After some fiddling I knew I wanted to draw some inspiration from children's books, although I did fully know how. I thought about having subtle visual references to famous books, or even what my friend that was helping suggested a sort of a visual narrative (and a bunch of other things). My friend's suggestion did get me started on the idea of a burrow of animals in their own little worlds. In the end it was seeing the space that brought it together. Seeing the plants in the window made me want to create a fun forest hideout for the kids to read it. The interesting dimensions of the room started to fuel the rest.
What made you want to submit a design for the library?
When I heard that I could get an opportunity to do a large scale painting for the library I was ecstatic! The library made it very clear that they wanted a design that would be good for the kids. I used to design/ paint large sets in highs chool, and I loved it. So a chance to get to design a painting for the kids/ community, and getting to paint said large space! It was so perfect I had to try to get it! Of course, it was so perfect I never imagined I would have gotten picked.
What is your favorite part of your design?
Through the process of doing the project I had plenty of details and moments that made me excited and kept me sane through the whole thing. Generally speaking I think the picnic is my favorite section, although there is a cute dandelion in the inner wall of the squirrel tree that has a place in my heart.
How long have you been painting? Do you have any other murals?I have been doing art my whole life, so I couldn't tell ya (also my memory is atrocious). Technically, this is the first mural I've ever done. I did similar stuff on set flats all through high school. This project isn't the largest painting i've ever done, but it's definitely the most detailed I've done for its scale.
Do you take commission work? Where can people contact you if so?