Painting a Birch Tree Mural on Lally Columns!

As part of my multi-project partnership with the Dedham Public Library, I just completed a mural transformation of previously ugly steel lally columns to look like birch trees!

As the library updates its Endicott Branch, they needed a solution for these columns that are in eye-shot when you enter the building and frame an exit that will lead to their new patio!

The library’s interior designer, Anne Mueller, wanted a solution that would tie the outside to the inside, while complementing her new interior finishes.  To accomplish this and add a sense of serenity, Anne decided to have me paint the columns to look like birch trees!

With this guidance, I decided to have fun and bring my fine-art painting skills into play by making the trees look as realistic and 3-D as possible.  Without needing to do any concept drawings on this project, I was able to just dive in paint like I do when I am in my studio painting a fine-art canvas.

The library staff and visitors were thrilled with the results, which they will hopefully continue to enjoy for years to come!

Below are some before and after shots showing this transformation

Enjoy,

Jason

The final birch trees

The final birch trees

The columns before transformation!

The columns before transformation!

The second column

The second column

fullsizeoutput_c94.jpeg