Dundee spring tree mural

This is in the Library and the top of the tree is about 18' from the floor, which makes the width, what like 30' or so?

Dundee Library Mural

This Autumn I will be executing four large murals in the cavernous library of Dundee Elementary. I just got the final go-ahead today and I'm very excited about it all. There will be plenty of work (I'm anticipating to be in the library every day for the next three months), but it will be fun and should look good when I leave. It will also be seen by hundreds of kids every day for a long long time.

These are the elevation views of the mural. The detailed drawings will follow soon.

Oratorio in Retrospect

This past weekend "The Blizzard Voices" oratorio was performed twice. For me, it marked a number of firsts, which was pretty exciting. I'd never been involved with a theatrical production like that, never gotten to take a bow on stage (even though I felt a little out of place, but honored), never collaborated with people I knew (and thought famous) that went well.

I think it went well. The Holland center was full. I liked it...although in no small part because I was so familiar with it and the parts that were totally out of my control (music, singers, etc) sounded much better than I had been thinking they would.

I got a lot of press out of the deal, a nice mention in all the articles about the production. My picture with Ted Kooser in a couple of papers. Lots of reproductions of the drawings. nice nice nice.

I'm sometimes worried about praise, tho, because I don't think people would actually tell me if they hated it or thought my part of it sucked.

But even with that grain of doubt, I had a great time. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. The opera folks were a pleasure to deal with and often had very good input on what I was coming up with.

Dewey Park mural proposal

This is a proposal for a mural on the side of a handball court in Dewey Park. If executed, it would be 20'x40'.

Blizzard voices

Blizzard Voices

So I am currently doing a project which is very exciting for me. I'm designing the visual component for a new Operetta to be produced by Opera Omaha. Its based on a book of poems by Ted Kooser about the Blizzard of 1888 (lots of kids die). For The Blizzard Voices, I am producing 50 or so drawings which illustrate (in some cases) or make counter-points to the action in the libretto.

Down sides to the project?

1. I've only heard the music once, because the music director played it for me on the piano in his office.

2. I will have less than a month to be introduced to the project, plan it and execute it. It premiers on Sept 12.

3. doesn't hardly pay anything.

Still, it is a very fun job and hopefully I'll get some good publicity.

Blizzard Voices