THE PROJECT: PAINT BY NUMBERS COMMUNITY MURAL
Saratoga Arts launched an open call in spring 2023, in search of proposals for a new indoor mural in the classroom spaces at the Arts Center in downtown Saratoga Springs. Open to all, the endeavor was designed as a “paint by numbers” participatory mural, to be a free collaborative community project.
THE THEME: ARTS FOR ALL SEASONS
Overall inspiration for the design was the four seasons and the history of Saratoga Arts’ and its mission. Priority was awarded to applications that considered and included references to all genres of the arts, the historical significance of the building and its location in Congress Park, how arts and culture benefit and enrich the local community.
PROPOSAL STATEMENT
“As suggested my mural proposal is inspired by the history of Saratoga Springs captured within the four seasons while highlighting culturally significant structures and paying homage to the local landscape. Starting in the fall, from the natural springs represented in the seal of the city, the roots being symbolic of the original native history that continues into the wild forest. Then, transforming through into the winter, the path leading up to the Saratoga Community Arts Center serves as the centerpiece. Further on, the beginning of spring is lush with lavender bloom, beautifying the populated area of downtown along with one of Saratoga’s public springs, opening into the fields of the revolutionary battlefield, and the summer with the iconic horse racing track. The constant cycle and resiliency of nature mirrors that of the creative work and growth made possible at Saratoga Arts.”
IMPACT
This particularly accessible project has enabled multiple members of the community to contribute to a large-scale work of art that will live on and inspire all that enter to participate in K-12 kids camps, teen and adult classes, workshops, and special creative events for the next decade. The mission of the art center to have a resource for all, where anyone can contribute, create, and be a part of their community, was prioritized by focusing on equity: contributing to a larger project like this by structuring it as a paint by numbers collaboration effort gave every person something to contribute, every piece integral to the final picture. The 94 inches tall by 480 inches wide wall was painted on by over 200 visitors from all walks of life, over a period of 2 weeks, in the summer of 2023, working side by side, gradually filling in the colors.
Developing the strategy for facilitating the process of painting was another challenge in itself that required welcoming the participants, introducing them to this joint effort, and describing the technical procedure, which is based on the pre-made mural painting instructions, serving as guidelines. Considering the diversity of ages and artistic ability, developing the strategy and facilitating the process proved challenging, yet Saratoga Arts and Yuri Leonov devised a flexible and engaging format that met the challenge thrivingly, evidenced by the final mural.
Mural Painter | Seen Media Group (2O16-2O2O)
Created large-scale, hyperrealistic murals in oil enamel on building walls across major markets for esteemed clients like Bacardi, Balenciaga, Citi, Dell, and more (full client list available upon request).
Operated various lifts and assembled scaffolds for safe and efficient access.
Executed intricate details at both ground level and high elevations.
Coordinated workflow and distributed tasks to meet tight deadlines.
Adapted to weather conditions and drying times.
Transformed digital files into precise wall schematics.
Premixed oil enamels and managed all materials and equipment.
Mural Painter | Overall Murals (2O14)
Created award-winning murals, signage, and public art for a prestigious clientele including Adult Swim, Hendrick's, Kara Walker, and PepsiCo (full client list available upon request).
Highly skilled in oil enamel techniques and mural execution.
Operated lifts and erected scaffolds for safe and efficient project completion.
Collaborated effectively within a fast-paced team environment.
Diverse workshop experience handling a variety of mural-related tasks.
In this project I got to explore interior design, and working with a specific predetermined aesthetic. The Brooklyn restaurant Woodland commissioned me to make images for decorating the environment. The work is themed around forest/trees, and is following an earthly palette of umber, sienna, and ocher, with limited color. I used this as a personal study of some of my favorite tree painters/paintings: Ivan Shishkin, Andrew Wyeth, Alexei Savrasov, Caspar David Friedrich. Main painting is in the central area of the restaurant, three mural paintings serve as restroom decoration.
Studio Artist | Evergreene Architectural Arts (2O12)
Contributed to the historic preservation of the Venetian Resort Las Vegas through decorative painting and restoration techniques.
Skilled in various artistic processes, including canvas and sculpture gilding, stretching, priming, gridding, projection work, photography assistance, varnishing, and shipping preparation.
I was commissioned by the punk band World Inferno Friendship Society to paint a banner for their halloween concert at the Warsaw Concert Hall in brooklyn. Derived from the conceptual/lyrical content of the music, the imagery is mimicking the Citizen Kane election scene, with a pumpkin puppet as the politician.
Assisted Sean Mellyn in the early stages of his Madava's World at Dover Plains Mural.
