Transformations Dedication 2011

Fort Namaqua-by Mary Giacomini

The Loveland Museum Gallery is hosting a Transformations Dedication for the artists who completed a electrical transformer box in 2011.  A slideshow, snacks and meet the artists will be presented and is open to the public.

Transformer Project: FINISHED!

North facing/street side: Fort Namaqua

The 45" x 75" metal transformer box on 1st Street & Madison streets, Loveland, Colorado

Mariano's Crossing: the toll bridge, Medina's home and pioneers

The original Fort built of stone quarried from west of Loveland, CO

I found out this "barn" was actually a housing for the stone fort and was used  to store hay

The panoramic image of Fort Namaqua also has a panoramic top with the tops of Cottonwood trees linking each side together

I FINISHED painting the Transformer box today.  The project is part of Art in Public Places .  This was a juried & contract project through the City of Loveland.  I started painting the 45" x 75" metal box 3 weeks ago. I have spent most mornings there and paint until  the heat is too intense. I spent 25+ hours just planning the project.  This year's theme was "Historical Loveland".  Since I have done several historically based commissions, I was intrigued by this opportunity and decided to depict Mariano Medina's settlement. 

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Transformer Project: mid 1800's figures

Louis Papa

Mariano Medina

Here are some of the figures I've incorporated into my 45" x 75" transformer box: "Fort Namaqua".  They were the trickiest to do since I have been working on 90 degrees days on a metal box that also gives off heat (if you can imagine that).  The acrylic dries as soon as it hits the surface.

Transformer Project: the final stretch

Adding some detail!

Transformer Project: week 2 progress

 

Progression of north/street side

south side blocked in: Mariano's Crossing.

 

west side: the original Fort Namaqua

Fort Namaqua:

Mariano Medina built a toll bridge over the Big Thompson River (Loveland, Colorado) in 1858.  The route was on the  Overland Trail which connected with the Oregon Trail. He charged as much as $1 per crossing- and most pioneers paid it vs. taking the risk of crossing the river.

 

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2011 Transformations Project: Day 3 & 4

Day 3

Day 4

Day 4

Two more rather hot mornings working on the box  brought progression. I'm re-defining the big shapes, added trees, rocks and tweaked colors.  The brush gets a little smaller as I get down to details.

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2011 Transformations Project: Day 1 & 2

Primed Transformer Box

1987 VW Vana-studio

Day 1-underpainting

Day 2: Shade!

East Side, Day 2

 I started painting my transformer box this week.  The theme is Fort Namaqua based on the 1800's Western Fort built by Mariano Medina.  I will be painting this 45" x 75" box over the next 3 weeks with acrylic paint. It's a challenge with hot summer weather, a busy street and 5 large sides to cover.  How else can you grow without a challenge?

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