|
|
Post by Jim Boylston on Jan 28, 2009 18:43:49 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by glforeman on Jan 31, 2009 13:30:13 GMT -5
Some explanations for the madness you see here:
This project was recently executed on huge Shell oil storage tanks for Project Stars in Houston but it goes back to our first photo shoot in February 2007. We amassed some great reenactors, got a nice budget to make extra period clothing (by Steve Abolt), had Steve Hardin as an advisor, and eventually shot images on nine other locations, and Bill Hamilton executed the graphic composition of the elements which was loosely based off of my storyboards. A major team effort! More are ready to go up.
The two murals (40' x 140' each) depict the story of Sam Houston pulling one of the twin sister cannons out of the mud, after Pamelia Mann reclaimed her oxen and removed them out of harm's way. We used every scrap of information we could get about the weather, the recent thunderstorms, the description & knowledge of vegetation, and the various impressions by so many different characters of the Texian Army. The cut of the clothes and assorted weapons/accoutrements were heavily researched. We have some ideas brewing about a new Alamo scene.... but first I have to talk to Mark Lemon.
GLF
|
|
|
|
Post by sloanrodgers on Feb 1, 2009 11:25:14 GMT -5
Holy Moly! fantastic tank art. My extreme compliments to you, Doc Hardin, Bill Hamilton and everyone associated with this epic project. I didn't know such large and detailed murals were possible on these structures. I just hope they're not out in the middle of nowhere. I've got a large water tank near my house I would like to see painted or even muralized in this manner. Here's a link I found for the above tank murals. Adios. ;D www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/pasadena/news/6222993.html |
|
|
|
Post by Wade Dillon on Feb 1, 2009 12:50:12 GMT -5
Gary, it looks beautiful! I never knew I'd say that about a tank, but its fantastic! lol
|
|
|
|
Post by glforeman on Feb 3, 2009 10:12:01 GMT -5
Regarding Location: These murals are actually located on a terrific site. The tanks hug the busy and popular Hwy 225 (also known as the Texas Independence Highway) which closely parallels Houston's route to San Jacinto. It is just east of Beltway 8 and the larger characters on the mural can be seen from over a mile away from either a west or east approach. If you're traveling from Houston to the SJ Battlefield, they'll be on your left, and you certainly can't miss them.
GLF
|
|
|
|
Post by sloanrodgers on Feb 4, 2009 4:31:21 GMT -5
Thanks Gary. I'd like to check them out in person sometime. It's a very realistic and heroic image, but I have one small criticism. The Twin Sisters carriage looks a bit large. The cannon were 4 pounders, so I believe the wheels should only be 36 inches or basically waist high to the men pulling them. I like the fact that the tube is in the traveling position with the bore protected. It was also common practice to paint the carriages black in the early 19th Century. Tom Lindley once said that he had an eyewitness that stated the carriages were black. Regardless, I think the contrast looks better with the lighter colored wood. Good choice.  |
|
|
|
Post by glforeman on Feb 5, 2009 20:50:59 GMT -5
RangerRod: Thanks for the nice comments. The cannon, we believe, is the correct size. There are a couple factors that makes you think otherwise and one is that the models appear shorter (in comparison to the cannon) because they are leaning and their verticle length is abbreviated. The other is that the gun is positioned on a slope and tilted up so that we see more of it through a cross-linear axis. I was pleased in how the guys really put their backs into it and gave the scene some nice energy.
GLF
|
|
|
|
Post by TRK on Feb 6, 2009 18:37:33 GMT -5
As somebody who used to drive that route on occasion, although a seeming lifetime ago, I'd venture that those storage tank graphics are probably the classiest and most attractive sight along that route.
If I wore a hat, I'd doff it to you, Gary, and the crew that put the whole thing together.
Bravo!
So, now that there are epic-sized paintings on those tanks, has there been an effort to interpret or explain to the more benighted passersby what they are looking at?
-Tom
|
|
|
|
Post by glforeman on Feb 6, 2009 22:07:16 GMT -5
Tom:
Once we get to a certain number of tanks, say 10 or 12, a website and possible radio frequency (and CDs) will be part of the storytelling process for each mural. For CDs, the corresponding number on the map would be the same as the track number. We're excited about how this process can engage more people. The original idea was to allow the murals to visually lead the travelers through this industrial jungle to the San Jacinto Battlefield. Houston PBS is talking to us about a GPS cache program that takes people to surprising places and discoveries. We're standing by with at least a dozen completed new images.
GLF
|
|
|
|
Post by sloanrodgers on Feb 8, 2009 11:06:51 GMT -5
RangerRod: Thanks for the nice comments. The cannon, we believe, is the correct size. There are a couple factors that makes you think otherwise and one is that the models appear shorter (in comparison to the cannon) because they are leaning and their verticle length is abbreviated. The other is that the gun is positioned on a slope and tilted up so that we see more of it through a cross-linear axis. I was pleased in how the guys really put their backs into it and gave the scene some nice energy. GLF I accounted for verticle length and cross-linear axis when measuring the wheel. I also compared the diameter of the wheel to the fellow's height (pulling cannon) on the right, who is the closest to the hub. Clearly this great artist was trying to depict a 6 pounder as the top of the wheel is near the shoulder. As I've said in other posts the Twin Sisters were 4 pounders and often described as small and little cannon. The makers of the San Jacinto artillery claimed they were 4 pounders which was confirmed by Texas Agent William Bryan at New Orleans and the Mexicans on the battle- ground. The Twin Sisters only became the mythical 6 pounders when artillery experts Rusk and Houston misidentified them as such and others followed their lead. The Twin Sisters' wheels in the famous William Henry Huddle picture are the right size for 4 pounders, but they are far less dramatic in their presentation. I would rather see the heroic men on the tanks struggling with sturdy 6 pounders, than hunched over pop-guns. It just wouldn't look good. |
|
|
|
Post by TRK on Mar 11, 2010 16:22:19 GMT -5
Bumped up because of recent discussions of these paintings on another thread.
|
|
