Sunday, August 12, 2012

Finish Line!

Acrylic on cradled board
Approx. 7' x 14'-6"
Click images to enlarge

What a coincidence, I've reached the finish line of the mural on the last day of the Olympics! It seems fitting, since it feels like I've run a marathon. If only it had left me in as good a shape as those athletes.

At any rate, it's a relief to call it quits, even if the ending is not as clear cut as a footrace. All you artists know that paintings are never really finished, just abandoned for various reasons. I could go on picking at it forever, but thankfully there is a deadline to get this installed, so I'm off the hook.

Speaking of the Olympics, weren't they grand? Congratulations to London and the English people for putting on such a great event.




















24 comments:

Ruth Andre said...

Don, The mural is just fabulous. Wow, you have completed the piece in record time. You have really worked hard and it looks so good. Congratulations!

Aleada Aine Siragusa said...

It is a beautiful mural. Each person in it has such moving expression, each different and filled with emotion. It makes me smile to see the joy in their faces. Aleada

Sonya Johnson said...

Congratulations, Don! I've enjoyed watching the progress of the mural through your posts, and it's wonderful to see the final mural and how all those progress photos tie together now.

Anonymous said...

Don, thanks for sharing the process and progress as you completed the mural. I hope to see it in person the next time I'm in the area.
Anne Thrower

Marilyn Flanegan said...

Amazing accomplishment, Don! Thank you for bringing us along on your journey. I agree with Aleada - the expressions are priceless and so full of joy.

Don Gray said...

Thanks, Ruth! Seemed like a long time to me, with so many interruptions, but glad it's finished. Thanks for following along!

Don Gray said...

Aleada, that's a wonderful thing to say--thank you!

Don Gray said...

Hi Sonya--you've been a trooper to stay tuned through the process--thank you!

Don Gray said...

Hi Anne--thanks. Be sure to pay a visit when you're here.

Don Gray said...

Great to hear from you, Marilyn, and thank you for those warm words!

Gary L. Everest said...

Hi Don,
Wow! This is terrific. I know you've done many murals, Don, but I hope you're as proud of this as you should be. No modesty now, please. This is so beautifully conceived and executed. I can imagine many former students flocking to the building to have a look, not to mention the kids and grandkids of some of those folks in the back.
Simply wonderful.
Sincerely,
Gary.

Sheila Vaughan said...

Congratulations Don, and didn't it work well having the background figures more greyed out. I bet it looks fantastic in real life! Bet you are glad to have finished though. It's a big achievement to paint something so big in a public place and on a high wall like that. Yes, the Olympics - I am not a sporty person but I like the way it brings all nations together so for me it was worth the big expense.

Susan Roux said...

Congratulations on such an amazing work! You carried it to a powerful ending. Did someone stop by to give you your medal???

Don Gray said...

Hey Gary--thank you, my friend. I guess I'd have to say I'm reasonably satisfied with the mural. As you know, for us artists that's about the most we can hope for. It was great finally meeting you in person.

Don Gray said...

Hi Sheila--thanks for your thoughts--as always, much appreciated. Congratulations on completing your "60 Women" project.

Don Gray said...

Thanks, Susan. I'm afraid my time of two months and six days wasn't fast enough to be in medal contention. I'll try to do better next Olympics.

Simon Jones said...

Don you legend, this is an epic work, such quality, such scale...

Jennifer A Lynch said...

Don- watching this AMAZING mural come to completion has been wonderful. Congratulations!!Thank you for sharing the beauty and hard work!

Don Gray said...

Right Simon--a legend...me and Usain Bolt! :^) Thanks for swelling my head, though. Love your recent watercolors.

Don Gray said...

Thank you Jennifer--and thanks for following the mural's process!

Anonymous said...

congratulations Don on this wonderful work of art! This was an amazing journey.. thank you :)

Diane Hoeptner said...

Wow! Fantastic work, Don!!

Don Gray said...

Rahina, I appreciate your following along--thanks!

Don Gray said...

Thank you so much, Diane!