Reticulated Python Exhibit--Stage 3

This is a (somewhat distorted) panoramic of the exhibit.  I'm nearly finished.  They took away the scaffolding so tomorrow I will be working mostly on touchups.

Reticulated Python Exhibit--Stage 2

I began to extend the branches of the older mural up into the new space.  Everything above the overhang is new, while most of what is under the overhang is old.  Here I was still struggling a little with matching the colors.

I stole a fan from the backstage area, so it doesn't feel so much like the tropics anymore.

The Wall is pretty rough, making it difficult to paint clean edges.  I made some simple stenciles to help me with the branches.

I finally made some nice clusters of leaves and branches that I think look pretty similar to the branches in the original mural.  I also added some suggestions of cloud cover.  Maybe I'll throw in a bird or two later.

Next up: I've got to work on that corner.

The Reticulated Python Exhibit--Stage 1

I am currently working on an exhibit for this beautiful snake: the reticulated python.  The reticulated python is native to parts of Southern Asia, and some experts say it is the longest snake in the entire world.

This is the python's exhibit.  They just extended the space upwards about 5 feet to a skylight.  My job is to extend the old mural all the way to the skylight.  The mural depicts a tropical asian forest scene.  The challenge will be matching the colors and leaf patterns of the older mural.

I began by rolling out a coat of light green paint for the forest canopy, and a coat of blue paint for the sky.  That was all pretty easy.  I got a bit sweaty working so close to that skylight, felt like I was really in the tropics!

The Black-headed Python Exhibit

The first exhibit the Saint Louis Zoo asked me to paint was the Black-headed Python exhibit.  I was very excited to get the job and spent a long time thinking about how I wanted it to look.  The black-headed python is native to Australia, so I wanted to include some unique Australian landmarks.  That's Ayer's Rock (also known as Uluru) in the background, and those handprints on the wall are meant to be indigenous Australian rock art (http://australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/austn-indigenous-art).