storybook mural

Mural at Kester Elementary in Van Nuys, CA (31’ long x 7’-8” tall) showing children reading under a tree - to inspire kids to read - with abstracted images from the books Charlotte’s Web on the left (for older kids) and from Where the Wild Things Are on the right (for younger kids).

The school requested this theme and these books. The suggested topic, on the local flora and fauna, intended to teach kids about their environment and make them proud of their place. This point is stressed to make clear that we do not want to copy other artists’ work.

The mural is designed to transition from daytime to nighttime, in line with the books.

Design, drawing, paint colors, second paint coat, details, linework, and some painting redesign: Ioana Urma. First pass filling in the shapes with designated paint colors: UCLA students.

This was a volunteer project through L.A. Works.

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IDEA OF TRANSITIONING FROM DAYTIME TO NIGHTTIME
(phone photo by UCLA student volunteers)
IOANA, IN WHITE, DIRECTING
(phone photo by UCLA student volunteers)
COLOR STUDIES
(phone photo by UCLA student volunteers)
(phone photo by UCLA student volunteers)
LINEWORK STUDIES
THE SUGGESTED MURAL TOPIC, ON THE LOCAL FLORA AND FAUNA (the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve & the Valley), TO TEACH KIDS ABOUT THEIR LOCAL ENVIRONMENT, CHANGED ON THE SCHOOL’S REQUEST