Painting with Wyland

Today we took the kids to participate in painting a mural with the artist, Wyland at the Long Beach Arena. The arena is his largest wall mural and was completed back in the early 1990's. He has come for the next 5 days to restore it. http://www.wyland.com/ Growing up in Southern O.C. I was very familiar with his wall murals and sculptures from walking through his gallery numerous times in Laguna Beach. I will admit to have buying many of his prints in the past. Today, I couldn't help buy a DVD that showed many sea animals and then had Wyland autograph it! Aquarium members were invited to bring their children to paint with him by getting a reservation for today only. I said we were available at all times of the day, so we got a spot. Thankfully, Lee was home today, so he could help check kids out of school and get them there before noon and return them to school a little after 1.

Group shot with Wyland. Sage is in the front left, Perry behind her, Libby is in front of Wyland, our friend Kelly has his arm around her and Brooke is to the far right (almost out of the photo).

Libby is working on her memaid.

Brooke is pointing out her creation.

Sage is working on her mermaid and Perry is working on a fish.

I didn't line them up this way, but they look cute in the new "paint shirts" they were given. Brianna Hardey joined a few moments later, but I never got another group shot:(

What color paint will look good on this very white shirt??? Brianna (blondie) is in the center.

Perry is giving the whale some bubbles.

This mural is being donated to the Long Beach Arena to keep on display forever. I think this was a worthwhile activity to pull kids out of school for a few hours, don't you?