Trenton Mill Pond Mural Finished

Trenton Mill Pond Mural

Last year Luke, owner of a Primitive Shop in Trenton, NC asked me to recover the Mill Pond Mural created by some Jones County Senior High School students and their art teacher, Deborah Lightfield.  The mural was peeling off the concrete brick wall and we were in fear that it would disappear. 

The process began with scraping the wall, and sealing certain areas like the Mill Pond itself.  The only structure that did not change from the original picture is the Mill Pond.  The structure was so endearing to me.  The students and Deborah had done such a wonderful job and this piece was just too hard to scrap out.  It is still damaged, but from afar the building is sound at least for the time being.

I took some liberties with the drawing, I wanted it to be a light airy piece of art that would invite someone to stop and enjoy the beauty of our town.  Also Luke wanted to honor the building that housed his business in Trenton by the  Mill Pond that burned a few years ago.  It was an authentic log cabin that was so endearing to everyone that shopped there and got to know the man and family that sold items.  It became a landmark that people looked for as they vacationed in this area,

I understand that the Mill Pond has been bought by Jones County and they are planning to actually  have a working mill again in our town.  So it is equally important to thank our town leaders for bringing it back for all to enjoy. 

This cabin does not do justice to the cabin that was there and I had no photo to work from.  Luke spend time with me trying to help me give it some of the attributes it had.  I am not sure I got it, but the cabin in the pictures will help Luke explain to people who ask just why it is in the mural.

When you turn the corner at the one stop light in Trenton, you can't help but see the mural, I wanted it to welcome those who pass through and don't stop, and those who stop can sit with Luke on one of his benches in front of his store and he can explain how important the heritage around here is and tell the story of the students and Ms. Lightfield and the beginning of the murals in Trenton.  Then they enjoy the art and know the story behind it.  

As you know I use recycled paint in these murals, except the Fishing for Supper painting on Ms. Brock's building the paint was supplied by the Beautification Committee, so if you have any exterior blue paint please drop it by Luke's.  I will use it in the next mural planned behind Gypsy Cafe and Red Willows Gift Shop.  It will be a blue cube mural with large rising sunflowers.

Thank you Luke for giving me this opportunity, thank you Ms. Lightfield for the permission to restore, and thank you Trenton for being the delightful town full of loving people.

k