Two weeks ago, the Lee County Juvenile Probation Department (in Dixon, Illinois) along with artists Debbie Thompson, Arin Thompson, and Jayne Rose joined forces to create a mural to go on a 10′ H x 20′ long wall in the waiting room of the probation office. Five kids needing to complete their community service that have an aptitude for art. They were selected by Mary Huffman (head of the juvenile probation department) to work with 3 professional artists. Sounds better than picking up trash, doesn’t it?!
Arin Thompson came of with the idea of using trees as the subject. Not just standard, realistic trees mind you,but trees of fantasy, spirit, growth, and hope. The kids were given some illustrations of trees to look at and then make their own. Jayne, Debbie, and Arin joined in the painting too. It was relaxing and seemed to loosen everyone up from the beginning quietness and reserved attitudes. By the second day of painting together, smiles came more easily. Here are some pictures of the process from beginning sketching and painting each teen’s tree design to completed mural. Stop by often to see the mural develop.
Tree with Red Bird after one day’s painting.
Tree with Red Bird on day 2.
Copper colored tree with Unicorn on the first day.
Copper tree after 2nd day of work.
Just got as far as the pencil sketch on the first day, but it is very strong.
This striped tree has a great start.
See…the Striped Tree finished up strong!
This red tree with a sun shows strong design sense.
On the second day, the color looks fabulous!
After the kids finished their second day of painting, the trio of teachers tackled painting the background of the mural wall.
The next post will show the finished mural background and what happens when artists get tired and hungry. Goofiness ensues.
