Because Silvan was inspired to have a mural in his Art Library, I began to think on those lines. I love Art books and often would come away with some exciting ideas just by looking at the art of others, especially the ones I covet. The most difficult part of creating art is sharing it. If you are truly involved with the work, there is a danger that you will be judged, and that can be painful. In this room, I am hoping to accomplish one thing, to create a space where one can sit and think, enjoy, be creative and feel safe to do so!

The pillars. I started with pillars reaching up into the sky. It would have been more dramatic with the walls included. You can find the unfinished wall panels on http://www.lynettestudio.com/muralzoom/finished-mural.html Each pillar represented a different sort of architectural design. By doing this, I hope to illustrate the awe I feel whenever I see a new (or old) design and how architecture effects us every day. Our moods, our working ability, our overall self can be affected by our surroundings and the buildings we live in. This is why Art is important. I humbly apologize that though this is a large project for me, I have hardly represented all the styles and techniques of the world.
Architecture
In the window, our friend Silvan, the main perpetrator of this project, is peering out the window. He is passionate about architecture and has kept our center worthy of the reputation as one of the most beautiful Art Centers of the state. This is my nod and thanks to him. The window is a sort of gothic style brick I like to use in paintings of fantasy.

The next pillar to the east is by contrast a more neoclassical. It is followed by Greek and Egyptian on the east end of the room. They are accompanied by giant Tulips that have always symbolized new and beginning to me as they bloom in the spring. I dreamt once that I was walking through a giant flower forest. It was a wonderful feeling being protected by these beautiful canopies and I wish to share it with others. Flowers also represent to me a strength that you don’t immediately see because of the beauty and the seemingly fragile petals. But when you think of the weather they endure, the soil and conditions, and the wonderment of their ability to be so beautiful after all that, you see a strength that endures. They also tell us, “it’s okay, you can be colorful”.

Continuing, the next pillar is a golden Dragon wrapped around a Chinese design. He is looking at a book, can be any book, but he is beautiful at any rate. Almost every culture has a dragon in it’s mythology somewhere. They are good and bad, but always strong and creative.

One of the most nurturing art forms is quilting. We have a large quilting culture here and what a beautiful way to keep your loved ones warm. It amazes me the different styles and stories that come out of the shows we have here. My mother gave me one of my favorite ones, “Spider in the garden”. I painted it because it was there but it represents all quilters. The cats sitting on it (the only time they will ever get to sit on it!) are my cats Newton, Alice and George. All members of my present family are here, the cats, my dog Feargus, my parrot Tinker, and of course Michael, my husband with his camera, another Art form. All have been a support while I have worked on this, especially my husband.

This time we have a tree trunk instead of a pillar, that brings us into the realm of nature. The branches of the tree are embracing the room and hopefully bring the feeling of safety to create without boundaries. The mystery and fantasy one feels when walking in the woods bring about the faerie world and it’s unpredictable nature at the same time. The one with the striped stockings, sitting in the lower branch is anyone who wants to put herself there. She is reading a cook book that includes the secret recipe of the late Wanda Christopherson’s caramels. Also, the lace petticoat was inspired by the patterns created by the leaves of the tree. Those leaves continue on throughout the sky and take the shape of birds, and anything you would like. The medallion that holds the light, does just that, holds the light, and all characters with ribbons are helping to hold it up. In some cases it is more hanging from than holding up, but that is more of a happy accident that came from working on each piece individually in a small room. It gives the ribbons a duel purpose of holding up as well as drawing from the support. I like the ambiguous nature.

Pegasus is one of the characters to assist in holding up. He is just a wonderful mythical character and I just like painting him. Below him are ravens who also have a dual nature. Some think of black and evil, but in England they are saviors of the country. The ducks, Betty and Bill, are frequent visitors from Morehouse Park. They are reading, remember, this is fantasy, a book written by a very creative friend of mine, Christopher Cook. Also, a book by Otilia Johnson, I made it up, she doesn’t paint, but if she did, she would write a beautiful book about it and her dog, Georgia would be on the cover.

The next pillar is an Indian carving. I did some carving of my own with the Logo I have worked with for over 40 years in my freelance, and next is yours truly with my brushes amongst the nasturtiums. I have purposely painted myself in an unfinished manner for I am not done yet. The next pillar is more typical of this area, arts and crafts.

There is a skater up there with the faeries and birds, and the next pillar is an intricately carved stone victorian where the carvings turn into whimsical clematis. Here I wanted to not define which came first. The vine of the clematis has it’s own direction but it was painted whimsically so it can be looked at as an inspiration from the pillar. But the pillar is inspired by the vine as well.

Lastly, above you will see Dede and Jean Zamboni along with (late) Alice Ottinger who with Jean Z, had a small print/art business here in Owatonna back in the seventies and eighties. They were a few of the original founders of this center. The vases that sport the sunflowers are by Carman Bye who like many made good use of the facilities downstairs. These women represent to me the exchange of creation and reception of Art and friendship of the highest level.

Actually, I did   an old blog loosly keeps you abreast of all the things I am doing with a mural I am working on here at the Owatonna Arts Center. I have been working on it for a year, and was suppose to be done with it last October. All people involved have been extremely patient and helpful.

So, here I start on April 18 that is a continuance of the old blog.  Back there, (old blog) I commenced to talk about the complications coming up with this project. By now, I don’t even see a need to explane anything.

I have come to the part where I refine some of the details on the underpainting before I add color. Soon, the color will be applied fast and furiously. The hard part about painting like this, is when you are painting with an idea to let the stream of consciousness flow, you might want to allow for some fickleness which can be a drag when you have something come up mid stream. Changing it is like moving the weight bearing walls while building a house. But we do make changes.

Will do more later.