Friday, May 27, 2011

Friday was a great day to be in Onslow County.  The sea breeze was amazing.  Painting went well.  I am still having trouble mixing the free paint to get the right colors, but I will again try on Monday.  I am working on the details of the building.  It is a long haul up those ladders, down again, change paint, just to make one stroke and then get down to see if it was right.  This is a special mural for some pretty special people, but it is reminding me that I am humbled at the size of the wall.  I had a hard time this week thinking about how to get everything right.  And then I just came home on Wednesday, took off Thursday because Gram and I had a lot of errands to run, see the doctor and pick up building supplies for Tony.  The day went quickly and my mantra was "be grateful."  Be grateful about everything.  Even the wall and the process it takes to get to the turning point of believing one can complete it and see it as beautiful up there on a concrete wall, and not just in your mind.

So this is where I am.  I covet your thoughts....but I know being grateful is a huge part of this process.  I welcome the beautiful end of a special mural for some very special people.

Mervin, Wilbur, Jane, Ann, Kelly, Sandy, all the Onslow group that supports with keys, ladders, trips to see me and the compliments you so readily share.  Words cannot explain how important support is, and I feel supported by your entire group.  Be blessed, and know I am in this until it is successful.

Love you guys.  k

Solomon's Temple

One week ago Betty Heath and I started a mural for the Masons in Richlands, NC.  Tony and I have two very special friends called Wilbur and Jane, they are wonderful and they know why this mural is important to me.  Thank you both, and Merlin for asking me to paint Solomon's Temple for your group.  I gladly accepted.

I have attached a few pictures to show you what progress has been made in a week's time.  Periodically you will see more pictures as the days pass.

This will be my last mural.  I have completd 8 in the past 2 years and now I will return to my studio to do some personal painting of my own.  So thank you all for the wonderful opportunities.

Here are some shots of what is happening now in Richlands, NC.

You can make out the temple door, an alter with the beginnings of a smoke colum, and an aquaduct which has some scenery in the door ways of the aquaduct.  Betty Heath experienced the power of the building just Friday.  I was working on the high part of the building painting the blue, and Betty was working on some clouds that were to go in the doorways of the aquaduct and found out how clouds quickly turned into scenery of a heavenly type.  The trees, water and flow of the picture changed and she saw it immediately and said I am not painting clouds, I am painting trees....look at that.

That was a moment for me.  She is a student of mine and she has painted about 50 paintings in the last 3 months.  Some of the paintings are endearing, some are moving, but all are from her heart.  You can see her paintings at Red Willows in Trenton, NC.  She is a brand new painting artist but she has worked in design, and creation for many years.  Please stop by and see her work, it is totally North Carolina, and I know locals will love the colors, subjects and the person you will meet one day...Betty Heath.

So keep watching and know we appreciate the time you give us on this blog.

  K. Rowland

Meadows Murals Finalized

The barn is finished at Gwen and Tim Meadows home on Wyse Fork Road.  It took a lot of conversation to get the story about the Meadows Farm, but finally the people and part of the history of the farm is complete.  Gwen was most informative about the past, and the people who were part of her life from birth.  Most of you know Gwen and Tim, know their love of this land and the people who shared it with them.  This remarkable working farm is magnificent to behold as the Willows move in the wind, the Martins fly up and down, the animals abound and the two little girls that are now experiencing what Gwen experienced as a child.  The story will never be told because it is being created everyday by the people who still live in the farm house in Jones county on Wyse Fork Road.

Thank you Gwen and Tim for allowing the paint to bring to life a part of your history, a part of your future and the love you have for the gift from God.  He is your life, your path and your light shines bright here in North Carolina.

PJ, Gwen's son, had some input on this part of the mural about his grandaddy....it was all about the white socks so as you can see those white socks do stand out.  Gwen had a horse named Katie, and the horse in the valley is to remember "Katie" Gwen's special horse.  Gwen still has Bell, and she is also on the mural in a small area by the mountain behind Gwen's Dad.  Gwen loves the mountains.  So this side part of the barn is just for her.

Tim is still looking for a place for "Jerry," his favorite dog which is really Gwen's dog because Jerry loves to be around Gwen most of the time.  This was an amazing opportunity......thank you both Gwen and Tim for the use of your barns.  k