The Harbor Freeway Overture Mural's 20th birthday

What a fantastic visual treat it is as you come up the 110 Freeway from the south into downtown Los Angeles. In a day when printed posters for movies are the size of a building, it kind of blows you away to think of a hand painted mural that is 10 stories high. The mural eventually took on the title, The Harbor Freeway Overture. This is a very nice article in today’s LA Times about the 20th birthday of Kent Twitchell’s Monument to the LA Chamber Orchestra. 

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-laco-mural-20111208,0,4011608.story

                             Coming from the south northward on the 110 Freeway in downtown LA

Kent and I have been talking about doing some maintenance on the mural but this mural is not part of the 1984 Olympic Freeway Murals, which are the focus of the Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles’ efforts for restoration/conservation/preservation.

Shortly after you pass the Monument to the LA Chamber Orchestra,while you are still downtown, you will see Judy Baca’s great mural on the right side of the freeway under the 4th Street overpass sadly covered with graffiti. A short distance ahead on the left you will see Alonzo Davis’ mural, also vandalized. These two murals are slated for graffiti removal and art conservation just as was done for the Jim Morphesis Monument mural on the 101 freeway (www.savefreewaymurals.com).

The reason the Monument to the LA Chamber Orchestra has looked good all these years and has not been tagged is that it is out of reach, thankfully. Congratulations to Kent Twitchell and the LA Chamber Orchestra for the 20th Anniversary of this incredible, world class quality mural, truely a gift to the City of Los Angeles and all who live and work here.

For videos on the graffiti removal and restoration of other murals in Los Angeles, go to YouTube channel “bestartdoc” at http://www.youtube.com/user/bestartdoc?feature=mhee SUBSCRIBE NOW to be notified when I add more videos.

Conservation/restoration questions? Call Scott M. Haskins 805 564 3438

Art appraisal questions? Call Richard Holgate at 805 895 5121

Kent Twitchell's Genius Final Touch on Biola Jesus Mural- "The Word"

I've written before about the work we did with mural artist extraordinaire Kent Twtichell (probably the most famous artist in LA and maybe the most famous mural artist in the USA) on his mural called the Biola Jesus by the public but formally named, "The Word." Its located at, you guessed it, Biola University in la Mirada CA (Los Angeles) and is realy a wonderful image and artistic expression.

Some time ago, there was an olive tree in front of the mural that died and was removed. Well, this tree was part of Twitchell's composition! It was considered an important part of the placement of the central figure, coloring etc.

You can see the videos about the restoration work (which was really interesting and entertaining) at www.fineartconservationlab.com/twitchell-biola-jesus-mural.

The wonderful detail I'm now posting about is the planting of a new tree, just to make the mural "whole" again. Note that this is a BIG olive tree and very expensive. I applaud loudly the sensitivity of the university to the overall effect the mural with the tree can have on the public.

We've been working on another mural by Kent Twitchell that is located on a freeway and was heavily tagged. If you'd like to see what that interesting project is about go to www.savefreewaymurals.com

Art conservation questions? Call Scott Haskins at 805 564 3438
Art appraisal questions? Call Richard Holgate at 805 895 5121

Jim Morphesis' Mural by Kent Twitchell Cleaned! Cleaning a mural

This is not the conventional way to clean a mural. But if the mural is painted right and if you have the right kind and thick enough protective layer on it and if you have the right kind of graffiti swelling agent and if the temperature of the day is warm enough and, and, and...

Want to donate to saving the LA 1984 Olympic freeway Murals? Go to http://www.indiegogo.com/jimmorphesismonument?a=283889&i=addr

Stay in touch with us on this project at http://www.savefreewaymurals.com

Save Freeway Murals From The Taggers and Vandals

Today was crazy: I was on the 101 freeway in Los Angeles, standing on the shoulder of the road about 5 feet from the traffic under an underpass all day. Today was the first day of work of graffiti removal from Kent Twitchell's Jim Morphesis Monument. Here's what happened today in an interesting quick 1 minute video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BR0rpn8Z5cs

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Kent Twitchell Finishes Art Restoration of Mural at Biola University

The 3rd video of the art conservation/restoration of monumental realistic beautiful outdoor mural by Kent Twitchell at Biola University is ready. Very interesting and cool! http://bit.ly/iF59qd

Its the 3rd video on the page (largest). If you like the video, please leave a comment and click on the THUMBS UP!

Kent Twitchell is the leading muralist in Los Angeles, known world wide. Google his name and pack a lunch cause there's a lot of interesting stuff to read. His murals are always huge, gorgeous, realistic and interesting.


He is also the co-founder of the Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles and is a driving force to get outdoor murals protected from graffiti.

Kent Twitchell Finishes Restoration of The Biola Jesus Mural

I'm in Los Angeles (La Mirada) today putting the final varnish on Kent Twitchell's Biola Jesus mural. Kent, the original artist of the mural done in 1990, is in charge of the restoration. But he has brought me on as part of the effort to consult with him on conservation efforts/needs. Today, I'll also be shooting the final clips for the video I've made of the project. Stay tuned!

If you haven't seen the two previous short videos yet, of the analysis before the work and the video on consolidation and conservation efforts, go to www.fineartconservationlab.com/twitchell-biola-jesus-mural

Art Conservation of Kent Twitchell's Mural of Biola Jesus - 2nd Video of Consolidation

This short second video shows the treatments that seem to miraculously regenerate the whitened varnish. By also absorbing into those layers an adhesive, the original colors reappear in a startling way.



The work is performed by Scott M. Haskins, art conservator on the mural by Kent Twitchell at Biola University in La Mirada, California. See blog page dedicated to project at http://www.fineartconservationlab.com/twitchell-biola-jesus-mural/

1st video shows tests and examination
3rd video shows Kent's restoration
4th video shows techniques of final varnish

Scott M. Haskins 805 564 3438 best_artdoc@yahoo.com www.fineartconservationlab.com
Kent Twitchell, 310 709 2037

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