Postcards from Ballona Mural Updated

Lori Escalera recently updated the video of the original Postcards from Ballona mural project (1995-1997) to add the recent (2009) renovation. So now you can see the entire history of the Postcards mural in one place at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zWOL9FYUi8

The Mural Gets a Coat

The roll-application of KrystalKote CTF (gloss clear) to help graffiti-proof the mural was completed on Thursday, April 23. Two painters took less than an hour to completely roll-apply two coats of clearcoat to the mural, with the third painter brushing out the light bubbling. All the bubbles quickly brushed out.



(Photos courtesy of Douglass Moody)

The Postcards are Baaaaaaack!!!!!!

Thanks to the tremendous organizational and artistic skills of Lori Escalera, the Postcards from Ballona mural is once again up and running. Who would have thought that just a week ago the wall behind the Julian Dixon Library in Culver City was nothing more than a graffiti-covered eyesore—and now it is once again telling the history of the Ballona area.

Artists Lucy Blake-Elahi and Francois Bardol seemed to render their magic in the blink of an eye (and like every artist, super-critical of their own work, no matter how good it is!). Philip Nagai (Culver City Art Group member and second place winner in the 2008 Holiday Show) turned out to be a great asset to the project.

All the volunteers (whose numbers seemed to increase as the days passed) were terrific. The project could not have been completed without them. This was truly a community effort of artists, students and neighbors. The citizens of Culver City once again showed their true colors as people who get involved when they are asked.

And as the painters worked, cyclists on the bike path shouted out their thanks and encouragement as they rode by. It's nice to know this mural makes a difference and is appreciated.

But the project doesn't end here. Taggers and vandals are still are a problem. It's up to all of us to be vigilant and report any graffiti or damage. You can call 310.253.5776.

Click here for a gallery of photos as the mural looked Wednesday afternoon, nearing completion.

The Renovated Mural Emerges

Artist Philip Nagai, Culver Art Group member, paints the sun

On Tuesday the mural really began to shape up.

Students from nearby Culver City schools came by to hear the story of the mural and its significance to the community.

Artist Francois Bardol talks to local students

Hopefully, with the involvement of the community, we can keep our beautiful renovated mural graffiti-free from now on.

For a Flash photo gallery with more photos, click here.

(all photos copyright roslyn m wilkins)

Community Mural Scheduled for Completion on Earth Day

Culver City, CA, April 22, 2009 – The Postcards from Ballona mural is scheduled for completion today, Earth Day, April 22, 2009. The mural is located on the bicycle path at Overland Avenue, behind the Julian Dixon Library branch in Culver City.

In 1995, three artists (Lori Escalera, Lucy Blake-Elahi, and Francois Bardol) and community volunteers—"The Ballona Creek Mural Committee"—conceived of an art project intended to beautify a section of the Ballona Creek bike path with “postcards” depicting the history of Culver City. (Ballona Creek was important to the livelihood of the Native Americans who once inhabited the area as well as the development of Culver City. For information on the early settlers and on Culver City, visit www.culvercity.org).

The scope of the project included gathering together local students, government, Culver City organizations, resident artists, and volunteers in order to create a sense of community involvement. The mural was completed in 1997.

In recent years, the mural has been subjected to vandalism and graffiti. With this restoration, the damage will be reversed.

As was the case when the mural was originally created, this restoration project is intended in part as a public awareness effort to help better protect the mural from future damage. Everybody is invited to come by, meet the artists, take photos, and view the mural as it nears completion.

For more information and to access downloadable photos and movie, please visit http://thestreetpainter.com/CommunityArt/UPCOMING%21.html

Get Ready, Get Set, Paint!


Another hot hot hot day on Ballona Creek. But that didn't deter the artists and volunteers who worked all day.

To see a gallery of more photos. click here!

(photos copyright roslyn m wilkins)

Measuring, Snapping and Drawing

Sunday saw the first stirrings of life on the bright white wall behind the Julian Dixon Library. Artists and volunteers gathered on one of the hottest days of the year to get started on the renewal of the Postcards from Ballona mural. First the wall was measured and marked off with the use of a level. Then the lines were snapped both horizontally and vertically to form squares.

Lori Escalera instructed the volunteers on how to follow the design when drawing on the wall.Then the fun began as volunteers paired up to draw on the wall with markers. No need to worry about mistakes as a pot of white gesso was nearby to cover up any errors.And so the first day came to an end with a job well done.
(For a Flash slide show of the day's events with a lot more photos, click here.)

Tomorrow: painting!

Mural, Mural on the Wall.... Where Did You Go?

This morning not a smidgen of the Postcards From Ballona mural or the ugly graffiti was visible on the wall behind the Julian Dixon Library.

Thanks to the efforts of Aaron Nordquist (at left) the wall is now a smooth, pristine white. Great job!

Just as Michelangelo believed that the sculpture already existed inside the piece of marble, so this wall already holds the new mural, just waiting for the artists to arrive on Sunday to coax it out once again!

Riders on the bike path are already beginning to see something is different. This cyclist seems to be looking at the wall and thinking, didn't there used to be a bunch of graffiti at this spot?

(Photos above copyright roslyn m wilkins)

(Photo below courtesy francois bardol)

"Postcards from Ballona" artist, Lucy Blake-Elahi

Lead artist and coordinator for Los Angeles County Prop A - anti-graffiti project. 1400 sq.ft. painted bisque tile, acrylic, and mosaic mural. Located on the bike path access ramp at La Ballona Creek, Culver City CA. Done with community, youth at risk, two other artists and community group (completed May 2000).

"Postcards from Ballona" artist, Francois Bardol
(Francois in center with other artists Lucy and Lori)
Francois Bardol was raised and studied interior architecture, drafting, design, photography in Paris, France. His early carreer includes experiences in Architecture, Design, and fashion photography. Emigrated to the United States, he developed an early talent for airbrush renderings, water colors, and oil paintings. He has accepted large private commissions amounting to hundreds of historical replicas of various periods. The necessity of being versatile in applied arts commanded experience in various media. Public works, as well as private commissions were accepted in Glass Mosaics Tiles, Gold Leaf, as well as Stone.

(Francois painting original 1997 mural)
Francois' Art can be summarized as representative, in a classical way. "To me, Art is my way to expresss myself and a language to communicate with all. Every new subject is a new word I learn and express, with the knowledge and experience gained through previous works, in a slightly different manner. To young students, I would say this: Do not underestimate Art. In our time, almost anything fabricated starts with an Artist. I am willing to work and share my experience and knowledge with anyone serious, who asks, anytime.
Some of Francois' work can be seen at www.francoisbardol.com.

Come Join the Fun! The Postcards From Ballona showcase is up at the Julian Dixon Library on Overland Avenue near Ballona Creek in Culver City.
Stop by and take a look at the photos from the original 1997 community project.
Then, be a part of history and help with the restoration.
(photo copyright roslyn m wilkins)