OBODO Mural

I came onto this project a lil later along but right away I joined the creative process. Malachi is the other community artist I have the pleasure of painting this mural with. We were given the the rough frame of what the client had in mind and we took that framework and began adding elements that best represent the intentions of the garden. Starting with the two figures we incorporated the foliage that will be present in the garden of course tying the graphic Galaxy background and the large OBODO representation.

I was very excited to be part of this project because I was already interested in the idea of food sovereignty and the importance of locally sourcing. OBODO COLLECTIVE as well as the solidarity fridge are two organizations that are really taking a stand for the members of the community with the solidarity fridge also hosting a open pantry that all are welcome to pull from and donate to.

Step 1 of painting is of course the design. We take that image and project it to the building

Projection

Methods for saving time

Aligning the image how we would like it was realized that we would be to project the two sides separate. Putting the new scaffolds and our ability to read instructions to the test, we hopped up and started with the main thing - the logo. With just black paint we being outlining everything we see, it’s not necessarily about details as it is making sure the proportions and composition are accurate.

At the end of this process what is left is the blueprint for the mural. We label certain parts with letters just to help recognize what they were to being with. ~ 1 hour

Next day we picked up the paints from Home Depot and we got to work getting some coverage on the wall. In my process the sooner you can cover all the blank space the sooner you are to finishing. So with that I took one color and tried to fill the most space, in this case it would be the layer of green foliage that would be framing the fruits. Using water to thin the latex paint I used transparency to also create a loose value sketch.

Once that was set on we then took our collective focus to the back ground. Behind the figure of Ruby we were planning on a Galaxy like design that both of us were excited to tackle. We each took a color and started freeform sculpting the gas clouds.

Setting in the the yellow rays of the sun was the next major application. We taped out the lines and put in the first of many coats. The veggies started taking shape after that. At this point we had met another local artist Courtney who without hesitation picked up a brush and hopped on the wall with us, painting the first bee, the two pomegranates that it is perched on, the blueberries beneath as well as the right most butterfly. We were very excited and this helped it feel more like a community piece.

I had covered rubys hair and began setting the shadows on her face and neck around the time it became too cold to comfortably continue.

Face day. I went in and knocked out the figure on the left all day while Malachi added the black pattern on the right. Later he began laying down the shadow shapes on his figure on the right

Super cold and windy but nearly finished

Basically now it’s like doing punch outs. Adding all the little things that if done correctly will take the piece to the professional level.

Now come including all the flowers and lil buggies

Signed sealed and delivered