In the spring of 2016, Beverly Area Arts Alliance in Illinois was searching for an artist to design and install a large scale public mural. The goal: build enthusiasm in the community and join a showcase of artists at their annual Beverly art walk. 

 

Based on my work in Rogers Park, I was selected to create a retro design that showcased the splendor and history of the Beverly neighborhood. Proud to be challenged with this wonderful effort, I involved myself headlong in the research and process of discovery important to finding significant cultural, personal and communal aesthetics that could help me construct a confident direction for the design.

 

Through input from and collaboration with the Beverly Board, we landed on a final inked image to scale. The next stage of the process was paint application.

 

After having the surface prepped and primed, I scaled my image by hand and painted for 9 days. Thankfully the weather cooperated! Finishing touches were completed on the day of the Beverly Art Walk 2016, where I enjoyed great exposure, appreciation, and heartfelt joy. Being able to provide such a wonderful community with such visual pleasure was an experience I will always treasure.