Mural Design and Execution

Richmond Community High School is a public, specialty school in Richmond, Virginia which focuses on providing exemplary education to low-income students all across the city. Their school commissioned a mural from me for a new room they are renovating in the school: a relaxation room which would provide a respite for students to clear their mind, meditate, and practice mindfulness. My goal in its design was to show unity, power, and strength, while also having a calming vibe that would provide a relaxing environment.

Richmond Community High School (RCHS)

Ideation

Brainstorming

I wanted to employ calming colors, flowing lines, and vibrant symbolism within the piece, shown through the image of a bird and its nest. It was important to me for the students to be able to visualize hope and community.

Learn more about my general ideation process

Sketch

As I began sketching, I used free-flowing linework to mark how I wanted the colors to ebb and flow throughout the mural, which I knew would translate well on a large scale work. The sun by the tree would represent the newness of the day, peaking from behind a twisting tree that represents knowledge and power. Within the tree is a birdʼs nest, set at the same height as the bird on the other side of the design--meant to represent rebirth, growth, and new beginnings. The bird was a mixture of a crane and a condor, as an image of wisdom, freedom, and endless possibility. The hand at the bottom left was placed there as a way to help the bird lift off, showing friendship and collaboration. Finally, I added a whale to the center, not apart of my original design plans, but as a center piece and space filler.