Ologies with Alie Ward: Field Trip – Making a Mural
Episode Release Date: October 30, 2024
In the "Field Trip: I Take You to the Making of a Mural" episode of Ologies with Alie Ward, host Alie Ward immerses listeners in the vibrant world of mural art in Philadelphia. This episode serves as a special partner to the recent Modern Toyco Graphology episode, delving deeper into the creation, significance, and impact of street murals. Alie joins Conrad Benner, a key figure from the Mural Arts Department of Philadelphia, and interacts with several local artists to explore the intricate process of mural making.
1. Introduction to the Front Street Mural Project
Alie Ward opens the episode by expressing her enthusiasm for field trips, emphasizing the joy of exploring new environments and meeting creative individuals. She introduces the Front Street Mural Project, a significant initiative by Philly's Mural Arts program. Located in the Fishtown neighborhood, the project features six large murals chosen from over 300 local artist submissions.
Notable Quote:
“I love them checking things out. You're walking around, you're talking to strangers, seeing the world.” – Alie Ward [00:48]
2. Meet the Artists: Donna Grace Crow
The first artist featured is Donna Grace Crow, a veteran muralist with the Mural Arts Department. Alie interviews Grace about her journey from studying psychology to embracing mural art full-time.
Key Points:
- Background: Grace has been passionate about art since childhood, winning her first monetary award in sixth grade.
- Transition to Mural Art: Initially focused on a career in psychology, Grace pivoted to murals during the COVID-19 pandemic after volunteering with Mural Arts.
- Inspiration: She cites Amy Sherrell's mural in Center City and the new "Flight" mural by Tatiana Fallelizadei as significant inspirations.
Notable Quote:
“It doesn't even feel like a job. Like, yeah, I'm just purely in love with what I do.” – Donna Grace Crow [04:51]
Technical Insights: Grace explains the process of scaling a mural from a page drawing to a building-sized masterpiece using techniques like parachute cloth ghost printing and doodle grids.
Notable Quote:
“Honestly, parachute cloth is where it's at since you can be in studio and you just need to glue it up and worry about touch.” – Donna Grace Crow [08:52]
3. Spotlight on Iris Barbee Pendergrass
Next, Alie meets Iris Barbee Pendergrass, known for her brand These Pink Lips. Iris is in the midst of creating a colorful portrait mural featuring playful elements like full lips, flowers for eyes, and a shaved head, juxtaposed against black and white text.
Key Points:
- Artistic Style: Iris combines vibrant colors with bold typography, often incorporating meaningful messages like “Buy Yourself Flowers” and “Take Up Space.”
- Creation Process: She uses a mix of acrylics and spray paint, planning her mural with initial sketches and projectors to maintain scale and proportion.
- Inspiration: Iris emphasizes creating art that appeals to children and families, providing visual anchors that resonate with personal memories and experiences.
Notable Quote:
“I just really wanted to have fun. You know, when I make art, I don't feel like I cater to adults for art.” – Iris Barbee Pendergrass [29:18]
Technical Insights: Iris discusses the challenges of working on large-scale projects, including managing color schemes and transitioning from smaller mediums like stickers to expansive wall canvases.
Notable Quote:
“It’s bonkers to see you on a ladder and on a scaffold and you're using the projection method with Sharpies.” – Alie Ward [33:16]
4. Emmanuel Wisdom (Unapologetics): Typography and Message
Alie then interacts with Emmanuel Wisdom, also known as Unapologetics, a graphic artist and muralist focused on typography and social messages in his work.
Key Points:
- Artistic Focus: Emmanuel specializes in type-based art, using letters in architectural ways to convey meaning. His current project features the word “Hope” inspired by Robert Indiana’s iconic "LOVE" sculpture.
- Favorite Work: He highlights a mural created in 2021 of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., which conveys powerful social messages through vibrant colors and impactful quotes.
- Technical Approach: Emmanuel employs grid systems and manages environmental challenges like weather and lighting to maintain the integrity of his murals.
Notable Quote:
“The power of art is the ability to be able to transform and kind of take people on a journey.” – Emmanuel Wisdom [18:09]
Technical Insights: Emmanuel elaborates on using grid systems to scale artwork, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and problem-solving when working outdoors.
Notable Quote:
“As an artist, you have to work with the environment and the people, the noise. You gotta work with anything that comes up.” – Emmanuel Wisdom [16:03]
5. Michele Scott: The Raccoon Mural and Community Impact
The episode also features Michele Scott, popularly known as Mr. Scooter, who is renowned for his colorful, cartoon-like head murals. Michele shares his favorite Philly murals and discusses the cultural significance of street art in the community.
Key Points:
- Favorite Murals: Michele mentions the raccoon mural in Port Richmond as his top pick due to its local symbolism and charm.
- Community Engagement: He reflects on how murals like “Welcome to Fishtown” create cultural landmarks and community pride, despite challenges like urban development covering existing art.
- Future of Murals: Michele contemplates the lasting impact of murals, humorously speculating how future generations might interpret today's street art.
Notable Quote:
“I like raccoons. I don't know. I feel like people in Philly get a bad rep like raccoons.” – Michele Scott [21:42]
6. Technical Aspects of Mural Making
Throughout the episode, various technical aspects of mural creation are discussed:
- Scaling Techniques: Artists use methods like grid systems, parachute cloth ghost printing, and projectors to transfer designs accurately onto large surfaces.
Notable Quote:
“It's gluing the parachute cloth onto the wall then?” – Fidelity Representative [09:43]
“Yes.” – Donna Grace Crow [09:46]
- Materials Used: Common materials include acrylic paints, spray paints, and Sharpies for outlining. Clear coats are essential for weatherproofing the murals.
Notable Quote:
“I have a pocket full of Sharpies right now and a bag full of markers as well.” – Iris Barbee Pendergrass [33:20]
- Environmental Challenges: Artists must adapt to varying wall textures, weather conditions, and lighting, often finding creative solutions to unexpected obstacles.
Notable Quote:
“You have to work with the environment and the people, the noise. You gotta work with anything that comes up.” – Emmanuel Wisdom [16:03]
7. Inspirations and Impact of Public Art
The episode delves into the inspirations behind mural art and its profound impact on both artists and communities:
- Cultural Reflection: Murals often reflect societal issues, personal stories, and cultural heritage, serving as visual narratives that engage the public.
- Community Engagement: Public art fosters a sense of community, encouraging interaction, dialogue, and pride among residents.
- Personal Fulfillment: Artists like Grace and Emmanuel express a deep sense of fulfillment and purpose in creating murals, viewing them as extensions of themselves and their messages.
Notable Quote:
“It's part of the art. It's not so much just putting paint on a wall, but it's thinking about the environment, the people, the proximity either to the street or to the wall.” – Emmanuel Wisdom [19:50]
8. Conclusion and Credits
Alie wraps up the field trip by thanking the Mural Arts program of Philadelphia and all the featured artists for their contributions. She encourages listeners to visit the murals in person, explore the show notes for more information, and engage with Ologies on social media. The episode concludes with acknowledgments to the production team and a personal anecdote about Alie's favorite comfortable garment, adding a light-hearted touch to the informative session.
Notable Quote:
“Public art is lovely and as it turns out, essential.” – Conrad Benner [18:29]
Supporting Information and Resources
-
Artists Featured:
- Donna Grace Crow: Veteran muralist focused on portrait and large-scale murals.
- Iris Barbee Pendergrass: Founder of These Pink Lips, known for colorful and playful designs.
- Emmanuel Wisdom (Unapologetics): Graphic artist specializing in typography-based murals.
- Michele Scott (Mr. Scooter): Street artist famous for vibrant, cartoon-like head murals.
-
Technical Techniques Discussed:
- Parachute Cloth Ghost Printing
- Doodle Grid Method
- Grid Systems for Scaling
- Use of Acrylics and Spray Paints
- Projector-Based Scaling
-
Notable Murals Mentioned:
- Amy Sherrell’s Portrait Mural in Center City
- Tatiana Fallelizadei’s "Flight" Mural
- Emmanuel’s MLK Mural (2021)
- D. Face’s "I Feel So Incomplete" in Amsterdam
- Michele Scott’s Raccoon Mural in Port Richmond
Final Thoughts
This episode of Ologies offers a captivating exploration of mural art in Philadelphia, highlighting the passion, creativity, and technical expertise of local artists. Through engaging interviews and on-the-ground insights, Alie Ward and Conrad Benner provide listeners with a deeper appreciation for public art's role in shaping communities and expressing diverse narratives.
For those inspired to delve into the world of mural art, the episode serves as both an informative guide and an invitation to witness the transformative power of creativity in public spaces.
Connect with Ologies:
- Website: ologies.com
- Patreon: patreon.com/Ologies
- Merchandise: ologiesmerch.com
- Social Media: Instagram and Twitter (@Ologies)
Special Thanks:
- Mural Arts Program of Philadelphia
- Conrad Benner and Featured Artists
- Production Team: Erin Talbert, Avileen Malik, Kelly Dwyer, Jake Chaffee, Susan Hale, Noel Dilworth, Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio, Nick Thorburn (Theme Music)
This summary captures the essence of the "Field Trip: I Take You to the Making of a Mural" episode, highlighting key discussions, insights, and the vibrant mural art scene in Philadelphia. Whether you're an art enthusiast or a curious listener, this episode offers a rich tapestry of creativity and community spirit.