The Mural Goes to the Denver Art Museum (Weekend One)

Today was the first weekend that people could come and add to the mural at the Drawing Studio. Leticia, Leo, and I stayed there for several hours this Saturday giving people tours, answering questions, asking them to share their reactions, and inviting them to participate. 

Advertisement for Leticia and Leo's Artwork 

The finished mural will be more than three times as large as this. 

Remember the panel at Earthlinks? Here it is after a bit more work on it! 

There was a special "Kids' Corner" where young visitors could add flowers of hope to the mural! 

John continues his drawing. 

Leticia adds to the mural as people come to visit. 

Leo describes his mural work to Regis University professor of Peace & Justice Eric Fretz. 

Leo explains some of his past work to visitors. 

Leo, Leticia, and John take a break to draw. 

A Muslim girl reaches towards a brighter future. 

Leticia and John discuss options for new ideas. 

Leticia adds to a drawing dedicated to Trayvon Martin.

Leo explains the mural to a guest. Before the elderly man left, he thanked Leo and said, "You're the kind of person I want to be when I grow up."

Installation Day

Today is my last first day of college. That's right folks, it's already the final semester of my college career. But, on the bright side, it also marks the first day of the mural at the Denver Art Musuem! 

D.A.M.

Leticia drills hinges on the panels to fit them together. 

Leo set up his art (and descriptions of his) art next to the mural. He made this poster to explain one of his past mural projects. It's inspired me to make a poster like this for our project!

The lights hung low so they had to be careful to maneuver the panels. 

The "dark" part of the mural sits in the corner depicting the effects of negative socialization of boys and girls in our society. 

Move in crew! 

Painting Workshop at Cleo's

Today we met to paint at Cleo Parker Robinson Dance. There, we discussed the progress of the mural, had a great (and tough) discussion about debated roots of violence, and painted for about 3 hours. 

Artists Kathryn, John, and Leticia admire their work and discuss what should be added. 

Artists Suzie, Fred, and Tracy engage in discussion about the causes of domestic violence.

Leticia and Kathryn hammer furring strips into the plywood to prepare another panel. 

I add brown paint to the soiled dove of innocence. 

John paints a picture of a boy who is condemned for crying. This painting depicts how the socialization of male aggression starts when society tells boys that they can't show emotion or cry, but instead have to be "tough" and "strong" in order to be masculine. The caption reads: "Quit crying. Be a man." 

Tracy gathers inspiration from Leticia's collection of magazine clippings. 

Fred designs a table with a message in braille. This portion of the mural, made with glass stones,  expresses the (often forgotten) prevalence of violence towards people with disabilities. 

A girl holds the soiled dove of innocence. This picture demonstrates how girls are socialized at a young age to think that physical beauty is the most important aspect of being female. This can later lead to deep securities, body dysmorphia, depression, and the hyper-sexualization of girls/women in our society. 

This three panels are the "dark" part of the mural and represent the roots of domestic violence in our culture. 

Earthlinks Workshop Day Two

Dec 20th, 2013 - Earthlinks Workshop Day Two

One of the crucial partners in this effort, is Earthlinks, a nonprofit that works with homeless and low-income individuals facilitating various Earth-friend products that help to sustain the planet and people. As their members put it: "We are a community of people who are currently experiencing or who have previously known homeless. Together, we care for each other and for the Earth". 

Women of the world paint a multiracial hand

Artistic director, Leticia explains her vision for this panel. 

Kelly Shinn, the Workshop Program Director at Earthlinks, generously offered her time and space to let us paint. 

Risa Murray, an experienced artist, paints a dancer reaching towards a hopeful future. 

Although there is still a ways to go, we got a lot done in an hour!

Thanks so much to Earthlinks, Leticia, the artists, and my mom for their efforts today! There was great conversation and excellent progress. Until next time! 

Earthlinks Workshop Day One

December 4th, 2013 - Earthlinks Workshop Day One

Artistic Director, Leticia, updates the artists on the purchase of the panels and notifies them that they will be at Earthlinks in a couple weeks for the artists to paint! 

Arists Muzzette and Suzie listen as Leticia and I explain our vision.

We sat in a circle sharing our favorite art mediums, favorite symbols of peace, and personal stories about violence in the home. 

During individual brainstorming time, artist Muzzette writes a beautiful poem about her experience with DV. 

Leticia and Kelly write down thoughts about additions to the mural. 

Mural Construction

November 20th - Mural Construction 

At this point, you might be wondering how we're going to make the mural. Let me tell you.

We need: 

• Lots of 4'x8' plywood panels
• White primer
• White paint
• Silica sand (which is toxic, ergo the face masks)
• Goggles
• Gloves
• Face masks
• Roller brushes
• Buckets
• Will power and team work! 

Before we got to work, my mom and dad, Fred, Leo, Leticia, and I all sat down for a delicious home-cooked meal at Leo's house. I couldn't believe I got to eat in the presence of such a renowned artist! 

After the meal...

4'x8' Plywood Panels

Roller brushes

Silica Sand. Be careful not to breathe this in!

White primer 

Artist Fred Banks and Leticia paint the panels with a base coat. 

Then they layer the panels with silica sand. 

Then the panels are lifted so that the sand runs down the side, covering the whole surface. 

Leo uses a table saw to cut out the fire bird. This is the symbol of hope at the end of the mural. Leticia argued over whether it should be a chicken or a Dodo bird. In the end, a Phoenix won the majority vote. It beats me as to why. 

I was so excited to finally get the panels prepped! 

I scrapped the extra paint that dripped off the sides of the panel. 

Moms are the best. Thanks so much for your help! 

Leticia saws the bird's fire-wings as her dad gives her advice. 

 Next step: holding a meeting to brainstorm ideas for the mural! Stay tuned!