Undercoating and Drawing on the Keeper

We spent a couple of weeks with the undercoating and drawing on the Keeper.  We found this process quite important, so we spent more days than we had estimated on it.  Basically, we worked inside our studio garage, but since the ceiling is not high enough, we had to take the Keeper outside from time to time to see if the design was correct when it was upright.  We've been appreciating our family who has helped with carrying it every time we do it! 

Working on Planning for the Keeper

      After getting some information and inspiration, my daughter and I did some brainstorming and talked about several different ideas while we did some sketching.  We nailed down an idea that we both liked, and I did a drawing on a sheet of paper with color pencils first.  We chose this stylized and simplified mode of rendering with many colors to create a vibrant and whimsical tone.

 

     Then, I transferred the image to a  template sheet, and my daughter created a digital image from it.

     Together with the artist statement, we sent the proposal and it got approved thankfully by the Bosin Foundation and Together Wichita, but we needed to wait to receive the Keeper for about a month due to the Corona Virus pandemic and the stay at home order.  What a time to live in!  Stay safe everybody!

      

Exploring and Learning about District 3

    Prior to the arrival of the Keeper, my daughter and I spent some time in Clapp Park.  Clapp Park is a park with 95 acres in the middle of an urbanized area in South Wichita.  We were overwhelmed to see its vastness.  It used to be a golf course, but now it is used for a walking course and a disc golf course. 

     Then, we explored around District 3 of Wichita where Clapp Park is located.  We found these major structures as inspiration in the district.  These structures are interesting.   In a sense, they illustrate different facets of peoples' needs such as medical, educational, spiritual, political, and social needs.  

     We were also invited to attend a district council meeting at the Water Center in February.  They introduced us, and we listened to their input from the district representatives.  It was informative and very good to meet the people from the district where our Keeper is going to be located.  

The Keeper Came to Our House! - Keeper on Parade Project 150

     This was about a month ago, but the Keeper came to our house!  This is a replica of the most well-known landmark in Wichita, Keeper of the Plains by Blackbear Bosin.  This is going to be one of the 13 Keepers for celebrating Wichita's 150th anniversary.  My daughter and I are going to paint it together.  It was my daughter's idea to apply for it as a mother and a daughter team.  We were selected from about 60 applicants, so it's quite an honor and we're very grateful.  Our Keeper is going to be placed in Clapp Park in South Wichita.  Such a beautiful form...  We couldn't resist spending some time looking at it in our yard for a while on the day of arrival.

　もう一か月ほど前になりますが、キーパーがうちにやってきました。ウィチタ市で最も有名なランドマークで、ブラックベアー・ボジンというアーティストの手によるKeeper of the Plainsという像のレプリカです。今年、ウィチタ市市制150周年のお祝いとしてペイントされることになった1３体のキーパーの一つです。娘の提案で、一緒に応募し、二人でペイントすることになりました。60人ほどの応募者から選ばれたとのことで、とても感謝なことです。私達のキーパーはウィチタ市南のクラップパークという公園に設置されることになっています。なんて美しいフォルムなんでしょう…！届いた日、庭に置いてしばらく眺めていました。

About the Keeper on Parade Project by Together Wichita

Wichita Eagle Article Together Wichita Putting More Keeper Statues on Parade

About the original work Keeper of the Plains

About the Original Artist Blackbear Bosin