This 528 square foot playground mural started with an idea from the Greenwood Elementary School PTA years ago (COVID, am I right?). This Spring it finally came together with black paint and a whole bunch of sponge brushes.

Working with art teacher, Alyssa Moll, I put together a mural creation plan that included the students of Greenwood Elementary. The process would start in the art classroom.

I spent a week with the kids in art class explaining what it means to be an illustrator. We talked about how artists take ideas from their clients and turn them into finished illustrations. We used our imaginations to bring words to life in pictures. From there the students were asked (by the client, me) to “draw their school spirit.” Ms. Moll even ordered my favorite drawing pens (a black Papermate flair pen) for the students to trace their final work.

Once completed, I picked up a pile of over 250 illustrations from the Greenwood students and teachers which were scanned using Scanner Pro right from my phone. Once the drawings were selected and placed into Adobe Illustrator, I began the tedious process of filling in with stars, hearts and other accent illustrations in my own hand. That final piece was then projected onto the wall for chalking and painting.

Thanks for a perfect Spring weather week in Des Moines, I was able to work 3 nights and 4 days to complete the 44 x 12 foot mural, just in time for Greenwood’s field day. The final mural is filled with school spirit illustrations from the students and from me. It looks over the Greenwood Elementary School playground and will be enjoyed by kids and families for years to come. (It’s already served as a great photo backdrop for “last day of school” photos!)

Want to create one at your school? Let’s talk.