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Tuskegee Airmen Mural For Boys Room

February 18, 2010 By Colleen Jorgenson 19 Comments

I have to confess – when I was contacted to paint this mural, I had no idea who the Tuskegee Airmen were. I just did what I always do – I Googled Images for research. What I found interested and amazed me.

J112

Being the stepmother to 3 black men, I had kinda prided myself on teaching them black history. Well, as much as I knew – which turns out is very, very little. As a matter of fact, I recall Whoopi Goldberg hosting the Academy Awards that year, if memory serves, and telling the kids what a landmark occasion it was. They responded with combinations of blank stares and rolled eyes. Ah yes, the common response of 3 preteen age boys.

Anyway, I clicked on a picture of a Mustang fighter and saw the website of the Tuskegee Airmen. They were the first black military aviators for the U.S. They flew in WWII, when the military was still racially segregated. Wow! How little I knew about black history.

So I was more than a little honored to paint a little boys’ room with Mustang fighter planes. Plus, my client is a graduate of Tuskegee University. While I was painting, she gave me  wonderful brief lessons in black history.

First, we painted the room out in a beautiful sky blue. Note the closet and no doors. We’ll get to those in a minute.

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I painted three planes with a few clouds surrounding them.

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This one was above the closet doors.

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Another over on the wall by the bedroom door. The third (pictured at the top of this post) was painted by the window.

The little boy has a bunk bed so we needed something above his bed. Plus, I wanted something large enough where the pilot could be seen.

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Look closely. Can you see? Yes, the pilot is african american. And on his bomber jacket his name tag reads “Clark”, the family’s surname.

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Oh yes, the closet doors. These were totally Hubby’s idea. I actually thought it was kinda weird – a ‘guy’ thing. But they turned out pretty cool.

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Do you get it? It’s the nose of a Mustang fighter plane with little planes flying ‘behind’ it.

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I won’t tell you what a pain in the a** joy this was to paint. Paneled doors. Bright red paint on white – uh, very hard to correct overpainting mistakes. But they turned out to be the highlight of the room. Go figure.
And here’s what makes my job the best job in the whole world.

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A very happy boy and his cousin, jumping around, pretending to be pilots. Cute, huh?

 

Colleen

Filed Under: murals, my paintings, My Stuff

Comments

  1. willowbird35 says

    February 18, 2010 at 4:33 pm

    This is so awesome! You are very talented. Those clouds looks so real I want to dip my fingers in them and swirl them around! And the planes? Amazing!! I love what you did for this lucky little boy’s room.

    Reply
  2. Ms Bibi says

    February 18, 2010 at 4:53 pm

    That is so awesome.You did an amazing job. I wish I had an ounce of your talent. I have to settle for vinyl stick art.

    Reply
  3. Valerie Krist says

    February 18, 2010 at 5:28 pm

    Haha, I love the airplane nose on the door. Way to be innovative!

    Reply
  4. fawnda says

    February 18, 2010 at 5:44 pm

    I love the big plane by the bed! And the closet is super cool too! AWESOME job! : )

    Reply
  5. Cheryl says

    February 18, 2010 at 6:07 pm

    I will say it again… You are simply AMAZING. This is a true talent and an AWESOME talent.

    Reply
  6. Sue from Oregon says

    February 18, 2010 at 8:56 pm

    oh goodness…what talent!

    Reply
  7. Sandy says

    February 19, 2010 at 1:40 am

    If only I could paint like this.. what a beautiful job.. lucky little boys!
    Sandy

    http://thewondersofdoing.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  8. Katie says

    February 19, 2010 at 3:03 am

    Beautiful work!

    I actually live in a town full of murals. Lake Placid, FL. Almost any blank wall in this town has been painted. Most by Keith Goodson…but a few other artists too.

    I am following you from MBC. You are very talented!

    http://www.katiebuglj.blogspot.com
    http://www.rainydayboredom.blogspot.com

    Reply
  9. 健康保寶 says

    February 19, 2010 at 11:40 am

    We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull, Some have weird names , and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box.............................................

    Reply
  10. Kati says

    February 19, 2010 at 8:36 pm

    Wow! That is amazing! You are very talented… Happy FF!!

    Reply
  11. Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish says

    February 20, 2010 at 2:10 am

    I love this – you are so talented!

    Reply
  12. Lori says

    February 20, 2010 at 11:23 am

    You are soooo talented. I love seeing all of your murals. This turned out so great.. The boys look so happy..

    Thanks for joining Get Your Craft on Thurs. at Life As Lori

    Please join me next week for another great party!

    Reply
  13. Infarrantly Creative says

    February 21, 2010 at 12:42 am

    Ohmyword! Now that is just awesome. You are amazing. Insanely jealous over here.

    Reply
  14. Kelly @ Make It Sparkly Mama says

    February 21, 2010 at 6:48 am

    One Word Only! Amazing!

    Reply
  15. Kasey says

    February 21, 2010 at 3:43 pm

    Awesome work! Looks fantastic!

    As a member of the Air Force myself the Tuskegee Airman are a major part of our Military/AF History. They were great Hero’s and are a true representation of the Air Force core values!

    Reply
  16. Amanda @ Serenity Now says

    February 23, 2010 at 1:37 am

    SO COOL!!!!!

    Reply
  17. Julie says

    February 23, 2010 at 10:15 pm

    Nice risk. You have a wonderful talent.

    Reply
  18. Julia says

    June 22, 2010 at 4:26 pm

    Amazing!

    Reply
  19. Vintage Dutch Girl says

    June 24, 2010 at 12:20 am

    Cool! My 3 yr old would LOVE that in his room!

    Reply

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    About Me

    Hi there! I'm Colleen, a self-taught artist, writer and blogger, among other things. You don't get to be old enough to order off the Denny's senior menu without accomplishing a few things in life. Read More…

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