The visual impact on the outside walls of the Ashdown Community Library has become an art exhibition showcasing books available in the library.
Master artist Art Pletcher was selected by the Domtar Community Advisory Team to paint murals reflecting books available inside the library, says librarian Maureen Nations. The Domtar committee will help fund the murals.
"At least people will know the building is a library," Nations said.
The team which selected Pletcher and helps fund the project includes volunteers from the paper mill and the community.
Pletcher created the idea to showcase a sample of what is available.
"I wanted to attract more clients and children to the library. I wanted to remind people about wonderful American literature," said Pletcher said.
The proposal started after a discussion Nations had with Ashdown Mayor James
Sutton.
Then the idea expanded to painting a mural on the library.
The committee had seen other libraries using books as illustrations.
"It's easy to know the building and it's so attractive and catches people's eyes. People get excited about it," said Nations.
"It's creative and sophisticated. The kids enjoy the big pictures," she said.
"It's truly exciting. It's something creative. We were excited to just paint the building. It's wonderful and looks creative and adds to the library and adds to the community," said Nations.
"We have a lot of books for a small library and a lot of children's books," said Nations, who has worked as the librarian since January. She was previously a volunteer.
Before he started painting the mural, Pletcher created a 3-D image on a computer and provided options for the committee to consider.
Pletcher paints freehand and uses the bricks as a grid.
"It's a skill I've developed by lots of practice and experience. I use the vanishing point where the view of the mural narrows. It converges to a point on the wall," he said.
Pletcher's career started when he was asked to paint a portrait of a friend's father, who had died. He has continued to paint memorial portraits.
A man requested a portrait of his wife and son, who had died months apart from
cancer.
"Each day, the man kisses the portrait," Pletcher said.
"It's sad, but it's joyful and fulfilling. It's also therapeutic for the family," Pletcher
said.
"I wish to paint what is in your heart," Pletcher said.
Some of the books illustrated on the walls show a variety ranging from "The Color Purple," "The Shining," "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee," "Charolette's Web," "Leaves of Grass," to the Holy Bible.
Nations recently rescued a cat from the Ashdown animal shelter and the library has become the home of "Madeline," a mixed breed tabby cat who loves the laps of library patrons and children. Ashdown veterinarian Dr. Kenneth Martin gave the cat a clean bill of health.