Week 7 Prepping for Wall Preparation

Hi and welcome back!

I began this week by finalizing my research for the materials list. My goal is to begin prepping the wall next week. If everything goes smoothly, this will include cleaning and possibly priming the surface.

Material List Research

One challenge I ran into was finding the right concrete cleaner. There was a huge variety of products, especially cleaners marketed specifically for murals, and many websites contradicted each other about what worked best. I first looked into mural-specific concrete cleaners, but many seemed overpriced for what they offered. I also researched TSP cleaner, a strong, non-sudsing powder commonly used by professionals to remove grease, soot, and grime when preparing surfaces for paint. However, after further research, I found that a simple solution of warm water and dish soap could be just as effective for my purposes and much more affordable. Many muralists specifically recommended Dawn dish soap because it is safe for concrete surfaces.

Since I do not have access to a pressure washer, a highly recommended and effective method, I had to research alternatives. Through this, I found the method of pairing a cleaner with a stiff-bristle brush and a hose, which is what I will use.

I faced similar difficulties while researching wall primers. After comparing several options, I decided on the brand Mural Colors and their Exterior High Opacity Mural Primer. It had received very positive reviews for its smooth consistency, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness. The rest of the materials were mainly tools and protective supplies, including brushes, paint rollers, acrylic markers, buckets, and a canvas tarp to protect the floor. These materials will cover the preparation stages of the mural, including cleaning, priming, and outlining the design. Next week, I plan to continue researching the materials needed for the actual painting process.

Mural Design Update

I spent the rest of the week refining my mural design. I added more background elements, flowers, and the train. It took some time to figure out how I wanted the background to look and which colors to use, especially because I wanted the right side of the mural to feel bright and abstract. At this point, I feel close to completing the design. Most of the major elements, such as the globe, school, and color burst, are sufficiently finalized for me to begin transferring them to the wall.

One major issue I ran into involved the bear design. After receiving feedback from several people, I realized that the bear’s arm unintentionally resembled an Anti-Semetic gesture. Because of this, I plan to adjust the pose, specifically by changing the hand’s direction so the palm faces upward. My original intention was for the bear to appear playful and reach toward the butterflies, but I now understand how the pose could be misinterpreted.

Another issue I’ve run into is that I can continuously add to my design. I’m having difficulty declaring it as finished. There are details I had planned to add, but never got the chance to. These include sports, students, and the houses of cards. For now, though, I have decided to focus on getting the current design onto the wall rather than continuing to expand it. If I have time later in the process, I can always add these additional elements on top.

Meeting With Mr. Harmon 

On Friday, I met with Mr. Harmon and Mr. Josephson to show them the design. They responded positively, although I still plan to make a few adjustments. We also discussed my materials list and the logistics for the following week. I confirmed that the school has a hose I can access near the four-square wall, as well as a ladder I can use throughout the project. The school plans to order the materials as soon as possible, and hopefully they will arrive next week so I can begin working on the wall.

Going Foward

This upcoming week, I plan to complete the second half of my materials list and continue revising the bear design. My main goal is to begin working on the wall as efficiently as possible while leaving enough time later to fix any issues that arise. I definitely plan to have the wall cleaned and hopefully primed by the end of next week.

Thanks for reading, and stay tuned!