I informed several staff and faculty members, all of which just disregarded my concern. Even an instructor in the art department remarked: "There's nothing anyone can do about your murals. They're public domain!"

After that, I just finished painting and decided not to deal with it anymore because I had already graduated. Since then, I moved out of state. A staff member, who I've kept in contact with, mentioned that the murals were not being maintained and I replied: "Sorry, I can't go back and fix them. I told you what would happen."

Well, from all this, at least I learned a valuable lesson. (Never work for free. People don't appreciate things that they don't have to pay for.)

For all of you who are reading my comment: please, please, please don't paint a mural for public use. The public doesn't appreciate artwork that someone else sacrificed time and money for. I haven't given up on murals. I plan on painting murals for private residences and businesses, and this time for a salary.

Mural artist- D. Windseth

:-(

Don't let your anger cloud your judgement on future possibilities. Yes, it is frustrating when a mural is defaced and everyone accepts this as a fact of life; it doesn't have to be this way. But it happens, and, in art and war, everything is fair game.

So intead knocking your head against the wall, turn this bad experience into a positive lesson, and then 'do something about it'. You are the creator so take care of your creation before conception.

Let me tell you what I have done when in similar situations: I have created several inner-city murals in my long career as a muralist. From the outset I acknowledge the fact that many creeps do roam the streets, so no public art is safe.

So my solution was to find some of these individuals (in my case they were gang members), and ask them to get involve in the project. I asked for their input, I respected their concerns (after all, you are using their back yard to show your art), and finally compromised with a design satisfactory to most.

You see, this is what makes a great muralist: creating a great piece inspite of the reservations and limitations place upon you. Without adversity great art never emerges.

To end my story, once the project was completed, not one act of vandalism was ever reported for over ten years (by then the mural had faded to the elements). So you can also turn things around same as I did in over a dozen ocassions.

I wish you the best on your next project and your current quest.

Sinceramente, John Rivera-Resto

john@muralmaster.org
www.muralmaster.org

"An art can only be learned in the workshops of those earning their bread by it." -Samuel Butler

The purpose of me painting the murals was to beautify the hallways and to recognize and emphasize the diverse culture in the foreign language wing.

Nothing controversial was included. In other words, there was absolutely no reason for the vandalism whatsoever!

I remember there was one teacher who was quite supportive and appreciative of my handywork. Other teachers didn't care one way or another. On several occasions I did ask for input from the Spanish teacher, as well as a few teachers from other subjects. They contributed a few suggestions here and there. I included as many of their ideas as I could into the composition of each mural. So I did allow feedback from the teachers. That I can say.

As for the students, I know as a fact they do not know very much about the different cultures. I've always been interested in culture and have learned a great deal from my own independent research throughout my life.

The very first mural was a class project of five students, including myself. However, they made a mess of the hallway carpeting by spilling paint everywhere and not using the proper dropcloth provided. Two students, which were African-American, (take no offense) took that period to listen to their cd players and sit in the chairs, which were provided for the people who were actually painting. At the end of the school year, the murals looked semi-finished and not quite complete.

During the summer, after I graduated, I finished the mural(correctly), not to insult the other people, but because I have more experience painting than anyone there. I completed that mural in a month. After that, my volunteering went on to include two Spanish murals, and the Italian mural. This took me an additional three months.

As for maintaining them, as I said, I moved away from Florida. Now it is up to the school to look after them. If they want to allow vandalism, that's now their problem. The lowbrow administrators were of no help and basically a lost cause. That is a true reflection on how they run the school so incompetently.

I just want to inform future or experienced muralists, just like myself, of the risks and disadvantages of painting murals in public spaces. I appreciate any and all comments or suggestions you may have about the story above.

My mural business is now starting to become a success, and I enjoy it much better now because I actually make money, and my clients appreciate my masterpieces. What more could a muralist ask for?

D. Windseth

Just wondering, is anyone here interested in mosaic tile murals?

I forgot to mention that not only am I a painter and muralist, but I also enjoy ceramics & pottery. I think it would be interesting to combine both of these mediums and someday create a mural mosaic.

Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions? If so, please share them.

I think mosaic murals will have more durability in public spaces. I was recently informed that my murals at Osceola are still in sad shape from the wear and tear from the vandal kids.

D. Windseth

R

I was recently informed that the Osceola "vandals" are back to their tricks. A faculty member sent me an email saying that someone took a permanent black marker and drew a line about two feet long across the Italian mural.

I was shocked that this could happen inside the school during regular hours. By the way, there is a surveillance camera which is situated within view of the murals, so I do not know why the administrators neglect to check out the recordings to catch the
vandal/vandals.

I would go back to Florida to fix them, but I wonder if it is worth the time, money, and effort to travel 650 miles one way, only to hear that they are still being defaced. In my opinion, I completed my artwork when I signed them in August 2004.

This has been very frustrating and now I have to move on with my life. It is not my duty to repair damage that could have been prevented from the beginning.

It sounds like you have more expertise in mural painting than I. Good for you. I'm glad that you've made a success out of your artistic talents as well.

Here is some advice for those who are beginners at painting murals. Looking at a blank wall might at first seem challenging, but the artist's job is to envision and create a masterpiece on a blank canvas or a wall. Some murals are even painted on ceilings (I've never attempted this, but I should someday).

Prisilla, maybe you could find time to paint murals on weekends, or anytime you have to yourself. If you know a family member or friend who has children, maybe you could offer to do a mural for the child's bedroom. Maybe you can find ideas online and put your own spin on them. Let your imagination run wild. Don't be afraid of color; the more, the better. When an artist paints a mural, they create their own little world. It is sort of like actually living in a fairy tale. By the way, that gives me another idea. Maybe you can find ideas in childrens books and paint from the illustrations, or create your own fictional "creatures". What is so great about mural painting is that the artist can express himself/herself with a paint brush. Sometimes pictoral images speak more descriptively than words.

Good luck with your next project(s).

Sincerely,
D. Windseth