Number 22 is about to be installed in Park Forest, IL
This one tells the story of why the Lincoln Highway was named after the former President . . .
Seeing as how automobiles weren't around in Lincoln's day (if I have my history correct), the only real option was to paint a portrait - and tell the story. Since the official document was a "Proclamation", we were asked to somehow feature the original document in the design.
Sadly, the 'official' document was boring and uninspired. So we opted for a scroll-look on parchment . . . and symmetrical since we always have to tell the story and use the town's name. We used the exact wording from the original document - but punched up the design only moderately. I found a colored image of Lincoln as I was asked to do a colored mural this time - not another monochromatic paint.
But I have never painted a true, blended color portrait before so this one proved to be a real challenge. Color mixing and finding the right combination took a long time due to my inexperience with flesh tones. But as with all things, determination got me pretty close. Beginner's luck, to some degree, since it turned out OK considering my relative inexperience.
40 hours to paint the the flag background, scrolls, fades and the pictorial - including cleaning of the brushes. As always, mural panel engineering and border work by the stellar Joe Marshall . . . my design and paint.
The design is the first slide . . . I should have done that on the others so you could make a comparison . . .
Number 23 is for the town of New Lenox, IL . . . Project ends March 30, 2013 - 33 murals in all.
Posted by Sonny Franks (Member # 588) on :
Excellent, Jay (as always)
Posted by Pete Payne (Member # 344) on :
Wow Jay, nice work!
Posted by Jay Allen (Member # 195) on :
Pete . . . is that you? Pete . . .?? No poking? No verbal jabs?
Are you OK?
Posted by Pete Payne (Member # 344) on :
yep it's me, when I see work that nice, I'll take the highway, or is that the high road? No pink shorts, beegees or harley jokes. I'll save them for a more appropriate time and place. I am in awe of your talent , sir!
Posted by bill riedel (Member # 607) on :
WOW! What a great job, it looks like all the work on so murals has paid off. Excellent painting of Lincoln.
Posted by Tim Barrow (Member # 576) on :
Ya dun good Jay! well worth my finest compliments!
Posted by Brent Logan (Member # 6587) on :
Great job Jay!
Posted by Catharine C. Kennedy (Member # 4459) on :
Your highway has certainly led to great results!!!
Posted by Dennis Raap (Member # 3632) on :
Very nice Jay the portrait looks great!
Posted by Preston McCall (Member # 351) on :
I would love to see some close ups, Jay. Stunning work! Very inspiring, indeed.
Posted by Jay Allen (Member # 195) on :
Jiminy . . . that's some high praise from some very talented people. I'm blushing pink, Pete . . . My most sincere thanks for such genuine comments.
I believe that any person can do just about anything - if they really try. I believe that osmosis - by surrounding myself with amazingly talented people - has been the real driver behind this new skill I have been forced to learn. At work or more often with Letterheads/Walldogs, I have simply seen some of the very best work there is. Who wouldn't be inspired?
So you could say "I've been watching" you all (creepy, huh?) . . . and with Billy Hueg's simplified training while living with us for months . . . I simply couldn't have gotten a better 'head start'.
Not one of us is incapable of doing this very same thing you have so kindly remarked about here. Not one.
Not one.
Think about it.
Then go do it. Whatever "it" is . . .
[ April 27, 2012, 03:27 PM: Message edited by: Jay Allen ]
Posted by Mike Simpson (Member # 20303) on :
Very nice Jay. Can't add anything more than what everyone else has said. I'm inspired for sure. Great job!!! Talent on multiple levels.
Posted by Craig Sjoquist (Member # 4684) on :
WOW outstanding I'm in awe as to everything about it.
Posted by Pete Payne (Member # 344) on :
for tonight "it" is plunking my butt in in a big comfy chair. And Jay, you're right, after many long hours of practice I can modestly say I'm damn good at it!
Posted by Bob Sauls (Member # 11321) on :
Way to go, Jay. Most impressive indeed. There is just something about Lincoln's face and I am not sure it's just our familiarity with it that makes it so iconic.
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
Another great piece in a long series of great murals! Awesome Jay!
-grampa dan
Posted by Rusty Bradley (Member # 6938) on :
Most excellent and inspiring...and what everybody else said again.
Posted by Preston McCall (Member # 351) on :
Close ups?
Posted by Jay Allen (Member # 195) on :
Preston . . . just those 3 shots in the slideshow . . . Those are the only closeups I took.
I could send you those via email if you would like to zoom in on them. They should be of a high enough quality to observe the greater details.
But it is up and installed now so I can't snap any quickies for you . . .
![[Wink]](wink.gif)