Old Growth Forest Mural
This mural portrays the majestic beauty of the Pacific Northwest’s ancient forests. The design was inspired by my hikes in the mountains near Seattle, where some old-growth stands still remain. Through this work, I hope to inspire others to protect these precious environments. The “broken wall” is entirely hand-painted, including the moss, mildew stains, and plaster cracks. This trompe l’oeil effect reflects the passage of time and reminds us how fleeting our lives are compared to centuries-old trees.
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Looking up at the old growth Douglas Fir tree: it's life sized!
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"Sitting" on the trompe l'oeil wall
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Perspective of the mural from the top of the roof
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The faux wall; everything is painted, even the moss and mildew stains!
Process and Inspiration: Initially, the scale felt daunting, but I put together a dedicated team of my students from Skagit Valley College, where I teach mural painting and serve as Art Department Chair. Collaborating with them created a meaningful connection between education, community, and public art.
The inspiration for the mural came from the incredible variety of seeds produced by the company sponsoring the project. Each seed represents a unique, non-GMO crop strain, symbolizing innovation, care, and the continuation of agricultural tradition in the region.