apinkeye

I left school at 16 and trained as a Painter & Decorator on a government scheme called Task Force in Warrington, Northwest of England. This was part of a job creation program for the young unemployed. It was the start of my journey as a Artist and a Painter & Decorator. As the years went by, I built up my skills and experience. I learned sign writing, Plastering and all the decorative paint effects. I would sketch at breaktime, but never took it seriously.

I gained a lot of quality experience during a two-year spell in California working on high luxury homes and offices. In the early 1990 whilst visiting my family in Detroit i was introduced to renowned mural artist Wyland.

Wyland's canvases were huge buildings set in industrial and coastal areas. Although I had seen murals before, his style was unique - he uses car spray guns which is a large airbrush and traditional brushes. A typical Wyland mural of blues and greens transforms the buildings into beautiful marine scenes, the environmental message is striking. I couldn't wait to return home to practise this style of painting and begin work.

I read all the airbrush material I could lay my hands on. My local college allowed me to use their walls in the Painting & Decorating workshop and I would replicate Wyland's work and paint over it and start all over again, time after time.

The Lecturer at college was very patient with me - here was I taking up room painting art and he was trying to conduct a lesson around me. After months of practise, I was desperate to paint outside ad use my airbrush skills.

Story

My practise area at college

I approached my primary school, remembering a wall at the back that was secluded from passers-by. Realising this would make a perfect location. I arranged to see the Headmistress who was a Teacher during my time there. She gave me the go-ahead at 3.00 in the afternoon and by 5.00 p.m. I had begun work - just in case she changed her mind!! All the prep work - the cleaning and priming was completed late into the evening. The mural was started during a Summer Fete at the school much to the delight of the children. My first mural was a success - my time was given for free and the scaffold and materials were generously donated by local businesses.

While talking to my uncle Bill in Detroit he said Wyland was painting there soon, so I quickly arranged a visit. I was so excited by the prospect of seeing the master at work. I was not disappointed a thirty-three story sky scrapper smack in the middle of Motown. The first thing that struck me was how professional the operation was. Nordstrom a major store, a major motor car company and Sherwin Williams the largest paint company in the World were all supporting the event. I was staggered to read that an original Wyland painting would cost over $200,000. The whole community got involved, from school children to adults. I was left wondering would this happen in Warrington?

Back in England an article in the local paper by the Warrington Art's Council was brought to my attention. They were asking people to get in touch with them to paint murals in the town. I contacted them straightaway and we met up soon after. They advised that they have access to funds that are allocated each year, for art projects and that they were considering a public mural in the town. We met on a number of occasions when I briefed them about my work and was asked to contact them when I had found a suitable location.

Although I pointed out several sites including the old Fairclough Mill (now home to Crown Cars) we never seemed to progress.

My primary school finish

More than 12 months later, I would pass the Mill (which stands over 110 feet tall) as I had done every day on my route home and decide to contact the owner. I was surprised but elated that the owner was very enthusiastic! I showed him my work and convinced him I could do the job.

In January 1999 I spoke to a Planning Officer at the Council to enquire if planning permission was needed for such a project and I was told it wasn't. I followed up my enquiry by letter asking for confirmation in writing. I contacted a multi-national company for sponsorship for an arts competition - they were very enthusiastic. I wanted to create a community arts event involving local schools, with art materials as prizes.
A week later, I received a telephone call saying I now need planning permission! I visited the Planning Department to collect the appropriate form and spoke to the Planning Officer concerned who commented that he had visited the Mill site - he thought my idea was a good one and didn't foresee any problems with getting the go-ahead. I was told the process would take about 5-6 weeks.

I immediately set to work, completing the planning application form and preparing illustrations - the form was registered on 12th February 1999.

I now needed to raise the funds. I went back to Warrington Art's Council, having found an ideal site, to ask for help. I completed their application form for funding and during our discussions they suggested I also contact Warrington Borough Art's Council (two separate organisations).

The response from Warrington Arts Council arrived - I had been refused assistance. They said I did not fit into their terms of reference - they said they normally give grants to organisations to help them start or do things they can't do themselves and that I had not mentioned I had asked Warrington Borough Arts Council for

assistance!

Wyland’s mural in Detroit

I was stunned and so disappointed. What I couldn't understand was, I had not formally applied to Warrington Borough Arts Council - I had spoken to one or two people but even so, it was Warrington Arts Council's idea in the first place that I should do so. I telephoned Warrington Arts Council to try to understand their reasoning and they enquired as to who else I was going to ask for help - when I said I had yet to apply formally to Warrington Borough Arts Council - the response I received left me reeling! I was told Warrington Borough Arts Council is totally against my idea - but how would they know about my idea I asked - well they have representatives on our Committee too - came the response! I was told there was no point applying to the Borough Council!

I telephoned the Planning Officer dealing with my application the very next day and asked would the fact that the Borough Arts Council appears to be against my idea, affect the planning application - I was told it would not.

I heard a short while later that an objection had been received from the Council's Highway Engineer, who said the mural would cause a distraction to drivers, despite the fact that the surrounding area was traffic light controlled! The Planning Officer suddenly had a change of heart - he now felt a marine scene in this urban industrial location, had no relevance and suggested I obtain backing from a community-based organisation.

I had been liaising with Warrington Arts Council for over 2 years and although I had received formal letters of support, nothing practical ever materialised.

I was obviously getting the message that no funds would be forthcoming when the owner of the Mill Tower - Phil - decided to fund the project himself, albeit on a cost basis, but this did mean I no longer needed grant assistance.

An old friend - Mike - who happened to be a Town Planner came to my rescue. He was convinced that planning permission was not needed, but unfortunately my planning fee and application form had already been submitted!

Building before the pinkeye

Correspondence between myself and the Planning Department were exchanged over a two month period requesting up-dates and asking for reasonable notification if the matter was to be referred to the Planning Committee. My application was refused and referred to the Planning Committee. My representative (Mike) was given just two days notice and as I was working in the South at the time it left me no time to lobby any Councillors, let alone attend the meeting in person. Needless to say, my application failed with five Councillors in favour and seven against!

Mike was still convinced that I did not need planning permission - he was sure it came under Town & Country Planning "General Permitted Development Rights". Mike, Phil and myself met the Planner on 15th June 1999. The Planner was insistent that we still needed planning permission for a pictorial mural but he agreed we could paint the building pink with an abstract design. The rest is history!

Two weeks later I began work. The colour PINK was chosen by the owner of the building - the eye with a tear came through my subconscious as i was dreaming when i experiencing the difficulties of the planning fiasco. It symbolises the missed opportunity not only for myself but for the whole community. I wanted to create a mural with an environmental relevance - yes the building stands in a heavy industrial location - but the contrast would have been beautiful and a positive one - linking Warrington and the River Mersey to its wider biosphere - reminding people of our place in nature.

The press reports that followed were typical - I was accused by the Planning Department that my actions were …… a Two-Fingered response …… to their decision. I was shocked that the Council should use such an expression in any event. The fact that it was a misrepresentation of what went on makes it even more galling.

We met with the Head Planner at the Council who admitted that their overall performance had fallen below the standards they set themselves - for this he apologised.

I need say no more other than to add - my planning fee was reimbursed and I received confirmation from them that I could proceed with my original mural. All I wanted was a chance to do my art - it's a crying shame .