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How many people does it take to paint one masterpiece of a mural?
A couple weeks ago we received a group email asking for volunteers to help paint a mural in the new Smokingpipes.com headquarters. I did not immediately volunteer. In the room of great creative talent that is the Marketing Department, I probably have the least artistic ability out of anyone. I don't write imaginatively, I don't make books out of cigar boxes, and I certainly don't paint. When I realized there were but a few volunteers, I started to feel bad and raised my hand. After all, what's the worst that could happen, right?
So Wednesday afternoon Kat and I drove off to the new building with paint and brushes in tow, ready to tackle what Calvin referred to as an "easy, paint by numbers" design he created, featuring famous pipe smokers. At first glance, the chalk outlines on the stark white walls were completely overwhelming, and I thought there was no way this was going to be finished by our Friday deadline. Paint the big spots, I was told, so I found a big spot and began to apply paint to wall. I was careful to avoid the close-up detail work and the outlines as best I could. Hours went by, and while Kat tackled the letters, between both Katies, Albert Einstein began to look like he could jump off the wall. I kept plugging away at the large spots. Then it dawned on me that I would never really know if I could paint an outline if I didn't try. Embracing the idea of a small brush, I did it. I painted a straight line! I was so proud.
The painting went on and on and on; I'm not sure if John ever actually slept that week, and I even recruited my husband to come help that weekend since he climbs ladders and most of the rest of us did not (although by the end of Sunday I too had climbed one of the ladders: a feat that may seem minor to you, but with my extreme fear of heights, it was a huge accomplishment). And of course because we had more help, Calvin kept adding more famous pipe-smoking icons to make the mural even bigger and better.
Eventually we were done (although Katie V. does keep a Sharpie handy for any touch ups she feels are necessary), and now that we're settling in our new digs, I look around see this amazing piece of art that we created and I'm incredibly proud of it. I'm so glad that I took a chance and raised my hand.
Who are the faces on the wall? For the time being, let's see if you can guess. Leave us a comment!
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Comments
Great post, Kelly!
Love the last picture! So cool!
I am happy to see Einstein first, and Bertrand Russell is there! Bob Hope, Clarke Gable, Humphrey Bogart......
Where's Niels Bohr? Could've put him next to his sparring partner Einstein!
Good point, Frank! Maybe we can expand it some time.
I'll offer one that most won't see, Mr. Basil Rathbone in one of his roles as Sherlock Holmes. As we say, Basil Rathbone is to Sherlock Holmes as Sean Connery is to James Bond!
And of course Mr. Samuel Clemens who wrote under the non de plume of Mark Twain.
Masterpiece of a mural? I was watching this in progress, I drive by here everyday. I live 3 miles north of Longs of 9. though that was going to make a great new smoker's lounge! That it would be all here in one place awesome and sweet. So many pipes could be displayed. What a wall, plenty of room to visit. That way if you wanted to see a pipe you were right there at the warehouse it could be found quick. You would not have to wait a day or two! Jack would keep you busy, and you would not have to take them back and fourth to the smoke shop. Less transportation, less change of breakage and dropping things and they could be put right back. Anyway it was just a dream I guess. P.S. This is the Golf Capital of the world and we have no Golf Channel !! What the? Thank You I love this place Duck
真是个像里程碑一样的杰作！