Finalizing Soloman's Temple in Richlands, NC

Here are some new pictures of Solomon's Temple in Richlands, NC

Today, Betty Heath and I spent some time going over the wall with extra care.  Next Monday will be the final touches and then the Mason's will seal the mural.

Today the bull bowl came in.  Last Sunday afternoon, Jane, Grandma and I studied the Internet to see what we could find out about Solomon's Temple.  We know it stood for 410 years and then was destroyed.   We know that the Ark of the Covenant was housed there and gold was used in the building.  It was a place of God.  

Nebuchadnezzar destroyed this temple.

This has been the largest mural completed in record time.  I attribute this to my helper Betty Heath, Wilbur and Jane Gurganus and Merwin, Willow, the gang at Gypsy's and my family.  Tony and Grandma are always my number one fans.  Tony helped me plot the points on the building, and then came back this past Monday and corrected some angles that were not quite right.  It took him all of about 15 minutes to help with some building issues.  I don't think I thanked him enough for that so THANK YOU TONY.  Gram was a spotter for me.  She was especially helpful with the sky.  I stood on a 20 foot ladder and she would say up, down, too much, stop or beautiful.  I loved that beautiful word.  My spirit began to soar when Betty and I were working on the bulls because I knew the mural was a success because of all the people who had helped, prayed, offered words of encouragement and loved me through the hard days, and the person that helped me knows who they are.  THANK YOU!

Today one of the town planners stopped by and said the town loves the mural.  He couldn't quit talking about the vision of the Mason's to allow this painting to be completed.  Betty and I were pleasantly pleased to hear this.  A school worker stopped by, people would honk and say good job, or how amazingly real this mural looked.  We looked at each other but we know there are things that go on while painting structures that are just plain miracles. The mural is one!

 The hardest week is the first and you realize you have just put paint on a pristine white building and now you are really committed to producing what you have said you can do.  Now the friends, prayers and just plain hard work takes place.  But if you persevere you will be successful.  It took allot of hands and time to produce this and I thank each and everyone of you.

We will sign the wall on Monday, and begin again, somewhere spreading paint for someone.

This last pictures is about 1/4 mile from the painting.  You can see old paint truck, the lodge and the place where a blank wall turned into a painting.....thank you Masons for the opportunity.

K. Rowland

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

Rebirth

It has been a long time since blogging.

I have only three things left to do prior to moving to the new studio and creating a series of paintings for my future.  Meet someone at the Wine and Cheese Gala in Beaufort yesterday, a person who owns a gallery, I think I got a little excited about this.  Things are looking up!

For the past week I have been at Gwen and Tim's barn, working on the first phase, and looks like that first phase will be finished this week.  I am going to try and have the second piece done also, two horses and her father on the other side of the barn.  Gwen loved Katie and I will be working on reproducing Katie so Gwen can see her from her kitchen in the morning, on the wall of memories.

It has been a wonderful return to the brush.  I spent so much time on Gram's party and the yard for Spring, that it felt strange to get into the truck, pick out the paints for the day and travel early in the morning on Monday this week to Gwen's.  It is really close to my house and sometimes that is not a good thing.  I hear the dog, or Tony working and want to travel that 1/4 mile to get some things done, like grass cutting, watering plants, planting plants or just watching the deer in the backyard.

It felt like Summer today, the day was warm, inviting and just plan wonderful all around.  I saw the baby kitties at Gwen's, walked with Emma a bit, and talked to Sara and baby, Gwen and Tim as everyone seemed to be doing something important.  This is truly a working farm, and it is lovely.

So today I worked on the sign that will read:  Andrews - Green - Meadows Farm.  The first attempt failed I was happy with the stenciling, so I talked to Tim and he had a piece of Cyprus board which will have a sign on it hanging on the barn.  I believe it will add dimension, especially  under the portraits of the previous owners. 

I have asked Gwen to be around on Wednesday evening so we can do the touch up and finish Phase 1, then off to the other side Thursday, Friday, Saturday and then to Richlands.

I contacted the Mason member today and let them know I will be starting the mural on Monday, April 8th.  This will be my last mural for a long time....so keep up the good thoughts and watch the blog there will be final pictures posted for all.

K

Blackwell's Angel and Stuart's Barn Quilt

I finished Stuart's barn quilt today and will bring it to him tomorrow.  The Blackwell's Angel is almost finished, a few odds and ends and it will be highlighted by them so they can see it from their back door.  Tomorrow is work day at the church garden, and in the morning I plan to go and capture some pine straw for the pathways.

Ms. Waller called to say she would see me there if the appt. doesn't last too long and that was delightful.  Tony will finish the trellises and then on to the benches.  So all in all we are moving forward.  After this Friday it looks like it might be safe to put some flowers in the ground.  But the Almanac says April 15th last frost date....but things in the greenhouse are growing beautifully. 

The painting season outside is just about to begin, getting back on Tim and Gwen's barn and then planning to go to Richlands to start a mural there.

So keep looking around there will be more barn quilts up around the area, a new Angel in town, and some wonderful days to come in Richlands.  Thanks for reading.  k

New Focus

Tonight I was at the Beautification Committee meeting and found myself wondering how I have missed painting for myself.  So I have this list that has 3 murals on it, and some other miscellaneous commitments, but it was clear to me I need to finish these and paint, paint, paint, until my heart is empty of what I long to paint.

Next week I will start back on Gwen and Tim's mural and that should be done in about 3 weeks.  I will post pics of what I accomplish next week.  I will finish Jeannie and Danny's mural of an angel, and finish two barn quilts that are outstanding at this time.  After that I will renegotiate some smaller painting, that are not coming through right now.

In my artistic history the painting either comes or not, and those that don't I have pushed thought and never been happy with them.  Now I know better I have to love it, to paint it, and when I paint it I always ask God to be there with me.  I long for that kind of painting, where I lose track of time and when I do wake up the results are amazing, and that is really what makes me happy.  So I am recommitting to a new focus. 

For those who read this blog, thank you.  For me, it helps to put down what I feel.  Tonight I felt like I had lost my edge, but after coming home, drinking a glass of wine, and looking around at the painting I have hanging in my own home I realize I do have something and that something longs to be put on canvas.  I dearly love art, and now I want to experience the joy of creation again.

So I hope you see something you love in a painting either by someone you know as an artist or as a painting you must have to make your life complete.  This is the desire of any artist, to have someone love the painting so much they just have to have it to complete their life.

Thanks for listening, in the next few months I will finish my projects and commitments, then I will be free to do what is inside me, and enjoy the joy of creation,

k