Marshall's Music
Located at Johnson's Paint
326 West Main St.
Corner of Main and 4th St.
Painting the Mural
Greg Wimmer began working on the mural using smaller sketches of the design on paper and computer. As the design was finalized he reproduced the design on a grid and prints on acetate.
The first job on site was to prime the surface. The bottom window sills on the higher windows of the building were painted to match the natural brick. When ready to begin the mural, chalk lines were applied as an initial guide. The church window was centered on the wall and the trumpet player was roughed in. The trumpet player is one of the key figures in the design. "It sort of announces, 'here it is,'" Greg says. "The figure is meant to draw viewers to the painting like a fanfare."
Using a scissor lift, Greg was able to reach the upper portions of the wall and the mural began to take shape with the piano keys, the landscape, and the first of the country western group figures. With the help of his design grid he used an overhead projector to outline some of the sections of the design on the wall. Then the painting and shading of elements were completed. One of Wimmer's special skills is in using the architectural elements of the wall. The brick designs of the old windows and and over the side door enhance the mural. One window is used as the base of the arching church window; the country western group seems to be standing under the actual lamp post on the sidewalk.
With the exception of weather delays, the mural was completed in four weeks with Greg working 12-hour days on the project.
The first job on site was to prime the surface. The bottom window sills on the higher windows of the building were painted to match the natural brick. When ready to begin the mural, chalk lines were applied as an initial guide. The church window was centered on the wall and the trumpet player was roughed in. The trumpet player is one of the key figures in the design. "It sort of announces, 'here it is,'" Greg says. "The figure is meant to draw viewers to the painting like a fanfare."
Using a scissor lift, Greg was able to reach the upper portions of the wall and the mural began to take shape with the piano keys, the landscape, and the first of the country western group figures. With the help of his design grid he used an overhead projector to outline some of the sections of the design on the wall. Then the painting and shading of elements were completed. One of Wimmer's special skills is in using the architectural elements of the wall. The brick designs of the old windows and and over the side door enhance the mural. One window is used as the base of the arching church window; the country western group seems to be standing under the actual lamp post on the sidewalk.
With the exception of weather delays, the mural was completed in four weeks with Greg working 12-hour days on the project.
About the Artist
Greg Wimmer, of Rochester, MN, attended Kendal School of Design in Grand Rapids, Michigan and has painted murals around Minnesota, including murals for the DNR at the Upper Sioux State Park in Granite Falls and Blue Mound State Park in Luverne, as well as numerous projects in Rochester and south east Minnesota. He also has a three-story mural in Huron, SD commemorating the South Dakota State Fair.
Wimmer describes one of the unique details in his Marshall's Music design: "I created a flowing shape of prairie grasses that frame the bottom of the mural. The prairie wind blows, and out of the grass are seed head shapes that become notes blowing in the wind."
Wimmer said the mural design is meant to represent all kinds of musical experiences. It includes figures from a city band or orchestra, a marching band, a violinist, bluegrass-style/country western musicians, and even a group of children singing in a church choir. "I think for a lot of people, that's where they get their firs experience with music," Wimmer said; he wanted to have that represented in the painting.
Greg Wimmer is the owner of Wimmer Illustration & Design in Rochester, MN. He began his career by working for an advertising agency where he gained hands-on design experience working closely with clients. After 15 years he started his own freelance design business. Although he still does a lot of design work, murals have become his passion. Some murals could be considered landmarks.
Wimmer's website is located at http://www.gregsgraphicart.com
Wimmer describes one of the unique details in his Marshall's Music design: "I created a flowing shape of prairie grasses that frame the bottom of the mural. The prairie wind blows, and out of the grass are seed head shapes that become notes blowing in the wind."
Wimmer said the mural design is meant to represent all kinds of musical experiences. It includes figures from a city band or orchestra, a marching band, a violinist, bluegrass-style/country western musicians, and even a group of children singing in a church choir. "I think for a lot of people, that's where they get their firs experience with music," Wimmer said; he wanted to have that represented in the painting.
Greg Wimmer is the owner of Wimmer Illustration & Design in Rochester, MN. He began his career by working for an advertising agency where he gained hands-on design experience working closely with clients. After 15 years he started his own freelance design business. Although he still does a lot of design work, murals have become his passion. Some murals could be considered landmarks.
Wimmer's website is located at http://www.gregsgraphicart.com
The Marshall Mural Project is made possible by support from the City of Marshall; the Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment; Valspar Paint; and the Southwest Initiative Foundation with grants from the Southwest Minnesota Arts and Humanities Council with funds appropriated by the State Legislature and/or by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota in 2008.
The City of Marshall has also provided major financial support for the Marshall Mural Project as well as community residents and businesses through the collaborative 911 Buy-A-Brick program and individual donations. Johnson's Paint has provided their business as a canvas for this mural.
The City of Marshall has also provided major financial support for the Marshall Mural Project as well as community residents and businesses through the collaborative 911 Buy-A-Brick program and individual donations. Johnson's Paint has provided their business as a canvas for this mural.
