GULL LAKE CENTRE Genesis MURAL
Create a 1600 sq foot mural on 2 metal clad office trailers in the middle of a forest?
No problem!
Gull Lake Centre is a Christian Camp that runs programs all year long. These modified utility trailers that are acting as cabins for summer staff were looking a little worn and unpleasant. The centre invited me to paint them to improve the aesthetic of the space. With the mural living nestled in the trees, I chose to create a mural that depicts the story of creation found in the book of Genesis in the Bible. The first panel on the end of the left build depicts a lion roaring and releasing creation into existence.
On the right panel we see a depiction of Adam and Eve. They look on at the lion with a somewhat stoic and serious look on their faces. The story of creation is amazing but it has a not so happy ending. We don’t see the serpent here but one could imagine perhaps that Adam and Eve have already conversed with it.
The logo wraps around the entirety of both trailers. The view behind me in this photo depicts the creation of the animals of the sea and the land.
On the panels left of the lion is included the title of the piece. This photo gives you a good sense of the surface I was working with as well. NOT easy to work on.
Mural Process
Mural creation is one of my favourite creative endeavours. I haven’t met a mural yet that didn’t push me in some way.
- Consultation/contracts/scouting – Murals are collaborative by nature. They require a public space to work on. Whether it be some old utility trailers, a wall in an office or school, or a large cinderblock wall on the side of a building – each one of these spaces comes with the start of a collaboration between the client and the artist. The initial stages of a mural project include a lot of communication, visits to the space, discussion of surface preparation and contracts that meet the needs of both parties including considerations for safety.
- Artistic Direction – Before a concept is built, the direction must be set. This can be a dialogue or it can be set by the artist. It depends on the client and their level of interest in the creative direction of the work. More often than not they are hiring the muralist based on their body of work, so it’s likely they would be creating something similar to their existing work.
- Sketches and Mockups – The great thing about modern day creative endeavours is that you can easily mockup mural concept and display them in the context of the location through photoshop or another photo editing software.
- Art Transfer – Ttransfering the sketch to the final surface can be done in a few ways. A projector can be used and the image traced, a loose doodle grid can be used or a program like Mural Maker from Da Vinci Eye.
- Paint it up! – One does not just simply paint a mural. It may require a variety of tools and equipment to complete a mural. Lifts, sprayers, scaffolding, brushes and lots of water. (If you’re working in +30 degree weather.)
- Seal it – It’s always a good idea to seal a mural in an anti-graffiti coating or sealer of some kind depending on the application and location.
DESIGN PROJECTS
Design – Ohpaho Secondary School
Design – Go RV TV Spot Animation
Design – Willow Park Wildcats Logo
Design – LCBC Logo and Vision
Design – CLDD Animation
Design – Bible Project Portraits
Design – Leduc Old School Basketball Logo
Design – Bible Project Holy Week Illustrations
