The big project I mentioned a couple days ago is actually the first commissioned art piece I have ever done (which is very exciting/scary) and it is painting a mural in the bedroom of an adorable little 4-year-old girl.

Shall I document the process here?  I think I just might =) even though I am very nervous as to how it is going to come out.

I have never thought of myself as a painter, and have never had any painting instruction despite having a Fine Arts degree.  I know color theory, elements of art & design, and am generally creative and have an artistic eye, but this whole project is absolutely terrifying.  And for some reason, I still REALLY want to do it.  Paint a mural?!  That will be so cool.

I was thinking flowers, bright colors, cool designs, etc., things that would look really cool and be very simple.  And then I found out that she wants a beach scene, complete with sailboats and sandcastles and palm trees, etc etc.  So that is what I am doing.  And here is what I have so far:

I still have to add in all the objects on the beach (the things mentioned above, as well as crabs and buckets and shovels and beach towels, and and and…. a dolphin jumping out of the water!) but this is where I am now.  This is just a small mock up painting, and I am going to have to figure out how it is going to translate onto three bedroom walls about a million times this size.  It will definitely be incredibly challenging, but I am very excited about it and am anxious to get started.

So if you have any tips or experiences on painting on such a large scale, please share!  I will be documenting my progress on this project, which will hopefully get started in the next couple weeks.