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Sum Of Witch Bits ???????????? (grin)

© Jo Murphy

From the idea through the grant process to creation. This slogan is often displayed on a ticker located at the top of my business website. What it means is that when a community aspires to create murals, I can provide the tools to facilitate the process every step of the way. Not only that - I often have to - if we are going to get the project off the ground at all. It is always hard to find the funds for the artistic enhancement of environments. I often need to be a part of the process from the very beginning, guiding members about which kinds of ideas will be likely to receive funding and how to achieve the most for their community through muraling. The benefits of muraling will be the topic of a future article. However 'just for today' I would like to explore the offerings of the 'Sweet' (as I like to call Suite101) with regard to mural creation. I will show you how I can stay right here at this library/educational portal and be able to offer my clients affordable access to all that they need to begin the process and to stay motivated. For the sake of this exercise let's just say that your community has put forward a convincing case for funding. To do this you have used Tool Box For Community Builders. Of course!

Lets just say that you have been able to adopt the ideas contained in Image,Image On The Wall and that you have become convinced that your community is more than capable of planning and executing an attractive mural. You are getting ready to begin the process.

Take Your Time!

I suggest that you take your time. I try to convince communities that there is absolutely no hurry and that the slower the process the better. Slow down and plan, plan, plan. Drawing is the crucial aspect of good mural design. I would encourage as many group members as is possible to enrol in the course Visual Literacy - A Course In Drawing The course offers a way to generate thematic ideas that come about as a response to a process of journaling. The course takes students through a guided journey of idea development. Again I stress sssssslow down..... If you think about it, once a mural is painted it is here for a good while! Paint something that really appeals to your members! Paint something that is an absolute enhancement of the environment and has popular appeal for all. Journaling as a group gives your members a starting point for discussion. It helps you develop the tools of Visual Literacy with which to discuss and explore various avenues of creativity and unique innovative ideas. It would be fun also to make sure you are subscribed to topics such as

ArtExercise. "This is a place to get ideas, share ideas, and practice your hobby or trade."

and

Digital Photography and Editing. "We'll go together and those photos that you dare to edit really will improve."

These skills will come in handy much later when you present your mural visually and start having exhibitions - etc. (This is also the subject of a whole article and needs further explanation.)