Ten days. Seventy hours. Thirteen colors. Sixteen types of creatures.
Muralist Iris Murray recently put the finishing touches on the latest cosmetic upgrade to the children’s area of Rodman Public Library, painting six panels above book shelves as well as a large wall in a welcoming woodland theme that brightened the space.
“The theme matches what was here already,” said Murray, noting the animal cutouts on the backs of the chairs in the area. “It’s been a fun project. It was lots of fun when kids would come up and ask questions about what I was doing and say they liked it and thought it was beautiful.”
For seven hours a day over a week and a half, Murray stood atop a ladder, her brush strokes of different shades of greens, blues, and browns producing the likenesses of a mouse, fox, turtle, rabbits, fish, beaver, frog, snail, ladybugs, owl, squirrel, deer, raccoons, butterfly, bird, and a bear.
“I hope people stop in and see it and really appreciate it," said Murray.
Murray, a 2018 graduate of Louisville High School, got her start as an artist by painting Leopard heads on basement walls and driveways of friends. While earning a degree from Walsh University in marketing/graphic design, she developed a knack for creating larger works of art and started focusing on murals in 2022.
Some of her most prominent work around Stark County is featured at Second Sole in Canton; Peace, Love and Little Donuts in Hartville; Umbrella Alley in Louisville; and in downtown Canal Fulton.
As of December, she can add Rodman Public Library to her list.
“I am so pleased that I had the opportunity to do this project,” said Murray. “And I am very pleased with the way that it turned out.”
Murray’s work can be viewed on Instagram (username: eyerusssss) and her experience at RPL will eventually be highlighted as a time-lapse video or photo gallery.