BENTON MURAL PROJECT
"What Do The Benton Mural and Norman Rockwell's Art Share?"
3-9-2015
Norman Rockwell is one of my favorite artists. He painted people with realism expressing a story. He captured his ideas by photographing family, friends and towns people who would act out his story. He painted from these photographs giving his art that special look.
Now I’m having my Norman Rockwell moment. Meeting with Mark and deciding how we were going from my rough draft of the mural to the look in my head, the decision was made to photo people in costumes to act out the mural story. To make a long story short – The Royal Theater came to mind and working with Lynda Hollenbeck we were able to get most of our costumes, but not all the models. Out of a time panic, I have grabbed any person who popped into my head or crossed my path – looked the part – and said yes.
It’s been a lot of work, but so much fun. It is amazing how everything has just fallen in to place and how wonderful everyone has been to be a part of this project. Take a look at some of the photo shoots and how they played a part in the final painting.
NILOAK POTTERY AND "BULLET" HYTEN
12-19-2014
"Bullet" Hyten is the end of the mural about early 1900's. The late 1800's Pottery was the main industry for Benton, there were 13 working potteries. Benton's location and natural resources have placed it on the map for several reasons that will be shown in the mural. Out of all the potteries, Hyten's creation of his famous Niloak pottery made him know in Benton, United States and countries outside the US. It was sold all over the world, and still very sought after today by collectors.
Arlene Rainey, who has given us the vision, is also the daughter of Mr. Hyten. There are 3 styles of his pottery: Eagle pottery, the everyday ware; Niloak; and Hywood, the mold made pieces.
ROUGH DRAFT FOR BENTON MURAL
12-19-2014
The idea started a year or more ago with Arlene Rainy walking in front of Regions Bank on South Street. Looking up at the Bell Building, Arlene said to a friend (Freddie Burton), that building just screams "MURAL".
The idea began to grow with Freddie talking to John Young, owner of the Bell Building, who agreed it was a great Idea. Next was someone to design the mural concept. - I was the lucky one who agreed to design the historical mural. Arlene, Freddie and myself visited several Ark. towns researching murals and interviewing muralist. All the while, I was working on the history and timeline that would find its home on the Bell Building. This was not a small job and I have loved reading and talking to people as I searched the past. As the Mural progresses, I will give the timeline and history that has been chosen to portray Benton from 1400 - 1900. The last person that was added to the mural group, but not the least, was Mark Davey, our muralist from Tenn. Mark has painted murals for over 20 years and he is awesome. There are many other people who have done their part to make this happen too.
Check back, I will update the project as it happens.
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