In addition to working on the #PublicArt #mural for the City of #SterlingHeights, I took a brief break to compete in the annual #ArtsBeatsandEats meter beautification contest. Last year I placed 3rd, and this year I placed first with my #giraffe! I was inspired by my love for feeding the giraffes at the #DetroitZoo nearby, and of course the shape of the meter itself. I love competing in this event, I've met several talented artists through this competition. One of them even came out and supported me while I was working on the mural! 

On another note, today is a big day... Ribbon cutting day! I'm nervous, I'm excited, I'm wondering if anyone will show up (other than my immediate family -and what if they are caught in traffic??). 

It doesn't help that today, just before the ribbon cutting, I find out if I made it into the final 5 for the Michigan Great Artist contest. Great timing. I hope that one will take my mind off the other. 

Perhaps I should just paint. Paint a dog. A Pitty :-) yes, that is what I will do!

If you're in Sterling Heights today, stop by and say hello! The ribbon cutting will be at the BP gas station on the corner of Dodge Park and Utica Road at 6 p.m. this evening.

Now I must paint!

Today was our last interview.  This is Bob. He has been filming me during this entire summer, documenting the mural for the City of Sterling Heights. He even included me in the Sterling Heights Police lip snc challenge video! Yep, it's on Youtube and I'm about halfway into the song!  

Today we wrapped things up and in a few days his film will be ready to post.

A ribbon cutting is scheduled for next Tuesday, September 18th at 6:00 p.m. for the mural.

This is Richie, he manages this BP gas station. Bob also interviewed Abe, the owner, but I forgot to snap a pic! I am going to miss this group of gentlemen. 

All done! This afternoon I completed the final touches, and finished tweaking my outdoor mural painted on the back of this BP gas station in Sterling Heights, MI. I have enjoyed working on this piece and meeting residents of this community, as they came by to root me on with words of encouragement and praise. I tried my best to design something meaningful for this community that encompasses only a sample of it's offerings -I hope they like it! 

The bears represent the Marshall Fredrick sculpture in front of the Sterling Heights Public Library, just across the street from this mural. I also love how the Mama Bear and cub represent family. The wavy lines represent the Clinton River that runs throughout this city, and the globe in the center represents the City's cultural diversity. The sunset and river have an art deco flair, to represent the style Marshall Fredrick carved the bears.  And the explosion of color on the bears? Well, that represents me and my love for color. 

Thank you Sterling Heights.

The title of this mural?

Sterling Pride.