The Project
The preliminary idea of the 5 S. Main St. mural project was to build a picture within the framework of Clarkston’s downtown cityscape. By using the architectural references from The Clarkston News building, it creates a believable space or context for the picture. The intent is to draw the viewers in by deceiving them with the illusion of extraordinarily accurate, scaled images, and then fascinating the viewer with an array of fictional images scaled more liberally.
The first challenge was constructing the building, with paint, with a very sharp 3D perspective and creating a starting point for the picture. However, I grossly underestimated the importance of mathematics for this reconstruction and wished I had paid more attention in college geometry classes. Who knew?! Many people who have followed my project remind me that I should do the math before I start painting for my next project!
A Historical Picture? Not So Much….
Because I sketched Clarkston’s clock, many people had the impression that I was painting a historical reenactment of Clarkston, which is not necessarily the case. The idea to paint the clock was inspired by the orientation of the sun with respect to the picture. It allows the picture to become transparent as the shadows in the picture plane can be set according to the sun at approximately 6:08 p.m., sometime in May. This idea was in part developed by my precocious ninth-grade apprentice, Mike Daniels, who was instrumental in reminding me how important shadows were in the picture. Thanks Mike!
At some point I made it larger to try to give it a more imposing quality. The design is still taking shape, deviating a little from the original Clarkston clock.
Setting the Tone for the Picture
Preparation. Mathematics. Context. Time within the picture plane. All are elements that have been tackled. Whew! What’s next? Setting the tone for the painting, in part by creating a colorful vibrant evening sky. The painting should blend into any one of our late spring spectacular skies at dusk. This will also lend itself to the transparent quality of the painting and position it considerately within the context of Clarkston’s cityscape.
Where is Mr. S?
… and the fictional part of the painting? Glad you asked. Two worlds come together, a world that looks like Clarkston, and one that looks like anyone of our own experiences, except embellished. Have you been to France? California? The greatest city in the world, New York?
Through our common travels, we take a little part of each place we have been with us. Through images, I am able to share my travels and my experiences with the community.
Mr. Sherman’s silhouette is seated on a bench flanking a mysterious corridor that separates two dimensions and fades into the distance. His figure oversees a fictional story unfolding. He becomes a catalyst, a patron, of two worlds coming together as existing images of Clarkston cross-sect with the imaginary. Although his image is skewed, he and his dog Shayla are intended to be the most identifiable characters within the picture.
The fictional part of the picture is by far the most challenging. Talk about writer’s block. Yes, I have experienced it on this project! I understand more fully the responsibility artists have to create a platform for work that socially impacts the viewer, and because of the size of the wall and the potential to reach a large audience, the responsibility becomes more profound. As an artist, you almost want to gut out of yourself everything that you believe is important and spill it out onto the wall. I also feel that the greater the challenge is within the artist, the greater the potential to make the range of the work itself more important. With this in mind, Alas Clarkston! With great labor will come great works. It will be my best and most might be pleased!
Wasn’t there a contest?
Oh! And about the street name contest ? here are some of the names selected for consideration by The Clarkston News editor and myself: Market Street, 1832 Street, Sherman Ave., Safe Haven St., Caribou Lane, Pond View, Tasty St., C-Town Square, Independence Square, Parade St., and Ford Road.
The street sign name may be one of the last touches for the wall. The name may reflect to some extent the tone of the painting, and as it develops, take on more meaning and greater importance to the picture. I will, however, paint the sign in anticipation of the name!
Thank you for all of the wonderful supportive comments, cards, and flowers during the term of this seasonal project, and to Mr. Sherman for trusting my artistic vision and allowing me the freedom to paint my vision.
Michelle Tynan of Independence Township has a bachelor’s degree in fine arts and minor in art history from Indiana University. Growing up, she lived in Germany for many years, when her Army-officer father was stationed there, an experience that significantly influences her work.