Over the last two days my entire focus is on a mural project that I’m creating for a restaurant. The wall on which it is painted is thirty-five feet wide. I stand on a step-ladder to reach the upper parts of the mural. Up and down the ladder I got, mixing paints and cleaning brushes. By day’s end I’m fairly exhausted.

I’m not getting athletically fitter or improving aerobically, but it is satisfying work nonetheless. The mural is separated into a Chicago side and a Lombard side. Tying the two together creative is the main focus of the project.

This is all acrylic paint, the medium in which I’ve worked for forty-plus years. It mixes with water, not turpentine, so it’s the easiest to use.

Working at this scale is not unfamiliar to me. Way back in college I painted a set of murals for the Lake Meyer Nature Center in Calmar, Iowa. Each was 4′ x 8′ and focused on different habitats. As far as I know, those still stand in the facility.

Following this project, I have another one coming up with another restaurant. This burst of opportunity is greatly appreciated, and came about when I noticed a posting on a friend’s Facebook page. I’ve been covered in paint and pastel for days now.

When this is done, I’ll get in some good runs and swims, maybe some outdoor riding if the weather moderates. But right now, I’m plenty tired when I get home at night.

If you’d like to follow more of my work and even get involved in a live painting event soon, I’ve opened a site at Patreon.com/christophercudworth where my art and nature work will be featured.

For right now, this is sure a different kind of workout.