The Ornament Tree
My art professor in college always said that bigger is better. She would look at our tiny canvases and tell us they were too small and give us examples of abstract expressionists like Robert Motherwell and Helen Frankenthaler to emulate. Unfortunately in college I could not afford it, the paint or the canvas. She should have given me a wall and a can of latex instead.
Dr. Mary would be proud of me now. I have an 8 foot by 13 foot canvas of concrete and I didn’t have to nail, staple or stretch anything. I like it this way. The only problem is transporting it once we move. 
As you can see, I am painting a tree. Elanor dubbed it the “Ornament” Tree because of all the circles I have yet to paint, but are on my little drawing I did before I started. I began work on May 6 and the mural is still very much a work in progress after nearly a month and half. This photo was taken Saturday after I decided the background needed to go beyond flat yellow. Slowly but surely, I’ll get it finished and I’ll keep you updated on my progress. If you want to see photos from the beginning, you can check out my album on Facebook.
ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!!! I wish I had that talent! Maybe you could come to Belize and make me a paint by number scene on my unpainted walls!!
Love you guys!! Becki Neu
June 27th, 2008 at 12:46 amMelissa, my kids say, “wow, that’s sick!” “Sick” meaning “good” here. I personally love it to.
June 27th, 2008 at 1:21 amAte Melissa that keeps on getting better. Great! I always wish I get to have my own wall to do something like this too… Maybe someday.
July 4th, 2008 at 12:55 amThanks for all of your encouraging comments. I need to get with it and finish this project. You should try painting on your walls. If you decide you don’t like it, you can always paint over it and try again
My former landlord let me paint a mural in our other house, maybe you can talk yours into doing so too Jana.
July 4th, 2008 at 8:45 am