How I did it: I volunteer in a youthclub every week. It's in a pretty old boring building and I like art so I decided something had to be done. I talked to the other volunteers and they all agreed that some colour was needed so I volunteered to paint something on one of the walls, everyone seemed happy with that so then I had to decide what to put on the wall. Then it hit me, the youthclub's there for the kids so why not let them choose what goes on the wall!

I asked all of the kids to write one suggestion on a piece of paper and to put it in a box. I got everything from mini mouse to shoes, even banana bread!! Then i drew up a few sketches of anything that had been suggested, looked up pictures of cartoon characters or things i had never heard of (why in the world kids under 12 wanted a "GHD" painted on the wall I'll never know!) and I tried to draw cartoon versions of whatever wasn't ncessarilly a cartoon, like the eifel tower.

Once i knew what i was putting on the wall I had to decide which wall would fit it all on...a few hours and a big tub of white paint later i had my canvas!!

The next step was the hardest, trying to figure out what scene would in some way hold everything from planes to buildings to people and cartoon characters...it's a wacky picture but I had fun designing it and others seemed to appreciate that not everything was going to make sense.

When it came time to paint it all i had was some poster paints from the art room, which worked perfectly!! I spent the first day painting the big boring bits like snoopy's house and the sky (I'm a "save the best till last" kind of guy).

I had just finnished the larger sections when I had another idea, since the kids had chosen what should go on the wall and it was, after all, for their enjoyment, I decided to let them paint it. They had a great time all dressed up in their aprons and they did an absolutely brilliant job too. It looks great, the whole process felt great and the sense of satisfaction when it was finished was absolutely brilliant!!

Lessons & tips: Draw everything out first!! Have a very VERY definite plan of what you want, I had to redraw a lake five times because i hadn't decided who would go in the boats...

If you're stuck for a canvas, ask a local volunteer group; youthclubs, shelters, homes for the elderly and even hospitals or schools are usually happy to have someone give them a piece of art.

when you've finished the painting, varnish it. that way it'll last far longer and withstand the elements much easier.

Make sure to paint on a dry day. Outdoor murals in winter rarely go well...

Make an event of it. Get people involved from as many places as you can around your community. It makes for more fun and if everyone has a hand in painting it then it's likely to bring a community very close. It's easier to make sure it's not painted over if everyone knows it's there and you might even see that grumpy old man from down the street sneaking out to touch it up with some fresh paint when it gets a bit older.

Resources: Imagination, lots of paint, a few people willing to give their time to a good cause and a good sense of fun!

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Apr 30, 2009, 11:16AM PDT | 0 comments | 1 cheer