Grandin Village Art Walk - Walls that Unite

Whenever I am asked to come up with an idea for a mural I always consider location, purpose and audience. This piece represents the face of Roanoke as I see it – people of all backgrounds coming together to form a united group. My first idea for this project was to use a handshake and the word Respect as the central image. The challenge was to come up with the right handshake that would translate well into a large static image and still convey the intended meaning.

Hands clasped together conveys a strong bond, a good representation of the word Respect. I chose the green color for Respect to compliment the red brick wall of the building. The next step was to visibly make the piece interesting and include urban elements with something that viewers can immediately associate with Roanoke. What better element to include than the Star! The graffiti in the background adds depth and interest. This piece was fun to plan and execute – I am honored to have a small part in representing my home town.