Progress continues on Ellendale mural
Artist Chandler Anderson works on the “meat and potatoes” of the new Ellendale mural: three of the town’s most revered residents. The 12-foot-by-10-foot mural is being painted inside, then will be installed this summer in the outdoor community garden. Anderson will add buildings, a train, and more detail before finishing the piece later this month. Staff photo by Kay Fate
At first glance, it looked like Chandler Anderson was having a conversation with a few people.
A few more steps into the Ellendale Community Building, though, and it became clear they were people of his own creating.
The artist commissioned to revitalize a mural in downtown Ellendale is moving into the final phases of his role in the project. Anderson expects to be finished painting the 12-foot-by-10-foot piece by mid-March.
He hopes to allow it to cure inside for at least six weeks before it’s installed at the southwest corner of the lot that will eventually become a community gathering space, featuring picnic tables, benches, a bandstand, a paver path, and the existing garden.
The focal point and backdrop of the space, the mural features three prominent figures from the town’s history, including Ellen Dale Ives, for whom Ellendale was named. Flanking her are her contemporaries, Thomas H. Brown, who helped found the town, and Dr. E.Q. Ertel, who served the community for 50 years.
“I’m building the meat and potatoes of it right now,” Anderson said of the artwork, “then I’ll go in with some detail when I’m done – like the embellishments on the luggage” that sits at the feet of Brown and Ives, and on the medical bag Ertel is holding.
Anderson hasn’t kept track of the hours he’s spent on the project since the scaffolding was built and the panels were put into place at the beginning of February.
“I started just sketching it on,” he said of the process, “building it inward from the perimeter. I framed it (with the background), moved in, and now I’m going to move out again” when the three figures are completed.
“I get the main chunk of it down; that way I know how to bring in the sides” of the scene, Anderson said. “I just don’t want these (figures) to get lost. I want them front and center.”
The overall look is of a sepia-toned photo, though he has brightened up some of the colors.
The mural will be visible to westbound traffic on Minnesota Highway 30 and those traveling north or south on Second Street.
The features still to be added include the railroad depot, the original elevator, and a locomotive.
“When I’m working on a big project, I want to stay on it,” Anderson said, “and keep the momentum. I’ll be here every day now.”