Larry A. Smail's Blog

Hmm. a trip to the high country of Pennsylvania…

Last autumn I received a message from Linda Burrows of Driftwood, Pennsylvania. She is the director of the Driftwood Senior center. Within the message was a question; asking if I might be interested in painting a mural at the center. At first, I was not sure if I wished to take on such an endeavor, after all the largest painting I had ever completed was on a forty-eight-inch panel and that was painted horizontally.

The art was to depict a tree known often as a Memorial Tree. Names of past members can be placed on the limbs as a permanent memorial. Linda wanted a more realistic tree on her wall with some scenery. Traditionally, memorial trees are often done as a silhouette. The mural was to be memorial in honor of a man who had helped much within the center and was loved by all. His name; Wayne Johnson. I would paint an image of Wayne fishing a native trout stream.

I would ask some questions and eventually agreed to do the art. I tried to figure out my needs to paint such a large piece. The wall area is seven by seven.

I messaged her with a very rough sketch for the art and she agreed that was along the line as to what she was thinking.

Linda was gracious when I said I would attempt the project but needed to wait until 2022 for hunting seasons were coming to reality and we had holidays to contend with. Weather would play a part, too.

After a very cold start to the year a break was reported and the trip to Driftwood was on. I was on site for several days. I was blessed to meet some very nice senior citizens. I even begged them with an offer several times. the offer was for someone to pose nude…there were no volunteers, but some laughing with comments.

I worked long hours on the project working from around ten A.M. the first day for almost twelve hours. I cleaned up and tried to sleep and after about two hours of sleep total, I arose and began at two thirty in the morning through the day until around six thirty. I cleaned up and laid my head down to sleep at eight o’clock and was out immediately.

One aspect of this task that I hadn’t planned for was the pain of lifting my arm overhead and climbing a small ladder and painting from the floor. I was aching a lot, but I stayed true and ignored all pains the best I could.

I woke up the following morning a little after four and began to finish up followed by removing all the necessary items to do the job. I swept and mopped the floor since I had time before people began rising around nine.

Linda arrived followed shortly by the wife of Wayne. When the two came away from the art I could see tears in the eyes. Of course, I had some mist, too.

Leaving the center was sad for me, for I truly enjoyed those in attendance. salt of the earth kinds of people! This country needs more people like the Driftwood Senior Center patrons.

As a plus for the painting, I saw seven elk the first evening and three on the second evening while walking outside for breaks. I would see many more after leaving the site.

Thank you all at the Driftwood Senior center for their kindness. The address is: Driftwood Senior center; 7806 Bridge Street; Driftwood, PA 15832. The phone is: 814-546-2331.

If interested in seeing the art contact Linda at the center for hours and details.

Very recently I decided to paint a Cardinal. I sketched the image on a gessoed panel I had leaning against a wall. A short break when I began slapping the paint. The idea of including Dogwood blossoms came as an afterthought.

I have included a few “progress” photos.

Very recently I received a copy of the Conservation Lantern. I was very surprised to see an acrylic painting of mine called, “Screech Owl and Chickadees”. The Conservation Lantern is a seasonal publication from the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen Clubs and Pennsylvania Wildlife Federation. The website is: http://www.pfsc.org.

Earlier this year they used a Bald Eagle painting on their cover.