A Month on "The Hill"
And that ends June 2026
Well... I made it.
On June 30th, just before midnight, my mural was finished.
Was it perfect?
No.
Did I give everything I had to produce the best artwork I could, outdoors, against the weather, the wind, the heat, the dust, and a deadline?
Absolutely.
And honestly... I'm proud of that.
When I first entered the Streetscapes Art Park competition, the largest painting I had ever completed was a 24" × 36" canvas. It took me nearly three months.
This mural?
Seven and a half feet wide.
Three and a half feet tall.
Painted outside.
Every day brought something new.
Wind. Dust. Heat. Curious visitors. Encouraging conversations. The occasional bug landing directly in wet paint.
It was all part of the experience.
I didn't update the blog every day like I originally planned. Quite simply... there wasn't enough time. When you have one chance to meet a deadline, painting has to come before writing. Every spare hour belonged to the mural, and I wouldn't change that decision.
One of the greatest surprises wasn't the painting itself.
It was the people.
I had the opportunity to meet many of the artists displaying their work throughout the park. Each artist brought a completely different style, perspective, and personality.
Realism. Abstract. Wildlife. Portraits. Street art. Southwestern themes.
Every panel told its own story.
I came away genuinely impressed by the level of talent represented in Cortez and the surrounding communities. There is some remarkable creativity here, and I was honored to paint alongside them.
Something else happened that I didn't expect.
I made new acquaintances.
Artists. Volunteers. People simply stopping by to watch.
Conversations that began with, "How's it going?" often ended with stories, encouragement, and laughter.
Those moments became just as valuable as the paint itself.
I also walked away with something else.
An incredible tan.
I suppose weeks of painting outdoors will do that.
I'm still recovering from what I jokingly call "The Hill." There were long days. Very long days. But every single one of them was worth it.
Painting large changes the way you think. You stop worrying about tiny details and begin thinking about how artwork feels from fifty feet away. It's a completely different discipline, and I'm grateful I had the chance to start learning it.
One unexpected glimpse was watching Rotary Club members who volunteer and invest their time into building something that benefits the entire community and it reminded me why organizations like Rotary matter.
Once the competition officially concludes, I hope to become a member of the Cortez Rotary Club myself. Giving back to the community that has welcomed me feels like the right next step.
People have already asked me what I plan to do with the mural after the competition.
The answer is simple.
I'm bringing it home.
First, I'll carefully clean away the dust and weather from weeks spent outdoors. Then I'll build a substantial floating frame from weathered gray wood that reflects the rugged beauty of the desert.
Rather than hanging it away forever, I'd love to lease it to local businesses so more people can enjoy it. Eventually, though... it comes home to KIT SWAN ARTWORKS™.
Someday, I hope it becomes part of my family's story. Something that can be cared for, displayed, and perhaps even leased by future generations.
This mural isn't just paint on a panel.
It's the beginning of something much larger.
~~~~~~
Now... it's time to shift gears.
The next adventure is waiting.
Over the coming weeks I'll be sharing the journey of creating my first product line for KIT SWAN ARTWORKS™.
Coloring postcards.
Stickers.
Poster tube kits.
Packaging.
The business side of becoming an artist.
There is still a mountain to climb...
But after surviving "The Hill," I think I'm ready for it.
Thank you to everyone who followed along, stopped to visit, offered encouragement, honked while driving by, even the cars that backfired and caused instantaneous heart failure, or simply believed in me.
We'll create something beautiful together.
Until next time...
~ Kit S.
Create Something Beautiful Today.™
