As Far As The Eye Can See - a garden mural grows

Garden mural project

It started five years ago when I was asked to paint a nursery mural.  The McClure's wanted something watercolor like, soft and indicative of their new hometown Portland.
We decided upon a park like landscape.  A flowering cherry tree (a Portland favorite) served as the focal point over the crib's location.

Some happy inhabitants were added for whimsy and for future conversation with their daughter.

Flash forward four and half years, they called me back to help them with their backyard eyesore, a cinder block garage wall.  Their fresh landscape and beautiful hot tub gazebo and deck built by a friend of mine, Dave Izer were fantastic.  The backside of the neighbors wall not so much.  It was decided to cover the wall with a landscape that extended their yard visually.  

There of course was a special request by their daughter (who's nursery I painted).  She wanted a unicorn.  With Mom and Dad's nod, I tucked a sleeping one into the painting.   It's a magical surprise when you approach the mural but its not really visible from the house or deck.    That way the illusion wasn't affected by the appearance of a large mythical creature.

Below is a time lapse video capturing the evolution of the mural.  There were a few days with no cloud cover and I could not shoot into the sun falling behind the wall.  
In the evening the sunlight bounces off the house's windows and beams directly onto the wall.  You can see the almost round highlight in the tree below.   It will be interesting to see where those reflections point as the seasons come and go.  Could one hope for a beam of light on the unicorn....who knows.

Time Lapse Video

Here's one reason I love my job.  When I completed the mural, it happened to be one day before my birthday.   Well, my lil' client brought me a card she drew and a mandala she colored in.   My heart melted.    Good thing it was the last day because nothing could top that moment.  Thank you McClures for your faith in my work and of course treating me like family.  You're amazing!