I've been painting big, public pictures since 1988. My first mural - in the world-famous town of Chemainus on Vancouver Island, B.C., set me on a path that I've enjoyed ever since. Along the way, I've met a Prime Minister, a Premier, several Mayors, and hundreds of wonderful, committed people around western Canada. It's always been a thrill for me to see the change in people who gain an appreciation for the art-making process, and choose to befriend me while I paint 'their' story. So many people, so many stories to share! I've tried to take my family - wife, daughters, guinea pigs and/or dog with me on the road, so we've all shared the adventures together.

Here are the answers to the questions I'm most commonly asked.

1. How long does it take to paint a mural?
My favourite answer is to quote my age. Certainly, a lifetime of experience goes into every artists work - it's not something that can be simply taught as a trade. That being said, the scale certainly is forgiving, and distance helps to blend the tones and smooth the lines... I typically take about a month to complete an image. I find there needs to be time to reflect and rework areas, as the image and I 'grow' together.

2. How do you manage perspective?
When working up close - sometimes as close as 2 feet, with no room to back up, presents significant drawing/colour challenges, especially on bigger wall areas. Almost all the painters I know use the same technique - either a projector or a grid, to prep the surface for finished drawing and colouring afterwards. When access and conditions exist, the easiest method is to set up a powerful projector the night before, and using lifting equipment if necessary, follow the beamed outlines with a bold, dark colour to aid the next day when daylight will allow careful colour mixing and application. If conditions don't allow projecting, and traditional grid system is the next alternative.

Once I'm standing on the scaffold, even though there are reference drawing marks on the wall, it still takes some practice and often time - a few days
- to 'get in the zone'. I find as the project proceeds, I can become quite confident in understanding the scope of the whole project, contained in the back of my mind, while my vision is constrained to the immediate view in front of me. I confirm my work with many trips down from the lifting equipment and a walk back for a street-side view - always the best check.

3. What kind of paint is used?
Most of the work shown here uses high quality, exterior acrylic
(water-based) house paint. Many have been coated, when finished, with a special outdoor UV filtering varnish, to help preserve the colouring as much as possible. Smaller projects often include the use of true artists acrylic paint, used for its greater vibrancy and superior mixability. Some of my larger images have used over 40 gallons of paint, comprising many colours intermixed at the time of painting.

I prefer to use a palette of strong, primary colours, mixed before each stroke, to achieve the desired tone and hue. I have found this method results in a powerful presentation to the street. Remembering that the images are typically seen at distances of 10 - to 100 feet (or more) from the painting, strategies to assure the drama of the composition are delivered suitably at these distances need to be planned for.