Fairview just got a whole lot more scenic.
A local painter with some serious street cred is putting the finishing touches on a mural that depicts the history of the western part of Halifax.
"It (is) all based on a book somebody wrote on the neighbourhood," said artist Curphey Forrestall, who with his brother submitted a proposal to the city for the roughly 1,000-square-foot mural at the corner of Main and Hillcrest streets in Fairview. (His brother did the original design for the mural.)
Forrestall has an impressive artistic bloodline, being the son of artist Tom Forrestall of Dartmouth. "He is my father and I don’t try to make any secret of it," said Curphey.
But the 44-year-old is more intent on talking about his wide-sweeping mural, done in acrylic, and telling the story municipal officials suggested be used for the artwork.
"I was interested in doing a mural with some kind of historical context."
Forrestall read The Little Dutch Village: Historic Halifax West — Armdale and Fairvew by Devonna and Don Edwards, before setting out to paint the mural, which depicts a forested scene, a train and historical buildings of the area.
"They put out a call three years ago now," Forrestall said, referring to the municipality’s streetscape design plans. "We put in a couple of submissions."
He started painting at the first of September and although he’s an experienced muralist — having painted a number for Superstore and Neptune Theatre — Forrestall admitted the Fairview project was a bit overwhelming at first. (He’s also exhibited his artworks at many galleries.)
"The hardest part is after it’s primed . . . and then you’re looking at a big blank wall and thinking, ‘Oh my God, what have I got myself into now?’ "
But he got going and then had trouble thinking of anything else. "You get to the point where you’re anxious to get back."
The artist will return to paint a small plaque on the mural telling the public about the book upon which it was based, and to include a contact number.
Forrestall was paid for the work, which took a month to complete, and is next off to New York to paint a mural inside a Manhattan apartment.
"People asked me, ‘Are you just doing this for fun?’ I wish I could afford to."
Normally pretty cynical about his efforts, the artist couldn’t help but be happy with the Fairview artwork.
"It was really fun to paint," he said.
"I’ve never had a response as I’ve had there in Fairview — tooting and honking, people coming over and chatting to me. After about 300 people come up to you and say, ‘You’re really enriching my life,’ I thought, ‘Well jeez, maybe I really am doing something good for the neighbourhood.’ "
