Summer 2022
Heroes, Manassas Mural
The Manassas Mall Murals was an summer long project in which the they hired young artists to paint the walls of the mall. The theme was community and it was meant to be uplifting as we were still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Notified of the opportunity by Murals of Masons, I managed to create a design that was both uplifting, but also respectful to all the people helped us survive throughout the pandemic-our heroes. I included teachers, scientists, grocery store workers, mailman, and of course medical personnel. I wanted to make sure that it was inclusive as well as representative of the many professions that helped us get through the pandemic.
Differing from the other designs on the wall, I decided to showcase my regular cartoonish style to ensure the friendly and fun appeal I was going for. I created the design and sent it to be approved to the Manassas Mall mural coordinators. Once it was approved I proceeded to sketch out my design into the wall and began working.
Overall...
It was one of my most fun projects.
It took me about to three months and six hands to complete.
Left to right: Carol: @citrusmaps, Dango Fuentes: @muchodango1
For it being my first mural, it came out great!
A lot of people like the cartoony design and colorful style that my mural had.
IN CONCLUSION...
This was a great way to honor the real-life heroes that carried us throughout the pandemic.
I wanted to make sure the mural was inclusive but also friendly enough so that the focus is not on the pandemic itself and all it's hardships, but the humanity behind it.
For this reason it was important for me to make sure that mural kept it's cartoony and fun appeal. This way, it would be a reminder of the people, not the pandemic.
Overall, yes my ego went up a bit for being able to participate in this, but more so I was appreciative to be able to represent the many women and men who took a stand in helping us move through that tough time. Some of them being part of my very own family...and that I was able to do it through cartoons.