One would think an artist that specializes in public murals would spend a lot of time in February waiting for the scenery to change outside of the window. Not so for me. Not all of my work is outside and not all of my work is illustration. For example, last night I traveled to St. Charles, MO to add one more restaurant venue to my developing photo series titled “Behind the Swinging Doors.” This series captures the command center of any restaurant, the kitchen. I take a vintage 1940′s panoramic camera and get in close with the staff, the food and the fire. The black & white panoramic images present the life a customer never sees in his favorite restaurant. I am choosing popular restaurants by region in and around St. Louis. Last night was “Grappa Grill”, my St. Charles representative. Look forward to the free photo samples this week!
Tomorrow I finish the second project in Washington, MO in the last twelve months. The new Victorian Manor Memory Center will be completed for me. I have left them with over a dozen artfully conceived backdrop murals for the residents. The entire facility will be finished by the end of February. This project marks the sixth healthcare facility with the Quick Development Company.
This week will also usher in the long awaited painting of three large sports murals for Joe Buck’s restaurant in downtown St. Louis. The designs have been approved and preliminary work has started but, this week the paintings are the top of the list for creation. All three will be completed by March when the images will then go to print and to the wall. There will be posters available at an anticipated unveiling party to be announced in March. All will be in place before the opening pitch of the 2012 Baseball season.
In addition, there has been agreement with my Viva Cuba mural friends in Cuba, MO for a new easel-size painting to be created. This painting will depict “The Night Before Christmas on Route 66″ in Cuba, MO. The painting will become the property of a local patron to be announced. The image will be used in the continual marketing of the famous Route 66 town in posters and other items. This art will be officially promoted during CubaFest 2012 this October. Design discussions will begin soon however.
Along with these projects, there is talk of an additional Route 66 mural in another popular Mother Road destination, a mural at a new landscape nursery and possibly some spiritual additions to one of my previously painted venues. This is all I can say now but look forward to all of these projects becoming a reality this year. Follow along on my Twitter feed at RayHarveyArt!
