Ahhhh, Xena! (Mural update)

Finally! A whole weekend of sun that coincides with Jalen being with his dad. I feel really happy with how the mural at VUW is progressing. I can almost see the end (happy face, sad face, happy face). Even though my back and neck ache from painting figures higher than my head, even though I ended Saturday painting in the dark (red looks brown but it isn't), even though it was still fr-fr-freezing... standing in front of that wall painting makes me feel whole and happy and at peace. Feeling cold, hungry and tired doesn't even register when I get to do the thing I love.

Its definitely WORK but... other people hate working and get paid, whereas I love my creative work but usually don't get paid much. The mural is an unpaid gig but to me its worth all the time and energy I'm putting in. I love the challenge. Physically and psychologically this work has pushed me. Other murals I've painted were completed off site - in my warm, comfy home with light, heat, music, food, etc - and then installed afterwards. This project is coming to life with an audience of hundreds walking past. They are noisy and many of them want to stop and chat and ask questions - bless their friendly souls. Even the ones who clearly know little English stop and say - 'Ahhhh, Xena! Very good!' The surroundings are oppressive with walls all around me and 4 tall buildings blocking out the sun. Directly above my head is a giant crane that probably won't drop anything on my head... I hope. The wind howls through the pathway and the noise from the construction site is shattering. But still... I love it.

It is still a work in progress but here are a couple of pics...