"In Bloom"

Congratulations to the interns for their accomplishments.  This summer was hot and the long wall with a detailed wild flower design, by artist Laura DeDonato, were challenging obstacles to overcome.  We are proud of you for your persistence, dedication, willingness to learn and grow, and for the beautiful work you created.  We hope this mural, entitled "In Bloom," will be enjoyed by the community for many years to come!

We look forward to our fourth year painting murals in Brockton in 2013.  Please let us know if you have any potential mural walls for next year!  Contact Laura at lauradedonato@ bpsma.org

Day 15 - July 26, 2012

Signing and Wrapping Up

Finishing up at The Charity Guild!  We've had a great time working here.  The staff and BoD members of The Charity Guild has been incredibly supportive and helpful.  We could not have done it without you!

A special thank you to Jason Lynch, "Pod Opener," for arriving to work an hour early every day to unlock our painting supply so that we could start early and avoid as much of the sun as possible.

Almost there...

Day 14 - July 25, 2012

Working together to get it painted!

Confident in their mixing and blending skills, interns have begun feeling comfortable using paint trays as palettes.

Patron of The Charity Guild requesting a photo with the mural!

Day 13 - July 24, 2012

It's All in the Details

At the start of the mural interns started with rollers and 4" brushes, but as we continue to fill in the details we have moved down to 1" and .5" detail brushes.  By starting big and working their way down, interns can get more comfortable with their tools.  This also allows them to continue to refine their work as they add each layer and see the wall as a whole before they dedicate a large chunk of time to add details on a 6 inch flower, which might be the wrong color or shape.

The mural continues to receive positive feedback and excitement among the people working at The Charity Guild, patrons and passerbys.  While people wait for the food pantry to open, they are delighted and entertained by the colorful flowers that bring them "warm feelings" as the enter and "summer year round" to enjoy as they wait.

Day 12 - July 23, 2012

Starting to Ramp Things Up:

It's Monday again, so that means it's time to attack the inside of the ramps with colorful paint!  The team worked together to come close to finishing the ramps. 

Since the same flowers can be found all around the wall, interns have become experts in rendering certain flowers.  Carmen is a professional echinacea painter, Maria can paint clover flowers in her sleep and Youveline has mastered purple bells and daffodils. 

Charity Guild mural work pictures featured in The Enterprise:

http://www.enterprisenews.com/photos/x328565029/Mural-High-schools-work-and-learning-project

Day 11 - July 19, 2012

Building a Connection with the Community:

Today was a touching day for the interns.  Thoughout the process they have received many positvie comments regarding their work, but none as heart felt as today.  A woman walking out of The Charity Guild came over to our tent and said, "You guys are doing such a beautiful job.  It's amazing.  You give me hope.  Keep up the great work, I love you guys!"

Part of working in the public is to create a dialogue with the community and to give the interns experience talking about their work and representing themselves and the program professionally.  Today they recognized the real impact they are having on their community and are inspired to do more.

 

Day 10 - July 18, 2012

Wet or Dry?  Blending that is.

Interns continue to learn blending techniques including wet and dry blending.  Latex exterior house paint is much different than artist grade acrylic or oil paint in terms of blendability, body and mixing.  It takes time to get used to the differences for experienced artists and can be difficult for new painters to learn with, but everyone is learning and doing great!