Elkins Park School Library Mural

 

I recently created a mural for the Elkins Park School Library (www.cheltenham.org/elkinspark) to celebrate reading. Thanks to Elkins Park School and the Cheltenham School District Foundation (www.cheltenhamsdf.org/) for sponsoring this project. Located at 8149 New Second Street. Elkins Park, PA 19027

My work has focused on the wonder of stories to excite kids about reading. Learning to read can create opportunities for people and continuing to read develops one’s knowledge. Since I was a kid, I always read to escape into another captivating world. A lot of my book selection has been governed by covers that I was drawn to. I began reading many fantasy  books such as Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings while a 5th grade student at Elkins Park School.  This mural is inspired  by the wonderful world of Harry Potter.  In this mural I show an Elkins Park School student magically levitating pages from a book. A Hogwarts castle and dragon are in the background. It is important for me to paint diverse people in my works because everyone should feel that they are awesome.   The border shows symbols of magic, from the moon and hat to the symbols of each Hogwarts house. Students at Elkins Park School took a survey on which magical symbols they would like to see in the corners. The wand, snitch, owl and wolf were the most popular.   I hope this mural inspires students to dive into the journey of a book like Harry Potter. I also hope this piece also encourages students to believe in their imagination. With imagination you are capable of the magic to influence the world around you.

Process behind the painting in 2 minutes

I will be continuing creating murals showing stories coming to life as a recipient of the 2020-2021 Harriet Hale Woolley Scholarship at the Fondation des Etats-Unis in Paris. From October 2020 through June 2021 I will be developing murals to inspire a love of learning and cultural appreciation. I will be working with students at Lycée Paul Lapie to create murals depicting diverse students reading and the stories that have engaged them. I will stay in touch with updates as the project develops. Prints of this mural are also available at inprnt.com/gallery/arthurhaywood/

Fall Shows

 

My series of magical wizards and book cover samples continues in my paintings “Light Bearer”  and "Dragon Tamer". Both will be available in the “Small Wonders 9“ online show at Arch Enemy Arts. November 6 - November 28, 2020 www.archenemyarts.com

Light Bearer, Oil, 8 x 10 inches

Dragon Tamer, Oil, 8 x 10 inches My painting “Written in the Stars” 8 x 8 inches, Oil. Available in the “Spectrum “ show at Arch Enemy Arts. September 18 - October 11, 2020 www.archenemyarts.com A sorcerer magically releases stars into the sky.   My painting "Twilight in Valinor". Oil, 8 x10 in. will be in The New pre-Raphaelites group exhibition at Era Contemporary on September 25th. The piece is based on a story from Tolkien's Silmarillion. After Melkor and Ungoliant's destruction the light of Valinor's trees was extinguished. Yet Yavannah's song brought forth one more silver flower from Telperion and golden fruit from Laurelin. Their light was preserved as the moon and sun. You are invited to attend The New pre-Raphaelites group exhibition, which will be a live, virtual opening reception of 40 amazing contemporary realist artists on September 25th. I will be a part of it.  Registration is free to attend, just go to www.eracontemporary.com to get registered to attend.  This piece is also for sale with a presell incentive, contact the gallery at eracontemporary@gmail.com if you're interested.

Mural for SEPTA Regional Rail

 

I recently completed a mural for SEPTA Regional Rail at 17th and JFK Blvd. in Philadelphia. This mural is part of renovations to Suburban Station. My mural celebrates the joy of riding trains. People ride clouds of steam from an old Pennsylvania Railroad Baldwin train. This project developed through The Philadelphia Mural Arts Program (Muralarts.org), Athenian Razak (Athenianrazak.com) and a digital image of the mural was printed and installed by Roe Fabricators (Roefab-usa.com). The figures and parts of the train were painted then scanned. The background, clouds and parts of the train were added digitally. Detail Images can be viewed at arthurhaywood.com The process is shown in this 2 minute video.

Featured in Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine

 

I was featured in the Three to Watch article in September issue of Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine. The magazine is available in print on amazon.com and PDF format.

My painting, "Cosmic Tales", Oil, 4 x 6 feet, featured in the article.

Also, I was featured as a guest on FineArtConnoisseur.com to discuss my recent paintings in relation to the theme of "A Sense of Place" with artists Zoey Frank, Richard T. Scott and Fine Art Connoisseur editor, Peter Trippi and Betty Standish of the Wethersfield Academy for the Arts. The Wethersfield Academy will be hosting its 2020 Art Challenge Competition  this September, juried by Peter Trippi. More details at Wethersfieldarts.org.