 Behind the Alleghany Highlands Regional Library Project- Though I travel often I do find some of the most meaningful projects to be the ones close to home. I reached out to Lisa this past fall to connect about any possible work that the library may be open to. Largescale or otherwise. After discussing a few options, we decided to start with an installation in the children’s area. The idea being: pieces that would be eye-catching and colorful. Including subject matter that represented fantasy, space, and different landscapes. I personally felt inclined to pull from primary and complementary colors. Each piece lending itself to a deeper conversation whether that be about color theory, imagination, or the images themselves. A giraffe in outer space, a lion in a desert oasis, a dragon napping in a wildflower field, and a walrus floating in the arctic. Pieces that kids would find interesting as well as being thought-provoking.  I couldn’t have asked for a better experience partnering with the library director, Lisa Sponaugle, on this project. I enjoyed working on pieces that are slightly different than my normal work & having the opportunity to complete these pieces for the library I grew up visiting often. I have vivid memories of sitting in the exact same space at the age of 8...10..and 12yrs old , reading books that have impacted me to this day. As I grew out of the kid's area, I grew into the aisles that held the information I needed on business, web design, and art history. I worked on my first website at 14yrs old on those public computers, printed my first art-show flyers on those printers, and read about famous works of art in those books. I learned and thrived, because I had access to a free-space full of information and inspiration. This library has been a thread throughout the entirety of my life & I can only hope that my artwork finds its way into someone’s fond memories of the same space. I will forever be grateful for this experience. 
1 Comment
 3Commissioned by the City of Covington, working with Allen Dressler to create a new look on this concrete wall leading into downtown on Monroe Ave. The inspiration for this work is part of a bigger project that will be completed later this year, but as for now this piece is complete! At 450+ ft long this is the largest mural I've completed to date & I'm not sure you can grasp the size until you walk by it for yourself, but I tried to capture it as best as possible on my phone camera. 23+ gallons of paint, 5 brushes, and about 84hrs of work went into making this happen. The Monroe Ave. Mural is officially the first mural of 2024, and I can't explain how wonderful this experience has been. Working with Allen Dressler & the City of Covington, VA has been an absolute joy and I feel at a loss for words to describe how encouraging everyone has been. Thank you all for every honk, holler, photo, and message! It means so so so much to me. I love this community & I am grateful to call Covington home. #Virginia #covingtonva #UniquelyAlleghany #alleghanyhighlands #muralist #mural #blueridgemountains  |
