“Loveland Gothic,” 12×15 ft, painted by 320 local citizens, young and old.
Book Update:
Well, I think I’ve finally figured out how to get back to book making. I’ve secured a part-time job at a local cabinetry company. This helps to ease the financial pressure for my wife and me, and I’m home from work by noon, which should allow me to get back to working on new storybooks that are waiting to come to life. Thank you for your patience!
Other Stuff:
For the past 3 years, I and a small army of volunteers from my church have facilitated the creation of a community mural, painted by local festival-goers, during downtown Loveland’s annual Valentine’s Day festival.
Each year we’ve spoofed an iconic fine art painting, giving each painting a Valentiney twist. This year I chose an American artist, Grant Wood, using the occasion to celebrate sibling love. Many people assume that Wood’s original painting depicts a husband and wife, though this is probably not the case. Wood never clearly defined the relationship of the characters.
The point of the mural project is to bring the community together in creating something fun, creative, and monumental. Individuals are encouraged to express their individuality on their tiles, and those tiles then each become a part of the bigger picture – a metaphor for community. Festival-goers do not know in advance what the bigger picture will be. This is the reason I have chosen fine art imagery – these images are already well loved by the public and are hopefully something of which no one would object to being a part.
My hope in this is that the church can bring something to the unchurched community that will be received as positive, valuable, and inclusive – things that many do not associate with church in the current social climate
All in all, I think the mural came together nicely! It’s on 4th Street and Lincoln ( hwy 287) if you’d like to stop by. Thanks to the Loveland Downtown Partnership and Chamber of Commerce for their support this year. Also thanks to all the volunteers at Beggars’ Gate church for braving the cold and making this happen again.
Detail showing the bear chainsaw sculpture and the Abraham Lincoln brooch.
Thank you for creating murals and art that inspire our community — downtown, at the library, utility boxes, churches, children, books, and many more. We appreciate you and pray for rewards for all that you do.
Thank you, Marlene! I wish I had more time in a day, but then I guess we all do. I do believe our culture needs peacemakers and community-builders at this time, to whatever extent that is possible without sacrificing integrity. Thank you for your support.
Thank you for the update. I enjoy your books and art. Keep working and writing.
Thank you, Cecile, for the vote of confidence. I should be able to get back to it now!