and I tried to post this one ...but it wouldn't show up so here's a link  http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c136/tiger-croc/SoutheastcornerwallDEAGym.jpg   

I painted these in Detroit Enterprise Academy on their Gymnasium walls,  in the months of October and November.  My van was stolen during this mural so it slowed the completion down to ten days as opposed to the scheduled eight. I was able to get it back after the police found it and it was towed to the Body shop before Thanksgiving break. It was so good to see family and the weekend commutes were what kept me going.

 I was up at 22 feet to do the top girl's face using an extended paint brush while standing on top of two milk crates stacked and strapped to the scaffolding.  This was, admittedly, a huge safety risk considering all the noise and balls bouncing off the wall around me, but it was temporary and I wouldn't recommend doing it again.  I did get the jitters though just for that part.   I do enjoy heights for the most part.  I really miss the daily climbing  workout.  I have to save up and get myself some of these scaffolding units to do more murals.  I just rented these and if you do, it is better to own them after two months you've paid enough to buy them so... 

This is "Cheerleader Four Stunt" and this is one of my favorites of the six murals.  I love cheerleading and was able to witness these chubby goofy girls at the academy actually transform into slim, strong, beautifully coordinated, dedicated athletes before my very scaffolding.  I tried to do the exercises they did every night and I am telling you, they were sore every day from the intense workouts.  I love the feeling that cheering gives and the comeradery.  I was a cheerleader from the 4th to the 8th grade and then became more involved in the theater and performing and visual arts as I went into high school.  But I like this image because I used the features of about 7-8 girls from the academy to paint these four.   There was only one caucasion girl in the whole school at the time, a third grader at that, so I took her face and advanced the age a bit.  She was a cutie and so excited to be painted on the gym wall. Her twin brother is on the Soccer Boys mural.   When I get permission, I will link you to the reference photos.

More to come.  Tell me what you think!  I enjoy artist's critique comments also!