Photo's from completion

ALL Done............I'm very excited with the final product. I think the hardest thing is knowing when to stop. I still see things that could be added....but......I'm thrilled of the outcome. I was 20 hours over from my estimate. I find this to me a feat in itself. Looking at a 12X 75 wall and getting that close on hours is a true stroke of luck in my book. (141.5 Hrs. for those that are curious)

Suggestions where noted for the addition of lights to the roof to wash the wall, and river rock added at the base of the wall to cover the rough brick and block. This would also help in keeping debris splashing on the wall in the future.

Train-Depot and Civic Center(Old Grade school) Small shadows where added to the roof of the depot to suggest the clay tile roof. I also spent extra time to add the crossing signal, and the ghost tracks in the foreground. Doc and Jeff (electricians) shared a story of when they wired the crossing sign they had the lights flashing and cars where stopping........tracks are no longer in place. (lol) I enjoyed getting to know Doc and Jeff. They where wonderful in allowing me to use their faucet for clean-ups and electricity to get my sprayer and radio working. The monument in the center, right of the large tree, is the Daughter's of the American Revolution monument. Ms. Louise Noland owns the building and she provided the monument at the courthouse. Linda Byers thoughtfully expressed the importance to include the monument on the mural. I appreciate Linda sharing so much information to make the projects truly special and one of a Kind.

2:30 is the time on the clock. I saved this for the last, the time I was able to finish.

The huge Flag in the center was completed the day before Veteran's day. This was important to me. My Grand-father Eugene M. Thomas was a WWII POW. (Pare-trooper) I remember he used to say...2 things fall from the sky.....bird sh*t and fools.(ha ha) I'm thankful for his service to our great country and all the other service men that are willing to give there life so we civilians can live and flourish in a free country. The monument in grey and black is the Veteran's of Foreign Wars monument. It has tiny flags in the urns at either side. You can read the War Names and lines where added for the names on the monument.

The center monument is where I choose to make the Sponsored By marker.

Far Right of wall: Regent Bank and the Middle School(old High School) in the foreground. The Middle school has such unique doors I spent a little extra time to shadow the arched glass that adorns the top of the doors. The Bank was tricky. The angle I choose to place it at made the structure appear thin at first and the addition of the newer addition to the right made me happier with it's appearance. I also had a little difficulty getting satisfied with the color of the brick. Teddy bear tan on top of the canyon stone made a well suited brick color for me. I also used sharkskin on the columns to blend them it. The last tree had a hidden ( M hearts T) in the bark. (Missy loves Tommy).

My new Buddie's at Becky's. Guess which photo is the one that some-one got goosed...ha ha. It tickled be that everyone scrambled for lipstick to get a photo for me. I just think the world of these new friends. While I was working they where so positive of the progress of the mural and allowed me to use the shop frig. as my vending machine. I was thank-full for the facilities too. This is the busiest beauty shop....so many pretty people walk Though their doors. What a group of talented ladies. I can't brag on them enough!

Mayor Nelson stated he wanted a photo with me. I wanted one with him too. He was out of town when I tried to track him down.

I Thank the Downtown Merchants Association for this wonderful opportunity to create this public Art Piece. It is a true honor to be a part of the beautification project of Fayette. I look forward to future projects......I left my number.......Have brush ready.....

Thanks to those that have followed my blog. Keep checking in......I have two in Guin in the works.......

Finishing thoughts..

The final day for the mural was the 10Th. I worked 10-2:30. 2:30 is the time I painted on the beautiful Roman numeral clock on the Court house. I started the day correcting the domes on the court house, additional shading on the trees, and a check of the roof. My thoughts here where to insure the painting had a clean edge if ever seen from the air. I borrowed an extension ladder from Doc and climbed up with paint in hand. I was able to terminate the mural at the mid point of the wall capped tiles. I also was able to borrow some paint thinner to clean up a blob left from primer on the brick at the left of the wall. Isn't funny how little things bother people. I also find it funny how little things can make such a difference. With my epoxy, I attached my token worn out paint brush and signed on the bottom left.

List of wonderful things that occurred in the duration of project:
-Husband celebrated 47 Th Birthday
-became a Granny to beautiful Berklee Elyse
-received the honor of Gourd Queen at Cullman Gourd Festival
-became a Great-Aunt to Madison
-N.W. AL Arts Council raised enough fund for Moulding Hands, Hearts and Minds( children program) at the Hamilton Fall Festival.
-Father had stints put in. ( Problem corrected before an Heart Attack)
-Father celebrated 61st Birthday 11-10-08 date of completion.
-Having lunch with the wonderful group of Ladies at Becky's.
-Parents visiting me at the wall and taking me to Lisa's for lunch.
-making so many new interesting friends.
-achieved one heck of a farmers tan.

I truly feel blessed. I appreciate every ones well-wishes and kind words regarding my work. This was my largest project to date...12' X 75'. I amazed myself by keeping focused with so much happening. I look forward to creating the next one.

Thursday the 13Th I'm scheduled to meet with Crystal at the Paper. I will take photos to post then of the finished wall. ( I'm unable to get them off my phone at the moment) I appreciate Mayor Nelson and the City workers for being so helpful. Fayette is a wonderful, incredible town.

Added bark to the trees with whiskers and warm wassil (colors) with washes of bewitched.

Daughters of the American Revolution monument.

Constructive criticism from my Father, helped me realize the domes on either side of the clock where to large. I knew something wasn't just right. Saturday I fixed the proportions and enlarged the clock.

Mulch was added to the bases of the large foreground trees. I used stonington and warm wassil with blotches of bewitched to achieve the mulched bark appearance.

Day 19

Knuckles our cat was wondering where I was off to today.......Painted by clip on light. I really do not like the time change.

Day 17

Added foliage to the Old High School trees.

Shadows to the doors and windows.

Day 16

Adding shadow to the lettering-tiger tail orange. I started around 5:00 p.m. and with the time change, I lost my light to continue. So welcome is as far as I got today.

Details to the Regent Bank. I also added the newer connecting building . I was unhappy with the width of the building, and the added structure nestled it nicely to the hillside.

The Tan monument is going to be the sponsored by the Downtown Merchants Association.

Blocked in the flag.

days 12,13,14,15

Day 15

Day 15

Day 14

I'm very pleased with the crossing signal. Day 14

Day 15

Day 15- the addition of monuments- The Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Veteran's of Foreign Wars.

Day 13- detailing to the Depot

Day 12

Day 13- little details of the lights and the beginnings of the huge flag pole in the center.

Day 13- leaves on the myrtles and shadows on the pavement add another dimension.

Day 12- blocked in the sidewalk and started the Crape myrtles that lead to the steps.

Day 12- blocked in the beacon of the Courthouse.
At the house. It was nice getting home today, If only for a little bit. I hurried to get ready to go the auction in Detroit Saturday night. I