It's hard to believe that it has been 3 years since I painted the beach mural at the Thomas Palliative Care unit at MCV hospital. In November of 2008 I met Ellie Coyne at the unit...you can read the story here.
Fast forward...Tuesday, May 17, 2011...I got a call from Ellie. "Do you remember me Leslie?", she said. Of course! "You won't believe what your mural has inspired. Please come by the unit so you can see the out-pouring of LOVE that is the beach mural." "It's a miracle...it has helped so many people and I want you to see it."
So, today I made my way back to MCV and Ellie was right...I couldn't believe what I saw. It's amazing...so many people wrote, drew, painted and collaged on to the wall that was merely a beach scene before...blossomed into a wall of HOPE, memories, dedications and well wishes to ALL who have struggled, endured and some that have sadly succumbed to cancer. And it all started with a beach scene...a place to escape from the reality of the disease. At the end of May the wall will be painted over and I will begin a new mural...this time....BUTTERFLIES I can't wait to see the metamorphosis it brings!
Fast forward...Tuesday, May 17, 2011...I got a call from Ellie. "Do you remember me Leslie?", she said. Of course! "You won't believe what your mural has inspired. Please come by the unit so you can see the out-pouring of LOVE that is the beach mural." "It's a miracle...it has helped so many people and I want you to see it."
So, today I made my way back to MCV and Ellie was right...I couldn't believe what I saw. It's amazing...so many people wrote, drew, painted and collaged on to the wall that was merely a beach scene before...blossomed into a wall of HOPE, memories, dedications and well wishes to ALL who have struggled, endured and some that have sadly succumbed to cancer. And it all started with a beach scene...a place to escape from the reality of the disease. At the end of May the wall will be painted over and I will begin a new mural...this time....BUTTERFLIES I can't wait to see the metamorphosis it brings!
BEFORE... November 2008 (below)
AFTER... May 2011