A horse chestnut tree in all its autumn glory faces the wall which two weeks ago, looked like this:
Conkers were popping and falling all the way through painting this mural, reminding me that this incredible “muralathon” I’ve been on since April is coming to a close.
A mural of coincidences: dark blue and gold
I had been finding it difficult to decide on the background colours for this design. I wanted something dark to show up the beautiful slender petals of the honeysuckle, but didn’t want to use black again. I didn’t feel an archway was necessary either. I went away from it for a few hours and when I returned, the colours “royal blue and gold” appeared in my heart with utmost certainty. Later on, I went to visit the young family I already knew at Woodbine Street. The young mum there looked at me in amazement when I told her about the blue and gold. “I’ve just redecorated my living room in dark blue and gold!” she exclaimed, and invited me to look at her very tasteful wallpaper and cushions.
I also told her that this mural was due to begin on Monday the 11th of September. She instantly said that this day was the fifth birthday of her oldest daughter. That was the second coincidence.
I explained how honeysuckle symbolises devotion, loyalty and love, since it clings and twists round its neighbours as it grows. She told me how much she loves her little girls and I sensed it might be appropriate to have words to do with parents’ love for their children. We dedicated the first mural on Pansy Street to “residents…. both past and present”, and I felt it made sense to dedicate this one to children and the future generation.
The best art is always personal
Being a community project, it has always been important to have dialogue with people who live here, and their creative, personal input. I also wanted to use real honeysuckle flowers that were growing in the garden of one of my faithful artistic helpers, Colin. I sketched these from life in the first week of September, in the last stage of their bloom.
These flowers have surely gone now since autumn arrived all of a sudden, and showers and cold winds are now commonplace. How wonderful that they are now magnified and immortalised on this house in Liverpool - in art form! - for people to enjoy all year round.
The inclusion of birds
I originally wanted to include lots of different garden birds in this mural, but that was before I realised how difficult it is to paint small, detailed things on a bumpy wall! In the end I opted for two house martins. These birds fly to Africa at the end of the British summer, and as my mural-painting season comes to an end…for now!
Heart and Soul
I’ve had quite a few people ask me: “Which is your favourite mural?” This is a question I can’t really answer, because every time I come to draw and paint something, my determined mentality is always: “This will be the most beautiful thing ever to come out of my imagination, heart, mind and hands.” Many of my friends and family think that the project has been so positively received because of the very reason that I put every bit of heart and soul into my art. Perhaps this is why I am currently feeling rather dazed!
What about the ninth mural?
Snowdrop Street is still being reluctant to cooperate regarding its permission form. This isn’t really my area to deal with; it’s the Council’s. It isn’t signed as of the time of publication of this newsletter. They may need more time over the winter to sort it out, so I have agreed to come back in the spring to do the ninth mural. Past mid-October it really isn’t very wise to do outdoor painting.
What now?
I’m working on a letter to the residents, with a personal message from me, some words from my volunteers, and information from the Council regarding the end of the project and a celebration event. I don’t want to just disappear and not make it clear to them about what’s going on.
The Council have come up with some funds to cover the cost of painting (just one block of colour) the side walls of the murals so that they look nice and smart. On Thursday I rendered one particularly ugly side wall on the other side of Woodbine Street in preparation for this.
A big thank you to my arty volunteers, who have become my friends
I don’t think I can fully express my appreciation for the people who have come alongside me to help, learn and encourage in this project. Together we’ve had to deal with some quite uncomfortable things, such as issues with faulty lift machines and finding toilets, as well as share the euphoria that comes from the opportunity to paint something beautiful and colourful in a previously dreary place.
This project has forced us to get acquainted with uncertainty and improvisation, especially when rain has threatened to stop play, or when my carefully-laid plans have had to be spontaneously changed at the last moment. I am very grateful for the patience and dedication of these wonderful people who have become good friends.
In January this year, I thought: “What I really need is someone practical, like my dad, just to be on hand.” (My own father doesn’t live in the UK you see.) My prayer was answered with not one, but two handy-men, Colin and Rod. They’ve been brilliant at helping me assemble 3.5m fence panels with heavy stumps, helping with the backgrounds and filling in areas at my direction. It really would have taken me ages to do all this on my own. Rod has called it my “masterclass!” It’s also given me new experience in delegating tasks, being aware of working in a way that keeps everybody safe, and learning to use time in the most efficient way.
I’d like to end this newsletter with Colin’s contribution to the letter I want to send soon to the residents:
I would like to say ‘thank you’ to all those residents and passers by who have made me feel welcome and stopped to chat while helping Madeleine paint the beautiful ‘Flower Streets’ murals. It has meant a lot to me to be able to share some of my time and energy to help make this colourful project turn into reality. We never know what tomorrow may bring, but I wish that the many seeds sown help to make life a little brighter for everyone.
I have really enjoyed following your work Madeleine I’m sorry I was not able to be of practical support but have brought friends and relatives to see it.Look forward to any new developments.