I spent the first week of September up in the air!  30 ft up to be exact!  I was hired to repaint a weathered Totem Pole in Mt. Pleasant, IA.  It was a crazy experience for me, full of literal ups and downs on a boom lift.  I was delighted to learn that i’m not particularly afraid of heights, though when it was windy up there it was a little scary.  Luckily I was blessed with a few wind free days and lots of family support to put in some long painting hours and get it done.

For materials, I used Chroma Mural Paints which are UV stable.  I lightly sanded off old paint (customer did not want me to prime the surface) and coated every inch with bright new color.  I then applied a generous coat of Helmsman Outdoor Polyurethene coating.  (These are the same materials i’ve used on my Peace Poles and Garden Poles)

Overall, I found the experience exhilarating and empowering.  I’m feeling inspired to take on mural work and can’t wait to continue to paint on a large scale more in my community and beyond!

Enjoy this video of the process, as well as some of my favorite images.