Our first mural, in a Nationwide 50 state endeavor, did not come without it’s obstacles. After painting the words “NOTICE ME” on the wall during Hollywood’s art walk on January 17th, less than a week later, we found the words had been painted over having been mistaken for graffiti. So with brush in hand Elizabeth (photographer), Ken (husband, supporter, does it all, all around great guy) and myself (artist) started fresh at 7:00 am on January 24th.
Most of the morning we looked up at the sky as clouds rolled in and rain threatened. Covering the one eye that it took me two hours to draw because I was experimenting with different charcoals and chalk to see what worked best, and after all, the eyes have to be perfect or what’s the point? Although I think this made Elizabeth a tad nervous that it may take me a week at this rate to finish the mural we hoped to have done in one day.
The afternoon brought us cool weather and our rain threat thankfully disappeared. Now we were rolling, and excitedly friends and passers by began to come by and take notice, leaving post-its on the wall saying why they should be noticed.
I drew till 10:00pm, the highlights of my day being the group of teenage girls Tina Buccellato, owner of Muzart in Downtown Hollywood, brought by to see the mural, and having family and friends hangout all night to support the project. How wonderful to see the girls embrace the message and express themselves, and to have everyone there. We definitely felt the love.
Sore and tired but too anxious to get started again we got a few hours of sleep and were back at the wall Sunday morning at 8:00 am. But not before we stopped at Home Depot to buy Royal Oak all natural lump charcoal. Yes, Elizabeth, who knew there had to be an easier way, brilliantly thought of buying the charcoal to cover large areas, and hey now we can barbecue at the sites too! It only took us a few more hours to finish what is the first in our series.
This mural is of local teen Veronica Calderon. And reads “NOTICE ME, My eyes dream your future”
Today, Monday… the weather calls for rain, which means your window of time to “NOTICE” is fading away. Remember this is the point of this mural done in charcoal so it will fade away… “notice the girl, notice her talents, her spirit, her abilities, all that makes her unique and special before it fades away” Give this girl and all girls a voice to express there own individuality and allow that individuality the respect and nurturing it needs to grow and develop into its full potential.
Be a Witness!
Check out the links below to our Facebook and Instagram pages for more photos and don’t forget you can support this project as we take it on the road by making tax deductible donations by clicking the donate tab above on the menu bar.
Thank you for being a witness of our first adventure!
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