Searching on the Hill

I was searching for key characteristics of Harlan Stone’s HMTX’s campus that might ground a series of paneled images. Rocks and boulders, trees, foillage, water features, even the hill itself became specific motifs that continued to show up in my sketches. I wanted to the mural to show folks enjoying themselves in the natural landscape that this building so eagerly invites it’s guest to see, a first step toward the inspiration that this campus intends to prioritize.

Searching on the Hill blends the images of Key’s flying folks with the environment of HMTX campus to tell a story of community, joy and hope.

Tucked away in the clouds our ancestors peek down to check in on us. The folks on this hill look up toward the skies to see if they can get a glimpse of the flying figures.

Gently inspired by Diego Rivera’s frescoes featuring stacked figures that seemingly become landscape, this second drawing for the mural focuses on folks looking up, searching for two flying figures. This mural features more figures than the first drawing. Smiles and laughter fill the faces of the groups of folks as they (one community) keep their attentions toward the skies. In the first panel, maybe the figure has already spotted the flying person, while the rest of the people continue to look.

Looking up is one the most optimistic and simple gestures I think a person can do. This gesture evokes a sense of hopefulness toward the future and a humility toward the presence of a higher system or being. This gesture forces the viewer to ask themselves, “why are these figures looking up, what are they searching for?” As the viewer ask themselves this question, they suddenly jump in to the painting, participating in the very gesture that fills the wall.