The "The Painting Is On The Wall!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Driving South on N. Mary Street when I came upon a rather interesting site in the 300 block of N. Mary Street.  The two story house had a fresh coat of paint on to which was a sprouting garden of flowers.  Snapped a few photographs and a few days later there appeared an article in the newspaper telling about the house and those that had painted the house.  The article in the paper was titled "Art With Heart."  Indeed it was!  The mural that was recently painted on the house was to illustrate a new purpose after a major life change.  The house is owned by Colin and Julia Morrell who asked the Friendship Heart Gallery & Studio at 118 N. Water Street in the city if they could paint a mural on their home.  The Friendship Heart Gallery & Studio is a creative arts group located at 118 N Water St. in downtown Lancaster.  Colin and Juia enjoyed seeing their house's exterior walls sprout a garden and become a local landmark.  Actually, the N. Mary Street mural was the brainchild of Colin Morrell.  It served as a way to help the Friendship artists connect with the community, but it also helped Colin find a new purpose after a major life change.  Colin and Julia owned Aussie & the Fox Restaurant in the City of Lancaster, but decided to close the restaurant in 2018.  They chose starting a new family over trying to run the restaurant which was a big chore for the both of them.  A buyer showed up just at the right time!  Today daughter Phoebe is 2 years old and son Wesley is 6 months old.  They found that selling the business has become hard and at times depressing.  They miss the interaction of working with the staff and customers at the restaurant.  

House in 300 block of N. Mary Street

Colin remembered how much he enjoyed the paintings that were displayed at the restaurant.  The restaurant paintings were done by 52 artists from the Friendship Heart Studio as well as half-a-dozen professional artists.  Home Depot helped with the paint and Lowe's contributed the painting tools.  Mast Film Co. produced a short documentary about the project known as "The Garden."  After the mural was completed, it was protected with Mural Shield which is a non-toxic coating.  Colin negotiated on behalf of the Friendship Heart group to work on a new project at Rachel's Ceperie.  That will begin in September.  As for the Morrell family, they are planning a move to Australia by the end of the year.  And...as for the mural on their home...a real estate attorney will make sure the mural remains forever.  Mr. Morrell may have to return from time to time to help in it's preservation, but he will do just that to keep it in perfect condition.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.