The Sun Always Shines on the Maghreb

I have reached completion of the mural at the Birch Bay Hostel and Guesthouse. I am quite gratified to see my designs on such a large scale, and to be receiving so much positive feedback. My hopes are that this exposure will further my own accomplishments of course; but am equally excited to have travelers sleeping under my art work. I can recall these moments on my own excursions, of stumbling on some small and unexpected treasure which served to enrich my experience.

I am also quite surprised, that no other artists have taken the initiative to volunteer. The place is buzzing with activity. Each day that I return, Linda and Ken have news of more excitement, more developments. Today, after the Blaine Chamber of Commerce held their meeting in the hostel's mezzanine, I was given a referral. So maybe it's to my benefit that no other artists have ventured on this task :) On a more serious note, I would Strongly recommend any artist who is looking for experience, guidance, and exposure to consider this project. Linda has so much painting knowledge to share, and the dynamism of coupling with Ken's music experience creates an unmatched enthusiasm.

In light of some comments regarding the nature of the mural, specifically its depiction of N. Africa, I feel that it is necessary to address my initial inspiration and motives in choosing this content. The designs were originally submitted in October of 2010. The use of the symbol for freedom, aligned with the map of Libya and surrounding countries, was purely a nod to Islamic calligrapher Nihad Dukhan, as well as a signal for freedom for all the world. Freedom from strife, violence, dehumanization, in order to create and fulfill individual potential. This is a non political statement in my eyes. It is a human statement. Anyone who believes that this could have been designed and completed within the span of time it has taken for the recent changes to have occurred is giving me way too much credit. 

The subject matter was actually inspired quite idiosyncratically. I was reading one of my favorite authors, a short story called "The Adulterous Wife" by Albert Camus. I happened upon almost a box of travel brochures on the region outside of Michael's Books downtown, I studied what I could from the library (including a travel diary by Michael Palin) and took my own long dreamed of journey through the region.The mystery of these desert dwelling cultures, the foreign nature of a culture so different from our own, the nomadic life of the Bedouins, and the richness of an area steeped in history's co-mingling of powerful empires, are all much more accurate indications of my thought process.  A land where the horizon extends forever, where coffee is spiced with cardamom, the romance of the French language sits comfortably beside the mystery of Arabic. It is the home of Ali Baba, saffron, mint tea and cardamom spiced coffee. Who wouldn't be inspired?

On that note, I have posted some pictures below. I hope the coming months can compare in the satisfaction of this project!