From June 1 to August 24, 2018, I painted the Birds of Perkasie mural on the wall between the yard of the house we rented and our neighbors’ yard. They asked me to do it and supplied the base coat green and gray paints. Day 1 Photo is how far I got on June 1.
On Monday, June 4, I finished the first medallion, Mourning Doves, and got 3/4 finished with the second, Blue Jay. These birds inhabit the tree that overshadow the end of the wall. I added colored rings around the eight medallions and prepared the label shield. I measured the wall and discovered that there is room for 47 or 48 medallions.
I consulted with the Aark Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center to help me compose a list of birds native to Perkasie to portray on the wall. Those, combined with what I have personally observed, along with those reported to me by a couple of other Perkasie residents comprised the list.
Drive slowly by, or walk by (heading toward Sellersville). Our place was the little house on S. 5th and Spruce Streets.
During the course of painting it, many cars did, indeed, slow down to take a look, and slowed down traffic. Some drivers even exchanged encouraging comments with me. There were many pedestrians, as well. A few drivers stopped on Spruce and got out of their cars to thank me for painting the mural.
I should say something about the style of the medallions. These bird likenesses are not comparable to Audubon’s or those produced by Cornell University. They are primitive and set in colorful settings. Some of the medallions stylistically mimic Romani (Gypsy) decorative plates. I painted one pair of birds in a Distelfink medallion. The Wood Duck is portrayed from the 29 cent US postage stamp of the 1990s. The American Crow is a black silhouette of the bird in flight based on a tattoo pattern.
I painted the inscription so people would know what was going on and where to find more information. I paint because it lowers my blood pressure. No one paid me to do this. It cost me money for the paint and supplies. I live on disability after 6 strokes and 40 TIAs, and now a heart valve replacement. It’s a long story. So, if you want to support this, explore this website and buy some art.
We had a dedication open house for the mural on August 30, 2018. Anabelle Broadbent took photos. Bob Keeler of the Perkasie News-Herald was there. The article appeared in the September 9 print edition, and online some time before that.
I’m always looking for another wall to paint. In the meantime, I have painted a few more canvasses which I have pasted onto walls.