Mural Creation at Children's Home

For three weeks this summer I engaged with an inspiring group of teenage girls at the Children's Home of York -- Girls Center to create a wall mural. The colorful mural will bring vitality, color and voice to an otherwise bland, blank wall in their cafeteria nook.

The completed mural, "Growthtopia", at the Children's Home of York

Theme from Poster Art
A theme of "growth and change" was selected after reviewing artwork created by residents of the home this past Spring. Butterflies, flowers and quotes were common images in that art.

A sample of poster art created by previous residents at the Girls Center.

A sample of poster art created by previous residents at the Girls Center.

A sample of poster art created by previous residents at the Girls Center.

Proposal
I created a rough mock-up of the mural concept and submitted it to leadership.

Rough mock-up of the mural concept.

The Process
The girls embraced the idea. Through daily intuitive art exercises and drawing prompts the words, flowers and butterflies took shape.

Using Nova Color Paints, words were painted in a pearlescent tone-on-tone turquoise against the sky. Now, as a viewer look closely, words are translucent yet shimmer brightly as light bounces off each letter. The girls voices speak.

Flowers and butterflies in all shapes, sizes and color dance across the mural.

The girls took ownership of the process and project. The results are bright, vivid, thoughtful and hopeful. It is evident even in the cover illustration for the mural dedication program.

Every butterfly, word and flower makes me smile. As one quote on the mural states, "If your legs get tired run with your heart."

The Mural Name
They titled their mural "Growthtopia".

Artist Residency
For the project I was a teaching artist in an artist residency through the PA Council of the Arts's Arts In Education program and the Cultural Alliance of York.

5-Day Art Challenge - DAY 1

Hello Everyone! 
This is DAY 1 of the Facebook art challenge of posting 3 paintings a day over 5 days. (Why let Facebook have all of the fun?...that's why I'm sharing it here, too!). Warm thanks to Debbie Lamey MacDonald, a Nova Scotia artist for nominating me. 

Today, I'm sharing with you a series of paintings I created on a week-long painting and bookbinding experience during a week in March called Creativity Unbound in Treasure Beach, Jamaica. Throughout the week, a small, talented and enthusiastic group of artists created small paintings in watercolor and/or acrylics on the grounds of the Calabash House mentored by artist Paul King, then crafted intricate books under the expertise of master book-binder, Bridget Morris of Bella Forte Bookbinding and Letterpress. 

Imagine the eye-candy we feasted upon as we left a cold and snowy, cabin-fever-felt Pennsylvania March and arrived in the quaint Jamaican seaside town full of warm sun, blue ocean and vibrant blossoms. I think I could of stayed a month! 


My childhood friend, Bridget Morris, coordinated the incredible week and so I'm nominating Bridget to share in the 5-day FB art challenge to share the amazing craft of her bookbinding and letterpress business.

Thanks for stopping by!

"Yucky"ness to Rockin' Beachy Blue Kitchen Cabinets

These finishes ROCK!!!

(have I told you lately how much I love using decorative finishes by Caromal Colours?!)

 

Today, I reinstalled these beautiful babies for a client. 

 

A breath of life is poured back into this crazily outdated kitchen by decoratively finishing them with the soft, pale blue of Versailles. And, it gave my client the fresh, cozy coastal feel she was looking to achieve. 

 

 

Want to see them before? Well, here they are in all of their "yucky"ness...

 

The kitchen didn't need to be ripped out, nor did the cabinet doors and faces need to be sanded and stripped down to bare surfaces (forget that stinky mess!). The best part -- the client didn't need to buy a brand new kitchen!

We can bring your kitchen back to life. So, when do you want to get started? Let's talk!

www.cherylkugler.com

Thanks for visiting Creative Time~

Cheryl

It's the Teeny Peony Things

Rich, luscious red peonies soaking up the recent rain.  The closer you look, the more beauty you see.  I hope that Jane Iredale creates a lipstick that is just this color!

Loving Spring!

For more frequent updates on Kugler art, visit: www.facebook.com/cherylkuglerart

Thanks for stopping by~

C

Come Visit: York Art Association Student Exhibit

The York Art Association's student exhibit is now hanging and ready for you to peruse. Stop by now through December 29 and see what students and teachers have been working on this year.

The painting I entered in the show is "Dad's Bicycle", an acrylic painting of my Dad's childhood bicycle.

Visit the York Art Association website for hours and directions.

Thanks for stopping by!

Wilbur: Sea Lion Artist Extraordinaire

Some folks swim with the dolphins. I opted to paint with a sea lion - a most amazing artist experience. Yes, a sea lion named Wilbur actually paints. On a canvas. For fish.

Where? Theater of the Sea in Islamorada, Florida.

On a recent vacation, I couldn't resist the opportunity. Come and take a look at Wilbur's creative process...

THE POSE:
Wilbur poses with his masterpiece. A little abstract, I might say:



VIDEO:
A short video of the experience:
(Note: my first attempt at using Google's video editor. Timing seemed accurate in the editor, but timeframes shortened in conversion - sorry!)

Wilbur: Sea Lion Artist Extraordinaire from Cheryl Kugler on Vimeo.

THE PROCESS:

So, here's Wilbur.



First step. Picking paints:
As the participant, you select 4 colors.



A close-up of Wilbur's brushes and paints:



Wil's first strokes:



Adding color:



Pink makes it POP:



The final painting:
Love Wilbur's whisker marks in the paint! So endearing.



And, with Wilbur's masterpiece:



(On a side note: lovin' the butterfly bench inside the aquamarine park. Would look great in the garden at home. Anyone know where to find one?!)

COME TO FIND OUT that artist/animal enrichment programs are available at zoos across the country. Check out a book called "Fur in My Paint" by Tifane Grace for more information. Paint with dolphins, snakes, orangutans, elephants, SEA LIONS, and more.

Truly an experience I will never, ever forget!

If you enjoyed this post, please check out:
* Pastured, Beyond Organic at Polyface Farm
* Rejuvenating the Artist's Soul at N. Myrtle Beach

Thanks for stopping by~

"Lost Gifts!"/Sparkle Magazine Illustration

"Lost Gifts"....a super fun illustration that I recently completed for Sparkle Magazine. This is the first opportunity I've had to create an illustration with hidden items. Can you find the 10 lost birthday gifts?



If you enjoyed this post, please check out my last illustration for Sparkle:
--Trapped

Thanks for visiting~

Cheryl

Serene: Blues and Tans at Rehoboth Beach

A serene weekend at Rehoboth Beach soaking in the blues and tans at summers end.

Enjoy a few snapshots of the neutral and blue palette~

A soft and inviting beach practically to ourselves:

These busy little sandpipers were quite entertaining:

Vibrant blue of a roof line:

And one that needs a little TLC:

No singing the blues here. Dinner was delicious:

Hubby with a creamy beach gal, Chelsea:

These chairs are waiting for you....

If you liked this post, here are some more fun ones!
* Hot Diggetty Dogs and More at Rehoboth Beach
* Rejuvenating the Artist's Soul at Myrtle Beach

* Home on the Range...Where the Deer and the Buffalo Play

Thanks for stopping by~

Cheryl