The Rhododendron
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Artist: Ferric Decay
Location: The shed next to the parking lot behind 300 North Main St, Fort Bragg, CA This stunning piece was designed by local artist Ferric Decay and co-sponsored by local non-profit The Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. Their collection boasts more than 1000 rhododendrons, of 124 different species and 315 taxa. The flowers depicted in this installation are of the species "Pink Delight." Peak rhododendron season is April to May, but you can see blooms from as early as December through June.
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Inspiration for this Installation
Jacob, aka Ferric Decay, is a local artist, screen printer, and tattoo designer, often sought out for his moody naturalist style and lush details. He is currently setting up a tattoo shop in Point Arena, CA. While perusing his instagram feed, Lia saw a tattoo of rhododendrons that caught her attention. The Botanical Gardens loved the idea of a rhododendron installation downtown, both because rhododendrons are native to the moist redwood groves of Mendocino county, and because they host one of the largest and most spectacular rhododendron collections in the country, including many endangered species, some of which are now extinct in their native habitats. Everyone agreed the design would pair well with the weathered surface of a local shed commonly referred to as the "No Barking" shed, after a mischievous local changed the sign on the north side. Luckily the property owner agreed, and the Rhododendron was installed in April-May 2018. The official unveiling is scheduled for May 25th at 6:00pm.
Tattoo of some rhododendrons, by Jacob.
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"Pink Delight" species of rhododendron. Photographed by Jacob.
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Sketch of "Pink Delight" by Jacob.
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The Process
It took over a month to install the mural. Jacob started by projecting a sketch onto the side of the building at night and tracing it with charcoal. Then he removed all the previous paint in the areas the mural would cover. He was careful to leave the peeling paint on the rest of the building to preserve the weathered look. Oil based primers went on first, followed by tinted base coats, shadows, highlights, colors, and details, all building to create an image that appears to leap out at you from the side of the shed.
Rhododendrons on the Mendocino Coast
Tender species rhododendrons are found between 25- and 35-degrees latitude at elevations between 4,000 and 9,000 feet in their native habitats in Burma, China, and Tibet. In North America, only a narrow strip from Santa Cruz, California to Brookings, Oregon is suitable habitat for these plants. Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens is close to the center of the optimal zone—the southern part of this strip is limited by low rainfall and restricted groundwater, while the northern section is limited by periodic extremes of cold. The lack of summer rain is offset by coastal fog and by the availability of irrigation water from local creeks.
About the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
Visit the Mendocino Coast Botanical GardensOther collections at the Botanical Gardens
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Mendocino Botanical Gardens Gates still open a French blue sky frames purples and reds yellows and whites. The sunlight cascades over our shoulders down our arms pooling on the black and white fur of our girls. This canopy of color this quiet late afternoon broken only by the sound of the wind and the beat of our hearts. The gates close the waning gibbous moon keeps watch till a thunder of rhododendrons in bloom ushers in sunrise. - By windflower, 2022 Poetry and Prose generously donated by members of Writers of the Mendocino Coast. Learn more about this fantastic group! |
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