Beacon Hill Mural

Posted by Melissa Baumgart
When carting my kids to and fro various activities, I often find myself driving through Beacon Hill.  I don't know if it's that I like the neighborhood, that the traffic can be a little less on the back streets of Seattle, or that I love this mural I get to drive by.

It is painted on the north side of a restaurant, Kusina Filipina.  I have never been in the establishment, but I think about going every time I pass by, hurriedly on my way to trapeze or soccer.  Which reminds me, I wish I could relax more in the car.

The artists that created the piece form collaborative muralist group called Matamuros.  The mural was painted in 2008, and won 'best new neighborhood mural' by the Seattle Weekly that same year.

Here are some links I found with info on Seattle neighborhood murals and public art:
Beacon Hill Public Art
Sound Transit Art Program in Capitol Hill and elsewhere
Seattle Public Art Walking Tours (with maps to download)
Seattle Outdoor Art
King County Cultural Services Public Art Info
Seattle PI's 12 Best Murals (2011)

What are your favorite murals around your city?  What are the stories behind them?

Soaking it all in

Posted by Melissa Baumgart

It is summer in Seattle!  

After months of waking up to rainy and dreary skies, we are now greeted by gorgeous puffy clouds that give way, by afternoon, to clear skies as far as the eye can see.  I love the way the sun feels on my skin, warm and penetrating, to what feels as deep as my soul.  I have been outside as much as possible, soaking at all in.

I have not been outside painting a mural.  Although, this would be the month to do so.  The dry weather would be perfect for a long term painting project outdoors.  I tried and tried to find somewhere to paint a public mural, since we live in an apartment and do not have permission to paint on on our building.  I tried to find a current project, perhaps one that we could volunteer some hours toward.  No luck.

This weekend, my goal is to try and find a piece of plywood, bought or found, and start a mural on there.  I was thinking of adding to my bedroom that I started sprucing up, during DIY month.  My vision is of something with whites, creams, and shades of light earthy tones.  I have a big spot where I can hang the mural when finished.  The question at hand is, what design?  I am more the type to just start and see where I end up.  No plan, free-hand, abstract art.  But I am open to doing something with more fore-thought and precision.  Maybe.

Perhaps I will head to Pinterest or other internet sites for some inspiration.  Tonight, I could make an inspiration board and go from there.

Oh, and by the by, Pregnant Melinda is still up to her tricks.  Remember her from a few months ago?After losing 10 pounds and maintaining that for a month or so, I fell off the wagon and loaded up 5 pounds again.  As of last week, I am back to healthy eating and exercise.  My kids have been running with me, and coaching me through crunches and plank pose.  I have to say, they make great trainers!  A new goal is set, to lose 15 pounds by 9/7/12...just in time to celebrate my 40th!!  I know it is do-able.  Will power, positive self affirmations filled with love, and less self criticism.

Paint the town!

Posted by Amy Baranski & Melissa Baumgart
July brings a GLWT first, "Reader's Choice!"  Amy generously offered our reader's their choice for one of our months.  And here's what they chose....Paint a Mural.  Yippee.  Really, that was not meant to sound enthusiastic.  Note the lack of an exclamation point.

In all honesty, I (Melissa) was excited about this month, considering how much I loved our first ever GLWT month of "Painting."  However, the task of finding a site and painting on a large scale feels a bit daunting.  But, as always, I am willing to do it for the blog!

At least it's not political campaigning, another option suggested by our readers. (Says Amy) In my opinion, it's a more interesting way to make a difference in the community.  Murals often bring me an unexpected joy.

We are hopeful that a space will present itself for our paint brushes, and paint, for that matter.  Any suggestions out there? We may have a couple leads, but it would be fun to have a reader suggested space as well!

In addition to painting, we hope to be able to shine some light onto Seattle's many murals.  In the process, to discover more about the mural painting process and get people out to see some of these amazing works of art.