Sacramento Retiree Photographs Public Murals

Lezlie Sterling/lsterling@sacbee.com

I came across this article in the Sacramento Bee about a local retired man who takes regular walks around the city photographing every public, private, amateur and professional mural, he can find. He meanders around, with no destination, documenting some great art.

photo by Russ Andris

You can see Russ Andris' photos here. Enjoy!

Tuscan Landscape Mural - Countryside Done!

I finished the countryside scene inside the archway today. Here's a couple pictures. The clients are pretty happy with it, and so am I.

I'm glad I got it done today because they are having a party on Saturday, and I wanted it to be a good stage of completion to be shown. I gave them a few of my business cards to hand out, in case any party folk are interested in their own landscape.

Tuscan Landscape Mural - Paint on the Wall

I finally started the Tuscan landscape outdoor mural today. With weather, traveling clients, and other delays, it's been a couple weeks since this project got started. But, today I was finally able to put paintbrush to wall. Here's a few photos of my progress.

The canvas.

I chose my vanishing point and taped a string to it. An old trick, but it's an easy way to figure out perspective. Do you notice the gray smug above my hand? That's from trying to erase pencil with water. Note: when painting a mural, make sure your client has more of the wall color paint. It will become your "eraser".

Mixing up my paints. I really watered down my paints this time for two reasons. One, it brushes on more smoothly and quickly on a rough surface. Two, I wanted to paint layers of washes, to build up my color, highlights and shadows.

Painting the first wash of the mountains. Using the washes allowed me to work quickly. Instead of painted each section completely, I was able to fill out every part of the painting. This helped me to make sure I did my spacing and composition correctly.

A little more detail in the washes.

So far, so good! I was able to flesh everything out. Now, I can go back and build up the details. Once the arch scene is done, I'll start working on the crumbling wall.

2nd Saturday in Sacramento

The family and I finally ventured out for a 2nd Saturday in Sacramento. I haven't been in while, what with moving to Woodland (not really a good excuse) and having a baby (a good excuse). It's definitely changed! There are quite a bit more stores, art galleries, restaurants, and random places involved. It was really packed and there were a few police cars down there due to a war protest. And maybe the beer garden.

Here's  a description of what 2nd Saturday is about:

Every month, art galleries in the Sacramento metro area stay open late and invite the public to the Second Saturday Art Walk. People from near and far come to walk from gallery to gallery, enjoying the latest and best of the region's vibrant art scene. There is live music, and an immense variety of art and activities behind every door.

It was really fun to go down and check out all the art and festivities. We started out with dinner at Hot Italian at 16th and Q St. They had a student art auction going on. There were about seven canvases to bid on. I even spied a couple of the artists lounging around, checking out the people checking out their artwork. It reminded me of my college days.

The husband and I took turns eating and following the BeaBug around. That's what you have to do when you've got an adventurous toddler and you want to eat at a restaurant! When Bug and I were wandering, we found a great black and white mural in the outside patio area.

After dinner, we went over to J Street to walk around. If you're a Sacramentian, you may have heard about the muralists, Hennessy Christophel and Sofia Lacin. They have been in the news alot this past year for their wonderful artwork on many Sacramento businesses. I read on their blog they were going to be doing a live mural painting for 2nd Saturday. So, the family and I wondering down there to check them out and say hi.

I chatted with them a short bit and they are very friendly. They seem like they really enjoy what they do.

We continued on a bit, but it was someone's bedtime, so we headed back home. Check your city, they probably have a monthly art walk, too!