The mural features my geriatric beagles who have both passed on after nearly 20 years together - a loving remembrance of them in our old neighborhood. Every time I am in the area, I have bittersweet memories of walking with them there. I wanted to create not only an homage to them, but a happy piece that would both reflect on those deep and true friendships in our lives and make those passing by smile. And who could resist smiling back at these two?
Design work and planning began in 2020, but due to the pandemic the festival was postponed until August 2021. (I painted in July, a bit ahead of the festival schedule as I was out of town during the event.) Also due to international travel restrictions at the time, the event became a festival featuring only national muralists.
On each side, the mural is flanked by works from Julia Kuo (left) and Jordan Wong (right).
The quote on friendship incorporated into the design comes from A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh. (Another loving remembrance of my grandma, the children’s librarian.)
