This installation was created and crafted by Josh Boyer, and his team of awesome individuals, to be burned during the Love Burn 2018 on Virginia Key in Miami, Florida.
Unfortunately the variables did not line up for the piece to become flames -- too windy, too large, city permits, etc.
The weekend following Love Burn, was another event and music festival called Fractal Beach. I was called in Thursday afternoon before the event started Friday evening -- WE NEED YOU!!! WE NEED YOU TO PAINT THIS! This huge feat... which the city agreed to keep for a few months to a year as a art installation everyone can enjoy... I knew I needed to make it happen.
I called up -- Anastasia Sultzer -- http://www.instagram.com/createyourwonder
and Cavan -- http://www.rawdeviations.com -- http://www.instagram.com/rawdeviations
myself -- http://www.staysealove.com -- http://www.instagram.com/staysealove
Our challenge: to create a longterm standing mural on the hands crafted by Josh Boyer, that is appropriate for all ages, that will be viewed by anyone who comes to Virginia Key in Miami. We decided it would be a good idea to represent all the elements -- fire, air, earth, and water -- symbolizing that in everything there is love, we are all connected through these elements. And when one day it does burn, a lesson of non-attachment for everyone.
Thursday evening, I picked up Anastasia -- we stopped at Home Depot, grabbed two 5-gallon buckets of primer, loads of rollers, trays, extension poles ready, my car packed with all my mural supplies, ladder, etc. By 7pm we started priming. By 1am we did as much as we could (taking a few breaks) and called it a night.
Friday we continued priming and by evening, Cavan could join us and we began adding a base color gradient for each finger. Thankfully a few others came to help get the colors on as well -- Ania Amador & Swinny Swin. It really helped expedite the process, as we were unable to acquire a lift for this project.
Saturday we whipped out the designs after waiting out a few hours of rain -- and called it complete.
It was quite the creative journey.... And I am excited for it to stay there for all to see!!
I feel more city projects coming from this.....
Big UPS to Josh Boyer and his team of crafty hard workers. You guys are epic for building such an inspirational piece!!!!
It was an HONOR to paint it.
