posted
It's been a two year project... sort of like instant success.
From first discussions to final mural... a little over two years. Amazing!
It looks like I'm on my way to Sterling, Illinois to do my fifth historical mural there. I had some persistent doubts (for a minute or two) in the last couple of years.
The last couple of weeks have been a little tense with last minute delays in regard to aquiring the necessary work visa for me to go south & do the mural. Free trade seems to be a myth.
The last couple of weeks have also been busy here with the move & final preparations for our busy summer season.
But only a mere week late, we have the required paper work almost in hand. That leaves 8 days in my schedule to travel to Illinois, paint the mural & get home again... no sweat.
Any hopes of travelling around a bit in the area while I was working on the project are now somewhat GONE however.
So if any heads are in the neighborhood and feel like dropping by, I know where I will be... on a south wall up on a scaffold in the blazing sun working like a fool with a crazy deadline.
I'd love to see ya!
-dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8761 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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I don't yet have my permit or ticket in hand, but as of tonight (Wednesday) I should arrive sometime Friday (Yup, this week) and start painting immediately... and be done in about a week or less and on my way home on the 28th of June.
The mural is quite a simple one (lots of sky) and smaller in scale as well compared to many I've done (9' X 50'). It is all scaffold work however as it is on the second story of a building. They are supplying a power lift for me. Here's a low rez pic for those interested...
-dan
[ June 19, 2003, 01:46 AM: Message edited by: Dan Sawatzky ]
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8761 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Another update in this wonderful endless saga...
It seems Imigration won't fax any documents anywhere since 911 and the documentation is 'IN THE MAIL' so I sit and wait here in B.C. while my clients in Illinois do the same. It was supposed to be a two week mural festival - only their artist is out of the country. I guess that would make it an international festival
The visa states that I need to be finished the mural on the 28th of June... imagine the delay and paperwork an time extension would create...
We are still hoping that I fly out tomorrow. If everything isn't in place at the airport I could still end up turning around and coming home.
I'll believe this job is really happening when I'm actually on the plane on the way to Illinois.
This has been one very interesting job so far to say the least!
-dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8761 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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I'l be using acrylic paints, and the wall is a relatively smooth surfaced (I HOPE!) acrylic stucco building.
I will be using two to three inch good quality brushes and my own smaller fitches to do the mural including blends. I generally open three or four containers of paint and just go at it from one side to the other. The sky shouldn't take more than a couple of hours, even with two coats of paint. The first coat I'm not too fussy and the second coat goes on smooth. I'll work up a sweat no doubt.
I'm hopin it is going to be hot so it dries real quick... and allows me to really get on with this mural. Time is going to be short by the looks of it.
If I get some 'rough' spots in the sky blend I'll add some clouds to take care of things.
The mural commemorates the first airplane flight over Sterling and the portrait is the guy who did it. The scroll tells the story.
-dan
[ June 19, 2003, 01:12 PM: Message edited by: Dan Sawatzky ]
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8761 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Well Dan, you never cease to amaze me. What a powerhouse of energy (and talent). I just cruised your web site thoroughly too, for the first time since I've had high speed access - you are definitely doing the things I used to dream of. My goals have changed somewhat in the last 20 years, but I get very excited seeing your creativity, maybe even live a little vicariously through your exploits. The best part is I can tell you're only getting started.
SONGPAINTER Original Sign Music by Sign People NOW AVAILABLE on CD and the proceeds go to Letterville's favorite charity! Click Here for Sound Clips! Posts: 1974 | From: Orleans, MA, Cape Cod, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Lets say you do get to Sterling, IL, its a big place, so are we suppose to drive around till we see you working?
Address Please.
And Dan, Bring or buy a safety belt. OSHA fines are $5000 per person each occurance. You don't need that trouble. All it would take is someone out there with a camera or a news reporter doing a story and bimgo, the sign police are on your case.
[ June 19, 2003, 10:12 PM: Message edited by: Dave Draper ]
posted
I wish I could tell you folks where in Sterling the mural is... but I don't know and won't find out until I get there.
I know the mural isn't far from the hardware store where we are getting my paint. And I know it isn't too far from my other murals. Sterling as I remember it isn't that large a town... but it's been 5 years since I was there. It is right in the core that I am doing the work.
If you find this mural I'm not far away... http://www.imaginationcorporation.ca/sterling.htm And I know it's real hard for us men but you could always ask directions from one of the local folks. (that's what I'm gonna do when I get there) I won't have time to find it on my own.
This job is about the wierdest one I have ever taken on as far as organization. Well, on second thought, at least it's up near the top of the list.
I phoned the lawyer in Sterling who's looking after the permit today... and everyone is still hopeful it will come together tomorrow, but who knows at this point. The governer is trying to expedite things without much success to date. If it goes longer than tomorrow I'm not quite sure what's going to happen but we will have to pull the plug on the job soon if things don't come together.
I have no doubt they will provide me with a safety belt. But thanks for the advise Dave!
The scroll & my spelling mistakes will be readable from the street.
So here's hoping it all comes together tomorrow!!
-dan
[ June 20, 2003, 01:17 AM: Message edited by: Dan Sawatzky ]
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8761 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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![[Smile]](smile.gif)
in the last couple of years.
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