After a little more than 27 years of sun and weather the 'Spirit of Chemainus' mural was badly faded but otherwise the paint has held up really well. Before I could begin work I first received the official and mandatory 'articulated lift device training' course. The in-depth course was a formality to update my certification. I've been operating similar machines for decades but was without current certification. Then, with the shiny new certificate in hand I could at last officially start the work on the mural. I made good progress on my first day, covering the sky, mountain background and about half of the sails with with base coats of colour. The mural brightened up immensely, already looking much more like it did more than a quarter century ago. Tomorrow, I'll strap on my safety harness once again and continue the work.
Under Water
The hull for the Hazelnut Inn's ship is now finished and ready to be installed. It will be lifted into place once the first section of wall is poured. In the mean time it will wait patiently in the yard!
Can't go back
They say you can't go back in life. That's true, but you can take a visit sometimes. We lived and worked in Chemainus on Vancouver Island for eighteen years. We made many friends there and did many projects including designing and/or building fourteen buildings, seven murals and hundreds of signs. One of these projects was 'the pink house' where we lived for about fourteen years. The tree we planted in the front yard has gotten absolutely HUGE! I'm back in town to repaint a mural this week and as I drove around today many long forgotten memories came back. It made me smile. Over the next few days I hope to see many old friends. It's been eighteen years since we left.
