This fourth mural took longer to complete, although we are not running behind schedule. The cherry picker machine broke three times, causing delays throughout. And unlike the heat wave we had during the other Daisy Street mural, the first two weeks of July saw lots of rain and unsettled weather - it really isn’t possible to paint when rivulets of water run down the wall from above!
But I made it in the end, and my vision, just a rough design and idea in my head a few weeks ago, is now a radiant reality in the centre of the Flower Streets.
Things I’m learning about being an artist
Since I was a child I’ve always “just done” my art in a natural, instinctive way, although I did receive good instruction at school and college, and had room to explore at university. Teaching art to adults and children alike has taught me a lot too. But it’s through making these huge murals that a number of key concepts are coming through more strongly, and I would like to share them with you in the way I write this update!
The most essential part of being an artist is being highly observant.
This isn’t just critical for good draughtsmanship skills; it’s crucial for more complex and abstract things too. Noticing every detail, examining it with your eyes, seeing how it all fits together as a whole… And when it comes to making art, the point of your pencil or paintbrush or piece of charcoal “is” your eye. I frequently tell this to my students!
At this scale, it means the tiny edge of a petal will be 45 cm across rather than less than 1 centimetre!
Attention, how you pay attention, and sustained attention
Have you ever noticed that people attend differently to the same thing? How we attend to the world literally shapes our experience of it and understanding of it.
One of the things I really like about these murals is that I get the wonderful honour of painting something I’ve paid quality attention to, directly onto a building, where the bright colours and organic shapes literally become part of the environment.
A good artist has to visualise something in the mind’s eye and go through the necessary steps to make it a physical reality.
And sometimes those steps can be extremely practical and even mundane, in order for the artistic “magic” to happen. Chalking out a grid, for example - not very exciting, but necessary. Painting an undercoat and making sure the coverage makes a firm base for the next stage. Scrubbing brushes and washing rollers at the end of a long day. Continuing to do what it needs, believing that the final result is possible.
Art really does bring people together and provides a context for meaningful encounters.
You will be called to something bigger than yourself.
I’ve said before (on my website) that to me, artistic and musical gifts are sacred and intended to be cherished, nurtured and developed in a life-giving way, not selfishly but as a way of exploring what it means to be human and experiencing moments of profound resonance with other people.
It’s been our plan since the beginning to involve some local school children in the Flower Streets project, and Thursday 13th July was the special day that a group of Year 5s came to paint their own daisy. In March I had visited the school and taught them to draw a crown daisy which they cut out and coloured. I prepared white silhouettes from their templates and stuck them above so that they could use it as a visual guide. I love the way they are all so inventive and unique!
I split them into two groups so that the painting area would not get too chaotic. I had also prepared an activity sheet about the other existing murals which you can see below.
Can you tell I used to tutor English?! I realise I’m not the best graphic designer, but it got them thinking! It was absolutely delightful to watch them running about from mural to mural, and to see them paint.
Children today are the grown-ups of the future, and should be included, celebrated, and paid attention to, especially in a community project like this. I believe every child deserves to have a good childhood and be given chances to do creative things and explore their potential.
Artists make themselves understand multiple perspectives and help others to do so too, in subtle and creative ways.
A friend commented that the three giant flowers make her feel very small! That’s the idea. To me, it gives the feeling of reaching upward, yearning, stretching and drinking in the light. Let me know how it makes you feel!
I can’t speak for all artists on this one, but I, as an artist, am filled with a perpetual sense of gratitude for living and for all that is good in the world.
I’m very grateful for the friendships that have blossomed over the past three months. For the understanding, the practical support such as ladder loaning, cups of tea and toilet provision! And for putting up with me blocking the footpath and beeping with a cherry picker!
What’s the next mural?
I’m heading to Harebell Street on Monday… Come and visit if you’re around! I’ve got paintings in the Liverpool Art Fair, so if you want to check out the iconic Liver Building and see varied, new art from local artists, I highly recommend it!
Such a David and Goliath project. I'm in awe. It's a must see, amazing artwork.
These flowers are absolutely GLOWING with hope and brilliance, and the poem gives notes to their song!