4.5.12 Day 5
Some good news. Some bad news. Day 5 of the mural and the good news is that it’s taking shape very well; the bad news is that I’ve been unable to complete it within the time frame I’d estimated. Had I spent the week painting in the privacy of my studio I would have finished, but that wasn’t the objective, the many conversations I’ve had were a necessary part of the exercise. Iain doesn’t seem unduly concerned, he’s happy for me to return on Tues. He’s been a perfect host, presenting me with a mid morning hot chocolate every day – and when he’s not been around has arranged for someone else to bring one to me. I wonder if this habit might continue next week when I’m back at my studio!
I showed several children the painting today by viewing it through the ‘wrong’ end of a pair of binoculars, which offered a distant overview of the composition not possible in the corridor without observing it from an angle. Many have asked the identity of Mary Wollstonecraft, and today I told them her daughter was Mary Shelley who was married to a very famous poet. I received many visits during the rest of the day from children telling me they had found the title of her best known book.
I also spoke with a girl with severely impaired vision. She’s walked past several times this week and today I asked if she could see what I had painted. Now that the black paint has been applied contrast within the portraits has naturally increased and I was pleased she was able to see the eye of Marie Curie. Not that she recognised that it actually was Marie Curie of course, but then again she’s not alone, there are a few who have suggested she looks like Ryan Giggs. As more time passes I’m beginning to agree with them! I do hope that when it’s finished she might be able to identify the shapes and see some faces, whether she can recognise them or not. I left the school at 6.00, as I have each evening except Monday. It’s never easy to predict how long such a project might take but I’ll continue after the Bank Holiday and will finish with one more day.
Fulbridge Academy, Keeton Rd, Peterborough PE1 3JQ
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