The artist who created a popular downtown Uxbridge mural was hired to recreate it but this time on more durable material that should extend it's life. Uxbridge's Business Improvement Area (BIA) committee commissioned Uxbridge artist James Gain to create the mural in 2000, but the acrylic-on-wood painting that stands about 14 by 28 feet started to deteriorate about four years ago. The mural, which depicts an Uxbridge street scene during the First World War, is made up of 14 separate panels, each measuring 14 by 28 inches and was put together like a puzzle. "I didn't see what it looked like until it was up on the wall," said Mr. Gain.
Despite the fact the mural is based on a photograph -- one of many he went through more than 10 years ago courtesy of local historian Allan McGillivray -- Mr. Gain relished the opportunity to exercise a little artistic license, including trying different brush strokes and subtle changes to tone and colour.
All of the above text is from a newspaper account by Don Campbell.
I'm linking to Monday Mural.
What a great mural! That is an interesting way to do it - in panels. I imagine it would be hard to do that way too - matching would be very difficult! Great find - and thanks for the background on it!
ReplyDeleteInteresting. I don't think I've ever seen a black and white mural. I like it though! :)
ReplyDeleteI like that the image is based on a photograph. Of course he played with the image, he's an artist. It's a touching theme. I wonder how many of the Uxbridge boys didn't come home. Wood seems like a fragile canvas for an outdoor mural. Now I wonder how they'll preserve it. Do you suppose new materials have been developed over the last decade that resist the degradation done by sun, wind, and rain? I hope so. Thanks, Andy, for sharing this with us and participating in this week's meme.
ReplyDeleteIt's fabulous. He is a real talent!
ReplyDeleteWow! What a great mural depicting such nostalgic scene!
ReplyDeleteVery cool shot of that mural, Andy! You were quite close to East Gwillimbury. Aren't you afraid I might see you and blow your cover? :))
ReplyDeleteYou have a better chance of finding me than I do finding me. You know what I look like but I haven't clue of how you look.
DeleteHe is very talented!
ReplyDeleteI love this, love the message, love the way it was reproduced, and loved that they cared enough to redo it.
ReplyDelete"14 separate panels..." Amazing, simply amazing. I was going to ask you whether you were sure this was a painted mural... it so looks like an old photograph. Touching theme, too.
ReplyDeleteIf EG CameraGirl ever blows HER cover and reveals herself to you, be sure to take a photo, Andy! LOL!
Francisca, if I ever meet up with Camera Girl we will both be in the photo.
DeleteI so enjoy seeing the murals of other areas. Afraid that they are not very popular in my corner of the midwest. Having parents that were involved in the second world war and knowing about the friends and family they lost, plus, living through the lost of my family and friends during the Vietnam war I find this mural very poignant and emotional.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget that WWI was supposed to have be the war to end all wars.
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