An Invitation for Fellow Artists

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE A PART OF "THE BIG PICTURE"????

Today's post is not related to the 60 day project, but I am sending it out to this list because I know there are a number of fellow artists who followed this blog and I would like to invite you to participate in a unique painting project called the Fifth Mountain Mural Mosaic.

This is a large (8'x16') mural that will eventually find a permanent home in the historic Park Theater here in Jaffrey, NH. It will be a lasting legacy to the community, and something I think you can be proud to be a part of. The theater already houses four historic 1920's murals. Our mural will join those others, which depict Mt. Monadnock in each of the four seasons from different towns. Please visit the Theatre's website for more information on it's wonderful history, and current schedule of events.

Our mural is a mosaic, comprised of 288 panels, each 8x8" square. The whole mural was laid out and blocked in with an overall image, and then divided into these individual panels. These panels are like a puzzle piece. Each contains a portion of the larger mural image. We have asked artists to take a panel and create a painting on it, depicting some facet of life in the Monadnock region. We even provide a brainstorm list of subject matter to get your ideas flowing. The challenge is to maintain the colors, shapes, and values that are already on the panel. The images you see here are a "before and after" view of one completed panel. You can see what the panel looked like when local artist Hope Ann Phillips received it, and what she did to create a beautiful painting of a goldfinch in autumn foliage. You can see how she maintained those shapes and colors in her finished work. If done correctly, when we re-assemble all the panels, the original mural image

will emerge, richer with texture and detail. Close up, the viewer will see all these inidividual paintings. Stepping back from the mural that larger image will appear. It's really a cool thing to see these panels coming in, and beginning to fit together, and I am really thrilled with what I've seen so far. You can see our mural page online here. Check back frequently as new panels are being added. You can watch along with all the other artists as the "big picture" starts to come together.

We still have a number of panels available for artists to paint. Right now, about 100 area artists, both professional, amateur, and even some students (which I think is really cool!) are busily painting their panels. I am now opening the invitation to artists outside our area. I warn you though! This can be habit forming! The panels are a challenge, but it is so much fun and so intriguing that you may want to do more!

If any of you are interested in participating, please contact me by email at deb@debpero.com

We have a complete folder of artist instructions, with examples, and all the information you'll need to complete a panel. I'm in the process of creating an online folder of the available panels, so you can go to that and pick one you like. I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have. Our deadline is August 15 for returning panels, but there's some flexibility in that date built in, so let me know if you are interested!

The Long Road Home

Well, here we are, #60. Hard to believe the 60 days is at an end!  

I have been pondering what this last painting should be, and kept coming back to the idea of a journey.  We're all on this journey.  In a special sense, the women of New Life have taken a turn, and are following a new direction. But we're all travellers, trudging along, not always knowing

what is around the bend.  There is One who does know, and who is a trustworthy guide.   If you were to see yourself on this road, you would see that you are not alone.  

In this painting, the road ahead is a bit vague, because that's how it is. We can only see a little bit ahead.   We just might need to trust the One who has been here before, and knows the way. So, keep trusting, and keep walking my friends.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Don't depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.  Proverbs 3: 5,6

As I said earlier, I'll leave all the paintings up  on the website till the end of this month.  At that time, any unsold works will then go into the "Small works" folder. They will still be for sale, but at the normal prices. A donation will still go to New Life Home for any of the sales.  In addition, there will be few more paintings added in the next week or so. Most of them were requests, and are already spoken for, but there will be a few new ones... just things I wanted to paint.   

I want to thank all of you who followed this project so faithfully, who encouraged me along the way (that was invaluable!) and who purchased paintings to make this project  incredibly successful in raising funds for New Life Home.  I still sort of stand back in wonderment at it all.

God is good.    I'll make a visit to New Life with the last donation, and will have the final tally to share with you at that point.  I could never have done it alone. Thanks for sharing this part of the journey with me.   Blessings to you all, Deb

 SOLD!

Moose!

First, this isn't the last painting. This is #59.

So, that means #60 will actually be posted on Monday.  I get confused because I actually paint one day ahead of when the blog post comes out. 

I need caffeine.

So, about today's work....

On one of our local trails there is a resident moose.

We've seen many evidences of him.  During the winter, there were all kinds of tracks in the snow, including a pack of coyote that appeared to be dogging him. We wondered if he'd survive the winter because our eastern coyotes as a pack could certainly take down a single animal weakened by the long winter.  But, come spring, there's tracks, and  moose "pops". (did you ever notice that moose poop looks sort of like milk duds candy?  You'll never  eat milk duds again, will you?)   Anyway, he's still out there, but I haven't gotten to see him.  So I painted my imaginary version of him.  I still am hopeful, as we're out on that section of trail quite a bit.   Once I am fairly certain he was nearby, as our dog was quite alerted, and hackles were up.... whatever it was he sensed scared him just a little. As it should be.  These guys are BIG!!!!  But his painting is small, just 4x6, on canvas panel.  Click here to make tracks over to the website.    SOLD! Thanks...

The Plan

I can't believe that the 60 days is almost at an end! It has been quite a journey for me, and at times I wondered if I could keep it up. Its not always an easy task coming up with an idea for a painting, and then executing it!  (some days it felt more like "butchering" than "executing"!)

We are at #58 now, only two more to go. Friday's painting will be the last.  I hope to make it something meaningful.    

Because I've had a number of folks tell me that they will miss the daily paintings, and also because I've had requests that I simply haven't gotten around to painting yet, here's what I plan to do.

The project will officially end on Friday.  But I will be posting a few additional works, at least for the next week or so, but not on a daily basis.  Once those are done, I'll leave the unsold works (right now, there's only about 7 or so) up on the website until the end of May.  After that, they'll still be for sale, but not at this price.   I will still give a donation to New Life Home for any of these paintings when sold.  I thank you all again for supporting the project.  I hope to take the last payment to New Life in person, and get some photos to share with you all.  You have been a part of doing something very important, and helping to create a powerful change in the lives of women and children who desparately need your help. God bless you for that.  

Relic

I sort of feel like a relic myself today. We had a race last weekend, and I'm just a bit battered and beaten.  So, perhaps that's why this old truck just sort of spoke to me.  It's old, forgotten and beginning to rust back into the earth.  Yet, lupines have grown up in its shadow, lending beauty and reminding us that life finds a way!  

It's 4x6, oil on linen panel.  Maybe you're fond of old relics, or just feel like one too. Then click here!

SOLD!, thanks!

Pasture Decoration

Today's painting is actually a study for a larger work I'm planning.  This is the second variation, and I've titled it "Pasture Decoration" because with the one horse out there grazing all by himself, and no evidence of a working farm anymore, that's pretty much his function.  I do love this old set of barns - and hope to work them into a large painting one of these days once I settle on a final composition.

This one is 5x7. Only three more to go! Friday will end the 60 days, and it is hard to believe it's almost over.  Click here to purchase, or click here to see all the paintings - there are still a few available, including one of my personal favorites.

SOLD!

Winter Shadows, Gridley River

Okay, this is Tuesday's painting.  Sorry I can't post these closer to the actual day but I'll be away from the computer till next week.  So it'll be sort of feast, then famine till I return.

Another of Tom L.'s photos. This winter twilight depicts part of the Gridley River drainage.  I love the way the single dead tree catches the sunset light.  Tom also likes to hike along the trails near the Gridley, and I believe he was snowshoeing when he took the photo that I used for reference here.

I learned he also crossed the river during spring run-off,   in chest deep raging waters.  Which just proves that even crazy people can take good photos!  This one is 5x7.  SOLD