By Mike Hazlip—
Blank walls around Sunrise MarketPlace are becoming canvases for artists participating in a Wide Open Walls project.
The MarketPlace has commissioned three new wall murals, two in the Marketplace at Birdcage, and one at PetSmart. The project aims to “activate spaces in alleyways and buildings throughout Sacramento,” according to the website for Wide Open Walls.
Artist Rachel Kerns was observed painting the mural on an exterior wall of Bath and Body Works last week, telling The Sentinel that the inspiration for the piece came to her as she began the work.
“This is just something that I felt like painting in the moment,” Kerns said. “It jut kind of came to me, it’s kind of in my brain and in my heart.”
Kerns said the final piece would include gold foil. She uses latex exterior paint for the mural, but says some mural artists choose other means. She said she is looking forward to seeing people interacting with her art through photographs and selfies.
The 30-year-old artist said her mother discouraged her pursuit of art, but she found what she calls her true calling while in college.
“Once I found myself back on a path of making art, it’s kind of blossomed,” she said.
Eventually, Kerns found an artist community in Sacramento where she started painting and selling art before she started painting murals. With more than 30 walls to her credit to date, Kerns says “it’s kind of crazy to think this is my job.”
Sunrise MarketPlace Executive Director Kathilynn Carpenter said the new murals are funded by the Gerrity Group, Intercal, with partial funding of $5,000 given by the MarketPlace to each company.
By Mike Hazlip—
Blank walls around Sunrise MarketPlace are becoming canvases for artists participating in a Wide Open Walls project.
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