**Authentically Human! Not Written by AI**
Good news, it seems, is always just around the corner. Recently, I learned I'm one of five finalists for the New Mexico Arts/Gallup Arts McKinley County Courthouse Commission Project. I'm due to present my proposal in early November, and if I win, I'll have a year to complete and install the work.
This is the biggest project I've been involved with. The courthouse rotunda, where the art will be installed, consists of three areas, totalling around 360 square feet of space. It's a little hard to visualize that number, so let me convert it to something most plein air painters are familiar with, the 9x12-inch panel. The amount of space to be filled is equal to around 485 of those little panels.
It's possible I won't win the whole project; up to four artists may be selected. I may be selected for one, two or all three areas—or none at all. The budget, the total of which is $100,000, gets split up by area.
I thought my readers might like to follow me on this project, so I plan to post updates as time goes by. Right now, I'm working on my proposal and scratching my head on a technical problem. How does one install work permanently on curved walls—yes, curved walls!—and can a security hanging system handle that? I have research to do, for sure. Then I need to think more on my chosen theme and see how I can make it work if I don't win all three areas. Will it make sense if I just get one or two areas? And finally, I need to create a body of exciting but informative visuals. The more, the better, I'm told. I've already picked out the graphics tablet I'll order when I get back to New Mexico.
Wish me luck!
