Courtenay artist Kelly Everill is well known for her community murals.

They can be found on the sides of buildings, on fences, inside schools, grocery stores and other structures throughout Vancouver Island香蕉视频直播檚 Comox Valley.

Her latest creation is, in a word, stunning.

Everill has recently completed a two-storey, 40-foot-wide tribute to veterans, on the outer wall of the Courtenay Legion (Branch 17).

香蕉视频直播淚 worked many hours every day for about five days to get the background done, and then I added the lettering on the (last day), so it took me about six days in total香蕉视频直播� but it香蕉视频直播檚 taken me 25 years to learn how to do it in that amount of time,香蕉视频直播� Everill said.

香蕉视频直播淭he Legion approached me about the job and I came up with a sketch and we carried on from there. They did some fundraising through their members, and I gave them a good deal, because it is the Legion. My dad was a member until he passed away a couple of years ago, so it was an important (project) for me, too.香蕉视频直播�

While the actual creation only took a week, Mother Nature played a big role in its delay.

香蕉视频直播淲e had to put it off about four times because of the weather,香蕉视频直播� said Everill. 香蕉视频直播淲e had this planned last fall, but we ran out of time then, so we have just been waiting for a good stretch of weather and it finally happened.香蕉视频直播�

Everill said people香蕉视频直播檚 reactions to her work is what inspires her.

香蕉视频直播淭his one especially,香蕉视频直播� she said of the Legion mural. 香蕉视频直播淭his one actually brought people to tears - they were crying when they came and saw the mural, which made me cry. It香蕉视频直播檚 very moving. Also people have said it has opened up a conversation with their younger kids - a very important conversation that may not have happened.香蕉视频直播�

Everill said the message she is trying to convey is written on the mural.

香蕉视频直播淭he words 香蕉视频直播楲est We Forget香蕉视频直播� says it all香蕉视频直播� and this visual piece makes it a daily statement (as opposed to one surrounding Remembrance Day),香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淢any people have told me that they drove there just to see it, and they have a moment.香蕉视频直播�

The public is invited to attend an official unveiling ceremony on July 30 at 11 a.m.

Everill香蕉视频直播檚 next project is something at 19 Wing.

香蕉视频直播淚 am working on a big one for the base, so we are working on the logistics of that香蕉视频直播� but I always have 10 or 12 projects on my plate.香蕉视频直播�

Everill香蕉视频直播檚 work expands beyond Vancouver Island. She has murals in the Interior as well.

香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檝e also got some in Kelowna and Vernon, that are even bigger.香蕉视频直播�

For more information on Everill香蕉视频直播檚 business, visit

terry.farrell@comoxvalleyrecord.com
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