1st Day for Wyland in Ft. Lauderdale – Murals of Dolphins and Whales
Hi All,
I got to the North Lauderdale Wyland Mural site just in time because he was about to get started with his work of this huge Mural. This is the last mural he is going to paint in North America. This is mural 99 and plans to stop with mural 100 that he plans to paint in China this year before the Olympics. When I got there, there were hardly any onlooker yet but they were prepared for many to arrive. They had many trucks with staff and materials, viewing stands and podium for announcements. So they were planning on a big affair.
I rushed around to see where Wyland was. I asked and there he was right in front of me. He was in the process of sketching out his design for the mural on a piece of paper. From what I have read, he never plans his mural. Only on the day of the murals, he designs the mural and then implement the design.
When I saw him, I introduced myself to him and mentioned that I stayed at his hotel, the Wyland Waikiki this past month. It brought a smile to him. He was gracious and said to me “hey, you want to take a photo with me”. “Of coarse”,I said, I obliged him and had a photo with him. He was really chatty and nice. He said “stick around I am about to start my work”.
I did not get to see the design but I hope he gets lots of dolphin swimming around in his mural, because these are my favorite marine animal. But I will have to wait till next Saturday to see the final outcome of his work.
Here are some photos of what I saw today.
Wyland’s Truck with All His Supplies
Wyland taking a photo with me
Wyland getting ready to start his Mural
Base coat done and Wyland letting the airbrush fly
They said he will be finished in 1 week, so hopefully I will be there by Wednesday to see the 1/2 way point to report to you all.
I have to say I was pretty excited to see and meet him. He seems to be doing a lot to help promote sealife awareness. You may want to check out his Wyland Fondation to see what he is into and stand for.
Do you like what Wyland is doing for the Ocean and Marine life?
God Bless,
John
June 19th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
Happened to come across your site and saw that you were there at the wall on the first day. Glad to find a picture of nothing but blue. I started documenting activity starting on the second day and Deano Cook had already laid the foundation for the reef. I got there just in time for the first manatee to be sketched. All, in all, a great experience.
June 27th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Hi Merrill,
The final wall came out really nice, but I was not able to stop and take photos of the final product. Did you get a chance to see the final Wyland Wall?
It was really cool that he came to the Ft. Lauderdale area. I hope the wall does not get destroyed with Graffiti. We will see.
God Bless,
JOhn