. In the picture above (taken by Willow Faye Stroud) he was just beginning to have a stump to sit on. Eve Davis stopped by in the morning and suggested we take the crate out and put a stump in so I did. Tony and Kelsey had already gone home when the stump appeared and his left leg became a reality.
Some people have asked how in the world do you paint on such a large scale. Well, it is two fold, you must not get overwhelmed with the size of anything in this world, because you only have to break it down into shapes, shadows, tones and foundation. This is my 3rd large mural and each time I learn to take my time, study the picture and look for pieces that light me up and make me want to paint the picture. As you know the story is that this photograph was offered by his daughter. I originally wanted just to paint him on a 30 x 40 canvas, which is my favorite size, but as time went by and Willow got involved with The Beautification Committee things started to change and Mr. A. became a mural instead of a painting.
I got excited today because I saw the poetry in the power of the mural being painted. I was alone on the wall, and it was 94 degrees. Mrs. Mercer, a person who attends our church, stopped to get gas and she came over and said "K it's too hot for you to be out here painting", I responded I had plenty of water, and I wanted to work on Mr. A. for a while alone. She didn't look at me funny, she just said "you are too important to me not to take care of yourself, so be careful and know we love you!" This comment meant the world to me. This is a person I see at church, I know their family, we are invited to their 4th of July party every year and stuffed with chocolate covered peanut butter balls which Kathy makes and her husband passes out graciously at their 4th party. She is a kind person and I believe she works at a school cafeteria in the area. She never ceases to take care of her grandchildren and she loves them all equally. When I enter our church on Sundays I look for her and as I pass her pew (where her family sits), I try to pat her shoulder just to let her know she is special. Well, apparently she thinks lots of people are special and she goes out of her way to say something nice like "you are too important to us not to take care of yourself", thank you for that Mrs. Mercer, and thank you for Julie and Stevie, Kathy and Patrick, and Junior. I saw Patrick's son in Mr. A. today after you left, Mrs. Mercer. I see his son on Middle Road taking a fishing rod from the truck and believe he follows a path to the creek that runs off of Middle Road. Several times I have thought how wonderful it is to be a boy in Trenton and have the freedom to fish from a local stream. You and your family are light to me. Again thanks.
Today several people stopped by to see the mural and ask questions. Kelsey talked to one person from Emerald Isle, who had some nice things to say about the portrait. Another man stopped his truck as he was exiting the service station and said I know that man. I talked to him for a while, and he said it sure is nice to see something of beauty on this wall. Thank you both for what you are doing I like the scenery around here now. One lady parked to see the lawyer and she was in her car, she asked if I was an artist and I said I was a student of art, she smiled and asked if I did portraits for people. I said yes, she asked how much and I said it depends on the size and the complexity of medium people choose, like oil, acrylic, or pen and ink. She smiled again and said she had just moved to the Trenton area from Richland and I responded that I had moved here 2 years ago and that I liked the people in Trenton. She again smiled and I felt a connection with her, she too liked it here. Then another couple of young men came up and wanted to know what the final mural would look like. I showed them the picture and one young man said I like to draw. He asked the question "Is it harder to paint than draw?" I answered with depends. I believe drawing is much more complex than painting. I also stated that art is a gift, and if he had that gift, I sure hoped he would continue to use it. They both took another look at the painting and then walked on. At one time today I had to leave for lunch and a man walked over and said he would watch our ladders while we were gone. I thanked him. He smiled and said your are welcome Ms. K. He had read the Free Press, Jones County portion of the paper that day and had one with him. If he comes back I will sign it for him, it is nice when someone knows your name and feels confident enough to call you by that name.
So you can see from this excerpt of the 4th day people are awakening to each other in this little town. There are all kinds of people here, some with cars, some with bikes, some on foot, but all have friendship in their hearts and I have been allowed to see this in them as they pass by the way of the Awen Mural.
So today if you are reading this, say hi to your neighbor, ask them how they are, let them know you are a friend, and carry their smile with you as you part. For together we are strong, no matter what ethnicity we are, we are the same inside full of wonder, creativity and love. Thank you God for a wonderfully safe day and for the smiles and words bestowed on me, Tony and Kelsey today....I am glad I am part of this wonderful project. Love to all.
More photos of the wall will be uploaded tomorrow.
P.S. will be back on wall tomorrow for half a day, then back on Tuesday/Wednesday of next week. Check it out.....k
Wednesday 3rd Day
Yesterday Tony, Kelsey and I started painting on the wall early. It was quiet on the streets and the paint started to come out of the truck, all the brushes, reusable cups and plenty of water for both the painters and as a cleaning aid for brushes. The morning was uneventful except for the tall ladders that were being used to reach the top of the mural. They are aluminum and they bounce when you climb on them, and that makes me uneasy, but I kept climbing up and down to work on the tops of the trunks. About 11am I could see the depth of the trees emerge. The dark brown, light gray, black, light brown colors were doing what they do, they were creating a forest. There are only 4 trees up without foliage, but today is another day.
Kelsey worked on the grasses by the river. Her palette consisted of green, white, yellow, some brown and small brushes. Her strokes were strong and curious. She worked on the grass all morning. Right about 11 am I asked her to step away from the wall and look at her creation from three angles. First to the the right side and look at it from a left angle. Then I asked her to look straight on, and from a right angle. She immediately said it all look different from the different angles. I smiled and thought several things: first, she is observant; second, curious, and thirdly she is excited about seeing what a hand, some paint and stroke motion can create in a mural. She is a tremendous help on this project and when it is over I believe she will be excited about our next project "Lillian" on Wyse Fork Road. More to come on this later!
Our family had some visitors this week and they met us at 12:30 for lunch at Gypsy's in Red Willows on Jones Street in Trenton. As I packed up some objects before heading down to the cafe, I couldn't get over how hot it was and how wonderful that air conditioning would feel. I was right, when I walked in the heat of the morning wore off and we sat around a table having "Redneck Day food." Gypsy was asked by a local to have a Redneck Day, with food like ribs, cabbage, potatoes, green beans, and an array of desserts. Well we just happened to come on this day and I must say it was "GOOD." Larry, Bev, Tony, Grandma, Kelsey and I enjoyed the time together and the atmosphere. Before leaving I looked outside and the heat was still bearing down so I suggested we call it a day and had Tony take Kelsey home and I said I would paint just on Mr. Andrews this afternoon in the shade and would be home later.
Well, that is just not what happened. I returned to the wall, mixed some flesh colored paint and stood on the latter, looked up and a drop of rain hit my can of paint. I looked up again and thought the overhang from the roof would protect me while I worked on his face and thought ok this will work! Three minutes into that thought I was in the middle of a downpour. I gently stepped off the latter and decided to use the scaffolding to protect me from this Spring rain, which I knew would be over in just a few minutes. I stood under the scaffolding, after 15 minutes I pulled in one of the portable chairs I had and sat under the scaffolding. When the rain continued for 30 minutes and the thunder and lightening was reaching out for Trenton, I quickly ran to the truck and sat in the heat of it for 20 minutes when the pea size hale started to pound the truck. Then I called home and asked how the weather was there, a mere six miles from Trenton. They said it is sunny and very hot! To my surprise this storm had built right on Trenton and it was sitting there giving these Trentonians all the rain we needed six miles down the road.
I called a friend, Gwen, and she said she saw the blackness over Trenton, but it looked like we were going to miss it and she was so sorry because her planted fields needed some rain in a really bad way. Then she said "K do you have a swimming pool in the back of your truck, it would be nice if you did, because you could bring us some of that rain and we could just pour on our garden!" I am a visual person and in my mind I saw plastic swimming pools in an array of colors in all the trucks that ride the roads in NC. This would definitely be part of a truck package when buying a truck in NC, you would need your pool to capture water wherever you were and bring it home to your less drought tolerable plants! I laughed so hard when she said this, because this is how inventions are thought of, they sound so crazy, but in actuality this could be a possible, rain barrels for trucks!
As most of you know the rain did not arrived on Wyse Fork until later in the day at 4pm, then Greg and Eve called and said they had just come back from Kinston and to get ready for a downpour, and right they were. We had 1.50 inches fall in a small amount of time. The cats ran for the back porch, the trees stood straighter, and the garden turned an amazing green as the clouds rolled over and gave them the water they needed.
I forgot to say earlier, it did take some time to get all paint and other items back in the truck during the hard rain. But instead of fighting it, I used that time to say a little thank you to God for the rain, we so much needed and let it wash off the dirt and perspiration from the morning. The ride home was cool and thoughtful because there was safety yesterday, no accidents on the ladders, and our mural began to respond to the attention we were giving it. The picture was sharper, the shapes of light and dark made the mural remind me, that if you put energy into something (anything), you will receive a reward.......I felt peaceful when I left it yesterday and that peace translated into "I will see you tomorrow Mr. A. and I just might get to hear that river seep down the way as you sit and fish the day away."
So it is back to the wall today and the start of the 4th day. Thanks for reading. k
Kelsey worked on the grasses by the river. Her palette consisted of green, white, yellow, some brown and small brushes. Her strokes were strong and curious. She worked on the grass all morning. Right about 11 am I asked her to step away from the wall and look at her creation from three angles. First to the the right side and look at it from a left angle. Then I asked her to look straight on, and from a right angle. She immediately said it all look different from the different angles. I smiled and thought several things: first, she is observant; second, curious, and thirdly she is excited about seeing what a hand, some paint and stroke motion can create in a mural. She is a tremendous help on this project and when it is over I believe she will be excited about our next project "Lillian" on Wyse Fork Road. More to come on this later!
Our family had some visitors this week and they met us at 12:30 for lunch at Gypsy's in Red Willows on Jones Street in Trenton. As I packed up some objects before heading down to the cafe, I couldn't get over how hot it was and how wonderful that air conditioning would feel. I was right, when I walked in the heat of the morning wore off and we sat around a table having "Redneck Day food." Gypsy was asked by a local to have a Redneck Day, with food like ribs, cabbage, potatoes, green beans, and an array of desserts. Well we just happened to come on this day and I must say it was "GOOD." Larry, Bev, Tony, Grandma, Kelsey and I enjoyed the time together and the atmosphere. Before leaving I looked outside and the heat was still bearing down so I suggested we call it a day and had Tony take Kelsey home and I said I would paint just on Mr. Andrews this afternoon in the shade and would be home later.
Well, that is just not what happened. I returned to the wall, mixed some flesh colored paint and stood on the latter, looked up and a drop of rain hit my can of paint. I looked up again and thought the overhang from the roof would protect me while I worked on his face and thought ok this will work! Three minutes into that thought I was in the middle of a downpour. I gently stepped off the latter and decided to use the scaffolding to protect me from this Spring rain, which I knew would be over in just a few minutes. I stood under the scaffolding, after 15 minutes I pulled in one of the portable chairs I had and sat under the scaffolding. When the rain continued for 30 minutes and the thunder and lightening was reaching out for Trenton, I quickly ran to the truck and sat in the heat of it for 20 minutes when the pea size hale started to pound the truck. Then I called home and asked how the weather was there, a mere six miles from Trenton. They said it is sunny and very hot! To my surprise this storm had built right on Trenton and it was sitting there giving these Trentonians all the rain we needed six miles down the road.
I called a friend, Gwen, and she said she saw the blackness over Trenton, but it looked like we were going to miss it and she was so sorry because her planted fields needed some rain in a really bad way. Then she said "K do you have a swimming pool in the back of your truck, it would be nice if you did, because you could bring us some of that rain and we could just pour on our garden!" I am a visual person and in my mind I saw plastic swimming pools in an array of colors in all the trucks that ride the roads in NC. This would definitely be part of a truck package when buying a truck in NC, you would need your pool to capture water wherever you were and bring it home to your less drought tolerable plants! I laughed so hard when she said this, because this is how inventions are thought of, they sound so crazy, but in actuality this could be a possible, rain barrels for trucks!
As most of you know the rain did not arrived on Wyse Fork until later in the day at 4pm, then Greg and Eve called and said they had just come back from Kinston and to get ready for a downpour, and right they were. We had 1.50 inches fall in a small amount of time. The cats ran for the back porch, the trees stood straighter, and the garden turned an amazing green as the clouds rolled over and gave them the water they needed.
I forgot to say earlier, it did take some time to get all paint and other items back in the truck during the hard rain. But instead of fighting it, I used that time to say a little thank you to God for the rain, we so much needed and let it wash off the dirt and perspiration from the morning. The ride home was cool and thoughtful because there was safety yesterday, no accidents on the ladders, and our mural began to respond to the attention we were giving it. The picture was sharper, the shapes of light and dark made the mural remind me, that if you put energy into something (anything), you will receive a reward.......I felt peaceful when I left it yesterday and that peace translated into "I will see you tomorrow Mr. A. and I just might get to hear that river seep down the way as you sit and fish the day away."
So it is back to the wall today and the start of the 4th day. Thanks for reading. k
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
3rd Day
Tomorrow will be the third day on the mural. The plan is to use an extension ladder to get to the top of the wall and put in the trunks of the trees that frame Mr. Andrews. Thank goodness the tree trunks that will stand out are pines. Then hopefully I will get to the greenery behind the trees, which will help position the painting and create dimension. The colors are green and all the colors between green and yellow with a little white. So the bank he is sitting on will move forward, and the tree background will move back, while the trunks create the horizon, which will make it dimensionally work from the street. So those of you who pass by late in the afternoon will see more of the structure and hopefully be very excited about what is to come next.
I have had so many comments already and I thank you for noticing there is something going on in Trenton that will help it continue to be a beautiful place to live. We have the courthouse right across from this mural and that is such a beautiful building with a courtyard in front which is part of Trenton's history. I understand the Trent River was clear at one time in the past and there was a boat that would travel from New Bern to Trenton. I do believe the Historical Society is writing the history in book form. If I am mistaken please write me a note and let me know how we (newbies) can get more of the history. I have met some people in Red Willows in the last two years, and Grace Worthington is one of them, she is a local Trentonian. She sat one day while I was painting a mural in Red Willows and talked to me about the Mill Pond. I was truly amazed at the story when she talked about the electricity at one time was produced by the mill there. People would have electricity until a certain time each day and then the mill would shut down and their electricity would also. She talked about the hurricanes and the damage that was experienced in Trenton, and I felt like the towns people were all a part of the rebuilding after the damage. This is an amazing little town with some amazing people. I am glad we moved here and find out more little things about the town and people every day.
I especially like our hardware store. I walk in there with questions and Mr. Spivey and his brother Cliff are always so helpful. Just like the BB&T bank employees, always a smile, how are you, hope you have a wonderful day.....it is heartwarming and I want to thank the people of Trenton for this.
Well, back to the plan for the wall! This week Kelsey and I will work Wednesday and Thursday, and 1/2 day on Friday. If it rains we will wait it out at Red Willows and Gypsy's Place. I am bringing some glass windows to work on if the rain holds the mural up. People in the area have given me 100 year old windows to paint on and I am putting Roosters, Herons, Barns, etc. on these old windows and enjoying every minute. So stop by sometime, look for the locals in Gypsy's cafe and learn about our little town. We will be glad to see you, and will ask you to come back again.
See you tomorrow on the wall, pray for safety as we tackle the ladders and reach for the top of the wall. Thank you for being part of this mural also, let me hear from you. k
I have had so many comments already and I thank you for noticing there is something going on in Trenton that will help it continue to be a beautiful place to live. We have the courthouse right across from this mural and that is such a beautiful building with a courtyard in front which is part of Trenton's history. I understand the Trent River was clear at one time in the past and there was a boat that would travel from New Bern to Trenton. I do believe the Historical Society is writing the history in book form. If I am mistaken please write me a note and let me know how we (newbies) can get more of the history. I have met some people in Red Willows in the last two years, and Grace Worthington is one of them, she is a local Trentonian. She sat one day while I was painting a mural in Red Willows and talked to me about the Mill Pond. I was truly amazed at the story when she talked about the electricity at one time was produced by the mill there. People would have electricity until a certain time each day and then the mill would shut down and their electricity would also. She talked about the hurricanes and the damage that was experienced in Trenton, and I felt like the towns people were all a part of the rebuilding after the damage. This is an amazing little town with some amazing people. I am glad we moved here and find out more little things about the town and people every day.
I especially like our hardware store. I walk in there with questions and Mr. Spivey and his brother Cliff are always so helpful. Just like the BB&T bank employees, always a smile, how are you, hope you have a wonderful day.....it is heartwarming and I want to thank the people of Trenton for this.
Well, back to the plan for the wall! This week Kelsey and I will work Wednesday and Thursday, and 1/2 day on Friday. If it rains we will wait it out at Red Willows and Gypsy's Place. I am bringing some glass windows to work on if the rain holds the mural up. People in the area have given me 100 year old windows to paint on and I am putting Roosters, Herons, Barns, etc. on these old windows and enjoying every minute. So stop by sometime, look for the locals in Gypsy's cafe and learn about our little town. We will be glad to see you, and will ask you to come back again.
See you tomorrow on the wall, pray for safety as we tackle the ladders and reach for the top of the wall. Thank you for being part of this mural also, let me hear from you. k
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
2nd Day
Today Kelsey met me at the wall and we had to deal with spiders. There were about 500 little baby spiders all over the wall. Needless to say we sprayed them and they left willingly! Yea!
A.L. had spent the night up there on that cold tan wall all by himself, but today we were going to put in the water, some of the bank and start the tree stand behind him. The paint started to flow, and the wind started to blow. I now know I have to tape our pictures to the wall, because all the pages tossed to and fro, like the sea, which made it a little hard to handle. This is the beauty of painting outdoors. A challenge- no, thankful it didn't rain- yes, glad the temperature and humidity was very workable -you bet! So all in all the wall embraced us as we entered it's presence and we were allowed to begin to dress it with the picture format we had chosen.
As we began to paint we realized there were people all around us trying to figure out what the painting would be. Some asked questions and we answered, and some came over and said they knew A.L. Some said thank you for helping to create a spot of beauty in Trenton. You see in this section of Trenton, there used to be an old billboard that had been painted green. The billboard had been up blocking the building wall from view. All the people saw when they passed the historic courthouse was a tattered billboard painted green weather exposure had made this quite unsightly. Last year when Willow and I talked about another mural and this picture was given to me, we chose this area to improve. On Monday night, June 7th, the Beautification Committee met after I inspected the area to ensure there was enough room for the truck and painting supplies next to the wall. When I looked I found about 15 inches of debris was left and a broken BP sign was still on the property. I asked Willow for help and she had 7 people there to bag, rake, clean and dispose of all the debris within 1 hour of our arrival on Monday evening. When we finished, they all turned and said "will this do!", can you paint here now......ah yea......it just reassured me that people had my back. Tony, Grandma and I also helped, but it felt really good to see this section transforming right before my eyes.
Oh, I forgot to say that when I went to inspect the property, I had been helping clean the greenery around the Welcome to Trenton signs. I let Willow know I was interested in finding some Mimosa volunteers. We call plants that hop off the mother plant and plant themselves for people like me "volunteers." Well all Saturday I looked for some volunteers and found none. On Monday when I went to inspect the property, there were 3 volunteers there....my Mimosa trees. These gifts just keep coming. Tony planted them yesterday for me in strategic places, so whenever I am outside the house I can see their flowing leaves and beautiful pink buds.
Now back to all the people around the wall today! There were all kinds of people there because the wall is right next to a gas station in Trenton. Since school is out and it is summer, it is quite the busy place. People stop in for snacks, gas, directions, and just hangout there. But today something happened that was extremely special to me. Kelsey and I were painting and listening to the noise of the street, horns, shouts, etc. and this man walked up. He was a local. He had two drinks in his hand, a 7up and a red punch drink. Apparently he had gone into the convenience store and thought about us painting on the wall. He walked over and held the drinks up and said "thank you." I said no "thank you", he then smiled and I noticed life had been hard for this man it was written all over him. He continued to smile and said "thank you for making this a beautiful spot." He said I don't know what you are painting but the colors are beautiful (we had just put on the blue that would depict the Trent River.) He smiled again and said enjoy, I will be back another day to see more beauty. Have a great day!
Wooooo, how simple, yet how profound - I felt like a gift was given and we were the recipients. Kelsey said "Well isn't that nice", and I agreed, it is not often someone whose life must have been so hard thinks of others and then adds actions to the thinking and thereby creating a moment for all involved. This was a peaceful moving moment. I felt like this mural would be a success even if we stopped painting and just let the colors fill the street. Art is such a wonderful medium that speaks to all on all levels. Thank you God for the gifts that come from within our brothers.
The day went on and we went down to Gypsy's for lunch. I drank my 7up and Kelsey had some hot fajitas and a blackberry cobbler. It looked good, but I have to travel that tall ladder next week so I abstained until I got home to eat more chicken. I believe my middle name is K. Chicken Rowland. A new way to say an old word "chick." hehe I am still a 70's child!
Lunch ended, we went back to the wall, it is now a lot warmer and people are still milling around, some continue to make wonderful comments and we feel welcome. We notice A.L. was sitting in the water so I began to work on helping him build a mound of dirt and grass for his sitting area. You will see soon that he is sitting on a crate, with a fishing pole in one hand and his other hand is on a bucket as he stares out across the Trent River. Well at this time he has a bucket, part of an arm, his head and face blocked in, his cap tidy, and part of one knee and leg. The other knee and leg all foreshortened are missing. So it looks chaotic.....but all artist know it looks bad before it looks better and sometimes you have to wipe out and start over. Oh the life, a person has to really see the shapes, light, texture and spirit of a flat picture, which is hard, but not impossible. It always help to know the person, which we do, and we have seen the waterways around our area and that helps also. So, as time goes by you will see more pictures that may help you see A. L. in all his glory. We continued to work on the bank and add some green, brown, gray, black layers to help create the ground. It is a beginning (Day 2) but it is feeling like the wall likes the layer effect we are creating.
Special guest today was "Greg". He is also an art student who is graduating this year from Jones County High School, and starting college to study art in the Fall. He helped Kelsey with the bucket shadows and and translucent light effects the sun created on this object next to A.L.'s hand. Sometimes the smallest details are the most important. It is nice to have artists stop by and help, to see through another eyes is much like walking a mile in someone elses shoes.....it helps you be there, and really see something different.
The day continued and we starting cleaning up around 3pm. I notified the tenant next to our area that we would be back next Wednesday to start again. He thanked us for helping to clean up the area and said he was looking forward to seeing more of the finished product. I already think I am going back Monday evening to work on the high tree bark and highlights. I need to be steady, it is 18 feet high and it is an extension ladder, but Tony will be holding it for me and he is pretty steady. Just so long as I don't look down and keep looking at the wall I can do this. I may wear a safety harness just in case.
I am attaching some more pictures for you to see, just remember as time goes on we will have a complete picture for you to enjoy. Thanks for reading and know I will be back with more stuff...that may make sense or not, but most of all lets remember the journey is the process and these processes make us who we are. I am better because you are sharing this process with me. THANK YOU!
Special thank you to Lisa today, thanks for the call and the reassurance that you are here in spirit, thanks for the prayers, see you soon. k
As we began to paint we realized there were people all around us trying to figure out what the painting would be. Some asked questions and we answered, and some came over and said they knew A.L. Some said thank you for helping to create a spot of beauty in Trenton. You see in this section of Trenton, there used to be an old billboard that had been painted green. The billboard had been up blocking the building wall from view. All the people saw when they passed the historic courthouse was a tattered billboard painted green weather exposure had made this quite unsightly. Last year when Willow and I talked about another mural and this picture was given to me, we chose this area to improve. On Monday night, June 7th, the Beautification Committee met after I inspected the area to ensure there was enough room for the truck and painting supplies next to the wall. When I looked I found about 15 inches of debris was left and a broken BP sign was still on the property. I asked Willow for help and she had 7 people there to bag, rake, clean and dispose of all the debris within 1 hour of our arrival on Monday evening. When we finished, they all turned and said "will this do!", can you paint here now......ah yea......it just reassured me that people had my back. Tony, Grandma and I also helped, but it felt really good to see this section transforming right before my eyes.
Oh, I forgot to say that when I went to inspect the property, I had been helping clean the greenery around the Welcome to Trenton signs. I let Willow know I was interested in finding some Mimosa volunteers. We call plants that hop off the mother plant and plant themselves for people like me "volunteers." Well all Saturday I looked for some volunteers and found none. On Monday when I went to inspect the property, there were 3 volunteers there....my Mimosa trees. These gifts just keep coming. Tony planted them yesterday for me in strategic places, so whenever I am outside the house I can see their flowing leaves and beautiful pink buds.
Now back to all the people around the wall today! There were all kinds of people there because the wall is right next to a gas station in Trenton. Since school is out and it is summer, it is quite the busy place. People stop in for snacks, gas, directions, and just hangout there. But today something happened that was extremely special to me. Kelsey and I were painting and listening to the noise of the street, horns, shouts, etc. and this man walked up. He was a local. He had two drinks in his hand, a 7up and a red punch drink. Apparently he had gone into the convenience store and thought about us painting on the wall. He walked over and held the drinks up and said "thank you." I said no "thank you", he then smiled and I noticed life had been hard for this man it was written all over him. He continued to smile and said "thank you for making this a beautiful spot." He said I don't know what you are painting but the colors are beautiful (we had just put on the blue that would depict the Trent River.) He smiled again and said enjoy, I will be back another day to see more beauty. Have a great day!
Wooooo, how simple, yet how profound - I felt like a gift was given and we were the recipients. Kelsey said "Well isn't that nice", and I agreed, it is not often someone whose life must have been so hard thinks of others and then adds actions to the thinking and thereby creating a moment for all involved. This was a peaceful moving moment. I felt like this mural would be a success even if we stopped painting and just let the colors fill the street. Art is such a wonderful medium that speaks to all on all levels. Thank you God for the gifts that come from within our brothers.
Lunch ended, we went back to the wall, it is now a lot warmer and people are still milling around, some continue to make wonderful comments and we feel welcome. We notice A.L. was sitting in the water so I began to work on helping him build a mound of dirt and grass for his sitting area. You will see soon that he is sitting on a crate, with a fishing pole in one hand and his other hand is on a bucket as he stares out across the Trent River. Well at this time he has a bucket, part of an arm, his head and face blocked in, his cap tidy, and part of one knee and leg. The other knee and leg all foreshortened are missing. So it looks chaotic.....but all artist know it looks bad before it looks better and sometimes you have to wipe out and start over. Oh the life, a person has to really see the shapes, light, texture and spirit of a flat picture, which is hard, but not impossible. It always help to know the person, which we do, and we have seen the waterways around our area and that helps also. So, as time goes by you will see more pictures that may help you see A. L. in all his glory. We continued to work on the bank and add some green, brown, gray, black layers to help create the ground. It is a beginning (Day 2) but it is feeling like the wall likes the layer effect we are creating.
Special guest today was "Greg". He is also an art student who is graduating this year from Jones County High School, and starting college to study art in the Fall. He helped Kelsey with the bucket shadows and and translucent light effects the sun created on this object next to A.L.'s hand. Sometimes the smallest details are the most important. It is nice to have artists stop by and help, to see through another eyes is much like walking a mile in someone elses shoes.....it helps you be there, and really see something different.
The day continued and we starting cleaning up around 3pm. I notified the tenant next to our area that we would be back next Wednesday to start again. He thanked us for helping to clean up the area and said he was looking forward to seeing more of the finished product. I already think I am going back Monday evening to work on the high tree bark and highlights. I need to be steady, it is 18 feet high and it is an extension ladder, but Tony will be holding it for me and he is pretty steady. Just so long as I don't look down and keep looking at the wall I can do this. I may wear a safety harness just in case.
I am attaching some more pictures for you to see, just remember as time goes on we will have a complete picture for you to enjoy. Thanks for reading and know I will be back with more stuff...that may make sense or not, but most of all lets remember the journey is the process and these processes make us who we are. I am better because you are sharing this process with me. THANK YOU!
Special thank you to Lisa today, thanks for the call and the reassurance that you are here in spirit, thanks for the prayers, see you soon. k
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Mural Origin
Today was the first day on the wall in Trenton, NC. The first day is always the most nerve racking. I have looked at this picture for a year and now it all comes down to the wall, you and the graphite drawing that will help guide the paint flow.
I met with Gypsy, Willow, Carol Ann and opened the day with prayer. We asked for guidance of hands, paint, ladders, and safety. We received so much more. Today was the beginning of a most creative moment. This painting will depict A. L. Andrews, a man who was instrumental in starting the holiness church in Trenton. He is a humble man, who sits on the pew opposite ours in our church. He seldom speaks above a whisper, but when he prays, I believe God listens.
I met his daughter, Diane, one day and she allowed me to draw some of her grandchildren for a card project for a non-profit organization in Yucaipa, CA. She and her husband invited my family over to see their garden since I am also interested in growing things. We walked the garden and talked. When we went back into their home, she showed me a picture of her father on a creek bank by the Trenton River. This photograph just was amazing, the palette was simple, yet the light seemed to dance all around the picture. I asked her if I could do a painting of it and she graciously gave me permission. This is how it all began.
Last summer I finished my first mural for Willow Faye Stroud. It was a fantasy mural which was created by putting the brush in your hand and letting the paint just ooze out a picture. Needless to say it was my first mural and the second one to be painted in Trenton, NC.
Willow also helped me connect with Kinston, NC. We stopped in for coffee one day at "The Picnic Basket" and saw nothing but blank walls all around the quaint tables located in a very old building. We started to talk to the owners, and 3 months later I was painting their farm on the walls of their restaurant. Two very large walls 16 x 40 feet in diameter. In 2009 this restaurant won "Best View In A Restaurant", which just tickled me....my second mural.
Well, now I have started the third mural, 1st day, drawing the creek bank, and locating the right position or A.L. as he sat by the creek with a cane pole in his hand, hoping for luck with the fishes that be! He looks angelic, yet purposeful. This mural will welcome beach travelers who pass through Trenton and stop at the one light there in the downtown area. All travelers will be able to look right and see someone sitting by the bank of the Trent River enjoying life.
My husband and I moved here 3 years ago, from CA. Talk about culture shock, I didn't exactly know what to do with myself for a year. My husband's step father passed away with cancer, and "Grandma" was living with us as we were in the middle of building a home near Trenton.
Now three years later, we have met so many wonderful people, who live near by and participate in our lives, as we do in theirs. Willow is the person who helped get this mural approved by the Beautification Committee, which she is chairman of. She had to have the billboard, which had been hiding this wall removed, and that took almost a year after many meetings, due to the condition of the billboard and then the hiring of the person to remove it. She keep at it, and last week I met with the Beautification Committee with the proposed costs and layout of the mural and it was passed. I met some wonderful people there that night. I felt like the town had just opened it's arms for this mural to continue their goal of making it welcome and full of art. The Blackwells were part of the committee and I immediately fell in friendship with the both of them. So I am excited about getting past the cashier stage of friendship with them. It will be fun to drive down Jones Street in Trenton and look to my right and see their lovely hundred+ year old house and spot them on the porch having morning coffee and watching them continue to modify and change their home into a beautiful remembrance of history in our small town.
So on this first day I washed the wall with my husbands help. He took all the chances by hooking up the hose (just in case there was a snake), and helped me set up the scaffolding before he left to continue his work at home. Then I went to have prayer with Willow, Gypsy, Carol Ann at Gypsy's Place on Jones Street, to ask for guidance. When I left the gift shop "Red Willows" I began to remember how I got here and how I met each of them. Willow owns Red Willows and in my first week in Trenton I strolled into her unopened shop through the back door and met "Ms. Willow Faye". I felt like she just stepped onto the Battery in Charleston, South Carolina. This was a lady of high standing in the community and my only comparison was my early womanhood in Charleston, SC and how the ladies wore handkerchiefs and white gloves as they walked in downtown Charleston buying flowers from the "Flower Ladies" who stood on the corners after Sunday church. This was the kind of lady, Willow is, and is still today. A person with an infectious laugh, gleaming blue eyes and red hair. She is truly one of a kind. Now, back to the first day, now that you have an idea of who deals with me and befriends me on a daily basis. I left the shop, walked down the street and wondered if I could do this picture justice on a concrete wall. Well that is to be determined as I pick up the brush again tomorrow with my helper "Ms. Wyatt". She is a beginning artist, just finished her first year in art at the local high school. She too is a Carolinian by birth and just as sweet as sugar...as they say here. They even call people "Sug", it sounds so endearing and I love it when I get called "Sug" by Gwen, I talk more about here later. So today, I washed, blocked in the hat, face, shoulders and started on the legs of Mr. A.L. I stood on the scaffolding and used cheap acrylic to get the shadows on the face (which will be painted over with Severe Weather paint bought at Lowe's "Valspar".) So as I stood there all these words flew through my head going back and forth in the 3 years in no particular order just memories of how in the world did I get here and how much I am enjoying the freedom of painting. On the way to the wall I saw a turtle start across the road and waiting slowly for him to be safe, then I saw a deer turn his white tail up and run like the wind stirring dust in all directions as I passed A.L.'s church and I had to smile.....just a beginning to a wonderful day full of possibility and creativity. So join with me and know I am going to share whatever goes through my head as I try and paint this wonderful picture with light, love and hope for all those who may glimpse it as they pass through our little town "Trenton". Talk to you soon!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)