Umatilla River Ecology Mural, Pendleton, Oregon (USA)
Not only two-legged pedestrians took an interest in the mural's progress. This dog, apparently passing by without his owner, was very interested in the portrayal of skunks.
During a two-week period in July/August 2002, I was invited to conduct a mural workshop through the Pendleton Art Center
in partnership with the Friends of the Umatilla River.
The program was open
to a limited number of high school students
who were selected from a roster of applicants.
Actual specimens were available
for students to draw from.
A field trip was made to the river as well to collect plant material from which to draw. The drawings, along with other source imagery, were referenced when work began on the mural itself.
Clockwise from above:
Drawing a small finch;
Comparing specimen mounts
with written source materials;
Making a detailed rendition of
a small hawk;
Drawing a flicker.
ABOVE:
The mural wall is approximately six feet high and tapered at each end. It follows a gentle curve of road. The Umatilla River is visible just beyond the wall. Although the wall faces south, some trees across the street provided a welcome relief from the mid-summer sun.
BELOW:
Students confer with each other to resolve placement and size of elements in the imagery.
LEFT & ABOVE:
Close-up details from the completed mural.
The wall is concrete and contains numerous imperfections, making it a challenging surface to paint on. Oil-based paints were used. Students mixed colors freely, both in containers and on the wall surface itself. Prior to starting the imagery, students painted a base coat of brick-colored primer. The primer served two purposes: It unified the completed work and it also made the wall easier to look at in the bright sun at the start of the work.
CLICK
ON THE IMAGES
FOR A LARGER VIEW.
During the first week, students attended professional presentations about the Umatilla River's history, it's significance to Native Americans and to Pendleton, and the web of life it supports in its riparian zone.
Fawn
Beavers
Boatman (aquatic insect)
Native American
Dragonflies
Muskrat swiming above Bull Trout
Salmon
Salmon
Whitetail Deer
Blue Heron
Hornets, nest
River Otters
Osprey
Night Heron
Racoons
Flicker (in progress)
Mallard hens
Finch (in progress)
Kingfisher
Mallards
Seagulls
Ash-throated Flycatchers
Spider - Student's chalk lines still visible at stage this was photographed.
Spider
Fishermen
Bull Trout
Email me
for information about an Artist in Residence program
for your school
or organization.
Ferel cat
Email me
for information about an Artist in Residence program
Drawing a small finch; 
