Day Eight, Grapefruit Mural, Clearwater, Florida: COMPLETION!

Yes! I finished and have a very happy client! Here are the completion shots:

This is the first panel. As you can see I painted these onto new construction. They are going to look wonderful when the surrounding grass, etc. is put in!

And here's panel two. My client is happy!

My client's testimonial:

"Thank you so much.  I love the artwork!  My sisters are jealous and want to ship you to Ohio to do their houses. Thanks again, it's just what I imagined!" - S.M.

Happiness like this is what makes my job so very worthwhile. :D

~Ana

 

Day Seven, Grapefruit Mural, Clearwater, Florida: My Place in the Sun

I'm back! Here are two shots from today's progress. The first is my scene every morning. I love it. :D

And here's today's image of panel #1. Still more work to do but it's coming along!

I'll be back at the walls tomorrow around my usual time of 6:30am; I'm getting excited as I can feel completion day coming soon. :D More tomorrow!

~Ana

Day Six, Grapefruit Mural, Clearwater, Florida: Changes

Well, the inevitable day arrived where I decided to make a change. I wasn't happy with the grapefruit segments on Panel #2 (with the curling rind), so painted over it and quickly began the detailing process anew. I think, all in all, it will end up looking more "correct".

My day today was cut short so am hoping to spend a bit more time painting tomorrow.

Before on the left; revised on the right. Even though I've just started the repair process, I think it  was a good decision to make the change.

And here are the full panels after today's short time at the walls:

Panel #1: just now starting some refinement on the segments

Still a ton of work to do, but am now more content with the segments. Stay tuned for refinement next week!

I hope you all have an excellent (and quick!) Friday tomorrow so that we can all jump into our weekends. And again, thanks for your interest. It is appreciated. :D

~Ana

Close-Up Shots of my Grapefruit Mural in Clearwater, Florida

Here are two close-up shots of my progress. It was 84 degrees at my back today; the sun heats up the walls like a hotplate, and the paint dries almost on contact. Despite all, I love what I do! :D

Paint dries within seconds. One has to be accurate with one's strokes!

Starting to shape up. Still a lot of work to do!

I'll post more images tomorrow. Thank you for your interest and support! :D

~Ana

Day Five, Grapefruit Mural, Clearwater, Florida: Things Are Heating Up!

Today marks day 5 of my ongoing 2-panel mural here in Clearwater. With the hot spring weather firmly in place, it's becoming a little more challenging. I am satisfied thus far on my progress and will be back at the walls around 6:30am tomorrow (gotta stay ahead of the sun!).

First of two panels of my latest project, The Grapefruit Mural

Second panel of The Grapefruit Mural

More photos and an update tomorrow. Thanks for your interest! :D

~Ana

Day Four, Grapefruit Mural, Clearwater, Florida: Refinement

Today I feel like things are finally coming together. I still have much more refinement to do on both panels, but that might have to wait a bit. It looks like the bad weather that has been sweeping through the midlands (my sympathies) is now due here. Consequently I might not be back to the walls until next week. We'll see...

I hope you all are well and happy. When you have a moment, do check in and let me know how you're treating life. :D

Love,

~Ana

Day Three: The Grapefruit Mural, Clearwater, Florida: Coming to Life

Day 3 in the lovely Florida sun. It's quite beautiful out as long as you can withstand the high temperature...in the direct sun..for hours. I happen to like it (as long as there's a breeze,) so no complaints here.

I worked on the two whole grapefruit today; one each on the two panels.

I'll probably be working on the grapefruit halves tomorrow. Lots of reshaping and defining to do with these. All in all, I'm just happy the blobs are starting to come to life!

More tomorrow...

~Ana

Day Two: The Grapefruit Mural, Clearwater, Florida: Adding Layers of Paint

Second day at the two-panel Grapefruit Mural. No refinement as yet; just applied some bright colors. At least they're pretty blobs now. :) I'll be back at it tomorrow!

Close-up of applying a second layer. I am primarily left-handed, but when it comes to painting I am ambidextrous.

Over the next couple of days I will be refining the shapes while adding more layers. Thanks for your interest!

~Ana

Coming Soon: Clearwater, Florida's Exterior "Grapefruit Mural" by Ana Livingston

Coming this month of April 2014: a private commission exterior mural dubbed the "Grapefruit Mural"

by Tampa Bay's Fine Artist & Muralist, Ana Livingston.

Stay tuned for daily updates!

~Ana

Birth of a Renaissance Master: Michelangelo – March 6th, 1475

Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni was born on the 6th of March in 1475. In my opinion he is the epitome of the High Renaissance.

“David”. Created between 1501 and 1504 from Carrara marble. Currently located in the Accademia di Belle Arti Firenze.

“David”. Created between 1501 and 1504 from Carrara marble. Currently located in the Accademia di Belle Arti Firenze.

Thank you, sir, for your endless inspiration and contribution to our culture. You are missed but could never be forgotten.

Renaissance master, Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni – 6 March 1475–18 February 1564

Renaissance master, Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni – 6 March 1475–18 February 1564

Love,

~Ana

My Heart and the Last Light of Day

There’s something magical about watching the sun calmly drift across a room.

After arriving home, I’d placed my earrings on a nearby table and burrowed under a soft blanket on the couch. While the sun continued its gentle march and evening slowly consumed the last light of day, it was by chance I looked down at this moment: when my heart danced to life.

Life truly is beautiful, isn’t it?

~Ana

Sending Warm Thoughts to My Northern Friends

I am originally from the islands in the Pacific Northwest and from there moved up into the mountains (I am adventurous that way). I lived on a plot of land that bordered the National Forest. The air was fresh, our creek’s water was pure glacial run-off, and there were firs and pines as far as the eye could see. Idyllic.

After a wonderful first summer and beautiful fall, winter struck on the first of November. I found myself buried under snow for the next six months of my life. One quickly learns at a point such as this that you have a choice: do or die.

Needless to say I got very adept with a snow shovel (and later on a snow blower) but even those tools didn’t do much in handling the constant physical (and mental) strain that arises from trying to carry on with even the simplest of daily activities.

I now reside on the Suncoast of Florida, but that does not mean I don’t have compassion and an understanding of what you folks up north are enduring. We are thinking of you down here and hope it ends very shortly.

From me to you, here’s a little something to warm your day:

Chin up!

Love,

Ana