You Don't Always Get What You Want...

 

 (MAN but I hope I'm not having a "Napster" Moment here...)

...but you most definitely DO get what you need-

THIS (photos left and right) is the surface we call a "canvas" here at the Wall-

 Our Volunteers as "present as ever" were in full force...AND the week even included a Birthday Brunch!  (This just HAS to be another "first"...)  Yes, SOME one, wanted to celebrate their Birthday on the Union Pacific Corridor...then again, guess not too many folks have that "opportunity".

A Most Happy Year Ahead, Carol!

 

 The photo left actually "appears" complete, now doesn't it?  Nope...no where near.  The second panel is in obvious need of more pigment and numbers 3 & 4 (below)...well, the term "Dating Game" did come up (shudder) so PLEASE promise me you'll all check out the Blog next week when we have a full explanation for all of this!



THESE ARE the FINAL 4 PANELS of the BART line phase of the sound wall; #'s 41-44 ...another 2 days and we'll be pulling our little wagon full o' paint down to Jackson Street for Phase 2...(20 more panels)



A Bounty of Birds!!!

ATTENTION "WALL-WATCHERS!"  We have completed panels 38, 39 and 40!  Gotta paint more birds if they're just gonna "fly by" like this!  WOW!  another 540 sq. ft. of beautiful color and all of it at the hands of the most wonderful volunteers...followed by our friends at the City of Hayward who are so vigilant at getting them so readily "sealed"...couldn't ask for more in THIS gal's Easter Basket!

A most lovely Spring and Best wishes as I send truly heart-felt "Thanks" for your continued support and encouragement.  We still have 23 panels yet to complete so stay with US!  Heck,  come JOIN US!!!! (trust me, I have PLENTY of paint brushes)

 These 3 panels were each at the request of folks who either read about and/or saw the Wall as it has been evolving over the last 6 months....personally, I do believe they shared a few lovely ideas - keep' em coming! (above: the Hayward Hills with Goldfinches - below: Anna's Hummingbirds with Fuchsias...one even kept watch while we painted this panel - TRUTH!

"Micro-Climates" drive me nuts!

Rain?  Sun? Drizzle? All three in one day???  It's amazing, it's maddening, but we had it all this past week and oddly enough still have something to show for it!

  

 The "Finished Product" for the Hayward Recycling Program...why do the "simple panels" take SO long?

Two good friends gave a "day-off" to wet some brushes & throw a little paint with us this past Thursday and I couldn't be more grateful for both the time and talent! ( Man, but do I have the best team EVER).  A most sincere Thank You  to both Sherry and Stacy-(rumor has it that they actually enjoyed themselves too!)  Not pictured, but productively "present" this session, were Matt, Willard, Jack and Osea...THANK YOU GENTLEMEN!

 Panel #37 is FINALLY  "complete" (sigh).  Guess I got a little carried away with this one.  The Children's Playground at Kennedy Park, featuring three kids flying about on, what else?  Paintbrushes!

Below, Bob and Liz (Vounteers Extrordinaire)

along with Sherry, get serious with panel #'s 38 & 39.  This 2-panel piece will feature the Hayward Hills being swept across by a small "flock" of Goldfinches.  (and look at that beautiful blue sky...)

Stay tuned Wall-Watchers...THIS one has every ear-mark of "Awesome"-

One Remarkable Week

There's simply too much to share about this past week....New Volunteers, and those who are there each & every day we need them...Weed Abatement with "Muscle"....and the passing of friends made along the way...all added up to one VERY interesting few days at the tracks.  My thanks, as always to each and every one of you.  The hard work, willingness to do "what needs to be done" and compassion for those who call this place "home".  It is nothing short of an honor to be in the company of such a truly fine group of people.

So...  We were having a little bit of trouble with some rather powerfully prolific "weeds"...long story short - someone called the City and the rest, as they say, is "history" (wouldn't mind having one of these myself, but it won't fit in the garden shed)

So then, back to the Wall.  #35 was finally completed, featuring Hayward's local Newspaper, The Daily Review...while the team

 had their hands full with panel #36 - taking note of  our City's Recycling Program.  Thanks Liz, Sherry, Willard and Jack!  Matt and Bob were busy with clearing ivy and leveling uneven surfaces for #'s 37, 38 & 39 . (as of this posting, #37 is 1/2 complete)

 So a few "finishing touches" and #36 will be ready to take it's place in line.

Have a great week & keep those brushes clean!

Let the Sun Shine - Let the Sun shine IN!

Wow....18 days of rain...and no Ark?  Crazy-making times they were, but when the Sun finally re-appeared, so did the "crew" (get this - I have a "crew"....gotta love it-)  We tried to get three new panels finished for you, but had to settle for 2  1/2....no worries...we don't "settle" for long-

"Jonathan"...a ring-billed seagull with a 26' wingspan...(even I was surprised by how well he came into being-)
guess the Spirit of Richard Bach was hangin' out with me on St. Patrick's day



These little(?) paper airplanes are jettisoning off from Hayward's local newspaper, The Daily Review...(that's the panel I just couldn't quite(sadly) finish today...oh and hey...Matt- Thanks again for the prototype!





SO CLOSE!  another 2 hours....sigh.  NEXT WEEK!



 

 LOVING

THESE

VOLUNTEERS!!!

(The Ark pulled up and there they were!)

...by the by - anybody know what a "cubit" is?

MY

HEART-FELT

Thanks:

Ginny, Carol, Liz, Matt, Sherry, Carmel, Mark, Bob and Willard...

 

We're working on panel #35 at present and there's no denying the  fact that we wouldn't be anywhere NEAR this marker without this dedicated and remarkably determined lot.

you have my heart.

I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends...



Project for the Pleasanton Home Depot



No, I have NOT been on "Hiatus"...

Last Tuesday, having reached the 1/2 way mark, I jumped into a 28' free-standing mural for the Pleasanton Home Depot (whose management has been gracious enough to allow me to enjoy such a crazy schedule for the Hayward Mural Project)...and here it is...40 hours later, built in my carport under studio lights at all hours of the night (just ask the neighbors)...

Meanwhile....back at The Wall -the Dream Team reconvenes for yet another two panels...(this just couldn't happen without you - but then, they already know that)  Carol, Ginny, Petronella, Liz, Matt and Bob.  They all came through AGAIN, making the seemingly impossible - possible. 



Panel nos. 31 & 32...the Oakland Bay Bridge-



...and the San Francisco Skyline "brush by brush"....with a couple of stir sticks -  just to round it out.



Ever wonder what 5,500 sq. ft.of Mural "looks" like?  Here ya go-



Midweek Update

Of COURSE there is ALWAYS more you can do to "doll up" a couple of panels, but I was determined to complete Panel nos. 29 and 30 Before the close of March 1st...

It's "Official" my Fuel-ish Friends, WE'VE JUST HIT THE HALF-WAY MARK!  The Wall is now complete to 5,200 sq. ft. of it's total 10,000.  My heart is Full, my brushes are worn to the ferrules and I've got a smile on my face that absolutely "hurts".  I was out until "dark" this evening and was even "cautioned" by a couple of "tracksters"...but it all finally came together - and never COULD have without YOU.  A Thank You is hardly enough for all of the encouragement and support, but it's all I've got and it comes from the depths of my Being.

I'm going to bed now-and for a long time-

 Love y'all bunches, Jean