Treasures of Holley Update: meeting with Marsha DeFilipps, town Historian of Holley.
Sitting down with piles of old photographs from as far back as 1860, and someone as knowledgeable as Marsha, was a great start to my planning process. We were able to pick out the most important sites around town and within an hour the route had practically formed itself. A little history, a little architecture, some nature and personal interest stories – it’s balancing out very nicely. I walked the route that afternoon – a comfortable 35 minute mile with all of the stops, riddles and trivia figured in.
Today I’m working in my studio, roughing out sketches. It takes a lot of photo reference, time and thought to compose eight mural panels. Here’s the plan so far: Panel 1 – Today on the Erie Canal; Panel 2 – The Beginning of Holley NY; Panel 3 – Flora & Fauna; Panel 4 – The Old Canal; Panel 5 – Flag Day in Town Square; Panel 6 – People of Holley; Panel 7 – Sandstone and Local Architecture; Panel 8 – Murray & Clarendon.
Before April, I hope to have several demonstration and workshop sites scheduled. Dates and times will be posted here as well as in local papers. I think I’ll start at the school. With a few energetic students, we’ll have 128 sq feet of panel primed in no time!