Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian Toddler Play Area

To paint this project, I had to submit work samples displaying my ability to paint plants, mammals and birds. The Smithsonian sent me the plans for the project which was to paint animals and plants of the Northeastern Woodlands. I was given great freedom of interpretation. The animal, trees and plant silhouettes were cut out and primed MDF for me to paint. Using online photo reference I painted the various elements to be included in the Tableau.

I only painted the foreground elements. The backdrop is a digital image created by the Smithsonian. The museum staff assembled the finished parts.

Interestingly, I was provided with a list of acceptable, safe pigments I could use in the Toddler Play area. To finish it, I had to varnish it with nontoxic, safe varnish.