Denee Zeigler: "Hooray for the Honeybee"

The Artist

My background includes a little bit of everything. I have a degree in Studio Art from The College of Saint Rose and have always found ways to incorporate painting, drawing and photography into what I'm doing - but it is usually done during any free time I might have. At my current position for the City of Troy, I have several opportunities to use my creativity and am thankful for that. Over the past year, like everyone, I was not on the go as much. The slower pace allowed me to refocus on painting and drawing again and I am excited to see what comes of it.

The Mural

For this mural, I wanted to create something that was bright and full of natural elements that would compliment the farmers market. I wanted to include honeybees because they seem to be the behind-the-scenes force that unites the vendors making all of it possible. I reached out to the other artists to ask them if they wanted to include a honeybee in or around their work to help create a common thread in all of the paintings. For inspiration I looked at heirloom seed packets and vintage posters of farm workers. I allowed some of the elements to reach outside of the borders to make it less static and more alive.

I recently starting making time to paint again and this was a perfect opportunity for me to make something large scale. Overall, it was a great experience; working with other artists and the market staff. Being in the old Price Chopper also provided some unexpected excitement as well.

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