BY PAUL KAMPE
Clarkston News Staff Writer
Local artist Michelle Tynan was selected by Sherman Publications to design and paint a mural on the north side of the building that houses The Clarkston News.
Tynan, a 2000 graduate of Indiana University with a bachelor of arts degree in fine art, recently moved to the area. Although she was born in Pontiac, Tynan never lived in the state.
The project, as sketched by the artist, has a view inside the building using windows added to the painting. It also includes the image of an outdoor park. The project should last 8 to 12 weeks once it begun.
Tynan is awaiting approval from the Clarkston City Council after she received the approval of the Planning Commission July 17.
The concern the group had was regarding any type of latent advertising in the painting that would violate the city’s sign ordinance.
The artist said she is inspired by the murals coming from the Philadelphia, Penn. area.
‘I would like to be the frontrunner to introduce murals to the area. Murals are something I seek out regularly to get bids on,? Tynan said.
That is how she became involved in her current project. Two weeks ago, she found the downtown Clarkston building and began to inquire about ownership. She likes to create site-specific murals.
Tynan said her career began on accident when she was offered the chance to paint a mural on Kilroy’s Sports Bar in Indiana. Nearly six months later, she was asked to paint the other side of the building.
Tynan will go before the city council at its next meeting at 7 p.m., Monday, July 24 at 375 Depot Road.