I am still reeling over how amazing the experience was to paint for the Meta OpenArts program (formally known as Facebook). I will forever be changed by the experience and the chance to evolve my work on site. Big round of applause to Tamar, Lele, and Dom for the opportunity. I am just still so blown away.

My initial concept was to break down the elements of my work. Starting from the full color piece, as you walked through the hall an element would be taken away, the outline, the color, and all that would be left would be wood pieces in the shapes of eyes I'd have installed during the process. The idea was to see the skeleton of my work, just the color and just the line-work. It's not often I even get to see just these on their own.

Use slider to see the blueprints of the mural and the initial concept breakdown of mural.

While painting and applying color I was able to step by and see how the shapes created movement and quickly decided to throw the whole original concept out the window. Literally, we scrapped the line-work and opted to fill the entire space with color.

I was able to hire my sister Claudia as my assistant. She was perfect for several reasons; 1.. She is an artist herself. She understands color and how to play with it 2. She needed the hands on experience as she works facilitating art so being able to work on a large project from start to finish would really give her the confidence to grow her business (seattlepaintparty.com shameless plug). Finally, I needed someone that could read me. Like, when I start painting, the world fades away and I get into the creative black out. I don't eat, drink, or stop. I find myself getting irritable so I'd need someone that could take the snappiness of when I get to this point and even spot when it was going to happen. Who better than someone that has lived their entire life with you? It was the best decision I think I've ever made. Not only did Claudia anticipate my binge working, she was able to see it before it happened. "Eat a snack Angel, you're getting grouchy. " "Did you drink water?". I humbly and wholeheartedly appreciate her being there also to witness this breakthrough. It was like if she wasn't there, would this have even happened?

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CcqWqp7p6xU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

To get the wood pieces for the installation part I worked with Dan Morgan from Oxbow Fabrications. Dan is phenomenal. He's been a carpenter and teaching artist for over a decade. I was able to collaborate with him by visiting his shop, learning ways I could make my vision come to reality, and really just take this project beyond our wildest dreams. I am so happy he was there to install and see the mural in person.

Copy of my momma's book from 1965.

I titled this piece 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' from The Wizard of Oz. This was one of my most favorite movies growing up. I also have a copy of the book that belonged to my mom when she was little. It's one of my most precious items I have of hers. I remember being in awe when Dorothy opens the door and for the first time in her life sees the beauty and color of Oz. It's an entirely different world, something bright, a new adventure. This is how I felt throughout this whole project. I was like Dorthy, in a strange new world and I had to navigate it with the help of some beautiful people. Dorthy learned that home was here all along and that she only needed to trust herself. Girl, #SAME.

Painting the space I wanted to also tell a story. I wanted to fill the space with color as far as I could go. In 2019 while on another mural site I fell off a ladder and it really affected the way I worked and the confidence I had. I was apprehensive and scared to get back on the ladder and it was one of the reasons I wanted an assistant, to be there in case I needed someone to spot me. There are areas of the mural where I had to get to the tops of the ladder to paint around a pipe, or have the paint wrap around a vent and having the security of a loved one there to support really put me in a place of comfort.

One of the ways we created so much movement and lushness with the color was our deep stubbornness to create as many shades of colors as possible. I feel like I pushed the boundaries of what each color could give, adding white to blend out in certain areas to the color of the actual wall. In doing this, we eased the eye into the starkness of the white as opposed to a sudden or shocking ending. I think details like this make the mural so playful, it's like you bounce through the corridor, perhaps along they yellow brick road to Oz.

A huge special thanks to Dan Morgan of Oxbow Fabrications. Without his expertise and knowlefge I don't know how the element for me of the wood would have been possible. It's hard conveying what is in your brain to someone else who is also creative. And I couldn't have painted this without the love and support of my sister Claudia who wore many hats including assistant, brush cleaner, morale builder, snack bringer and just being a part of the creative process. I am so incredibly proud I was able to bring her along for what I feel is a career highlight.