It's (mostly) Official...

Well, there it is  -

The signature means I'm done.  Really, I could probably tweak something here and there forever, but I realize that must stop somewhere.  Maybe I'll be caught making an adjustment in the middle of the night under cover of darkness, but for now I'm content with the end product.

I did add a lupin-type flower to the tabletop for added color and visual interest.

I also added some of a dull reddish color to the hillsides - I color I remember seeing when I was in the "observation" stages of the mural.  I wanted to add another layer of color to the first 2 panels without going overboard - the rest of the mural is vibrant and busy enough and the first panels are intended to contrast that energy with the more bucolic setting of the fields.

A ruddy red on parts of some of the upper hillsides

Now, I will begin the layers of exterior varnish and Voila!  It's off to the city it goes...

Soooooo Close...

You have to look close to see strawberries...

I'd say that I knocked a lot off of the to-do list today!  The biggest hurdle was what used to be an undefined field beneath the cauliflower wave.  Now, it has been planted and is full of strawberries ready to be picked (although no one will be able to see them unless they're up close).

The field "before"

The field "after"

Other things that were done were little touch-ups here and there, including the chef's shoes - he's now wearing creepers (a nod to my husband, Smitty).

Anything after this will be minimal changes - I'm thinkin' more contrast on the columns, maybe on some viney pieces as well...then it's varnish time!

A Conversation With Myself...

"You know those letters that you did with the dark blue edging and light blue center were far to bold for mural?  They real drew too much attention."

"Yes, I know.  That's why I changed the centers to green and posted pictures.  I thought the green would blend in a little bit better."

Dark blue edging with a green center

"Weeellllllll, it's still not working.  That dark blue edging with the dark green is still too demanding."

"Oh, it's fine.  Just live with it a little bit.  You'll get used to it."

"Come on, who are you kidding?  You should know to trust your instincts by now."

"Do you realize how long I've spent hunched over on the floor doing these letters over and over?  My back is sore, I've got a kink in my neck..."

"Yes, I know.  But, I think you're making excuses.  Do you really want to drive by the mural for years wishing you had changed the color?"

(Grumbling...sigh)

"Alright, you win.  I'll repaint the letters AGAIN.  I'll use a dark green/light green comination so that it is more harmonious with the background...BUT THIS IS THE LAST TIME!"

Dark green edging with light green center

Letters and Leaves...

Spent a good part of today kneeling and lying on the garage floor painting...and repainting...letters.

I think I already mentioned that I wasn't excited about painting letters and, yes, I did overfuss it.  The more I tried to refine the letters, the less I liked them (and the more they seemed to draw attention away from the mural).  In the end, I went back to fairly loose letters (sans serif).  The title simply reads:  Celebrate the Harvest - Santa Maria Valley (across the bottom of 3 panels)

I also worked on detailing the leaves around the pumpkins and building a little more contrast in that area.

Now, I'm a little more excited about working on the mural again.  I will be moving some panels tonmorrow to (finally) detail the field beneath the wave.  There'll be a little bit of greenery and some dots of red (strawberries) to pull a teensy bit more color into those first two panels.

At least I won't have to lay on the floor for the next phase!

Finally, Some Pictures...

Well, not only did the laptop get a virus, but the charger ceased charging.  Then, the desktop computer got a really nasty virus, rendering it useless.  And, on a sad note, my fathe- in-law, Robert Smith, passed away last weekend.  Needless to say, no mural progress worth noting has happened...that is, until now.

Little details have been my focus - the bottle and wine glasses...

...the swirled hair and curling vines on the Dionysus character...

...and the vines reaching across the top of the arch.

Now, I've started some lettering along the bottom (the mural's title) and I'll show that when I've worked out some kinks.   One thing I've realized is that I really don't like doing the lettering.  Since it's along the bottom, I have to be down low on the floor and it gets uncomfortable quickly.  Also, I tend to overfuss letters, so it can be tedious. 

The only thing after that is the field beneath the wave - I have to line up the panels in order to put in the plants and some dots of red strawberries.

The Studio Photo-Bomber Strikes Again!

Summer is running out, so I'd really like to be done and work on some personal projects for a change.  Unfortunately, I don't think much of that will happen.  So, finishing the mural will be my summer goal.