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Dedicated to the men and women whose century of labor helped build the community we know and appreciate today
The corner of High St. and W. Milwaukee St. In downtown Janesville, Wi. Had seen better days. This building housed the Milwaukee Bar for many years. It now is a Mexican restaurant, The Laz Azteca. It needed a little paint. This building has since been sold and upgraded. The mural was damaged in the process but am fixing damage as it happens
The Neighboring building is an important structure in Janesville history. The Janesville Armory.
Home of the 192nd Tank Battalion. Or as they became known "The Janesville 99". Sent to the Phillipines shortly before Pearl Harbor, They were overwhelmed by Japanese Forces and surrended by "I shall return" General Mac arthur. Following the infamous Bataan Death March, only 35 returned.
Other near by beautiful buildings are restored. Some not so much. Hope that the mural is a tiny step in the right direction to inspire a little pride of place.
Across from the Armory, and directly across the street from the mural, stands The Monterey Hotel. When completed in 1930, at the start of the great depression, it was the jewel of the region. John & Jaqueline Kennedy visited on campaign visit, Joe Louis, The King of Siam, were a few of the notable guests of this grand Art Deco Building. Why would the King of Siam visit? George S. Parker Started the Parker Pen Co. here in Janesville and was a early pioneer in civil aviation. He would fly people from around the globe in for business.
I am in fact, a proud graduate of George S. Parker Sr. High. On another personal note, my mother Naomi Richter, was the first female Real Estate Broker, in Janesville. She had her first office in the corner of the Monterey. Have not lost faith in the hope that it will be restored.
This was the initial sketch for the project. A 24 x 36" acrylic painting on canvas.
With a 90 year history I decided to focus on one 5 year period of production. The late 1950's.
The phrase Iconic, is sometimes over used. These auto's have stood the test of time and do reflect a design period that has left these models some of the most collectible around. Famed designer Harley Earl had a part in most.
Mr. Clapper at Fagan was more than informative and made some suggestions. As you can tell he gave me complete freedom in final design and execution! That does not always happen
Because this was started in October, time was of the essence. The building itself was, and is still in need, of a little TLC. The mural site prep began with multiple power wash. Then primed with two coats of latex primer.
The paint used is from NOVA. A Los Angeles company that specializes in mural paint. High in pigment and binders, it designed to last.
Here is the JATV you tube of my talk at Janesville Art League." The Art of Mural making". This was held at the beautiful Women's Club Building, just blocks from the mural site. I am a little long winded so I talked for an hour. You may want to "sample"...Also did a presentation at Fermenting Cellars Winery in Edgerton, WI. No video but here is photo of presentation area. Beautiful country facility.
The " Janesville Circuit " Mural
Janesville Icons
- Photo courtesy of Pat Sparling Photography
It should be noted that "The Plant" was part of the "Arsenal of Democracy". During the war years (1941-1945) all civilian production was halted to produce a variety of military related items, including this Janesville made restored military truck.
The Process
Behind the '56 Bel Air you can see the grid I used to scale the cars. I had intended to project them for sake of speed and detail. However, the ambient light from street made that all but impossible.
I would like to acknowledge two talented artists that helped me on this project. Mr. Kurt Buggs of "Signworks" helped mostly with the graphic's end of things. Not easy to do lettering on a brick surface. Of course, Kurt likes to stay close to the ground! And that is where Mr. Luke Woodring comes in. At 20 years our junior, Luke commuted from home near Milwaukee and had no problems doing the ladder height in flip flops.
And then it snowed
In the 1960's and 70's ithe Armory served as a venue for live music on weekends. Early versions of Cheap Trick and every local band played there. The epicenter of the automobile "circuit".
Because Janesville had always been a "G.M." town, it was natural to approach the local GM auto dealership first about sponsorship. Owner and President of Fagan Automotive, Bob Clapper, was very receptive to the project. Besides the obvious appreciation of our auto heritage, Bob shared a civic pride to help this little corner out.
Kinetic palette. 2001 Ford Focus
keep looking up!
mural
"Bright Futures"
On first day of priming, around the corner came a group supporting a "Heart Walk". Talk about a good omen! Karma?
Courtesy of Pat Sparling Photography
Original sketch. Rough idea's about uniquely Janesville subject matter. A beardless Abe Lincoln. In the time Abe stayed here at the Tallman home, he was beardless.
I used my artistic license and incorporated a more recognizable image of Abe. Also helped with right side composition to make larger. Included is Rock Aqua Jays. a Nationally known Water Sky Team. "The Plant" of course provided the "59 fins needed to move to the right and cross the Japanese bridge at Rotary Gardens. The "I" in Janesville is a Parker Pen. And of course the Lincoln Tallman Home.
2 0 2 0
Disappointed in not receiving one of 5 commissioned local murals (in a pandemic year), I set up a system similar to the Janesville Circuit mural. Meaning I had to secure site, set up funding. The overwhelming community support came thru and I secured a three story building canvas! Disappointed at first but determined to...
Keep Looking Up!
The original design for the "art infusion" project was for a tall vertical building. Only issue was they had the wrong building on RFP and that never existed. This building has a fire escape. So I had my trusty artistic license with me again and changed the layout. Like adding Elvis. The rusted steal security bars reminded me of Jailhouse rock so painted in bright rainbow colors
Another building that needed some help. Lucky I knew the owner.
First day of double priming, as brick was in rough shape.
Alleys always used lower grade brick.
Will add many more images of this in progress...Many great selfies also.
In February of 2021, I received an e mail from the Boys and Girls Club of Janesville to discuss a mural on the side of their club in downtown Janesville. After many meetings and design discussions, this was their final discission. Other issues pushed start date to July 1st. What an honor and privilege to work with such a great group of people, supporting such a meaningful part of our community.
Final gouache sketch.
The grid represents 5 x 5 ' area's put on 20 x 60' wall.
2 0 2 1
Had visitors everyday. This group from Kandu made my day. Although I spend more time talking then painting?
Front page news from Janesville Gazette. Back to back years! I appreciate. Drone on my dome.
The alley redevelopment was behind schedule so I started late in October. Lots of obstructions so no lifts or scaffolding could be used. The snow ended work on site. Came back in Spring and touched up some. Still needs another final week.
IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) Contributed their skills in stringing the lights for dramatic night alley effects.
So much has happened to this little corner in the last 10 years. The Mighty Monterey has been going through a $20 million dollar restoration.
This 1929 Art Deco landmark Hotel will be turned into apartments with ground floor business space..
Many more image's to be added from this mural. A true honor to do
2016
2021
Image curtesy of Pat Sparling Photography
Jefferson City Hall
Jefferson Wisconsin
MURAL 2022
The Doty Mill Alley mural
Image courtesy of Pat Sparling Photography
Image courtesy of Pat Sparling Photography
Image courtesy of Blue Tree Photography
Proud to have this spot used as a popular selfie location.
Soon to have a page for all the selfies taken in my mural locations in Janesville, Jefferson and Evansville
Having been involved with the Jefferson Plein Air painting Event the past two years, I was made aware that the City was planning on doing a mural on their City Hall Building. I expressed my interest and became involved in the process. They put out a RFP (request for proposal) and I put in my proposal and after a period of time and interviews was accepted.
2021
Brought new ownership to my mural site. Much needed work done to exterior and complete interior restoration! Unfortunately damage was done to mural. On left you can see door filled in for instance. Have fixed by adding another vehicle. In night photo below left, you can see I added a front end view of 1956 Bel Air to fix brick work.
Photo courtesy of Pat Sparling Photography
Janesville Gazette did a up date on the work. Always nice.
First rough draft. A little too busy so after many talks decided on 'Bright Futures"
Alleyway makes for a great backdrop for Farmers Market
"The Smoky Nights Band" stopped by while work in progress. Im in yellow shirt.
I joined the band playing the brush!
drone image courtesy of Bert Webb Photography
Photo courtesy of Kevin Corkhill Photography
Master stained glass artist Richard Synder and assistant Jim Crittenden assisting me with his scaffolding for repair work. You can see car added in left to fix brick work. Rick specializes in very old church repair on stained glass and wood. Amazing and one of very few who can do!
Theatre Rex Mural. Evansville Wisconsin. Details coming soon. Work in progress image
in May of 2018 I had the opportunity to be involved in the ARISE redevelopment program in downtown Janesville. I was commissioned by a group of local business and civic leaders who formed The Doty Mill Alley Group. Besides the mural they did planters, lighting and other improvements.
This is a massive undertaking by the City, public, and private involvement to transform the once blighted riverfront, in the middle of the city on both sides of the Rock river. My small, yet rewarding, contribution is described here
JANESVILLE POSTCARD MURAL
2018
T- Rex
