Volume XV, Issue Va
Staunton's Colorful Sunflower Mural
Homeschool Group's Students Work to Beautify City Wall
The Augusta Christian Educators (ACE) Co-Op of Augusta County, Virginia chose Madeline Maas's design for a mural to be painted in downtown Staunton. She completed it this past week with help from her fellow studio art students.
See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.” – Matthew 6:28-29
When Amanda Riley created the studio art program for Augusta Christian Educators (ACE) Coop, she sought to give her students some large experiences. Having the vision of creating a large mural she approached the owner of the old Augusta County Equipment Depot at the corner of Greenville Avenue and Johnson Street. Determining that it was on the edge of the Gospel Hill Historic District, Amanda spent hours pursuing the opportunity for students through a series of bureaucratic hoops. The process would end up taking most of the Summer.
Noticing Madeline Maas’s painting of sunflowers done in the class, she said “that’s it!” and so began the process that led to Staunton’s newest mural. Studio art students came out and put paint to the wall to make the vision a reality. The unending rains forced a compressed schedule as our graduating seniors were about to head off to other places but thankfully a number of them actually did get to paint. It has become ‘a gift to the City of Staunton’ that brightens many a person’s daily commute. Those of us who teach under Amanda have really grown to love and appreciate her vision and bright energy. It is a privilege to work with her!
Maas is a very energetic painter who lays bright color down and works up to details in her paintings, be they portraits or florals. Part of the experience that was new to her was working with a lot of help to bring her design to life. She’s used to working all over the canvas to bring up highlights and she made herself a brush extension tool to allow her to do the same as she put the finishing touches on the work.
The mural was completed last week. Mike Tripp of the Staunton News Leader prepared This Video [click to watch] and took These Photos [click to view] of the artist at work. The mural is a project of Augusta Christian Educators Homeschool Coop and provided an opportunity for studio art students to experience working on a large scale painting.
Benjamin Riley paints a Leaf.
Luke Riley adds highlights.
Michelle LaBreque makes a sunflower petal!
Cassaday Bush adds some of the vibrant underpainting.
Caleb Maas works up the underpainting.
Jessica Deckle adds some contrasting background.
Here Madeline uses a tool she created to allow her to move over large areas to add highlights. Photos by Bob Kirchman.
